Creativetourist.com is a monthly online magazine and series of city guides that have been put together 01 Introduction by Museums Consortium. This group of nine museums and galleries in Manchester are separate 02 Small wonders venues that share a dual vision: the desire to stage intelligent, thought- provoking and outward looking 03 Animal magic exhibitions and events; and to celebrate the city in which they live, work and play. Twice a year, Creativetourist. 04 Run of the mill com publishes insider guides to the city – uncovering not just galleries and museums but shops, bars, leftfield 05 Gene genius events, restaurants and nights out that are distinctly, uniquely Mancunian. This guide has been developed in 06 SUMMER SPECIALS association with World Class Service. on THE HOOF 07 Art on the edge 08 RAIN OR SHINE 09 fIeld Trips 10 Top Fives 11 for babies (and their parents) 12 for toddlers 13 Stuff for kids 14 under 18s only 15 bOOK YOUR STAY

This project would not be possible without the support of: It’s summertime in Manchester, and there’s lots to do. From al fresco film to musical shipping containers, from a new Living Worlds gallery to a celebration of frogs, from tales of industrial life to building your own strand of DNA: this is your indispensable guide to the museums and galleries, the parks and gardens, the kid- friendly cafés, shops and 01 hotels of Manchester. You wouldn’t know it from the most innovative and exciting work 9 must be accompanied by an adult, reading the broadsheets, but the most they can do. Children are as deserving but those adults will be politely asked Manchester successful event of 2009’s Manchester of this approach as adults, and they to butt out as much as possible.) International Festival might have been respond to it.” Punchdrunk’s spooky It Felt Like a Kiss International Festival The Great Indoors, its free children’s Music Boxes will take place in a was probably the most talked-about programme. Just getting in the door series of shipping containers on the event of Manchester International returns with an expanded proved a challenge, a reflection of the shiny new piazza at MediaCityUK in Festival 2009, and doing something great demand for out-of-the-ordinary Quays. Each space will house specifically for young audiences children’s programme for kids cultural fun. So expanding on a music experience created by a really was right up their street, Mellor says. things for kids to do at MIF was a priority impressive list of artists: Cornershop “Their work is very visceral and direct, 2011 that should please for 2011 and this year they’re running worked with Bolton students and design it takes audiences back to being two projects: Music Boxes, an audio company Rude to make a music video children and walking through tunnels parents and kids alike, play area for children aged 6 months to kids can re-mix. Babies can explore to scare yourself.” 7 years, and The Crash of The Elysium, Scottish Opera’s singing garden, enjoy Crash, produced in collaboration finds Kate Feld. a Doctor Who-themed live theatre Oily Cart’s multi-sensory show Drum, with BBC Wales at MediaCityUK, will show from edgy company Punchdrunk. and play in Aflutter, a landscape of be the closest you can get to living No face painting here, then. paper, wind and sound created by inside an episode of Doctor Who There’s not a whisper of the JoNny* and Stephen Stockbridge (barring the presence of Matt Smith feeling you get with some festivals that (whose Simple Wonders installation or any of the other TV actors). Details the children’s offering is an afterthought, was the hit of 2009’s Great Indoors). are understandably hazy, but there will something cobbled together as a sop to Toddlers and older kids can “conduct” be a problem that the children will have parents or to tick inclusiveness boxes. a pre-recorded BBC Philharmonic, to solve, working together in a race MIF General Director Simon Mellor is learn ukulele with Jake Rodrigues, against the clock. Sound frightening? executive producer for both projects, and jam with CBeebies’ Zingzillas. Yes, Mellor says, it will be every bit and he’s also a parent who’s frustrated While Music Boxes is designed as scary as Doctor Who is, and why by the way a lot of kids’ programming for kids and their parents to enjoy shouldn’t it be? “I’m a great believer seems to involve sitting them down to together, The Crash of the Elysium in the catharsis of the fairy story,” be passively entertained. “We take our most definitely isn’t. To the great Mellor says, “the idea that you face work for children as seriously as the disappointment of many grown-ups, the scariness and you come out the rest of our work,” Mellor says. “We want tickets to this live theatre show will other side and feel fantastic for it.” to get the best artists in the world to do only be issued to under 12s (kids under

Manchester International Festival 2011, Punchdrunk: The Crash of Elysium, photo Tim Sinclair Music Boxes, 2 – 17 July. MediaCityUK, Salford Quays, M50 2EQ. Free, but booking required.

Punchdrunk: The Crash of The Elysium, 1 – 17 July, MediaCityUK, Salford Quays, M50 2EQ. 02 Tickets £17.50 – £20 Manchester International Festival 2011, Music Boxes, Small draft visualisation of Music Boxes installation © BDP wonders Living Worlds, The , Oxford Road, M13 9PL. Free entry.

The Museum Allotment runs July 25 – August 26, most activities free; some may need to be booked on the day Animal and may cost up to £1.50. magic

