16 Pumpkin Patches in and around Manchester 2022

Pumpkin picking is an autumn activity that has become really popular in recent years. We took the boy pumpkin picking last year, and although it was more pumpkin selecting from a row of them in a field, rather than actually picking them off the vine, we still had a lot of fun. A visit to one of the many local pumpkin patches is an autumnal treat indeed.

We are keen to pick our Halloween pumpkins again this year. So I’ve put together a list of pumpkin patches in and around Manchester to visit. Most of them ask you to book ahead. Some will be patches of ready picked pumpkins to choose from, some you’ll be able to actually pick your pumpkin and take it home. Either way, it’s a fun thing to do for a few hours and you can snap some adorable photos while you’re at it.

13 Pumpkin Patches in and around Manchester

Pumpkins can be picked early in the month. They can be safely stored in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to carve them for Halloween. Pumpkin patches are often quieter in the week, so if you’re keen to beat the rush, then this is a bit of a top tip!

16 Pumpkin Patches in and around Manchester

Bolesworth, Tattenhall – Enjoy frightfully fun Halloween adventures at Bolesworth’s spooky Halloween Maize Maze and Pumpkin Picking Patch on selected dates between October 8 and October 30 2022.

Brookheys Farm, Dunham Massey – A working farm with a proper pumpkin patch.

Cockfields Farm Park, Ashton-Under-Lyne – Join them for the pumpkin festival this year.

Delamere Farm Shop – Open from 8^th October, it’s time to pick your own pumpkins!

Dunham Massey Farm Ice Cream – Check out their Facebook page for info about their pumpkin patch, don’t forget to grab a yummy ice cream when you visit!

Dunham Pumpkin Patch – Pick your own pumpkins and enjoy some wood fired pizza on site. Book tickets in advance.

Farmer Berties Pumpkin Patch, Glazebury – Opposite Bents Garden Centre, this is known for being a great patch to visit. Open for just two weeks before Halloween, more info on their Facebook page.

Kenyon Hall Farm, Warrington – With indoor and outdoor picking throughout October, this is a well-established pumpkin patch with reasonably priced tickets.

Libby’s Pumpkin and Sunflower Patch, Macclesfield – Libby’s patch is a family-friendly fun day out, with an on-site café and free parking.

Malpas Pick Your Own Pumpkins, Malpas, Cheshire – No booking required. Maize maze entry is £2.00 per person. There’s so much to do including tractor rides, meeting the mini goats and a bouncy castle.

13 Pumpkin Patches in and around Manchester

Reddish Vale Farm, Stockport – Visit Reddish Vale Farm for a spooktacular time this Halloween, visit all the animals and outdoor play areas and then join in some ‘fangtastic fun’!

Smithills Open Farm, Bolton – This year’s event runs from Saturday 22nd through to Sunday 30th October.

The Hayloft, Widness, Cheshire – Open every day from 3rd October. There will also be a spooky maze, miniature railway, tractor rides and the coffee shop will be open serving breakfast, lunches, drinks, cakes and ice cream.

The Lambing Shed, Knutsford – Pick your own pumpkin, from 15th October.

Village Pumpkins, Derbyshire – North Derbyshire’s original pumpkin patch based in Barlow a small village between Sheffield and Chesterfield.

Windmill Animal Farm, Burscough – Have a full day of farm based fun and pick pumpkins too. One pumpkin per ticket is included in the ticket price, but you can always buy more on the day.

Other Halloween events and attractions…

Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich – Take part in a hilarious supernatural expedition with immersive storytelling, magic, dancing, games and fun for the whole family this Halloween. BoOoOk your tickets now!

Spooky World at Applejacks Adventure Farm, Warrington, WA4 4NW

There are lots of pumpkin patches to pick from in and around Manchester this year. If I’ve missed any, please comment below and I will add them. Happy pumpkin picking!

16 Pumpkin Patches in and around Manchester 2022

Family things to do: Going on a Bat Walk

The not so small boy and I love going on bat walks. Our first one was a few years ago, with the nice people from Wild Discovery at Ribby Hall. Since then we’ve been on a bat walk at Platt Fields in Manchester and last week, we booked an early evening bat walk in Heaton Mersey in Stockport with Sustainable Living in the Heatons.

If you’ve never been on a bat walk before, but fancy having going on one, then we really recommend it. They usually take place just as the sun is starting to set, when the bats are coming out to feast on insects while the light fades. Usually you’re given a bat detector to share with a friend or two, and you’re led by a guide who will help you find an active bat spot.

Family things to do: Going on a Bat Walk

On our bat walk with Sustainable Living in the Heatons, we met Fiona and a group of other keen bat fans near Heaton Mersey Park. We were issued with fluorescent jackets and a bat detector, and we quietly walked to the nearby fishing pond.

The bat detectors have a dial which you tune in to try and hear the bats echolocating. We were told that we were most likely to encounter three different bats on our walk, if we were lucky.

What bats could you find?

