The ghost story Frankenstein was written two hundred years ago by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, who expanded it later into a novel. This influential and much referenced work has spawned a genre of horror stories, films and plays. Philip Pullman’s brilliant play, one of the most popular versions, has been performed many times by youth and school groups.
From the team behind the old Everyman Bistro comes The Pen Factory, a warm and welcoming space situated in the basement of the Annex Building.
The arts bar is a vibrant, creative hub nestled between the city’s cathedrals, offering a platform for local creatives to showcase their work.
With a large beer garden and commitment to using locally sourced produce, Free State Kitchen in Liverpool isn’t just-another-burger-joint.
A true Liverpudlian treasure, great for a pie and pint.
Frederik’s neighbourhood kitchen & bar has been the hub of the Georgian Quarter since 2013. Award winning cocktails and a great Sunday roast!
A pleasant and affordable place to stay in Liverpool, International Inn is hidden away in a quiet street but still close to everything you need.
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral (or the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King) appears at the top of Mount Pleasant as if parked up by aliens.
Since 2015, 92 Degrees have been roasting and serving the finest coffee, whilst providing a friendly atmosphere in a comfortable space.
Abercromby Square in Liverpool was built as a communal garden for the rectangle of 19th-century houses that surround it.
Award-winning restaurant housed within Liverpool’s boutique Hope Street Hotel.
An independent coffee shop with an American diner-style menu
Throughout 2025, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is celebrating its tenth anniversary, having first opened to the public a decade ago.
from £0.00
Throughout 2025, the team at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is taking a deep dive into Ruth, one of the famous 19th-century author’s most shocking texts.
from £6.00
Lancaster Literature Festival, or Litfest to its friends, is rolling out its 46th programme, having created a variety of events for its audiences since 1978.
from £3.00
Celebrated poet and musician John Hegley is back at Waterside Arts with his latest show, An American In Luton.
from £8.50
Now in its 20th year, Manchester Literature Festival is presenting a special programme of spring events.
from £8.00
Peter Barlow’s Cigarette has a treat this spring as the team has organised an open mic in April and invited along guest readers in May.
free entry
Huddersfield Literature Festival is back with a packed programme this May, and this Polari-themed special caught our eye, featuring writers including Okechukwu Nzelu and Rosie Garland.
from £10.00
Interrogate the role of Men in a Man’s World from the writings of Elizabeth Gaskell and her contemporaries with Dr Sherry Ashworth.
from £13.00
Eclectic as ever. You'll find inventive reworkings, world-class contemporary dance and Greater Manchester's inaugural Improv Festival in our guide.
We've got many a good time in store this month as we round up the best walking tours, cultural classes and makers markets in the land.
We've got laughs and we've got leftfield on the live literature radar this month. Something for everyone, from poets playing with form to short story writers looking long.
With these lighter, brighter days and warmer temperatures, it's really starting to feel like summer here in the North West!
Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring.
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.
Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month
Live scores, midnight movies and the latest from Wes Anderson are just some of our upcoming film highlights.
