Culture Guides
Destination Guides
We continue to be all about the outdoor arts, festivals and totally unique public art experiences this month with a raft of tip top family events to explore.
Don’t miss some incredible new interactive family trails this summer at Dunham Massey, Quarry Bank and Speke Hall.
If festivals are your thing read our full festival guides to the brand spanking new Wild Worlds festival at Chester Zoo – an arts, science, gardens extravaganza that’s deserving of more than one day out. Swot up also on all the top things to do at Just So Festival. Book soon to witness a daring high wire act, a Playground of Illusions, custard catwalk, midnight feast, pillow fights and dancing opportunities galore.
Look ahead to Vintage By The Sea and Head For The Hills festivals too for a final summer fling.
We’re incredibly excited about Switch and Tipping Point at the atmospheric Upper Campfield Market. This family circus double bill from the award-winning Ockham’s Razor and Manchester’s Contact features the critically acclaimed aerial show Tipping Point alongside brand new circus, dance and martial arts show Switch devised by young people from North Manchester.
Top quality and bonkers public art must-sees this month are Bee In The City in Manchester and Lost Castles in Liverpool.
Enjoy!
Here are our picks
In partnership with
Funded by
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1. Wild Worlds Festival at Chester Zoo
Wild Worlds at Chester Zoo, 26 May–30 September 2018, from £20 - Book now
Art, science, music, performers. Inspired by the incredible and unique worlds of animals and plants, this mind-blowing celebration will have you discovering something new at every turn.
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2. Journeys of the Imagination at Quarry Bank
Courtesy David Watson Journeys of the Imagination at Quarry Bank, Cheshire, 5 May–28 October 2018, from £Quarry Bank admission prices apply (free for National Trust members) - Visit now
Pack your bags for an adventure as you discover the incredible journeys made by the people of Quarry Bank in an interactive trail.
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3. Midnight Garden at Dunham Massey
National Trust/Katie Clayton Midnight Garden at Dunham Massey at Dunham Massey, 20 July–5 September 2018, from £Dunham Massey admission prices apply (free for National Trust members) - Visit now
Adventure around the new Midnight Garden trail at Dunham Massey and get involved in all the conservation action at RangerFest.
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4. Vigorous Victorians: Summer at Speke Hall
National Trust Images/John Millar Vigorous Victorians: summer at Speke Hall at Speke Hall, Liverpool, 21 July–2 September 2018, free entry - Visit now
Spend the summer with six of the bravest and boldest female characters from Victorian history. Track down dinosaurs, create flying machines, get lost in the maze and go wild in the parkland.
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5. Power UP at the Museum of Science and Industry
Science Museum Group Power UP at Museum of Science and Industry, Castlefield, 3–19 August 2018, from £7 - Book now
Stretch those competitive muscles and explore 40 years of video game challenges and design from Pacman to the latest in virtual reality.
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6. Just So Festival 2018 at Rode Hall Estate, Cheshire
Pillow Fight at Just So Fesival courtesy of Chris Payne Just So Festival at Rode Hall, Cheshire, 17–19 August 2018, from £20 - Book now
Our complete guide to everything you needed to know about the best family arts festival in the UK. Warning … contains custard catwalks, midnight feasts, pillow fights and amazing outdoor arts.
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7. Northern Art Carbooty 2018 at Sadlers Yard
Northern Art Carbooty Northern Art Carbooty 2018 at Sadlers Yard, City Centre, 26 August 2018, free entry - Find Out More
Northern Art Carbooty brings you a host of local artistic talent, selling their quality wares at affordable prices. There will also be plenty of free family fun workshops, music, food stalls and live performances.
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8. Vintage by the Sea in Morecambe
Emma Sudall Vintage by the Sea at Midland Hotel, Morecambe, 1–2 September 2018, free entry - Find Out More
Celebrate the brilliance of 20th century design, fashion, vehicles and entertainment at this award-winning festival set around Morecambe’s famous art deco Midland Hotel.
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9. The Witches – Roald Dahl Day Immersive Film Screenings at Z-arts
Make A Scene Film Club -
10. Outdoor theatre and performance at Head For The Hills
Pif Paf Outdoor theatre and performance at Head For The Hills at Ramsbottom Cricket Club, Manchester, 14–16 September 2018, from £11 - Book now
Outdoor theatrical adventures involving L_ve Hangman, a playground of illusions and an eccentric character flying around in a pestle and mortar … did we have you at L_ve Hangman?
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11. Bee in the City
Bee in the City Bee in the City at Manchester Central Library, Manchester, 23 July–22 September 2018, free entry - Visit now
You’ve heard the buzz. Make a bee-line for this large scale public sculpture trail taking place all over Manchester this summer.
In partnership with
Funded by
More in Families
Wonderlab at the Science and Media Museum
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.
Annual Banner Changeover 2018 at the People’s History Museum
Explore the story of democracy through a special display of banners that were integral to the women’s suffrage movement, as well as other campaigns for representation at the People’s History Museum.
Lark Hill Place 1918 at Salford Museum and Art Gallery
Investigate the brand new 1918 setting for atmospheric street installation Lark Hill Place, then let loose in Peel Park.
The Dormouse Garden: Wild Worlds at Chester Zoo
Jump into the secret world of dormice and discover more about this tiny and adorable expert in the art of sleeping!
The Awekids Grasslands Village: Wild Worlds at Chester Zoo
Discover the extraordinary sounds that plants make and meet artists Jason Singh and Gabric Lenny at their residency.
Swallows and Amazons at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
Experience the stage revival of this tale of outdoor summer childhood adventures in the magnificently redeveloped art deco Storyhouse building or in Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre.
Log Pile at Dunham Massey
Explore the log pile at Dunham Massey – for hours of outdoor fun and fresh air – let your imagination take you wherever you want to go.
Dunham Massey Ice Cream Parlour
Housed in an 18th century stable block, Dunham’s ice cream parlour should be on every summer hit list.
Deer Park at Dunham Massey
Doe a deer a female deer, ray a drop of golden sun …… wide vistas, ancient trees, roaming deer and open grassland. Summer bliss.
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