The common pipistrelle is a tiny bat, about the size of a thumb. It is one of the most common bat species in the British Isles, so probably the one you’re most likely to meet on a bat walk. The common pipistrelle echolocates at around 45 kHz, so if you turn the dial on your bat detector to there, you should hear them clicking as they fly around you. If you are lucky and the sky is clear, you might even catch a speedy glimpse of them silhouetted against the darkening sky.

Other bats we might catch sight of on our bat walk would be the soprano pipistrelle. This bat is very similar to the common pipistrelle, but it echolocates at a higher frequency – 55 kHz.

The third kind of bat we could encounter is the Daubenton’s bat, which is slightly larger in size than the pipistrelles. The Daubenton’s bat echolocates at frequencies between 32 and 85 kHz; though typically it is mostly commonly found at 45 to 50 kHz.

The bats emerge at twilight to hunt for insects over the water. Their main diets consist mainly of non-biting midges and other midges; as well as small flies, mayflies, and moths. Bat detecting over a pond or river is a great place to find them, as these insects are drawn to the water.

Family things to do: Going on a Bat Walk

What did we find on our bat walk?

On our bat hunt, we found lots of common pipistrelles flying around over the pond. We stayed there for quite a while listening to them on the bat detector and occasionally spying them darting over the water and into the trees above. After a while, we walked through the trees to the Heaton Mersey Bowl. The Bowl is a large, steep-sided field, and somewhere I remember sledging as a child. Apparently in the early 1800s, cloth from the nearby bleachworks would be pinned out here. Today the Heaton Mersey Bowl has a football pitch in one corner, and footpaths and benches around the edges. It’s a popular spot with the locals and bats alike.

We had some luck finding bats flying about in the trees surrounding the Bowl. The sky was darkening quickly, so they were harder to spot.

We had a lovely couple of hours watching and listening. It was our third bat walk and each time we’ve had a really different experience. We’ve learned new things about these fascinating creatures and we have developed a fairly deep affection for them. For my birthday earlier this month, I was given a bat detector of my own. I’m really looking forward to building it and seeing if I can find a bat population in my back garden.

If you’re interested in taking part in a bat walk, Facebook is a good place to find events listed. Join local wildlife groups or contact your local bat group. It’s a lovely thing to do on a fine evening with the family.

Family things to do: Going on a Bat Walk

Visiting Warhammer World, Nottingham

This summer has been a busy one for my boy. He’s 11, about to start high school and busy learning to be more independent. He has many hobbies and interests, but one he shares with his cousin and best friend is Warhammer. For the uninitiated, Warhammer is mostly painting tiny figures and then playing war games with them. So this summer, I decided to take them both to Warhammer World in Nottingham, and what a day out that was!

Visiting Warhammer World, Nottingham

My own enthusiasm for Warhammer mostly extends to being supportive of my son’s interest in it. I was reassured that even someone with no prior experience of Warhammer would probably still enjoy their time there. I’m happy to say that I did, and I would go again. The boys however, aged 11 and 12 are pretty obsessed, and their excitement alone was pretty infectious.

We decided to make a couple of days out of our trip to Nottingham. It’s not that far from Manchester, so why rush? We stayed in town the night before, and after breakfast we grabbed a taxi to take us to Warhammer World. In terms of getting there, it’s really accessible by tram, bus or car, and there’s plenty of free parking.

Visiting Warhammer World, Nottingham

It’s free to enter Warhammer World, but you do have to pay to explore the exhibition centre (currently £7.50 per adult, £5 per child over 12 years). It’s definitely worth visiting the exhibitions at least once, they really are incredible. The exhibition centre is made up of four rooms filled with painted figures, elaborate dioramas and lots of inspiration for two keen boys.

Visiting Warhammer World, Nottingham

The exhibition areas are packed with thousands of Citadel and Forge World miniatures painted by the talented people at Warhammer World. They really are awesome, and we dashed from display case to display case being wowed by what we saw. The exhibition was really inspiring for the boys, they’ve seen Warhammer scenes in the shops, admired them and they were keen to emulate them, but this was on such a huge scale, it was a lot to take in. I recommend you really take your time through these areas. There’s an awful lot to look at. You are allowed to take photos for our own personal use, so the boys did take a few snaps of things they’d like to recreate at home.

Visiting Warhammer World, Nottingham

Undoubtedly the highlight was The Battle For Angelus Prime, which is the largest display in the building. It’s housed in its own room, with a staircase winding around it, so you can appreciate it in 360°. It really has to be seen to be properly appreciated. It contains over 5,500 miniatures, and is over 22 feet in length, 12 feet wide and almost 20 foot high. It is big!

There are over 20,000 miniatures on display in the exhibition centre. All of them are fixed to their displays except one, an assassin which is moved each night and is part of The Battle For Angelus Prime. If you spot him, you can win an assassin figure of your own. We had a really good look, but we were unsuccessful.

Visiting Warhammer World, Nottingham

Once we’d had a good look around the exhibition centre, the boys were keen to get something to eat. We decided to visit the on-site café, Bugman’s Bar. This is a large, airy bar with lots of space for people to hang out, play games; or do what we did, which was eat burgers. The food was really very good and reasonably priced, the boys both left clean plates. The staff were friendly, helpful and really made us feel welcome. I’d happily eat there again.

