The East Lancashire Railway has six stops, all of which offer plenty of things to see and do. Whether it’s Heywood’s stunning Queen’s Park, Bury’s cultural and shopping quarter, Summerseat’s walking trails, Ramsbottom’s foodie scene, the pretty village of Irwell Vale, or historic Rawtenstall with its museums and the UK’s last remaining temperance bar.
Enjoy a rare visit inside the glorious Heaton Hall, while uncovering the fascinating history of the ‘people’s park’ outside.
From £25.00
Discover Rochdale’s rich history on this guided tour, featuring the newly restored Town Hall, St Chad’s Church, and the Pioneers Museum.
From £20.00
GASP! Horror Film Festival returns with three days of screenings dedicated to championing diversity in genre cinema.
From £5.00
Greater Manchester Improv Festival debuts. Expect a fearless, unscripted showcase of local talent, wild invention, and pure fringe spirit.
From £5.00
Join an access-all-areas guided tour of Chetham’s Library and the surrounding school – among the most venerable buildings in the North West.
From £20.00
Marking the anniversary of the Christmas Blitz, this walking tour explores Manchester’s history of conflict, from the English Civil Wars to the World Wars and beyond.
From £20.00
Dance a Céilí with Altogether Otherwise as part of their singing and dancing months in May and June.
Free entry
Bury Art Shop is a local gem filled with original artworks, crafts and homewares, championing the work of local artists and makers at the heart of Bury’s growing Culture Quarter.
This beautiful building holds temporary exhibitions of acclaimed international art, contemporary and historical collections, handcrafted art in the Art Shop and Tina’s tea rooms. Alongside this runs a varied events, workshop and education programme.
Over the past thirty years, retail giants have developed in the vicinity, yet Bury Market remains the undisputed champion of the North, attracting thousands of visitors every week.
Bury arts venue in fine surroundings. The Met programmes Music, comedy and theatre.
Burrs Country Park lies on the River Irwell covering an area of 36 hectares of scenic countryside, one mile northwest of Bury town centre.
Performing arts theatre in Whitefield, presenting five plays to the public each year.
Listo Burrito on Manchester’s Oxford Street tempts busy diners with fresh ingredients and a modestly priced menu.
Sports venue in Ramsbottom and home to the annual Ramsbottom Festival.
The Eagle and Child in Ramsbottom does what good pubs do best, and more.
Colleen’s is a casual dining neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of Ramsbottom serving seasonal dishes.
Helmed by chef-owners Fiona and Joe Botham, this tapas restaurant in Ramsbottom serves exclusively Spanish drinks and some of the best small plates going.
Now ten years old, this double market combines a farmers’ market and a craft fair and provides the perfect excuse to visit the picturesque town of Ramsbottom, which nestles in the Lancashire foothills to the north of Manchester.
From city-wide art festivals to open-air sculptural installations, we have exhibitions from all around the North, both indoors and out.
Gigs are coming in hot this spring – from long-awaited returns to one-off happenings you’ll blink and miss (unless you’re paying attention).
Eclectic as ever. You'll find inventive reworkings, world-class contemporary dance and Greater Manchester's inaugural Improv Festival in our guide.
With these lighter, brighter days and warmer temperatures, it's really starting to feel like summer here in the North West!
Books, beer and burlesque. Dive into a glorious tangle of joyful happenings.
The sun is shining in the North, so use our guide to get out there and eat, drink and be merry in it.
We've got laughs and we've got leftfield on the live literature radar this month. Something for everyone, from poets playing with form to short story writers looking long.
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.