The Living Worlds app Living Worlds

There has been significant buzz is radically different from the original of the gallery and directing visitors 03 surrounding Manchester Museum’s exhibition. It examines important ideas to related things they can take part recently opened Living Worlds gallery, including the effect human beings have in outside the museum. And for kids, with plenty of column inches dedicated had on natural environments and the Museum of Mystery is a web-based to the involvement of fashion show ways in which they can help to conserve educational game with activities for kids producers Villa Eugénie, the team what is left. based on the exhibits in Living Worlds behind catwalk shows for prestige Rather than being separated that can be solved using Manchester brands like Dior and Hermès. But as into traditional displays according to Museum’s collections and the expertise Henry McGhie, head of the museum’s species or habitat, the exhibits that of its staff. Natural Environments team is keen make up Living Worlds are organised Living Worlds has also inspired to point out, the gallery’s appeal along broad themes, from ‘bodies’ to a calendar of free activities for kids and certainly isn’t limited to fashionistas: ‘symbols’, which are signposted by families running throughout the summer “Living Worlds is obviously very visually striking neon signs. For McGhie this at Manchester Museum. Froglife (July impressive, but honestly the real is essential to the spirit of the gallery. 9, 11am – 4pm) is a daylong celebration appeal, particularly to children, is the “The exhibits are intended to promote of all things amphibian with arts and huge amount of exhibits on display – questions and prompt discussion — crafts tables, experts giving talks and more than in the previous gallery.” to encourage people to think about their live frogs. The newly opened Museum Living Worlds replaces Animal own interactions with the natural world Allotment outside the front entrance Life 1, also known as the Mammals around them.” gives kids an opportunity to get their Gallery, which was a popular fixture “Some of the displays are more hands dirty in the name of learning, of the museum. Many of that gallery’s ‘sciency’, so to speak, while others are with a host of drop-in activities based best-loved features have been more playful, which can work really well around planting and growing food, The Manchester maintained. The Victorian hall is still in engaging young visitors,” McGhie most of which are completely free. dominated by the enormous sperm says. So while one case might look at The last Animal gallery remained Museum’s glorious new whale skeleton and old favourites like the similarity of our skeletons to those unchanged for more than 25 years, and the stuffed polar bear and tiger have of monkeys to explain evolution another with the help of the app and activities Living Worlds gallery returned. These familiar creatures will feature a goat in a woolly jumper or like those being run over the next few have been joined by a variety of a honey-eating sun bear alongside a months, McGhie sees no reason why might be stylish, but it’s specimens from the museum’s cartoon of Winnie the Pooh. Living Worlds shouldn’t be around extensive collections and arranged The new gallery is also for just as long. “Living Worlds isn’t a been designed with kids in beautifully refurbished cases. complemented by an app, available temporary exhibition; it’s intended as Despite their expertise in the area free for use on smartphones and table a permanent feature of the museum. Villa Eugénie have done more than computers. The Living Worlds app was It’s important, then, that it needs to firmly in mind, discovers simply oversee a costume change at developed to act as a changing guide to speak to every visitor, however young Matthew Hull. the gallery, however, and Living Worlds the displays, expanding on the content they might be.” These days, it’s a quiet “We’ve known for a few years neighbourhood on the fringes of the that we were going to be out of our city centre. But a couple of hundred old building and also that it would years ago, Ancoats was anything be a couple of years, maybe more, but quiet. Visitors from across Europe before we were in our new premises,” came to marvel at the huge number says Chris Honer, Hard Times director of steam-powered textile mills and and the Library Theatre Company’s their associated factories, workshops, Artistic Director. “Instead of being Run canals and workers’ housing, all built negative about that, we thought it at an incredible rate during the late 18th would give us a great opportunity to and early 19th centuries. Perhaps most try something new. We wanted to have impressive of them all was Murrays’ this arrangement with , doing Mills, established in 1798. In just eight productions there three times a year years Adam and George Murray had but also to do stuff in the city, in places quadrupled the size of their premises where plays aren’t normally done.” to comprise four multi-storey factories, “One of the first places we looked the largest complex of cotton-spinning at was the Victorian Warehouse at of mills in Manchester. It employed 1,000 the Museum Of Science and Industry. people and remained in production for It had such a strong nineteenth century more than 150 years. But by the 1990s atmosphere that Charles Dickens’ Hard the buildings had been so severely Times, his story of Northwest industrial neglected that it was possible they life, written in about the middle of the would have to be demolished before nineteenth century, just seemed perfect they collapsed. and Charles Way adapted it for us. In Fast-forward 20 years, and the end, MOSI didn’t work out. But when the Murrays’ Mills is entering a new and we came across Murrays’ Mills last intriguing phase in its history: stage September, we were just blown away. set. The Library Theatre Company, It is ideal.” itself in the middle of some remarkable Around eighty people at a time, developments after leaving its long-time staggered over the first half-hour of in the Central Library, stages its the promenade performance, will be new production of Charles Dickens’ taken first into a downstairs space Hard Times at the refurbished mills, which, Honer explains, “will be more mill now the centrepiece of a large-scale like a live installation, if you like. We’ve regeneration of the area. constructed a walkway to allow the Hard Times, Library Theatre Company at Murrays Mills audience to go where they want to go and see what they want to see. After the first half-hour, they move upstairs.” In this extraordinary space overlooking the Rochdale Canal, where equipment still remains from 04 the Mills’ heyday, the major part of the performance will take place. “Because it is so fantastically large,” Honer says, “it means that all the various locations of the story can be along here – Stephen Blackpool’s modest dwelling, the bank that gets robbed, the hotel where James Hard