Bugman's bar

Between the shop and Bugman’s Bar was the Event Hall. This is a room where you can play games and reserve tables to play games at. You do need to bring your own miniatures and gaming equipment, but it looks like a fine place to do battle. Alas, we’d arrived empty handed, but the boys are keen to return at some point with their own armies.

Visiting Warhammer World, Nottingham

With pocket money burning holes in their pockets, the boys spent a good hour or so exploring the shop (there’s a Warhammer Shop and a Forge World Shop). While they were deliberating, the painting table in the Warhammer shop opened and they grabbed a couple of seats. They have painting tables in the Warhammer shops on the high street, and it’s worth phoning ahead and booking a slot if you’re visiting, but the boys were keen to learn some new techniques.

The painting tables are really great for newbies. Although they’ve been painting miniatures for around a year now, they still have much to learn. You are given the choice of one of two miniatures to paint and access to all the paints you’d need. The tables are looked after by knowledgeable members of staff who make helpful suggestions, offer advice and can show you some painting techniques you might not have tried before.

Visiting Warhammer World, Nottingham

The boys spent around an hour painting their miniatures. As there’s no crèche for tired mums, I decided if you can’t beat them, join them. So I pulled up a chair and tried my hand at painting my own figure. It turns out that if you’re in the same room when your child is watching hour after hour of painting tutorial videos on YouTube, occasionally some of that sticks in your head. Apparently I’m not terrible at painting miniatures. I’m happy I gave it a try, and if you’re a parent supporting you child’s hobby, then it’s fun to have a go, even if it’s just the once.

Again, I cannot fault the staff in the shop. They were so knowledgeable, helpful, friendly and clearly used to being spoken to by excitable children, like my two.

We spent around 5 hours in Warhammer World in total. There was plenty to see and do, and I really feel we made the most of it. The boys were sad they couldn’t play in the Events Hall, but there was scope for a small game in the shop, so it wasn’t the worst. It was a really fun day out. Both boys have said it was the highlight of their summer, and I don’t think you can get much higher praise than that.

Will we be back? Yes. Will we take our own armies next time? Also yes. Are the boys pestering me for a return already? Yes.

Warhammer World is in Nottingham, it’s brilliant and you can find out more on their website.

Note: You can take photos for your own personal use at Warhammer World. I asked for permission to take and share some pictures from our visit.

Things to do in Derby – a city full of culture!

We were invited guests of Visit Derby. All images and opinions are our own.

One of the few upsides to the pandemic is that although I feel less inclined to jet off to far flung places, I’m more minded to explore some of the wonderful cities we have in the UK. I’d heard good things about the city of Derby (mostly from a real ale drinker) and I was excited to be invited by Visit Derby to explore the city for a weekend with a small group of bloggers.

Things to do in Derby - a city full of culture!

Derby is a not a huge place. I really liked that it was such a compact city that you could explore most of it on foot. Derby has thrown its hat into the ring to become City of Culture for 2025, so Visit Derby drew up a list of some of the must see cultural things to do within the city and we set about visiting them.

The Stay Company Serviced Apartments

My good friend Jenny and I stayed in a lovely serviced apartment on Friar Gate, just a short walk away from the beating heart of the city. The apartments, were clean and comfortable; home to the best shower I’ve had in a long time. We were close enough to the action, but not so close that we were disturbed by the late night hustle and bustle of the city. Staying in an apartment means you don’t have to be up at a certain time for breakfast, and there’s a lounge you can flop about in. Not to mention a decent kitchen to cook in or serve takeaways in. We liked it a lot, and we decided it’s a great option for families as well as groups of friends, like us.

Things to do in Derby - a city full of culture!

Annie’s Burger Shack

We travelled over on Friday afternoon, and after ditching our bags, we headed to Annie’s Burger Shack for a bite to eat. It’s located in a converted church building and its comprehensive burger menu appeals to hungry lumberjacks, people on date nights, children celebrating birthdays and groups of friends alike. I was very taken with the huge portion of curly fries (the king of fried potato products) which came with my burger, and Terri said her chicken burger was the best she’s ever had.

Annie's burger shack

Derby Cathedral

An early start on Saturday morning made me feel grateful I’d laid off the gin the night before. Freshly power-showered, we walked the short distance to Derby Cathedral. Jenny and I opted to have a look around the beautiful cathedral, while the rest of the gang went up the tower to take in the panoramic views of the city and beyond.

Things to do in Derby - a city full of culture!

Derby Cathedral is one of the most-visited attractions in Derby. It’s a beautiful calm, reflective space and one which feels so modern, despite being many hundreds of years old. It is home to some fascinating local history stories and you’re welcome to visit and learn all about formidable local woman, Bess of Hardwick; as well as Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. You can pop in when it’s open and explore the cathedral, or if you’re feeling fit, book a guided tower tour.

