October Half Term at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

Book now

Family Fun for October Half Term at Elizabeth Gaskell's House

20 October-2 November 2024
Date
Time
Session Features
20 Oct 2024
11:00 am-3:00 pm
23 Oct 2024
11:00 am-3:00 pm
24 Oct 2024
11:00 am-3:00 pm
27 Oct 2024
11:00 am-3:00 pm
30 Oct 2024
11:00 am-3:00 pm

See website for more sessions

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Children's owl craft displayed on books October Half Term at Elizabeth Gaskell's House
Elizabeth Gaskell's House
Book now

Looking for a fun and creative way to spend time together this half term? Visit Elizabeth Gaskell’s House for a memorable and reasonably priced family day out packed with activities, taking place from Sunday 20 October to Sunday 2 November.

There’s lots of creative activities taking place throughout October Half Term at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, including arts and crafts in the Servants’ Hall, where kids can make their very own spooky owl characters to take home!

And there’s more to explore, including dressing-up in historic outfits, even more arts and crafts, and of course, the popular Cranford the Cat trail which gives you a chance to discover the history of this magnificent family home, with the help of the house’s favourite pet, Cranford!

Craft activities are included with admission, and kids go free with a paying adult. As well as this, your ticket gives you unlimited entry for 12 months, so you can keep the fun going all year long, not just during the October half-term period. Craft sessions are available from 11am to 4pm (last entry at 3pm). To make sure you have the best experience, it’s recommended you book tickets in advance, but walk-ins are also fine.

Looking for somewhere to get snacks or lunch? Buy delicious drinks, cakes, and various bites to eat in the tea rooms, or feel free to bring a picnic! And for shopping or browsing, the shop offers pocket-money items from £1, like quill pens and cat toys, and a selection of second-hand children’s books.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is family friendly, with buggies and prams welcome throughout the house and garden, a lift and a ramped entrance, breast-feeding fully welcomed and baby change facilities.

Where to go near October Half Term at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Manchester
Library
Gaskell Society

These regular talks in both Manchester and Knutsford unpack the meaning and significance of Elizabeth Gaskell’s writing.

Manchester
Gallery
Chuck Gallery

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Pankhurst Centre
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The Pankhurst Centre

The Pankhurst Centre houses a small museum and heritage centre that remains as a legacy to the Pankhurst family and the Suffragette movement born in this city.

Much Ado About Nothing at Victoria Baths
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Event venue
Victoria Baths

Victoria Baths no longer functions as a ‘water palace’ and Turkish Baths, but the Grade II-listed building hosts regular events and is a stunning visit.

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Bar or Pub
Big Hands

Big Hands is the one-time haunt of legendary Manchester band Elbow; it’s shabby, loud and dark, with a jukebox and excellent roof terrace.

19 May – 1 July
Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-4pm
Free entry, tickets are available to book online

Please use the Parkside entrance to enter the gallery and café.

We are currently open for film screenings of our new exhibition, Imran Perretta: the destructors.

The Whitworth Café, Art Garden and Collections Care Centre are also open from May to June. The rest of the gallery remains closed while we install our next exhibitions, following COVID-19 safety guidelines.

We look forward to welcoming you back again when we re-open fully on 2 July with new exhibitions, and extended opening times, as part of Manchester International Festival, #MIF21

Visit our website and follow us on social media for updates.
manchester.ac.uk/whitworth 
@WhitworthArt

Winner of Visit England’s gold prize for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year in 2016 and winner of the Art Fund’s Museum of the Year in 2015, the Whitworth was originally founded in 1889 as the first English gallery in a pa
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