Travel for £12 – our favourite trips in and around Manchester: Family day

Our mini-series looks at the many and varied ways you can travel in and around Manchester for only £12 – this week, take the kids.

We’ve been banging on about TfGM’s Wayfarer ticket a good bit recently. Why? Well, we’re big fans of being able to travel anywhere in Greater Manchester using buses, trains and trams, as much as you like, for a whole day – for only £12. It’s only good value if you make the most of it, though, which is why we’ve put together our favourite trips in and around Manchester; so far, we’ve explored some super small museums, and made an escape to nature.

Next up, we’re looking at ways to travel with the family. The deal here is even better: two adults and two children under the age of 16 can buy a group Wayfarer for only £23. Or, if you want to leave the whole shebang behind and just take your favourite, there’s a £6 Wayfarer ticket for children 5-15 years old. Enough of the T&Cs though – where should you start exploring?

Discover how to use a radio telescope, listen to the sound of the Big Bang

Kids of all ages love Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre where you can explore the wonders if the universe, along with the huge – and it is huge – Lovell Telescope. Discover how to use a radio telescope, listen to the sound of the Big Bang and take part in the science shows and workshops in the Event Space during the holidays. To get there, take the train to Chelford and then a bus to the centre – and if you arrive hungry, the café is a good stop off.

On your way back, get off the train at Styal for a short walk to the National Trust’s industrial heritage site Quarry Bank, with its stunning gardens and cotton mill – perhaps via The Ship for a gastropub lunch. Alternatively, to avoid the walk, alight from the train at Wilmslow and take the 200 bus right to the property. In addition to the historic mill there’s plenty of space to run around, and you can spot planes landing at nearby Manchester Airport. To get a closer look, get back on the bus and head to the airport itself, where there are also tram and train services to get you back home.

The smallprint: Wayfarer lets you travel for a whole day by bus at any time and by train and tram after 9.30am weekdays and anytime Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Half price for kids and over 60s – plus there’s a family ticket available. See the TFGM website for details.