Things to do in Derby - a city full of culture!

Derby Museum and Art Gallery

After our whistle-stop tour of the cathedral, we walked to the nearby Derby Museum and Art Gallery. The art gallery is home to a fascinating range of nationally important collections; including the world’s largest collection of work by the 18th Century artist Joseph Wright of Derby. We were given a tour of the various galleries. They’re rightly very proud of local boy, Joseph Wright and his stunning body of work. They have a whole gallery devoted to him, and it’s a wonderful place to explore and learn more about him, his life and his work.

Things to do in Derby - a city full of culture!

The Museum and Art Gallery could easily have filled an afternoon for us, there was so much to see and do, with many hands-on attractions for children to play with and learn. I’d very much like to go back with my son sometime and show him around, I know this museum would tick many boxes for him.

derby museum

After our tour had finished, we had a quick lunch in The Coffee House café in the museum. It has a small but excellent menu, I plumped for a quick sandwich and a cold drink before we headed off to our next cultural destination in Derby.

Déda Dance Studio

For the more athletic in the group, a trip to dance school Déda was a real highlight. Sadly my back would not permit me to join in with any aerial acrobatics, but that didn’t stop the rest of the group. Déda is a very cool space, with lovely light and airy dance studios and a great café. There’s currently an exhibition of photography by Camilla Greenwell, walls of striking photographs of dancers, which worked really well in Déda.

Things to do in Derby - a city full of culture!

White Peak Distillery

After our adventures in dance, we had the chance to pop back to the apartment and get changed for the evening. I was very excited about what was to come, we were booked in to have a tour of the White Peak Distillery in nearby Belper. The distillery had just released and sold out of their first batch of whiskey, but they did have plentiful supplies of their own rum and gin for us to sample and buy.

Things to do in Derby - a city full of culture!

The tour was exceptional. We were taken round by the owner, Max who walked us through the lengthy process of whiskey making, as well as showing us how gin and rum were made too. The room where the barrels of spirits were kept was so delicious smelling, I’m sad that my photos aren’t scratch and sniff! Once the tour was over, Max gave us the chance to taste some of their best selling gins and rum, all of which were available to buy in the distillery shop. It would have been rude to have left empty handed, so I treated myself to a bottle of Shining Cliff Citrus Gin, because I’m worth it.

Things to do in Derby - a city full of culture!

Makeney Hall Hotel

Once our time in the distillery was over, we drove to the nearby Makeney Hall Hotel for our evening meal. We were greeted by chef, Liam who chatted to me about my various (and personally quite annoying) food intolerances. He was kind enough to come up with a menu that would be both delicious and not make me poorly. I began my meal with a hearty bowl of leek and potato soup, with homemade bread and herb butter. My main was a Stilton, leek and red onion tart, and I just had to have a pudding, so I opted for the lemon meringue crème brulée. It was a fine way to finish a very fine meal. The three course set menu was just £30 per person, which is excellent value for a meal of that quality.

Makeney Hall Hotel

Alas, after a long day exploring Derby, it was time for bed, we had another busy day to look forward to tomorrow.

Museum of Making

Sunday morning dawned and with a strong coffee inside us, we headed off to the Museum of Making to check out the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre (which runs until 13th March 2022). This is a really fabulous exhibition of automata made by a group of 12 contemporary artists; including Paul Spooner, Carlos Zapata, Wanda Sowry and Fi Henshall. The automata combine art and engineering to make curious (and sometimes completely bonkers) moving artworks; and there’s the chance to make your own. I had to have a go and I was very pleased with my simple automata.

Things to do in Derby - a city full of culture!

We then had a very quick tour of the Museum of Making, which would be very high on my list of places to take my lad. It’s jam-packed with history and there are lots of hands-on things to do while you explore. The museum is located in the Derby Silk Mill, which is widely regarded as the site of the world’s first modern factory, built in the valley that changed the world. It’s also home to a huge model railway, which runs at several times throughout the day. For those interested in the railways, there’s a whole floor of great things to explore.

Things to do in Derby - a city full of culture!

From the world’s smallest engine, to a seven tonne Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine suspended the atrium; there are 30,000 objects to enjoy, taking you through 300 years of making in Derby! The museum café, The River Kitchen, is also excellent. Located in the airy atrium, there’s a diverse menu, with something for everyone – they even have Derbyshire oatcakes!

derby railway

The Cottonworks Café and Bistro

Alas, our time in Derby was coming to an end. Our last stop was The Cottonworks Café and Bistro which is tucked away on the banks of the River Derwent in the oldest building in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Darley Abbey Mills. We were booked in to try their legendary Sunday roast, and we were not left wanting. If it doesn’t come with a Yorkshire pudding I could wear as a hat, then frankly I’m not interested. Thankfully I was not to be disappointed.

cottonworks

We had a few minutes to spare before our table was ready, so we had a quick mooch around the banks of the River Derwent, which helped build up an appetite equal to our giant roast dinner. I began my meal with a very moreish caramelised shallot pearl barley ‘risotto’, which was very richly flavoured; but somehow still quite light. It was a very excellent risotto (and I’m a bit fussy about risotto). My main was salt baked celeriac with roast potatoes, roasted carrot, tenderstem broccoli, a Yorkshire pud (you could wear as a hat) and veggie gravy. I turned down the mushroom fricassee as it’s one of the things which makes me poorly, but the dish did not suffer for it not being included. Several of the others had room for pudding, and with some regret, I did not.

cottonworks

The Cottonworks gave me the best Sunday roast I’ve had in a long time, it’s one of those things that’s so easy to get wrong, but for me, everything on my plate was excellent. It was a fine note to leave Derby on. We headed home with full bellies and heads swimming with culture.