Times, Library Theatre Company at Murrays Mills Harthouse stays with the audience Hard Times, 8 June – 2 July, moving from location to location.” Murrays’ Mills, Murray The company is “on quite a steep Street (off Jersey Street), learning curve, performing in a non- Ancoats, M4, £15 – £22. theatre space like this,” Honer freely admits, but gamely describes it as “an adventure and a challenge we want to Library Theatre NB Tickets are sold out but embrace.” He says the company has a small number of tickets will already commissioned a play relating Company’s new production be available for sale on the to public transport from Chorlton-based day of the show. They will be writer Jackie Kay. And audiences can of Hard Times will take sold from the Midland Hotel, expect more site-specific works from Peter Street from 5.30pm to LTC: one such production a year until place right where the story 6.30pm each day (opposite the 2014, when they join in theatre’s old home by Central a brand new purpose-built multi-arts might conceivably have Library). They will be on sale space off Whitworth Street. We can’t wait. from the reception. Should happened, in a steam- they sell out before 6.30pm, the desk will be closed. Arriving powered Manchester early is advised. All sales will be cash only. As the show is a cotton mill. Kevin Bourke promenade production sensible gets a first look. footwear is a must. Gene genius An exhibition about genetics at MOSI has something for all ages, or if you prefer your entertainment with two or four wheels, there’s also retro family fun on offer, Matt Hull finds. Inside DNA: A Genomic Revolution There’s a lot more to MOSI than These sections include ‘health’, pistons and flywheels, you know. While which looks partly at DNA screenings, Manchester’s Museum of Science and and ‘evolution’, where visitors can Industry is well known for its collections compare the skeletons of our nearest of early steam engines and vintage ancestors to see how changing DNA aeroplanes, its new science exhibition has affected humans in the past. shows that what happens inside our Inside DNA also explores important own genes can be just as important challenging questions, like whether and incredible as the inner workings genetic engineering could lead to of these giant mechanical wonders. discrimination. It’s the interactive Inside DNA: A Genomic Revolution elements that will most excite young has been developed by leading visitors though. Kids can build their science centre At-Bristol and includes own strand of DNA, and go on an contributions from some of the leading animated journey inside their own lights of genetic research including the skin cells. As part of its successful University of Manchester’s Nobel prize- Meet the Scientist series the winning scientist Sir John Sulston, head museum will welcome geneticists of the team which was responsible for from NOWGEN (North-West Genetics sequencing large parts of the human Knowledge Park) who, through lively genome. It is hoped that feedback from demonstrations and activities, will the project will help inform the work of help young people to understand the the Human Genetics Committee, which science behind genomics. advises on the social effects of new Running alongside the main developments in genomic science. exhibition is a summer full of family “DNA is a tiny molecule but it events at the museum. The annual Inside DNA runs through has made such a big difference to us Transport Festival (30 July – 7 August) November 13 at MOSI, personally, to our families, our society is more BMW than DNA but is hugely Liverpool Road, M3 4FP. and indeed our species,” says Inside popular with families with activities Free entry. DNA Exhibitions Manager Emma Cook. featuring costumed storytellers and “The exhibition is aimed primarily displays from the museum’s huge Transport Festival, at Key Stage 3 students, but we have range of vehicles. And it’s a genes, found that younger visitors enjoy it just not to mention jeans, free zone at the 30 July – 7 August. as much. By breaking the subject down Retro Bicycle Picnic (7 August, 12am – into sections, we were able to make 3pm, free) as MOSI dons its best tweed Retro Bicycle Picnic, learning about genes understandable and indulges in some Victoriana – 05 7 August, 12am – 3pm. Free. and enjoyable for everyone.” penny-farthing not required. Screenfields, 23 July – Look out in museum shops, tourist out the Thursday evening programme 27 August. Spinningfields, information centres and hotels for the including screenings of Anchorman, 3 Hardman Boulevard, brand new Manchester Mini-Explorer Ghostbusters and The Breakfast Club M3 3AQ. £2 each or season bags. Launching in time for the August amongst others. For more information ticket £9.99. holidays these are self-guided tours and the full film programme visit and trails like no other, allowing your spinningfieldsonline.com Mini-Explorer boat trip, kids to lead you on a playful journey Carrying on the cinema theme August. of Manchester, museum to museum, is the Family Friendly Film Club Summer learning and doing all the way. You can Weekender. This summer, arts and 06 buy one at participating museums and cultural venues across the North West Family Friendly Film Club get exploring – anytime to suit you! will host a fun-filled weekend of events Weekender, 4 – 7 August On Sundays in August you can including an exciting range of film 2011. Venues across the join us on a mini-Explorer boat trip screenings and activities providing fun North West. along Manchester’s canals and for all the family. Please keep an eye waterways which are filled with a on the Film Club webpage at goseethis. Manchester Picnic, 5 – 7 thousand stories. Allowing you take com/filmclub for updates and further Specials August. Piccadilly Gardens. in 4 award-winning museums, sail 3 information on times and locations. historic waterways, navigate 1 lock During the Manchester Picnic and lots more besides, these trips are Piccadilly Gardens will be transformed a novel way to hop between the city into a foodie family oasis for three centre and the Quays, with special days. With delicious food and drink family activities on board. Keep stalls, large themed picnic area checking the website for more details. and bags of family entertainment, Bring rugs, blankets and picnics its the perfect picnicky day out. Most ON THE to Screenfields, the annual outdoor importantly, small people and their cinema on the green at Spinningfields. cuddly friends are invited to a Teddy The Family Film Club is on Saturday Bear’s Picnic on Sunday 7th. Enjoy mornings with a series of children’s kids’ workshops with Manchester screenings including classics such Museum and dance along with as The Jungle Book and Chitty Chitty Twinkle the Bear. Special goody Bang Bang as well as latest animated bags for the first 100 best-dressed HOOF blockbusters like Toy Story 3 and teddies are up for grabs (Ts & Cs Wall-E. For older children check apply – visit piccadillymanchester.com).

