Tours and Activities in the North

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

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.

First up we’re taking an in-depth look at Walking Tours by Jonathan Schofield – Manchester’s top tour provider and a registered Blue Badge Guide since 1996. We’ve put together a whole guide that explores his many, many tours – all of which get you closer to the sights, sounds, and feel of the city.

A different walking tour courtesy of Joe Feeley. His Rock and Goal Tour will have you exploring the Manchester streets where footballing and musical history have been made.

Hopping to our favourite temple of good times, Altogether Otherwise are hosting a Céilí as part of their Singing and Dancing season, which looks set to be a hoot. And People’s History Museum hosts its first ever May Day Makers Markets, where you can shop handmade goods, find unique gifts and take part in creative workshops.

And over in Leeds, Pyramid Arts are holding an open studio where you can take a closer look at the work being created in this unique environment. It’s open to everyone, but of particular interest to those wanting to learn more about inclusive arts and making art accessible.

Scroll down to find more top picks of tours and activities, and break away from your normal.

Our top picks

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

With its rich industrial past, iconic architecture and vibrant arts scene, Manchester is a city that begs to be explored step by step.

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Image by Jonathan Schofield.

Dance a Céilí at Altogether Otherwise

Dance a Céilí at Altogether Otherwise, Manchester, 23 May 2025, free entry - Find Out More

Dance a Céilí with Altogether Otherwise as part of their singing and dancing months in May and June.

A sign that says 'Dance a Ceili'
Altogether Otherwise

May Day Makers Markets at People’s History Museum

May Day Makers Markets at People’s History Museum, Manchester, 3–4 May 2025, free entry - Find Out More

The May Day Makers Markets at PHM are the perfect celebration of the occasion: from vintage-inspired jewellery and beautiful ceramics to an array of workshops and live music, it’s got a little bit of everything you might want.

May Day Makers Markets at People's History Museum
Photo credit: Pexels/Ksenia Chernaya (left) and People's History Museum (right).

Pyramid Open Studio Tours

Pyramid Open Studios Tour, 19 May 2025, free entry - Find Out More

Explore the workspace, discover the artworks and meet the artists in one of Leeds’ most exciting accessible arts studios.

Group of people around a computer screen watch a new documentary from artist
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Rock and Goal Tour

Rock and Goal Tour at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester and online, Until 27 February 2027, from £9.99 - Book now

Join Joe Feeley a Mancunian through and through, who guides you into Manchester’s two pillars of cultural excellence with his Rock and Goal tour.

Rock and Goal

Free Activity at Aviva Studios

Free Activity at Aviva Studios, Manchester, Until 25 May 2025, free entry - Visit now

From comedy nights to drop-in family craft sessions, Factory International bring an accessible and inclusive programme of events this spring- the best thing, it’s all free.

Free Activity at Aviva Studios
Image courtesy of the artist, Savanna Darnell.

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2025

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2025, 11–20 July 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF), the longest running annual festival of Arab arts and culture in the UK, returns this July. 

LAAF - Save The Date
Liverpool Arab Arts Festival

Scranchester x Manchester Union Lager (special collaboration tour)

Scranchester x Manchester Union Lager (special collaboration tour) at St Peter's Square, Manchester, 3 May 2025, from £70.00 - Book now

Scranchester have teamed up with Manchester Union Lager to curate a foodie walking tour with a craft lager twist.

MCR Union Lager
MCR Union

Altogether Otherwise

Altogether Otherwise, 6-10 Hanover Street, NOMA, Manchester, M44BB - Visit now

Altogether Otherwise is a haven of activity where all are encouraged to make, do, dance, read and enjoy pursuing creativity with no pressure.

Image of the outside of Altogether Otherwise at night with people inside
Altogether Otherwise

Folk Life Drawing: China and Hong Kong

Folk Life Drawing: China and Hong Kong at The Portico Library, Manchester, Until 28 May 2025, from £5.00 - Book now

Folk life drawing combines a mindful art class with the current Echoes exhibition at Portico Library.

A Poster of the event featuring pixel-art people along the bottom border
The Portico

Online Course: A Man’s World with Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Online Course: A Man’s World – Kings – The Man Who Would Be King by Rudyard Kipling at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, Manchester and online, 14 May 2025, from £13.00 - Book now

Interrogate the role of Men in a Man’s World from the writings of Elizabeth Gaskell and her contemporaries with Dr Sherry Ashworth.

Classic books on a shelf with 10 year branding on image
Elizabeth Gaskell's House

The Manchester Pub Walkabout

The Manchester Pub Walkabout at Manchester Central Library, Manchester, Until 6 December 2025, from £25.00 - Book now

Stagger across three hundred years of Manchester’s drinking history in one of the city’s most fun-loving walking tours, packed with fascinating stories, brilliantly bizarre facts and hilarious fun and games.

Bars
Band on the Wall

2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

2025 Banner Bingo, Until 29 December 2025, free entry - Visit now

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism. 

Two young visitors looking up at a banner in a case, holding pencils and an activity sheet.
People's History Museum

Floating Art Workshops

Floating Art Workshops, Until 31 May 2026, from £24.30 - Book now

Join expert teacher Ula for relaxed painting workshops that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.

