Easter Bank Holiday Weekend in Manchester and the North

Creative Tourist

This year, your four-day Easter Bank Holiday eggs-travaganza (sorry) rolls from Good Friday right through to Easter Monday.

We’ve wound the clocks forward, so there’s more in the way of daylight hours to enjoy – and hopefully more sun to soak up in our parks and gardens, and even our sculpture parks and beer gardens. Failing that, there’s always chocolate… Read on for some of our top ideas for things to do this Easter Bank Holiday weekend in Manchester and across the North.

If you’re looking to keep the kids busy on their Easter break, check out our suggestions for things to do at Easter half term, including the Giant Easter Egg Hunt at RHS Garden Bridgewater and the Easter Silent Disco at Tatton Park, with fun for all the family, including tunes to suit grown-ups as well as nippers.

Our top picks

RHS Garden Bridgewater

RHS Garden Bridgewater, Occupation Road (Off Leigh Road), Worsley, Salford, Greater Manchester, M28 2GU - Visit now

RHS Garden Bridgewater invites you on a supersized family adventure this Easter holiday as The Giant Easter Egg Hunt returns 1-16 April – try and find all the larger-than-life eggs hidden around the garden or have a go at fun planting and craft activities for the whole family. And if you’d prefer a trip without the wee ones, chill out with a coffee and cake in one of the cafes, or head to the garden centre for some treats to brighten up your own outdoor spaces.

RHS GARDEN BRIDGEWATER
Image: Harris Bugg Studio

Traces of Displacement

Traces of Displacement in the Whitworth's Collection at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 7 January 2024, free entry - Visit now

A major new exhibition opens at the Whitworth on Good Friday. Traces of Displacement the issue of one of the greatest humanitarian crises of recent times – forced displacement through the 20th and 21st centuries. The result is a fantastic, complex and sometimes surprising survey of the issue. And while you’re at the Whitworth, do check out another brilliant exhibition, this time textile-focused: Althea McNish: Colour is Mine.

Mounira al Solh, 'I Strongly Believe in the Right to be Frivolous', 2012-ongoing, image courtesy the artist.

Mayfield Park

Mayfield Park, Mayfield Park, Manchester, M1 2PY - Visit now

Manchester’s newest green space is well worth checking out as warmer weather (hopefully) springs into action. Tucked away behind Mayfield Depot, with its bars and oft-changing eateries, there are play facilities for the little’uns plus the chance to spot dippers and other wildlife on the newly daylighted River Medlock.

Mayfield Partnership

Another Hand

Another Hand, Unit F 253 Deansgate, Mews Level, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN - Visit now

Another Hand offers an exciting menu, championing local producers, and an outside terrace for if the weather behaves itself. Mews neighbour Dormouse Chocolates feature in the desserts (and, recently, on Great British Menu), and don’t forget to head there to pick up some cocoa treats to take home…

Another Hand
Another Hand

Culture in South Lakes

Culture in South Lakes, Until 30 December 2023, free entry

Not only one of Britain’s most picturesque national parks, the Lake District is also brimming with culture. Take a look at our rundown of things to do over the Easter break.

Culture in South Lakes
Ben Nicholson's Cold Fell (1922) oil on canvas (part of Abbot Hall's collection). Image courtesy of Lakeland Arts.

Goodtime Games

Goodtime Games, 212 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LW - Visit now

Rain or shine, Goodtime Games’ shelves are piled high with hours and hours of turn-based amusement, with owners Tom and Melissa on hand to offer up a wealth of knowledge and recommendations. While you’re there, nip up the way to the Burton Road OG of Cocoa Cabana for some Easter-inspired chocolate treats, including delicious hot choc, or wheedle in a trip to La Chouquette in nearby Didsbury Village.

goodtime games
Goodtime Games

Chester Rows

Chester Rows, Bridge St, Watergate St, Eastgate Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1NG - Visit now

Chester’s historic Rows are part of the Government’s High Street Heritage Action Zones initiative, revitalising 14 historic high streets across the North West, and more than 60 across England. Stroll along the unique walkways and you’re bound to stumble across a quirky cafe or bar that takes your fancy as well as boutique shops and even some live performances and art installations as part of a spring-summer programme being rolled out this year.

Courtesy of Visit Cheshire

Dunham Massey

Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Greater Manchester, WA14 4SJ - Visit now

With over 300 acres of freely roaming fallow deer, ancient trees to climb and wild trails to tread, Dunham Massey is one of our top go-tos for a quick city escape. And Easter – when the country estate bursts into bloom with white carpets of snowdrops and yellow coverings of daffodils – is the perfect time to visit.

Dunham Massey
National Trust

Formby Beach

Formby Beach, Victoria Rd, Formby, Liverpool, L37 1LJ - Visit now

April might still be a little early for a bracing dip, but it’s the perfect time to visit Formby Beach – spring being when the local native red squirrel population is most active. The beautiful National Trust reserve is bordered by a glorious stretch of coastal pinewoods. Combine with a trip to nearby Crosby Beach either, where contemporary sculptor Antony Gormley’s striking iron men gaze into the horizon.

By Berit from Redhill/Surrey, UK (Formby beach) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Beer Gardens in Manchester & Salford

We’ve been teased with a little bit of sun over the last few weeks, fingers crossed it breaks out into a full blown heatwave over Easter.

The New Oxford
Spotlight on

Things to Do in Cumbria

Our guide to the best things to do in the Cumbria and the Lake District, including Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, Keswick and Cockermouth.

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