Derby was not somewhere I’d have previously considered as somewhere to take my son to explore, or even for a romantic mini-break; but it’s such a good place to visit. The city centre is nicely compact, which makes exploring on foot a doddle. There are lots of museums and historic places to visit, as well as arts centres and studios. Walking down the streets and you have to be sure to look up, and down, because there are shimmers of history, architecture and culture all around. It’s a fine city, and one I’m keen to visit again soon.

For more information about Derby; what’s on and what to do, visit the Visit Derby website.

Days Out: 17 Tudor Halls to visit in the North West

Learning about the Tudors and the Stuarts is a big part of the history curriculum at school. It’s also a period in history which is filled with larger than life characters which children are naturally drawn to. Henry VIII is one of the most interesting Tudors and one who everyone seems to know something about; whether it’s his six wives, or the founding of the Church of England, he was a king during one of the more colourful periods in English history.

I always like to supplement the learning my son is doing at school with activities and visits to places which will broaden his learning. We’ve been to the Viking Festival, we’ve visited Roman ruins, Air Raid Shelters and now we are learning about the Tudors. This term we will be visiting some local Tudor buildings to find out more about that period in history.

17 Tudor Buildings to visit in the North West

If you’re planning to visit, please do check the opening times before you leave. Some of the houses are closed on some days and sometimes have special events on which they are also closed for. Some of the houses aren’t technically open to the public, but you can visit and enjoy the exterior of the building.

17 Tudor Buildings to visit in the North West

Adlington Hall, Macclesfield, Cheshire – One of the most beautiful country homes in England, Adlington Hall reflects both the history of English architecture and the 700-year story of a single family, the Leghs.

Baguley Hall, Wythenshawe, Manchester – Baguley Hall is a 14th-century timber-framed building in Baguley, Manchester. A former country house, historically in Cheshire, it is now Grade I-listed and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Bramall Hall, Stockport – Bramall Hall is a largely Tudor manor house in Bramhall, in Stockport. It is a timber-framed building; the oldest parts of which date from the 14th century, with later additions from the 16th and 19th centuries. The Hall is open to the public and hosts a number of events every year.

Bramall Hall

Gawsworth Hall, Macclesfield, Cheshire – Gawsworth Old Hall is a Grade I listed country house in the village of Gawsworth, Cheshire, England. It is a timber-framed house in the Cheshire black-and-white style. The present house was built between 1480 and 1600, replacing an earlier Norman house.

Hall i’ th’ Wood, Bolton – A rare surviving example of a Tudor wooden-framed house, Hall i’ th’ Wood was originally built as a half-timbered hall in the early 16th century. The house is home to a collection of17th and early 18th century furniture, objects and artefacts and learn more about the life and work of Samuel Crompton.

Little Moreton Hall, Congleton, Cheshire – Little Moreton Hall, also known as Old Moreton Hall, is a moated half-timbered manor house near Congleton in Cheshire. Visit this iconic Tudor manor house, with its wonky angles and quirky character. The hall, with its crooked walls and uneven floors, may seem fragile but it’s a remarkable survivor.

Ordsall Hall, Salford – Ordsall Hall is a large former manor house in the historic parish of Ordsall, now part of the City of Salford. It dates back more than 750 years, although the oldest surviving parts of the hall were built in the 15th century. It’s free to visit, easy to get to and it’s really set up for family and educational visits. You can read about our visit here.

Tudor Buildings to visit in the North West

Rufford Old Hall, Ormskirk, Lancashire – Rufford Old Hall is a National Trust property in Rufford, Lancashire. Built in around 1530 for Sir Robert Hesketh, only the Great Hall survives from the original structure. A brick-built wing in the Jacobean style was added in 1661. It sits at right angles to the Great Hall. Later, a third wing was added in the 1820s.

Samlesbury Hall, Preston, Lancashire – The hall has been many things in its past including a pub and a girls’ boarding school, but since 1925, when it was saved from being demolished for its timber, it has been administered by the Samlesbury Hall Trust. This medieval manor house attracts more than 50,000 visitors each year.

Shambles Square, Manchester – Shambles Square is a historic square next to the Exchange Square Metrolink station in Manchester. It is home to four very old pubs – The Crown & Anchor, The Old Wellington Inn, Sinclairs Oyster Bar and The Mitre Hotel. The four pubs were originally in different parts of Manchester city centre, but were moved, brick by brick to their current location in 1999. Shambles Square is free to visit, though you will have to pay for your pints. It’s worth stopping to admire if you’re in the area.