Short on time? Only got a couple of hours to spare in Manchester? Here’s a few ideas to fill your time. Manchester Mini-Explorer illustration by Tracy Worrall The Life and Death of Marina ‘A festival of firsts’ is how and Michael Landy’s Breakdown. Abramovic runs 9 – 16 July Director Alex Poots likes to describe “Artangel were like Mecca when I was at The Lowry, Salford Quays, the Manchester International Festival, first starting out, they had such a huge M50 3AZ. Tickets £15 – and with 20 world premières opening impact on the cultural landscape” £39.50 (limited concessions this summer it is easy to see why. says Poots. “I can look back and say available for £10 off) But this description doesn’t do justice unequivocally that they have been to the wealth of creative talent that has responsible for some dozen works that Šejla Kameric & Anri Sala: returned to participate in the festival will remain in the canon of great art in for a second and a third time. Artists this country.” This year MIF celebrates 1395 Days without Red and like Marina Abramovic and Anri Sala, 20 years of Artangel with a season of Projections: Works from The who have found the director’s visionary past film and video commissions that Artangel Collection run 2 – 17 approach to supporting ambitious, include Catharine Yass’ High Wire July at , large-scale performance art very and Tony Oursler’s mesmerising son- Oxford Road, M15 6ER. attractive. et-lumiere spectacle The Influence Free entry. “When we started the festival six Machine, which will be projected years ago, the plan was that it would onto the trees in Whitworth Park. 11 Rooms runs 9 – 17 July be artist-led, well resourced and The festival will also première at , sympathetic to their needs,” says Artangel’s new commission, Sejia Mosley Street, M2 3JL . Poots. “As a result, artists felt able to Kameric and Anri Sala’s 1395 Days Free entry. tell us about other projects they were without Red. The film is inspired by the hoping to make.” siege of Sarajevo between 1992 and Abramovic is a good example 1996 and Y Tu Mamá También actor of this. MIF veterans will remember Ana López Mercado is rumoured to Marina Abramovic Presents from be in the lead role. The film is still in 2009, a critically-acclaimed (and very the cutting room and I wonder if this challenging) four-hour event. She is the kind of thing that keeps Poots now returns with avant-garde theatre up at night. “There are many artists director Robert Wilson for the pseudo- keeping me up at night, but for all the biographical staging of The Life and right reasons,” he says diplomatically. Manchester International Festival 2011, 1395 Days Without Red, photo Milomir Kovacevic. Death of Marina Abramovic. Poots “Fortunately we have an incredibly says the project has been in the works proactive city council who cut through since 2007. “Marina sees her life as the red tape for me. It really is a team a performance, but having recently effort.” In fact, so supportive is the turned 60 she was thinking about her council, Poots says, that the only legacy and who would be in charge criticism he received from the Lord of documenting her death.” Mayor in 2009 was that he didn’t She asked Wilson, who agreed push health and safety regulations on the condition that he could also far enough. stage her life. “I was extremely keen No doubt the council will have for the work to première at MIF, but their work cut out this year with the I was also aware that while Marina mysterious 11 Rooms organised by Abramovic will go down in the history uber curator Hans-Ulrich Obrist and books as the godmother of performance MOMA New York’s Klaus Biesenbach. art, she was still relatively unknown in The live performance installation at 07 Britain.” His solution was to stage a mini the Manchester Art Gallery boasts retrospective in 2009 as a pre-cursor a heavyweight line up including the to the Abramovic/Wilson collaboration. pioneering video artist John Baldessari It is not surprising that (who has signed a manifesto promising Abramovic was attracted to Wilson. not to make boring art, so it is unlikely The theatre director is known for that audiences will be disappointed.) staging performances that often last He is joined by the controversial up to 12 hours, and for a fascination Spanish artist Santiago Sierra, who Art on with language and the breakdown in famously paid prostitutes to let him communication over time. The Life and tattoo them, and the art actionist Tino Death of Marina Abramovic opens on Seghal, among others. Poots is naturally the 9th of July, featuring actor Willem reticent on details, but it is clear that Dafoe and music by Antony Hegarty as always, the venture will be a risky of Antony and The Johnsons. business. This is the reason MIF is more One key supporter of the festival is than just a festival of firsts; it is an event the edge Michael Morris, co-director of Artangel, committed to pushing the boundaries the cutting-edge arts body famous for of what is creatively possible. And that organising Rachel Whiteread’s House is why artists just keep on coming back. Ok, we know this isn’t strictly for families, but we can’t leave out the 3rd Manchester International Festival. Jessica Lack takes us through 2011’s engaging and audacious art programme. Annual Transport Festival Events 30 July – 7 August MOSI 08 Liverpool Road M3 4FP Highlights tours Free entry Every Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank holiday A classic car rally and retro bicycle Monday, 2 – 3pm picnic plus lots of vehicles to see Manchester Art Gallery during this week of fun family Rain or Mosley Street M2 3J events to celebrate Manchester’s Free, no need to book history of transport innovations. Join a trained guide from Family film club fairytale special Manchester Art Gallery Thursday 4 & Friday 5 August, Friends for a tour of the gallery. 12pm and 2pm Shine: Manchester Art Gallery Baby Loves Disco Sunday Mosley Street M2 3J Summer Session 3 July, 2 – 5pm A range of screenings and family Bijou activities will take place at several 1 – 7 Chapel Street venues. Visit goseethis.com/ Creative £8 (non-walkers free) filmclub for further information on times and locations. A disco for kids 6 months to 7 years and their families, Teddy Bear’s Picnic with a barbecue on the terrace. 10 August Ordsall Hall Museum Tourist’s Ordsall Hall Great Garden Party 322 Ordsall Lane 3 July Salford M5 3AN Ordsall Hall Museum Free entry 322 Ordsall Lane Salford M5 3AN Bring teddy for family activities, Summer Free entry food and games. Come celebrate the hall’s Rochdale Canal Festival re-opening with family activities, 13 – 28 August food and games. Rochdale Canal Rossendale Puppet Festival Family events and celebrations Family 9 – 10 July along the Rochdale Canal. The Boo Waterfoot Mr Tumble Live Rossendale BB4 7HB 27 August BBC Media City Piazza Two days of shows featuring Salford Quays Calendar Spanish puppeteers Angelico Musgo, Squashbox Theatre The slapstick clown of CBeebies Annual Transport Festival, MOSI and the resident company award-winning Something Horse+Bamboo, plus workshops Special TV programme performs and kids’ activities indoors a one-off show at the new BBC and out. Mediacity Piazza. The Good, the Mad and the Funky Musical tour with Black 23 July Jack Barnet Cornerhouse Saturday 24 September, 70 Oxford Street M1 5NH 3 – 3:45pm Manchester Art Gallery Young people take over Mosley Street M2 3J Cornerhouse’s cinema 1 for Free, no need to book No matter what time you visit screenings of movies selected by teens from the Creative Stars Black Jack Barnet performs Manchester, there’s always family programme, special events and entertaining songs inspired ticket offers. To sign up visit by our collection. fun on offer. Whether it’s getting cornerhouse.org/livewire messy, making noise or exploring the outdoors, you’ll find something to keep the whole family occupied this summer. The Ancients The Little People’s History Workshops 16 – 17 July, 11am – 4pm Museum: Mr Ordinary’s Prize Manchester Museum, 26 July, 11am – 12pm and activities Oxford Road M13 9PL People’s History Museum Free, drop-in. All ages. Left Bank Step back in time and meet Spinningfields M3 3ER our ancient ancestors by cave £1 per child. Booking advised. painting or by designing your own Fun interactive story session with stone circle. Linked to the BBC’s puppets, song, dance and a craft Hands On History: The Ancients activity for under 5s and their and the Stonehenge exhibition