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Planning your perfect long weekend? You’ve come to the right place. We’re all hoping for a balmy, sun-soaked time but if the weather fails us, there are plenty of events in and out of doors that you can enjoy. Below you’ll find incredible theatre shows, historical and art tours, captivating exhibitions, cocktail bars and much more.
And if you’re curious about what else is on around the North this spring, take a look at our culture guides, where there’s something for everyone, including exhibitions, music, cinema, theatre, literature, tours and activities and family events.
Here are our picks
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1. Lindsey Mendick: Where The Bodies Are Buried at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Lindsey Mendick, Where The Bodies Are Buried, installation view at YSP, 2023. Courtesy the artist. Photo © Jonty Wilde, courtesy YSP Lindsey Mendick at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, Until 3 September 2023, £9 with concessions - Book now
Rising start of the contemporary artworld Lindsey Mendick has arrived in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (open on Bank Holidays too!) with her immersive display of gruesomely wonderful artworks.
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2. Culture in South Lakes
Ben Nicholson's Cold Fell (1922) oil on canvas (part of Abbot Hall's collection). Image courtesy of Lakeland Arts. Culture in South Lakes, Until 30 December 2023, free entry
The long weekend offers to perfect opportunity for a trip to the South Lakes. Soak up the stunning landscape and a whole lot of culture while you’re there.
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3. Old Dock Tours, Liverpool
© Robin Clewley, Courtesy of National Museums Liverpool The Old Dock Tours at Maritime Museum, Waterfront, Until 31 January 2025, £8.50 with concessions - Book now
Fancy a historical adventure this Bank Holiday weekend? Book onto the Old Dock Tour in Liverpool and get up close and personal with the city’s history.
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4. The Wishing Well
The Wishing Well -
5. Outdoor Art in the North
Often free and publicly accessible, outdoor art has a special relationship to community, cultural heritage and the landscape it’s situated in. Why not take the opportunity to discover the iconic outdoor artworks the North has to offer over Bank Holiday Weekend.
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6. Whitworth Art Gallery Tours
Free Daily Tours, the Whitworth. Whitworth Art Gallery Daily Tour at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 31 July 2023, free entry - Visit now
Visit the gorgeous Whitworth Art Gallery for a tour of its current exhibitions. Afterwards, you can take a stroll in the surrounding park
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7. Sunday Roasts in Manchester
If you don’t feel like cooking this weekend, we’ve got you covered – check out our roundup of the best Sunday Roasts in Manchester. And if you choose Ducie Street Warehouse, you’ve got twice as many chances to scoff one, thanks to the Double Ducie Roast, available both Sunday and Monday.
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8. Wild Swimming in the North of England
If you’re looking for outdoor activity ideas, wild swimming might just be the one. Whether you prefer picturesque lakes or local lidos, there are lots of lovely spots to choose from. And, if you’re after something even more energetic, why not combine a hike with a refreshing dip at the end?
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9. Daniel Arsham: Relics in the Landscape at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Daniel Arsham, Unearthed Bronze Eroded Melpomene, 2021. Courtesy Perrotin Gallery and Arsham Studio. Photo © James Law Daniel Arsham: Relics in the Landscape at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, Until 30 September 2023, free entry - Visit now
Daniel Arsham’s “future relics” look perfectly at home at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, as spring makes its way around the Park’s green grounds.
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10. UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the North
World Heritage Sites tell the story of this country’s unique contribution to the world. More than playing its part in that story, the North is home to many sites of international interest, and they’re right on your doorstep! Taking a trip to one or more of them would be an especially wholesome way to spend the Bank Holiday Weekend! -
11. Parks and Gardens in Manchester
You can’t go wrong with a visit to the park, weather permitting. Take a break from the city noise, bring a friend, bring your dog, breathe in the spring air and have an ice-cream en plein air.
Related Guides
Spring Bank Holiday
This year’s Spring bank holiday is Monday 29 May. Here’s a round up of events to fill your last long weekend of the month!
Exhibitions
The spring season in museums and galleries continues, with an abundance of new exhibitions all over the North.
Top places to go rural (without going too far from Manchester)
Our top places to go rural without leaving Manchester too far behind. From water parks to national trust properties with some wild swimming chucked in for good measure.
Roof Terraces in Manchester
Manchester does occasionally heat up. So begins the hunt for the best roof terrace on which to kick back with a mojito (or whatever’s your poison). Here’s our guide.
Things to Do in Manchester
Our guide to the best things to in Manchester, from award-winning theatre and exhibitions to the busiest music scene in the North.
Families
The sun has finally got his hat on! Enjoy our top picks of family-friendly events and activities, both indoors and outdoors.
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