Smithills Hall, Bolton – Smithills Hall is a Grade I listed manor house, and a scheduled monument in Smithills, Bolton. Over the years the original Medieval Hall has been added to; and provides a fascinating history of the people who lived there. The buildings include Tudor and Victorian wings, in addition to the Medieval Hall, and a private chapel.

Speke Hall, Liverpool – Speke Hall is a wood-framed wattle-and-daub Tudor manor house in Speke in Liverpool. It is one of the finest surviving examples of its kind. It is owned by the National Trust, it is a Grade I listed building and it’s well worth visiting and exploring.

Staircase House, Stockport – Staircase House is a Grade II* listed medieval building dating from around 1460 situated in Stockport. The house is famous for its rare Jacobean cage-newel staircase. An audio guide recounts the full history of the house.

Turton Tower, Bolton – Turton Tower is a manor house in Chapeltown near Bolton. Turton Tower is a house that has been evolving over the last 600 years. From a stone tower house in the 1400s to the home of the Tudor Orrell; and later, the Victorian Kay Families. Turton Tower has been altered and adapted to suit the needs and tastes of those who lived here.

Tudor Buildings to visit in the North West

Underbank Hall, Stockport – Underbank Hall is a 16th-century town house in the centre of Stockport. The hall dates back to the 15th century and is a Grade II listed building. It was home of the Arden family of Bredbury until 1823 when it was sold to pay off debts. It later became a bank. A banking hall was then added to the rear in 1919. The hall is still used as a bank today and currently houses the NatWest branch for Stockport. Although technically you can’t visit for a tour; it’s well worth stopping to admire it and popping your head inside to look at the interior of the building.

Worsley Old Hall, Worsley, Greater Manchester – Worsley Old Hall is a pub and restaurant in Worsley, Greater Manchester. It is recorded on the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building. You can visit the hall today as it is still a working pub.

Wythenshawe Hall, Wythenshawe, Manchester – Wythenshawe Hall is a 16th-century medieval timber-framed historic house and former manor house in Wythenshawe, Manchester, located in Wythenshawe Park. Built for Robert Tatton, it was home to the Tatton family for almost 400 years. It’s currently closed to the public following a devastating fire in 2016; although you can still visit the park and check out the building from behind the fence.

I’m sure there are plenty more noteworthy Tudor buildings in the North West, so if I’ve missed any, please do let me know and I will add them. I’ve visited a number of these beautiful buildings, and each one has been beautiful and rich with history. I hope you enjoy exploring some of these amazing places.

Days Out: 17 Tudor Buildings to visit in the North West

Days Out: Adventure Now in Manchester

My son loves adventures. He likes learning and trying new things and I’m also up for a bit of that. Going to forest school is one of his favourite things. So for his birthday, as a treat for us both, I booked us on an archery session at Adventure Now in Manchester. We’d both separately done archery before, but we were very excited to have a session together. Proper mother and son bonding time.

I found Adventure Now on Google, I’d read the reviews, stalked their Facebook page and looked at all the photos. I was impressed by their set up and it was all easy to book online. The session cost £25 for kids and £30 for adults, so £55 for the two of us for an hour. They sometimes have special offers on their Facebook page, so that’s worth keeping an eye out for.

Days Out: Adventure Now in Manchester

They emailed me a set of directions to their location in the woods in Worsley, about 3 miles from the Trafford Centre. It’s a bit off road and down a dirt track to get there, so be prepared to get your car a bit muddy. There’s a car park and a small place to grab a coffee if you need to.

We were met by Vincent, our instructor for the afternoon. He ran us through the safety rules and precautions; showed us how to stand, how to hold the bow and load it with an arrow. Ben has dyspraxia, so he can struggle a bit with his co-ordination, so this was a great exercise in focus and control for him.

Days Out: Adventure Now in Manchester

We practiced shooting the arrows and we both improved throughout the session. 30 years ago I was a very keen archer, but the cost put me off carrying on with the sport. It wasn’t long before I found my rhythm again and it felt really good. I wasn’t too bad at it either.

Once we’d got our eye in, Vincent moved us on to playing some games. We had to hit various points on the target in a specific order, we had to shoot at and pop balloons and we competed against each other and teamed up for some games too. It was great fun.

We both absolutely loved our hour of archery. It was great fun and some gentle exercise for us both. I really enjoyed being outside in the fresh air. Spending an hour in the woods, quietly focusing on a target is a strange kind of mindfulness, but one I could easily get addicted to. We both said that we would love to go back, and that’s our intention later on in spring. We are both up for more archery adventures together!

Days Out: Adventure Now in Manchester

Adventure Now in Manchester offer a range of different outdoor adventure sessions. From axe throwing to archery; quad biking to air rifle shooting; throwing angels, crossbows and bushcraft; there’s something for every adventurous type!

For more information, visit their website.