grown ups. and part of the Festival of British Archaeology. Magic Carpet: Frogs 29 July, 11am – 12pm Storytelling Sessions Manchester Museum All 11:30am Oxford Road M13 9PL Imperial War Museum North Book on 0161 275 2648 The Quays (from 22 Jul), £1 per child Trafford Wharf Road M17 1TZ Free. For ages 4 – 10. Storytelling and activity session for under 5s. 16, 20, 30 July – What Nancy Did Next: Hear tales of life in Far, Far Away the Land Army Tuesdays 2, 9, 16 & 12 August, Baby Loves Disco, photo by by Sophie Mithcell MOSI Wednesdays 3,10, 17, 24 August, 15, 19, 26 July – Animals Aboard - Thursdays 4, 11, 18, 25 August, Meet Simon the heroic ship’s cat Fridays 5, 12, 19, 26 August, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31 July – Animals all 1 – 3pm and War: Puppet animals share Manchester Art Gallery tales of bravery Mosley Street M2 3J Free 18, 22, 25, 29 July – Oskar’s Journey: Puppets, objects and Build an imaginary world plus multisensory storytelling dance workshop for under 5s. 23 & 27 July – Billy’s War – Strike A Light! A Matchgirl’s Story A Salford boy’s wartime 2 August 1:30 – 2pm Toddlertastic Arty Picnics Mini Art Club Young Correspondents experiences People’s History Museum Every Monday 10:30 – 1:30am Wednesdays and Fridays during 8 July & 12 August, All 1 – 4pm Left Bank or 11:30 – 12:30pm school holidays, all 11 – 12:30pm 10:15 – 11:15am and Imperial War Museum North What a Performance: Spinningfields M3 3ER Whitworth Art Gallery Whitworth Art Gallery 11:30am – 12:30pm The Quays War Correspondent Free Oxford Road M15 6ER Oxford Road M15 6ER Manchester Art Gallery Trafford Wharf Road M17 1TZ Wednesdays & Saturdays Free, but booking essential Free. All ages. Mosley Street M2 3J Free from 16 July – 27 August, four Meet Maggie McCallow, a on 0161 275 7450 Free. Book one week in sessions hourly 11:15 – 2:15 Victorian matchgirl, and find out Bring your family and some food, advance on 0161 235 8888. Drop-in craft sessions for Imperial War Museum North how she campaigned for better Adventures in drama, art music and meet an artist for fun creative ages 5+ linked to the War The Quays rights for workers. A family friendly and dance for under-5s and their activities. Picnics will take place Make friends, make noise and Correspondent exhibition. Trafford Wharf Road M17 1TZ activity for over 7s and adults. grown-ups. outside, or in the gallery if it rains. make a mess in this workshop Decorate a journalist’s jotter or Free for under 5s and their grown-ups. compose a newspaper front page Colourful Sundays Craft Sessions (15, 17, 31 July). Get the scoop A family friendly performance Every Sunday, 1:30 – 3:30pm Imperial War Museum North Big Saturday: Froglife on an animal hero or an object dramatising stories of wartime Whitworth Art Gallery The Quays 9 July 11am – 4pm in the exhibition (16 and 24 July). adventure. Oxford Road M15 6ER Trafford Wharf Road M17 1TZ Manchester Museum Free. All ages. Free Oxford Road M13 9PL. Alternative life drawing Art Angels Mini Art Club, Manchester Art Gallery Most activities are free and class with Dr Sketchy All 1:30 – 3:30pm Drop-in creative workshops Drop-in for 5+. Make a picture drop-in. Some activities may 16 July, 1:30 – 2:30pm Whitworth Art Gallery for the whole family. frame (2 & 9 July). Hotspots (3 & need to be booked on the day Manchester Museum Oxford Road M15 6ER 10 July). Make aeroplanes to take and may cost up to £1.50. All ages. Oxford Road M13 9PL Free. All ages. The Little People’s History home and keep (18 – 20 July). Free, drop-in. All ages. Museum: Under the Rainbow Decorate ‘plane spotter’ binoculars Come along and find out more Artist-led workshops on Tuesday 21 June, 11am – 12pm (21 – 23 July). Decorate a puppet ways of helping this wildlife, Dr Sketchy Manchester presents and Thursday afternoons People’s History Museum (25 – 27 July). Make a propeller see some live animals, meet a fun drawing class for all ages throughout the summer holidays. Left Bank (28 – 30 July). All 1– 4pm. and listen to talks from experts and abilities featuring models 26 & 28 July – Creative Costumes Spinningfields M3 3ER and take part in art and craft. Bambi La Beau as the Egyptian £1 per child, booking advised Family Art Club princess and Archie Greaves 2 &4 August – Gigantic Gesture 2 July & 6 August, 1 – 3pm, Imagine Weekends as the Roman centurion. Expect 9 &11 August – Noisy Drawings Fun interactive story session with Manchester Art Gallery 9 –10 July, 13 – 14 August, 12 – 4pm drawing games, sketching puppets, song, dance and a craft Mosley Street M2 3J Manchester Art Gallery challenges and plenty of silliness. 16 & 18 August – Mega Phonic activity for under 5s and their Free. For kids 6 – 11. Mosley Street, M2 3J Part of the Not Part Of Festival. grown ups. Free 23 & 25 August – Watch Out! Spend quality time together and learn new art skills. Experiment and play with the 30 August & 1 September – material of the month in these Moving Mobiles drop-in activities. We think Manchester’s the greatest (of course) but sometimes even diehard Mancunians like us get wanderlust. Fortunately, we Performances don’t have far to go for fantastic family cultural adventures. This summer, we’ll be 09 packing the kids into the car/bus/ train and striking out for Leek, where the Just So Festival, a The Clock Master boutique weekend of creativity for 26 June kids and their families happens in The Lowry an enchanted Staffordshire wood. Field This year’s festival features theatre Salford Quays M50 3AZ £8.50 and puppetry, children’s authors David Lucas and the Etherington An eclectic show for kids 5 Brothers, music for dancing from and up from Sparkle & Dark’s Polly and the Billets Doux and Travelling Players. the Zen Hussies, plus lots of Trips chances to get painty, muddy and Ruby Flew Too inspired. It takes place between 10 July 19 – 21 August at Barnswood, Salford Arts Theatre Staffordshire. Weekend tickets off Liverpool Street including 3 nights camping cost Salford M5 4BS £80 for adults and £35 for children £6/£5 (under 3s free). Topsy Turvy Theatre’s live version We’ll also be heading north of the picture book for ages 3 – 7. for Lakes Alive, the summerlong programme of performance The Steadfast Tin Soldier and arts events in the glorious 10 July setting of the Lake District. This The Lowry year’s highlights include Zircus The Steadfast Tin Soldier, The Lowry Salford Quays M50 3AZ Plus, the contemporary circus £8.50 festival in Barrow (15 – 17 July), magical nightime aerial shows Live theatre for kids 3 – 8 from Festival Circus (part of Zircus Plus), Lakes Alive above Whitehaven and Maryport Banyan Theatre Company. harbours, a full-of-surprises family garden party to celebrate The Frog Prince and Other Tales Lake District National Park’s 16 July 60th birthday (13 August) and The Lowry the always-excellent Mintfest, Banner Attack! Salford Quays M50 3AZ Kendal’s International Festival Workshops 10 August, 1:30 – 3:30pm £8.50 People’s History Museum of Street Arts (2 – 4 September). and activities Left Bank A one-woman performance for Spinningfields M3 3ER kids featuring masks, shadows (CONTINUED) Free and physical performance. Help build a huge banner in Mr. Stink the Engine Hall using cloth and 2 – 14 August collage. Suitable for all ages. The Lowry Salford Quays M50 3AZ Just So Festival The Little People’s History £16.50 – £18.50 Museum: Beeing Special 23 August, 11am – 12:30pm David Walliams’ smelliest book People’s History Museum of all time adapted for a musical Left Bank scratch ‘n’ sniff production bringing Spinningfields M3 3ER Mr Stink pongingly to life. £1 per child, booking advised Pinocchio Big Saturday: the Museum A fun interactive story session August 9 – 10 Allotment with puppets, song, dance Wythenshawe Park M23 OAB 6 August, 11am – 4pm and a craft activity for under £8.50 –12.50 Manchester Museum 5s and their grown ups. Oxford Road M13 9PL Heartbreak Productions perform All ages Magic Carpet the classic tale outdoors in the park. Come along and learn what veg 26 August, 1am – 12pm you can grow, take part in art and Manchester Museum Snow White craft and get your hands dirty on Oxford Road M13 9PL 20 August our allotment. Most activities are £1 per child, book on M25 2SW free and drop-in. Some activities 0161 275 2648 (from 19 Aug) £7 – 13 may need to be booked on the Storytelling and activity session Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s day and may cost up to £1.50. for under 5s. family production. 10 TOP FIVE

