Bean & Brush is a family art café in Sale which serves simple, tasty food with ingredients sourced from local suppliers. The bonus for parents is the arts and crafts studio which keeps the kids busy being creative while they can join in or relax with a coffee.
A second hand shops that specialises in selling electrical goods
Grosvenor Square is one of the few open spaces along Oxford Road Manchester; on sunny days, students from the nearby Manchester School of Art come out to bask.
Walkden Gardens in the Manchester suburbs has all the makings of a fairy tale garden. As a venue, it’s hard to imagine a more magical gateway, a wonderful escape only a short(ish) stroll from the Brooklands Metrolink stop..
An intimate supper club in Sale, South Manchester, with a specialist focus on Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine.
A nature reserve between Chorlton and Sale, perfect for summer strolls and getting yourself immersed in the great outdoors (without actually leaving the city).
Stretford Mall has undergone a major transformation, turning a 60s shopping centre into a vibrant, community-led town centre. Led by Trafford Council and Bruntwood Works.
Pub on the corner of Chorlton’s Beech Road with a good selection of ales and an excellent beer garden.
Longford Park in Stretford was created in the grounds of Longford Hall, the grand entrance steps of which remain.
With a 17th Century hall set in 109 acres of open parkland, Wythenshawe Park makes a super day out for all ages. Explore the historic woodlands, lush grasslands and meadows; take a stroll around the many themed gardens and check out the sports and leisure facilities on offer.
The Jane Eyre Chorlton is a charming independent venue, serving up superb cocktails and small plates in South Manchester.
97 is a smart new cocktail bar from the team behind Tariff & Dale and The Lead Station, based on Beech Road in Chorlton.
The Manchester Christmas Markets are back for 2025, with many dozens of stalls in front of the town hall, and hundreds of traders spread across city-centre squares.
Free entry
Mrs Claus needs your help with a festive Bake-Off like no other in this interactive children’s theatre show at The Octagon.
From £11.00
Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism.
Free entry
This winter, families with little ones are invited into a shimmering world of snow and discovery with the new production of The Snowy Day.
From £10.00
Experience the sights, smells and sounds of the engine-driven ideas and industry that started in Manchester and went on to change the world.
Free entry
Get priority booking on the best seats, special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and much more. Are you in?
From £45.00
For families who refuse to settle for beige buffets and early bedtimes, Raver Tots brings proper club energy to Freight Island this New Year’s Eve.
From £15
Winter brings a huge haul of seasonal shows, as well as productions that resolutely veer away from the fairy lights.
Manchester’s closing out the year – and looking to the new one – with a run of gigs from some of the country’s best underground exports.
There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.
Manchester’s family‑friendly scene is buzzing this season with storytelling, theatre, and hands‑on fun for all ages.
In galleries around the North this autumn, you'll find tactile sculptures, Treasures with a capital 'T' and plant magic.
Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.
Step away from the usual. Tours and activities that spark curiosity, inspire creativity and offer something refreshingly different.