Things to do at half term

Gemma Gibb, Families Editor

Last Updated 23 October 2018

We’re spoilt for choice this October half term in Manchester and across the North. This holiday’s always a good one with indoor and outdoor escapades and haunting happenings galore.

Here’s our guide to top things to do together.

Head outdoors for spectacular sights and sounds at the Winter Droving and Lightpool Festival across the North.

There are enough mind-boggling ideas, activities and events to fill up your week alone at the Science and Industry Museum and Manchester Science Festival this autumn. With enough cool goings on to occupy even the most cynical of teens we recommend reserving free tickets to Distortions in Spacetime quicksmart.

For indoor contemplation and play head to Eureka! in Halifax to catch their out-of-this-world digital art exhibition before it ends next month.

For three-in-one history, culture, outdoor and Halloween fixes head to Quarry Bank, Speke Hall and Ordsall Hall.

For more half term Manchester ideas also check out our guide to free family things to do in Manchester.

Here are our picks

1. Quentin Blake and John Yeoman: 50 Years of Children’s Books at Lady Lever Art Gallery

Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake and John Yeoman: 50 Years of Children's Books at Lady Lever Art Gallery, 19 October 2018–3 March 2019, free entry - Visit now

Bookworms rejoice! The first exhibition to celebrate illustrator Quentin Blake’s decades-long partnership with author and childhood friend John Yeoman promises literary larks and crazy characters for all.

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2. Rocket Returns to the Science and Industry Museum

Science Museum Group

Rocket Returns at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 25 September 2018–28 April 2019, free entry - Visit now

Make tracks for Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum. A one-in-a-lifetime chance to see Stephenson’s Rocket return to the site of the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway for the first time in over 180 years.

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3. Speke Hall

National Trust Images

Speke Hall, The Walk, Liverpool, L24 1XD - Visit now

Explore the weird and wonderful world of the Victorians and their visions this half term at Speke Hall. Hunt down creatures from folklore, discover spooky superstitions and hear some of Speke’s scariest stories.

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4. Ordsall Hall

Ordsall Hall, 322 Ordsall Lane, Salford, Greater Manchester, M5 3AN - Visit now

Make potions, follow the Halloween trail and even get to meet a witch. It’s the best time of year to visit the ancient Ordsall Hall, complete with resident ghost.

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