TOP Photo copyright Jesse Boeijen, Delinus, Platform 4 Festival

FIVES THE OTHER 3 Platform 4 Festival Manchester A dynamic three day free outdoor event in the squares and spaces of Manchester City festivals Centre featuring street theatre, FOR music and dance from a host of exciting companies from the 1 UK and Europe. 19 – 21 August. Not Part Of 4 This year’s installment of the 24-7 Theatre Festival SUMMER proudly small-time, grassroots The eighth annual installment MIF fringe festival spans more of this emerging theatre festival than 150 events with an emphasis features 13 shiny new plays; it’s on local talent. They’re a real always good value and a great pick’ n’ mix: art exhibitions, Oscar place to get a first look at writers Wilde dinner theatre, tap dancing, who will be making a stir in sock puppets, and street opera coming years. 21 – 24 July, and more. June 30 – July 16, venues across Manchester. venues across Manchester. 5 2 Ramsbottom Festival Manchester Jazz Festival This new festival in the city’s green We’ve selected some of our New for 2011, the jazz fest will Pennine borderlands is curated run two performance spaces in by the excellent Bury Met. It’s a favourite insider tips to share with a pavilion on Albert Square as relaxed indy-folky affair featuring well as the usual nightclub and Badly Drawn Boy, Cherry Ghost, street performances from the likes The Waterboys, and Mr Scruff’s you, whether it’s unusual days of Norma Winstone, Cinematic kids disco. 16 – 18 September, Orchestra’s Stuart McCallum, Ramsbottom Cricket Club. out or independent hot spots and Richard Iles. July 22 – 30, Early bird tickets £12 – 30 day, for tasty treats. venues across Manchester. £55 weekend. Wild al-fresco 2 4 The The Northern Quarter Restaurant Swims eats The hottest grill in town is actually High Street isn’t exactly tranquil, across the River Irwell in Salford. but dining out here on a summer Chef Robert Owen Brown’s night is a great way to get a feel robust Northern cooking would for the buzz of the eponymous, be enough of a draw on its own, much-loved neighborhood. The but the bucolic riverside setting food is rather stylish Modern Brit, clinches it: BBQ heaven. Stanley and rather tasty, too. 108 High 1 Street, Salford M3 5EJ. Street M4 1HQ. Hatchmere Swimmers’ rights are recognised at this lake near Delamere Forest. 1 3 5 There’s a small lawn at the Left Bank Café Malmaison Albert’s Shed roadside and a tiny sandy beach. The People’s History Museum’s This luxury hotel mainstay has On a sunny day, everyone Country pub The Carriers Inn is café bar has a lovely terrace on a brand new covered terrace in Castlefield flocks to nearby virtually on the doorstep. Next to the River Irwell, a real suntrap on area which is cordoned off from pub Dukes 92, but if you’re the Carriers Inn, Delamere Road, days when the clouds deign to Piccadilly so you don’t feel like after more of a meal (and less Hatchmere, Norley, Cheshire. part. The menu’s small but does you’re eating in the middle of a of a crush), the shed is a pretty the job, and it’s a nice spot for busy sidewalk. The menu features reliable choice with a lovely an after-work beer on Thursdays ace hot weather fare like grilled position on the canal basin. and Fridays, when it’s open late. squid and chorizo. Piccadilly, 20 Castle St M3 4LZ. 2 Left Bank, Bridge Street, M3 3ER. Manchester M1 3AQ. Pickmere Sugar Junction This large lake has crystal clear water and a recreation area with lawns and picnic tables. The Parish Council don’t condone swimming there but we have it on good authority they can’t actually stop you. Stop off at Great Budworth Dairy Ice Cream Farm after. Parking off Mere Lane, Pickmere, Knutsford, WA16. sweet 3 hands-on 4 3 Sugar Junction Helmshore Mills Textile Museum Lumb Falls spots This new Tib Street tea den is heritage Follow the waft of a good hot pot A scramble up a trail and down a cosy place for high tea with all and you must be in Lancashire, a bank wins you a bracing dip in the trimmings, or a sneaky scone where the rural landscape is the waters of this Hebden Bridge if you happen to be in the mood. dotted with Victorian mills. Here beauty spot. Can be tricky to find The retro feel makes it the perfect 1 you will find the true story of the so bring a map. Limited parking place to refuel after perusing Anderton Boat Lift textile industry – with original on Haworth Old Road. the area’s vintage shops. It’s worth a trip into Cheshire to working machinery and live 60 Tib Street, M4 1LG. take a ride through this amazing demonstrations. Nearby is 1 Victorian boatlift that connects Queen Street Mill, the last 4 Hey Little Cupcake! two canals. Pretty good visitor steam-powered textile-weaving Gaddings Dam Once a pop-up shop, now 4 centre too, and the Cheshire Salt mill in the world. Anderton Boat Lift Mines are also nearby. Another hiker-friendly swimming Manchester’s permanent Sweet Tooth Cupcakery and Milk spot, this disused reservoir on the home of the high-end couture Bar The second cupcake joint on moors near Walsden is said to be cupcake. They do afternoon tea our list is a tiny shop adjoining Pop 5 the highest beach in England, and on weekends and run decorating Boutique in the Northern Quarter 2 Honister Slate Mine on a windy day it certainly feels classes. Should you find yourself (a second location’s in Chorlton). Quarry Bank Mill High up on Honister Pass, like it. It’s owned by a collective in a cupcake emergency (and who They also serve up malts, shakes On the way back towards remote, beautiful and windswept, determined to keep it open for hasn’t?), they deliver. Little Quay and floats. 34 – 36 Oldham St, M1 1JN. Manchester you’ll find Quarry is the last working slate mine in swimming. Access via Lumbutts Street, Spinningfields M3 3HF. Bank Mill, a National Trust England. Go deep underground Road, Todmorden; park opposite property that overflows with the in a guided mine tour, or climb the Shepherds Rest Inn. 5 atmosphere of the Industrial the highest mountain in England, 2 M1LK SHAKE Revolution. Nice riverside as Scafell Pike isn’t too far away. Patisserie Valerie You will literally not believe what walks, too. 5 It’s hard to believe the city centre you can put into a milkshake these Salford Watersports Centre didn’t have a proper patisserie days. The menu of mix-ins at this Yes, the Manchester Ship Canal is before this one opened on Arndale kiosk runs from Aero to 3 much, much cleaner than it used Deansgate. It’s baby friendly Viscount and hits all manner of East Lancashire Railway to be. The council runs this facility, and very popular. Really confectionery in between. It’s North of the city, along the edge For more about all of these visit so there are forms and fees to sort hungry? They also do soup proven so popular their sweet of the West Pennine Moors runs modernhistory.co.uk. Follow out before you can dive in for their and sandwiches. Or you empire now stretches to Bolton this delightful steam railway. the discovery trail and you could open water training sessions. could just order more pastries. and Bury. Arndale Food Market, Kids just love the Thomas the send off for a unique edition of 15 The Quays, Salford M50 3SQ. 2 – 4 St Ann Street, M3 2BW. 49 High Street, M4 2EA. Tank Engine special weekends. Top Trumps.Not to be sniffed at. If you’re out and about with a baby in the not-traditionally-baby- friendly Northern Quarter, Teacup on Thomas Street is a spacious cafe with plenty of room for prams round the table, highchairs, and a changing table in the bathroom. They serve kid-friendly fare (bagel sandwiches, dippy eggs) as well as stuff that mums and dads will appreciate (Pieminster Pies with gravy and mash). Be aware that it gets busy at lunchtime, so it’s always good to have a backup plan. Nearby Oklahoma on High Street has baby changing and a cosy cafe adjoining a funky toy and gift shop with an old-school sweet selection that will surely delight any older children in your party. But remember, you’re never too far away from a museum or gallery in Manchester, and virtually all of these have baby changing facilities near cafes for feeding; Manchester Art Gallery, Chinese Arts Centre, Whitworth Art Gallery and People’s History Museum are all in the city centre and convenient to other attractions.

The recently-refurbished Arndale Centre is a godsend for families. It has baby changing and feeding rooms, and parent and child stalls in the women’s rooms. If you’re on your own with a pram, attendants will open a handicapped loo for you. On site cafes like Starbucks, Costa Oaklahoma (in Waterstones) and Caffe Nero, with highchairs and couches, are handy places for a feed, and afterwards you can check out the sales on baby clothes at Pumpkin Patch and Next. Watch out for long lift queues at busy times, though. Just across Exchange Square, The Titchy Coffee Co. in the for babies Triangle is a nice spot with plenty of space for prams and baby changing (and their parents) on site, and a few handy restaurants nearby (Zizzi, Pizza Express.)

Fancy a walk? Country houses and their accompanying parks are good This is our guide to navigating the city with the littlest tourists. places to combine culture with pram-pushing. We like Bramhall Hall, Lyme Park, Haigh Country Park and Tatton Park. After all, you’re never Bottle, bottlewarmer, food, nappies, nappy cream, nappy bags, toys, too young to be a Creative Tourist! change of clothes... got everything? Schlepping a baby, a buggy and all the accompanying gear around the city centre can sometimes feel like mounting an expedition into the rainforests of Borneo; add another child and the chaos multiplies by a factor of ten. But barring a few blips (who decided Oxford Road station didn’t need a lift?) the city of Manchester is a baby-friendly zone. And most harried Mancunian parents have their safe houses: the places they know they can go where the sight of a pram in full regalia won’t be greeted with hostile stares.

11 Add Waterstones to your internal map. The two city centre branches are reliable refuges for the littlest explorers. The Deansgate branch has a dedicated children’s area that regularly hosts readings from kids’ authors. The branch inside the Arndale Centre has a Costa Coffee right next to a lovely play area in the children’s section with a few well-loved toys, soft cushions and a big table that’s always equipped with paper and crayons. Your child’s art might even be used to decorate the shop (though mind they don’t decorate any books.)