We paid for our visit in full, I just wanted to tell you about it, because it was brilliant!

Days Out: Adventure Now in Manchester

Days Out: Glow at RHS Bridgewater, Salford

Going to see the Christmas lights each December is something of a family tradition. Bundling ourselves up against the cold; marvelling at the lights and treating ourselves to hot mulled wine and roasted chestnuts from a food stall is something we’ve really enjoyed in previous years. This year we bought tickets for Glow at RHS Bridgewater in Salford and we were very excited.

Glow at RHS Bridgewater is a slightly different set up than what you might find at say Dunham Massey; or The Lanterns at Chester Zoo. The new gardens at RHS Bridgewater (which is well worth a visit during daylight hours) is illuminated, showing off the plants and trees beautifully. There aren’t light sculptures or special displays; but from the walled gardens to the lake, all the way round to the Chinese garden, it’s all illuminated.

Days Out: Glow at RHS Bridgewater, Salford

You begin the one-way trail in the walled gardens, through the area where the glass houses are, complete with pools and illuminated water ways. There is a light tunnel to walk through (it’s a popular selfie spot too). Beyond there you make you way to the marquee where hot dogs and mulled wine can be bought.

We timed it just right and we were entertained for the duration by a choir singing Christmas carols. The youngest member of our group ran up and put in a request for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, which the choir and everyone else sang with gusto. This really put us all in the mood for Christmas.

Days Out: Glow at RHS Bridgewater, Salford

Once we’d finished our mulled wine, and the choir had packed up, we headed off towards Ellesmere lake. The trees were all lit up in different colours and once you got to the lake, the reflection of the illuminated trees across shimmered on the water. This was a real highlight for me, it was so beautiful.

Days Out: Glow at RHS Bridgewater, Salford

Beyond the lake, we walked through the Chinese garden, over the little bridges and back towards the shop and café.

We were very lucky that although it was a cold night, it was crisp and dry. I’ve heard mixed reviews of Glow at RHS Bridgewater. Some people were perhaps expecting a more interactive experience, but we loved it. We went along with family and everyone from the age of 3 upwards loved the calming lights.

Days Out: Glow at RHS Bridgewater, Salford

I think that’s what made it special for me. Christmas can seem so manic, it’s a whirlwind trying to do things and fit everything in. It was just lovely to spend a few hours walking a safe route with family, chatting along the way and taking in the calming lights. It took some of my pre-Christmas stress down a couple of notches and although it might have lacked some of the pizzazz of other Christmas light trails, we all enjoyed it and we would go back next year.

For more information, or to book, visit the RHS Bridgewater website.

We paid for our tickets in full.

Visiting Father Christmas at The Secret Sorting Office

In November my son turned 11 and I thought this would be our last chance to squeeze the last drops of Christmas magic out of his childhood; so I booked us tickets to go to see Father Christmas at The Secret Sorting Office in Whaley Bridge in the Peak District.

The Secret Sorting Office is about a half an hour drive from our home in South Manchester. We arrived a couple of hours early. This gave us the chance to explore this picturesque little village, and grab a hearty lunch in a pub.

I’d heard good things about The Secret Sorting Office in a couple of groups on Facebook. I’d checked out the website too and decided that this would be the place to go to visit Father Christmas this year.

Visiting Father Christmas at The Secret Sorting Office

Booking tickets was easy. I’d followed them on Facebook; so when they opened the booking window, I spotted the announcement and jumped straight in. I found the date and time I wanted and booked the tickets. Two adult tickets and one child cost me £27.85.

The Sorting Office is right opposite the train station, which is handy if you’re arriving on a train. I kind of wished I’d known about that earlier, because I could have spun some kind of Polar Express train journey out of it.

The Secret Sorting Office is up a little staircase in a little shop in Whaley Bridge. You are asked to arrive a little early for your slot. You’re met by a nice lady who tells you all about The Sorting Office and gets you ready to see Father Christmas. You do go in with a few other people, so it’s not a private audience. I did think it would be nice to be able to book that as a premium option.

Visiting Father Christmas at The Secret Sorting Office

Once the previous group leave, everyone gets the chance to ring a bell and then go through to see Father Christmas in his sorting office. He is a casually dressed Father Christmas, which I liked.

The children are invited to sit on cushions in the floor and he talks to them for several minutes; asking questions, making them laugh and letting them know they’ve made it onto the nice list this year. He then tells them a story about the special present he is about to give them. Each child is then given a velvet bag with a very special object inside. I won’t tell you what it is, but we thought it was very lovely and a nice keepsake of the day.

There’s then a chance to take photos with Father Christmas before you say your goodbyes and head home.

It’s a short but sweet visit lasting around 15 minutes. The sorting office is very well done and once you’re in the actual sorting office, it feels very cosy and magical. It’s a small venue, and I did feel a bit close to and wedged in with strangers; even though most of us were wearing masks. They did try and make it as covid safe as possible; but I think a couple of open windows might have helped.

