Winter at Hulme Community Garden Centre

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

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Winter at Hulme Community Garden Centre

30 November-24 December 2023

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

Photo by Boys in Bristol Photography
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Hulme Community Garden Centre is a haven of flora nestled between Kim’s and the Niamos in Hulme. Since renovating, the centre has expanded their cafe and shop as well as making full use of all their community spaces. This season they’re hosting weekly festive activities for all ages so it’s well worth spending some time this winter at Hulme Community Garden Centre.

As much as some Christmas activities can feel superficial and performative the Garden Centre’s annual festivities are the antithesis of this. Here is a place that exists symbiotically between community, horticulture and commerce. You always leave their events feeling a sense of connection to people and a beautiful shared place.

On the 2nd of December, they’ll be hosting their annual Winterfest. A yearly celebration of crafts, activities, live music, delicious food and warming drinks from Cafe Sorrel. There will also be some seasonal cocktails which you can enjoy from the Garden Centre Bar. Sip a seasonal tipple while you peruse stalls from local craft makers, an ideal way to pick up some bespoke and sustainable Christmas presents.

This might go without saying at a Christmas party thrown in a Garden Centre, but it’s also a great chance to pick up one of their British grown, cut Christmas trees.

If, for some reason, you have better things to do on the first weekend in December than some wholesome wreath making, cocktail drinking and music watching do not fear. On the 3rd, 10th, 17th and 23rd of December you can still enter into the seasonal spirit at the Garden Centre with festive wreath and table decoration making using fresh vegetation and sustainable materials.

Aside from the festive fun, the Centre is also just a lovely environment to get lost in. With their Camomile Bed, sociable polytunnel and upgraded Cafe Sorrel we highly recommend letting yourself get lost amongst the plants and resident cats this winter at Hulme Community Garden Centre.

Where to go near Winter at Hulme Community Garden Centre

Venture Arts
Hulme
Gallery
Venture Arts, Manchester

Venture Arts is a progressive visual arts charity based in Hulme, Manchester, with a small exhibition space. It works alongside learning disabled artists to create and show exciting new collaborative visual artwork.

Clay Studio Manchester
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Clay studio was founded in 2016 to provide a dedicated workshop for new graduates, hobby ceramicists and experienced makers. The studio also offers a range of classes for students of all abilities.

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Z-arts was formed in 2000 as a ‘creative space for young people’ with a priority on providing participatory activity.

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The Playhouse Theatre, originally known as the Hulme Hippodrome opened its doors on 6 October 1902. In 2018, the historic venue was relaunched as a community arts centre by NIAMOS – a collective of artists, musicians and local residents.

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Niamos Centre, Manchester

Niamos is a co-operatively run exhibition, arts, and performance space with a micro bakery, music studio’s, a kitchen and a holistic well-being space in the midst of transformation.

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Manchester Metropolitan University Students’ Union building houses a bar and various other facilities for students and staff.

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