With it’s great new (and free) hands-on Experiment! Gallery, MOSI is top for toddlers, and it has two cafes and an indoor picnic area where you can eat a packed lunch. If they still have some energy left, the kids might enjoy playing on the grass in nearby St. John’s Gardens, or you could take a picnic to the canal and watch the narrowboats. Spinningfields, near Deansgate, is another good place to know about. With kid-friendly restaurants including Giraffe, it’s also got a lovely big lawn for stretching little legs (look out for their classic kids’ film screenings (Saturdays at 11am) and a nice place to stop for dessert in Hey Little Cupcake.

Experiment! Gallery, MOSI Manchester Art Gallery has activity packs, great for kids over 3 and the children’s Clore Interactive Gallery to explore (a bit careworn these days but still worth a visit). The Cafe offers hot and cold children’s specials, for toddlers sells and warms baby food and has plenty of high chairs. In the Northern Quarter, funky Nexus Art Cafe is a nice place for a bite (note lift access is via the Methodist Central Buildings around the corner on Oldham Street). Manchester’s a big city with plenty of love for the little people. Pizza and pasta at Dough in the Northern Quarter is another excellent If you’re part of a toddler’s support team, planning is your friend. choice. And on hot days, the fountain at nearby Piccadilly Gardens is irresistible for water play. Bring a change of clothes! Of course, no matter how well-prepared you are there are no guarantees that your outing will go smoothly – life with the under-four set is always unpredictable. Manchester is a wonderful city for young children to explore. It’s compact size and flat terrain makes it easy for kids to navigate under their own steam, and you’re never too far from somewhere to stop for a play. Here we’ve collected some handy tips to help make your trip fun for everyone on days out with toddlers

12 Bouncing off the walls? If you have budding skateboarders in tow, the indoor Central Skatepark and outdoor Projects Manchester skatepark are safe bets, and both offer beginner sessions and lessons. A short trip away in Trafford, Chill Factore offers snowboarding, airboarding, skiing and ice-skating year round in its jaw-droppingly cool indoor winter sports park. And bike trips are a good idea, whether indoor (Manchester Velodrome has kids’ sessions, booking required) or out (ride from Chorlton to historic on the flat and car-free Trans-Pennine Trail; hire bikes at Bicycle Boutique). If they’re not into cycling, they might like exploring the city’s secret undergound tunnels or taking a cruise on the ship canal. Or they could combine a visit to one of the The Quays’ cultural venues (The Lowry, Imperial War Museum North, ) with a walk around the new Salford Quays Heritage Trail.

Combining food and cultural nourishment is a great idea. The Whitworth Gallery has a tasty and healthy children’s menu and kids’ meals come with an art pack full of fun things to do. Outside, Whitworth Park is a good place for a post-lunch run around. Just down Oxford Road, the Manchester Museum has a cafe, but we love to bring a packed lunch The Manchester Museum and eat at the cool indoor picnic area on the third floor. And if your visit includes a trip to the historic Town Hall, there’s a lovely and very reasonably priced cafe there too.

STUFF FOR KIDS Off the cultural trail, Red Chilli is a great place for kids to eat; at the Oxford Road branch they can watch their own noodles being pulled while It’s a city with a long and glorious history, but Manchester munching on their spring rolls. In Castlefield, Japanese grill Sapporo is still young at heart. Teppanyaki is also a fantastic food-as-spectacle spot – the grill chefs are practised performers, and kids will love watching them clown around There’s no denying that going places with a child forces you to look with their sauce bottles. A walk along the nearby canals to the at things in a new way. You might find yourself slowing down to admire ruins of Manchester’s Roman fort is a nice post-lunch family activity a carpet of pink blossoms, or waving to every passing bus. But cities aren’t (this year, there’s an artificial outdoor beach, Castlesands, with a kids’ really a child’s natural habitat, so finding places for your offspring to burn play area there.) off some energy can be tricky. You can’t please everyone, but Pan-Asian Tampopo (branches in The Triangle, Albert Square and The Trafford Centre) has mastered the fine art of pleasing kids without consigning their parents to the fish finger ghetto. Their children’s menu is heavy on finger foods like veggie tempura and chicken satay, and kids get activity sheets on arrival. The Triangle’s outlet is right next to green Cathedral Gardens (and the soon-to-open ) which is a handy place to get some fresh air.

13 There are two standout Under 18s club nights in Manchester. Relatively new club Sound Control, situated on New Wakefield Street just off Oxford Road, hosts the monthly U-18’s Pop, Bubble, Rock! The DJ plays anything from Katy Perry and Jessie J to alexisonfire and My Chemical Romance. Pop, Bubble, Rock! has free sweets and giveaways, competitions for signed merchandise, and award-winning photographers.

Satan’s Hollow on Princess Street is a well-known rock club and its satanically-themed interior hosts Pulp Party, the U-18 club night hosted by Pulp, the shop in the Arndale Centre. Pulp Party features t-shirt grabs, money off vouchers, competitions and photographers. The club night plays a wide range of rock music from emo and soft rock to alternative and metal, but the Pulp DJs are open to all the requests they get.

Pulp Party at Satan’s Hollow 101 Princess Street, M1 6DD. For more information about the next Pop, Bubble, Rock! event visit the Pulp Facebook page.

Pop, Bubble, Rock! at Sound Control, 1 New Wakefield Street, M1 5NP. UNDER 18s ONLY For information about the next event visit the Pop, Bubble, Rock! Cool nightlife for young people? Yes, it exists in Manchester. Natalie Kols Facebook page. gives us an update on what the kids are doing after dark these days.

Until recently, the phrase ‘under 18s only’ brought to mind awkward boys-on-one side, girls-on-the-other events that were held in civic halls; all pick n’ mixes and promises of ‘fizzy drinks.’ But in the last few years, good teen club nights have started popping up around Manchester. They’re a huge step from sitting in a circle and rolling dice to see who gets to put on the hat and scarf and try and open the chocolate with a knife and fork. They are designed to be as close to the real thing as possible; the only thing that is not allowed at these nights is alcohol and all of them will turn anyone drunk (or over 18) away. But the lack of alcohol doesn’t seem to bother anyone; these club nights are very popular.

