Tours and Activities in Manchester and the North

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

Last Updated 29 May 2020

Because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, our usual recommendations tours and activities in Manchester and the North are a little different. Our thoughts at this time are with our readers and with the organisations and businesses that make the North of England a great place to live and visit.

We are so grateful to National Lottery players, The National Lottery, DCMS and Arts Council England for supporting our freelance writers during this crisis. This means that, although venues remain shut and campaigns cancelled, our writers can be reengaged to help arts organisations and artists across the North of England share their online content with our culture-hungry readers.

Be sure to check out our full guide to the best online events from organisations in Manchester and the North too.

Stay well folks.

Here are our picks

1. Skyliner: Modern History of the Northern Quarter Tour

Hayley Flynn

The Modern History of the Northern Quarter at Shudehill Metrolink Station, Manchester, Until 12 July 2020, from £9 - Book now

Join Skyliner for an alternative view of the Norther Quarter, learn about the area’s political happenings through its stunning public art.

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2. Manchester Art Gallery Highlights Tour

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo from Pexels

Manchester Art Gallery Highlights Tour at Manchester Art Gallery, Chinatown, Until 30 September 2020, free entry - Visit now

Take a tour around select artworks from Manchester Art Gallery’s collection. Lead by different guides every day, each tour is personal to their taste. Tours start at 2 pm from Thursday to Sunday.

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3. Whitworth Art Gallery Daily Tour

Free Daily Tours, the Whitworth.

Whitworth Art Gallery Daily Tour at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 2 September 2020, free entry - Visit now

Learn about the Whitworth’s collections in more intimate detail with one of their daily free tours.

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4. Northern Quarter Taster Walk with Manchester Food Walks

John Ryan

Northern Quarter Taster Walk at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, Until 6 June 2020, from £40 - Book now

Eat your way through the city with this food walk for foodies. Come with a keen appetite for trying new things.

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5. Liverpool Beatles Walk and Ticket to Ride Tour

Liverpool Beatles Walk and Ticket to Ride Tour at Pier Head, Liverpool, Until 1 December 2020, from £75 - Book now

Immerse yourself in the world of John, Paul, George and Ringo as you walk in their footsteps through The Beatles’ home city in this six-hour extravaganza of a walking tour.

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6. Discover Manchester Daily Tour

pexels

Discover Manchester Daily Tour at Manchester Central Library, Manchester, 6 December–31 July 2020, from £10 - Book now

The Essential Manchester Walk for locals and visitors alike. An entertaining and knowledgeable guide will show you around the city centre, giving you a taste of the history, architecture and culture and showing you the major sites.

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Activity Until 2 July 2020, FREE

Technical Tours at the National Coal Mining Museum

Get into the the heart of the machinery with technical tours of the mines at the National Coal Mining Museum.

Activity Until 14 July 2020, from £7

Sunday Night Waves 5Rhythms Drop In

Embrace the effervescent energy of Sunday Night Waves, a 5Rhythms dance class where you can move with the flow of your own body and explore.

Activity Until 19 December 2020, from £55

Local Leeds Food Tour

Fresh local produce is always on the menu of the Local Leeds food tour. Visit six pubs and restaurants serving up some of Yorkshire’s finest cuisine.

Activity Until 19 December 2020, from £55

Leeds Street Food Tour

Eat your way through some of the best street food Leeds has to offer, with insights into the people and stories behind each bite. Try something new with the Leeds Street Food tour.

Activity Until 1 December 2020, from £20

Two hour Beatles Guided Walk & Cavern Club

This Beatles Guided Walk & Cavern Club is the perfect way to learn more about The Beatles while discovering the city of Liverpool.

Activity Until 12 August 2020, from £5.5

Stockport Air Raid Shelter Explorer Tour

Every second Wednesday of the month guided tours of the mile long stretch of Air Raid Shelter under Stockport give you the chance to see a more personalised view of the tunnels.

Activity Until 30 June 2020, FREE

Science Learning at Home with Jodrell Bank

Science Learning at Home with Jodrell Bank is a perfect way to keep children (and their adults) busy while learning from home.

Activity Until 31 July 2020, FREE

HOME Online Talent Development Surgeries

HOME are also still there for Talent Development Surgeries, now online of course, you can book in for a 30min Zoom chat with one of their team.

Activity Until 31 December 2020,

Homelands

Very different from what we’re seeing elsewhere during the lockdown, Homelands is for anyone who needs a creative outlet and a sense of connection during this time.

Culture Guides

Cinema Online

Cinemas might be closed but independent venues and distributors need any help they can get. We look at some films you can stream and places to donate.

Phoebe Davies: Points of Rupture at Site Gallery in Sheffield

Exhibitions

Art and women’s wrestling, Ancient Akkadian gravesites and invented artefacts – check out this month’s pick of exhibitions from across the north.

Families Online

Need some inspiration for online activities and creative family fun? Look no further than our top picks online for families across Manchester and the North.

Makar to Makar with Jackie Kay. Photo by Jon Parker Lee, MLF.

Literature

There’s lots to do now that Live Literature Land is exploring online activities and events. Plus read all about a fabulous new exhibition focusing on independent publishing house Carcanet Press, ready and waiting for when the libraries reopen…

Music

Discover the best live-streamed concerts, broadcasts, musical activities and exhibitions on offer during the lockdown.

Theatre

We can’t wait to be back in the stalls again…until then there’s plenty to experience online in our guide to the best theatre in Manchester and the North.

Classical Music in Manchester and the North

We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester.

Food and Drink in Manchester and the North

Lockdown is in full effect but that doesn’t mean we can’t support our favourite bars, restaurants, brewers and food suppliers. Here’s our guide to the best takeaway and delivery Food and Drink in Manchester and the North