Families

Family things to do in Manchester and the North

Gemma Gibb, Families Editor

Last Updated 9 August 2017

Our guide this month celebrates the unique artistic, scientific and riotous experiences to be had across the north. Look no further than our Summer Holidays and Summer Festivals guides to keep you on your toes and out of trouble too this long holiday.

Here are our picks

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1. Behind The Scenes of The Lost Carnival at Dunham Massey

Wild Rumpus

Behind The Scenes of The Lost Carnival at Dunham Massey, 31 July–30 August 2017, from £4.30 - Visit now

Wind your way around an enchanting, theatrical family trail in the Dunham Massey gardens this summer then discover the astonishing real life story in the house.

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2. Supersenses at the National Science and Media Museum

Di Mainstone's Sensory Soundpits

Supersenses at National Science and Media Museum, 15 July–8 October 2017, free entry - Visit now

Hear colours, view the world as a dragonfly and discover how the London Underground tastes in a series of outstanding experiences at this major new exhibition.

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3. The Albesila Luminarium – Architects of Air at The Piece Hall

Architects of Air

The Albesila Luminarium – Architects of Air at The Piece Hall, 25–28 August 2017, free entry - Find Out More

Step out of everyday life and into dazzling, spine-tingling and multihued adventures within the newest pneumatic structure from the pioneering Architects of Air.

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4. Ramsbottom Festival 2017: Head for the Hills

Head for the Hills festival - Image by Andrew Allcock

Ramsbottom Festival 2017: Head for the Hills at Ramsbottom Cricket Club, Manchester, 15–17 September 2017, from £8.00 - Book now

The hills are alive with the sound of … a magnificent music line up with headliners Maximo Park, Beth Orton and The Stranglers, theatrical adventures galore for families and curious visual art installations.

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5. Festival No.6 2017 at Portmeirion

Festival No 6 2017 at Portmeirion, 7–10 September 2017, from £120.00 - Book now

Step into another world and enjoy the sleepy cobbled streets, Italianate piazza, sandy shorelines and pastel-coloured buildings as Portmeirion makes its annual transformation to play host to one of the most imaginative summer season events. Family highlights include performance from the completely unique Kitsch n Sync.

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6. Wonderlab at the Science and Media Museum

Wonderlab, 17 May 2017–3 May 2019 - Book now

Explore a maze of mirrors and take part in Star Wars inspired sound battles in over 20 new state-of-the-art experiences in this new exhibition.

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7. The Sleep Walk at Little Moreton Hall

Wild Rumpus

The Sleep Walk at Little Moreton Hall, 28 April–27 September 2017, from £5.00 - Visit now

Adventure through a night of napping Tudor style – experience installations in the house and gardens exploring the “golden age” of sleep quality including why sleeping twice was better than once. Where can we sign up to be a Tudor?

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8. Thomas Legh and Regency Lyme at Lyme Park

National Trust

Thomas Legh and Regency Lyme at Lyme Park, 7 March–5 November 2017, from £3.70 - Visit now

What would you do if you inherited Lyme at the age of 5? Channel your inner regency Indiana Jones exploring the tales of Thomas Legh who travelled the world and wrestled crocodiles.

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Culture Guides

Cinema

From the quiet contemplation of the open road, to breakneck genre movie thrills and a Polish art-house classic – we round up the best cinema showing near you this month.

Exhibitions

From Miami to Morecambe, and Pop Art to Nail Transphobia – this month’s top picks seem grouped by a shared sense of energy and vibrancy.

Literature

There’s plenty to see and do this autumn in live literature land – not least because Manchester Literature Festival is back in town, and tickets are selling like hot cakes so you need to get in there quick-sharp!

Music

As the festival season draws to a close, live music returns to the city’s concert halls and venues. Why not check out Manchester Folk Festival – new in 2017 – plus major events like Transformer and Manchester Psych Fest…