14 With a rash of multi-million pound hotel refurbishments and exciting new accommodation complexes springing up, there has never been a better time to stay over in Manchester. Whether you’re looking to stay in the city’s vibrant centre or spend a few nights enjoying the laidback calm of Salford Quays, and whether you’d prefer the ease of a full service hotel or the convenience of self-catering apartments Manchester has something to suit the needs of any family. All the hotels and apartment complexes partnered to the family-friendly summer are offering family rooms at exclusive family-friendly rates as well as a free bag of Manchester museums and galleries goodies, BOOK especially for all young creative tourists. YOUR STAY 15 Arora Hotel Atrium Apartments The Lowry Midland Hotel It’s summertime in Manchester and The Atrium by Bridge Street offers Treat your family to a special trip away For just £115 per room, per night, up there’s a lot to do. In conjunction with Atrium by Bridge Street offers stylish at the five-star The , as a to 2 adults and 2 children can stay in a Creative Tourist, the Manchester guide Serviced Apartments in the heart of family friendly hotel we know your little luxurious family room, enjoy breakfast for the creative tourist, Arora Hotel Manchester, just a few minutes walk ones need special attention and with in our Colony Restaurant the following Manchester has designed an exclusive from Manchester’s many attractions. this in mind we have created a package morning and receive a Mini Manchester offer including overnight stay in a the whole family can enjoy. Working Explorer backpack to help them superior Double Double, for either two With 116 furnished apartments offering with creativetourist.com we have a discover everything that Manchester adults, or two adults and two children fully equipped kitchens and the special adventure pack all the family has to offer. up to the age of 12. What’s more, kids extra space and security that only an can enjoy, from al fresco film to musical eat breakfast for free! apartment can provide, The Atrium shipping containers, from a new Living As well as enjoying everything that is is your perfect family friendly option Worlds gallery to a celebration of frogs. on your doorstep when staying at this Contemporary in design, yet still for stays in this bustling city. 20% This is the indispensible guide to the perfectly located hotel, there’s plenty maintaining the unique character of its discount off our best available rate museums and galleries, the parks and in the hotel to keep your family busy grade-two-listed heritage, the four-star (Minimum stay 2 nights). Reserve a gardens, the kid friendly cafes and including our indoor heated swimming Arora Hotel Manchester has the perfect suitable apartment and up to 2 children shops in Manchester. pool, a host of dining choices, and our location in the heart of Manchester City stay FREE! Free Kids Goody Bag. Children’s Room containing a variety of Centre. All major tourist attractions are Complimentary Family DVD Library. From only £169 per family you can board games, craft activities, Nintendo only a stone’s throw away including the Kids Mini Manchester Explorer Packs enjoy overnight accommodation with Wii and table tennis. world famous “Theatre of Dreams” at available to buy. additional child’s bed or cot, breakfast Old Trafford, Manchester City Stadium, in The River Restaurant, a Mocktail Get the deal at: Manchester Art Gallery, MEN Arena, Get the deal at: on arrival and an adventure pack per http://www.qhotels.co.uk/hotels/ The Opera House, Arndale Shopping http://www. room. All children under the age of three the-midland-manchester/news/the- Centre and Exchange Square. atriumapartmentsmanchester.com/ will receive complimentary food and midland-creative-tourism.aspx offer.html beverages and children under 12 years Room Only, Bed & Breakfast and Dinner of age receive a 50% reduction on all Bed & Breakfast rates available. (Use Promotional Code FF11 when menus. Rates starting from as little as £79.00 booking to obtain this discount.) inclusive of VAT and Mini Manchester Available 20th July - 9th September 2011. Explorer pack with a retail value of over The price is based on a family of four £10.00. sharing; with children under the age of 12; please speak to reservations for Get the deal at: further information on family friendly http://manchester.arorahotels.com/ packages. default.aspx?pg=promos Get the deal at: http://www.thelowryhotel.com/offers- and-packages/family-creative-tourist/

15 Continued overleaf Park Inn Ramada Manchester Piccadilly Ramada Manchester, Salford Quays Creative Touris App Opened in June 2009, the four-star Park Located in the heart of Manchester City Buckets of Family Fun and activities for Once you’ve found somewhere to lay Inn by Radisson is an ideal location for Centre, with spacious bedrooms that ALL the family with peace and relaxation your head you’ll want to know about families. The girls are able to shop at the can accommodate families of four, and for Mum and Dad when most needed. great places to eat and exciting things likes of Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and an extensive children’s menu, this If you’re looking for a perfect destination do near your accommodation. We have Arndale Centre all within 10 minutes hotel is the perfect location for families for your UK family break this year then an app for that. The Creative Tourist walk, whilst the whole family can enjoy to explore this vibrant city. The hotel our combination of hotel and local app, available for download from the a meal together or cinema visit at is within easy reach of family friendly family facilities, as well as spectacular iTunes store, is crammed with insider the nearby Printworks entertainment attractions such as Manchester Art location and onsite Italian Restaurant tips to help you make the best of your complex. Start your day off right with Gallery and Manchester Museum, with children’s menu makes us the visit to Manchester. One last thing; a visit to our on-site swimming pool, and for the football fans amongst you perfect family getaway solution. The those goody bags are especially for sauna, steam room or gymnasium. the Manchester City Experience and hotel boasts family friendly and inter- creative kids. Grown-ups might be able Manchester United Museum are only connecting rooms. The hotel is within to have a go – but only if they ask nicely. Get the deal at: ten minutes away. Twenty minutes away easy reach of family attractions such http://www.parkinn.co.uk/ finds you at the Chill Factore, Legoland as The Lowry Theatre, Imperial War hotel-manchester/hotel-deals/ or the Imperial War Museum North. Museum North, Old Trafford Football creativetourism Ground and Museum, The Trafford We are offering 15% off the rate of the Centre, Chill Factore, MediaCityUK, day for large Executive Rooms which Legoland and Manchester City Centre. sleep a family of 4. You can choose All attractions are within a 10-minute whether you want a room only or bed walk or drive from the hotel. and breakfast rate. Children under 4 eat free in the restaurant and there is a Family breaks available from £99.00 special children’s menu available in the for 2 nights inclusive of Full English restaurant for children aged between Breakfast is available to book online 4 and 11, along with an activity pack to now quoting “SUMMER 1” in the keep them occupied. promotional code. To benefit from this rate, use the Get the deal at: promotional code CC9950109 when http://www.ramadasalfordquays.com/ clicking through to book below. When creative the Mini Manchester Explorer Bag is available we will offer this as an add on that you can purchase at reception. Get the deal at: http://www.ramadajarvis.co.uk/ manchester 15 More Information

And if all of this isn’t enough here are some great resources to bookmark and subscribe to: Go See This Subscribe to Go See This at goseethis.com for up-to-date information, ticket-purchase, reviews and news about what’s on all over the city Family Friendly At Go See This you will also be able to subscribe to the legendary Family Friendly arts listing service, which no busy parent can live without. goseethis/familyfriendly Modern History Modern History is a showcase for the region’s rich industrial heritage and highlights the inventions, achievements and stories that have shaped the modern world. modernhistory.co.uk Visit Manchester For all other events, sport, travel, hotels, great deals and tourist information visit visitmanchester.com Manchester Visitor Information Centre can be found on Lloyd Street, Piccadilly Gardens, M60 2LA. Open 10 – 5.30 Mon – Sat and 10.30 – 4.30 Sundays and Bank Holidays. It has a hotel and ticket booking service and lots of information to share including walking tours led by Blue and Green Badge Guides.

Manchester International Festival For the full 2011 Manchester International Festival programme, more information and to book tickets visit mif.co.uk

Lakes Alive More information about Lakes Alive, including a full list of this season’s events, can be found at lakesalive.org

Just So Festival To find out more about the 2011 Just So Festival and to book tickets go to justsofestival.org.uk

Words by Kate Feld, Matthew Hull, Kevin Bourke, Jessica Lack and Natalie Kols ; design by Modern Designers; illustrations by Andy Smith.