Easter

For a slice of the country that’s close to home. The National Trust’s most popular property, Dunham Massey, is just a few miles outside Altrincham, set in beautiful parkland, and close to favourite pub The Swan with Two Nicks.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a day trip in itself – pack kids (if you’ve got them, don’t go stealing someone else’s), a picnic, a camera and go exploring the art and landscape at this stunning gallery beneath the sky.

Stock up on some indulgent Easter treats at this deli-extraordinare on Deansgate – or treat yourself to a meal of exemplary tapas in the upstairs restaurant. Who said all the cooking had to happen at home?

Heaton Park’s Temple – a small circular structure with a breast-esque dome and Tuscan columns, designed in 1800 – was built on the highest point in Manchester. Scale the hill it sits on and you can see (and be seen) for quite a distance. It gives a unique view of the green fells that surround the city, as well as being an iconic spot: Heaton’s Temple was featured in none other than the 1981 TV series, Brideshead Revisited.

Another gallery in a park – here though, the art is a little more contained indoors. Nonetheless, the Whitworth’s cafe juts out beautifully in to the trees of the neighbouring park, and the art inside will have you inspired long after you leave.