Leeds Waterfront Guided Tour

Leeds Waterfront Guided Tour, Until 29 June 2025, from £15.00 - Book now

The Leeds Liverpool canal has a rich history as well as an exciting future. Discover both in a Leeds Waterfront walking tour.

A docked narrowboat next to a heritage crane and surrounded by buildings and blue sky at Granary Wharf in Leeds
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Craft Beer Tour Manchester at Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse, Manchester, Until 31 December 2026, from £35 - Book now

Explore Manchester’s thriving artisanal brewery scene with the experts from Craft Beer Tour.

Craft Beer Tour Around Manchester
Image curtesy of Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Sauna and cold plunge pools at iglu sauna

Sauna and cold plunge pools , Until 31 August 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

Award-winning sauna and cold-plunge pools experience located in the heart of Hebden Bridge, iglu brings the Scandi experience to Yorkshire. 

Flavours of Manchester – A Taste of Two Cities

Food & Drink Tour of Manchester & Salford : A Taste of Two Cities , Until 31 December 2030, from £49.00 - Book now

The culinary worlds of Manchester and Salford are both uncovered in this brand new food tour from Flavours of Manchester.

Group Day
Food & Drink Tour of Manchester & Salford : A Taste of Two Cities

Eat The City – Scranchester Tours

Eat The City - Scranchester Tours, Until 31 December 2027, from £60 - Book now

Join Scranchester Tours for a feast of edible culture as you rediscover Manchester’s past and present through its food.

Private: Millington Hall Farm

Private: Millington Hall Farm, Millington Hall Farm, Millington Hall Lane, Cheshire, WA14 3RN - Visit now

Millington Hall Farm is a one of a kind destination offering field to fork dining alongside learning experiences that will stay with you long after your visit.

Millington Hall Farm
Image courtesy of Gemma Parker

Sketch and Stroll: guided art tour at Abbot Hall

Sketch and Stroll: guided art tour at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Cumbria, Until 5 July 2025, from £0.00 - Book now

Experience the art of Abbot Hall in a hands on and creative way with their monthly Sketch and Stroll tours. 

Person sketching inspired by our Charmaine Watkiss: Legacy themed guided art tour at Abbot Hall.
Lakeland Arts

The Modernist App – architectural city tours

The Modernist App - architectural city tours, online, Until 31 December 2025, free entry - Visit now

Delve into the treasure trove of 20th Century architecture design with the expert knowledge and passionate curation of the Modernist App. 

Image of The Modernist App in use
The Modernist

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, Until 30 September 2025, free entry - Visit now

Discover 40 of the highlights and hidden gems that are available to explore every day at the Science and Industry Museum.

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum
Science and Industry Museum © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

More activity events

Horse and Jockey Chorlton
Walking TourManchester
The Secrets of Chorlton

From a hamlet on a road to nowhere to one of Manchester’s most desirable suburbs. What’s the story behind Chorlton-cum-Hardy?

from £20.00
Stockport Plaza
Until
TourManchester
Secrets of Stockport

Join Jonathan Schofield Tours and explore the fascinating stories and stunning architecture of a town on a meteoric rise.

from £20.00
Tatton Park
TourKnutsford
Secrets of Knutsford

From wild buildings to wilder characters, explore hidden histories and architectural oddities in the Cheshire town of Knutsford.

from £20.00
Southern Cemetary Chorlton by Tom Jeffs
Until
TourChorlton
Southern Cemetery Tour

Within Chorlton’s Southern Cemetery lie fascinating stories, beautiful architectural details, and the inspiration behind one of The Smith’s best songs.

from £20.00
Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Tours and Activities in the North

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

The Kirkgate, Cockermouth, image via Visit Cumbria
Cumbria
Music venue
The Kirkgate, Cockermouth

A theatre-cum cinema in Cockermouth offering a wide programme of touring theatre, music, independent film and events to townsfolk and visitors.

Sheffield
Cinema
Film Unit

Film Unit is a professional quality, independent cinema located deep within the University of Sheffield Students’ Union which has been entertaining the people of Sheffield for over 65 years.

Demonstration taking place at Leeds Industrial Museum
Leeds
Museum
Leeds Industrial Museum

Leeds Industrial Museum, housed inside the Grade II listed Armley Mills, explores the history of manufacturing in Leeds since the 18th century, including textiles, printing, film and engineering.

The Vale Reopening Programme
Mossley
Cinema
The Vale

Boasting a specially curated live programme of music, dance, cinema, theatre and visual arts, the newly renovated centre will host a special launch weekend from 10 – 12 September 2021.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Dynamic dance, party-performance, high-energy stand-up and a site-specific show set in a pub. All this and more in our newest theatre guide.

Okechukwu Nzelu
Literature Events in the North

If it's inspiring, inclusive events and avant-garde, experimental afternoons you're after, look no further than live literature this spring – we've got you covered.

A woman sits in a car with hands holding the steering wheel.
Cinema in the North

Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.

Sextile
Music in the North

Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring. 

Laura Ellen Bacon, Into Being, 2025. Photo © India Hobson, courtesy Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Exhibitions in the North

Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month