My son loved it, he was enchanted by the stories Father Christmas told. He was a very friendly Santa and seemed to be genuinely pleased to receive letters and drawings from the visiting children; so do take them along if you visit him.

Visiting Father Christmas at The Secret Sorting Office

A visit to The Secret Sorting Office costs £15.95 per child, £5.95 per adult £2.95 for babies accompanying a full paying child. Cost-wise it’s quite reasonable and it is definitely magical and lovely. I think if this is our last year of believing, then we’ve ended our run on a high. I’m so glad we booked tickets and spent the afternoon in Whaley Bridge. It’s a definite recommendation from us for next year.

For more information about The Secret Sorting Office, visit their website.

Merry Christmas!

16 Farm days out in and around Manchester

One of my favourite kind of day out with my boy is visiting a farm or petting zoo. We’ve been visiting them since he was a toddler and they really are fun for all the family. Going on a day out to a farm is both a fun and learning experience. It doesn’t have to be an expensive trip out either. There are many community farms which are free to visit, or have a minimal admission fee.

Our local farm is Wythenshawe Community Farm and we love visiting. It’s small but has lots of animals to see and learn about. Plus it’s next door to a huge and very fun playground; there’s a nearby café and the farm shop is well worth a visit.

15 Farm days out in and around Manchester

I’ve come up with a list of 15 Farm Days out in and around Manchester for you to explore this summer.

16 Farm days out in and around Manchester

Apple Jacks Adventure Farm, Warrington – More of an adventure playground with a maze than a farm or petting zoo. Lots of fun all the same.

Blaze Farm, Ice Cream Farm, Macclesfield – Famous for their homemade ice cream, Blaze Farm also has nature trails and a tea room on site. It is free to visit.

Canalside Farm, Adlington, Cheshire – A new petting farm in Cheshire. No booking required and only £4 per person to visit.

Cockfields Farm Park, Ashton-under-Lyne – Popular petting zoo with indoor and outdoor play areas, reptile shows and small animal handling sessions.

Heaton Park Animal Centre, Heaton Park, Manchester – The Animal Centre, set in the old stables, is a great free place to take the kids. You can meet many common farmyard animals; including chickens, goats, pigs, guinea pigs, rabbits as well as more exotic species such as alpacas.

15 Farm days out in and around Manchester

Kenyon Hall Farm, Warrington – Kenyon Hall Farm is a farm shop, café, plant centre and pick your own experience near Warrington. It has a summer trail and pumpkin picking in the autumn.

Lancaster Park & Animal Farm, Oldham – Lancaster Park is a family run petting farm near Oldham which has farm animals to pet and feed, along with activities for all the family.

Matlock Farm Park, Derbyshire – Matlock Farm is a family-friendly day out with play areas, go-karting and a petting zoo with Highland cattle, llamas and more.

Mrs Dowsons Farm Park, Blackburn – This is a family-run dairy farm with a children’s play area, talks and activities and homemade ice cream!

Reddish Vale Farm, Stockport – Popular farm with horse riding and animals to meet and pet from cows to alpacas, plus a tearoom on site. Read about our visit here.

Smithills Open Farm, Bolton – The popular farm in Bolton has tractor rides, a pets’ corner where you can meet guinea pigs, chick, rabbits, lambs, deer, goats and many more animals. You can also enjoy ice cream and super-fun play areas.

15 Farm days out in and around Manchester

Tatton Park Farm, Tatton, Cheshire – This 40 acre working farm is set in a corner of the park known as Tatton Dale. The farm is fun for all the family, meet some of the rare breeds; explore the farm and learn about some of the history of farming at Tatton.

The Donkey Sanctuary, Manchester – A seven-acre oasis of calm and peace in Manchester, the donkey sanctuary offers donkey-assisted learning services.

The Garden House, Marple, Stockport – The Garden House is a registered charity and community farm in Marple, Cheshire. They have a variety of animals, including pygmy goats, alpacas, Shetland ponies and pigs. Check out their website to see what’s on throughout the year.

Wythenshawe Community Farm, Wythenshawe – is a community farm based in Wythenshawe Park. The farm is a registered charity, and it is open all days of the week. It has a selection of farm animals including pigs, sheep, goats, cows and horses; and it often has baby animals on site due to its breeding programme. The farm’s walled garden grows fruit and vegetables which are available in the farm shop.

If you enjoyed this, then you might want to read about these 11 dinosaur days out in the North West.

15 Farm days out in and around Manchester

Top Secret: From ciphers to cyber security at The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester

The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester has long been a popular day out for me and the boy. I remember visiting as a child and it had such an impact on me. Sadly, the Air and Space section across the road has had to close, but The Museum of Science and Industry is always a fascinating place to visit.

Due to Covid-19, you are encouraged to book your free tickets in advance of your visit, this is to ensure it doesn’t get too busy. On Thursday last week I took my boy and my nephew to explore the new and temporary exhibition – Top Secret: From ciphers to cyber security.

Top Secret: From ciphers to cyber security

The exhibition coincides with the centenary of GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence, security and cyber agency. It’s all about spies, spying and cracking codes; just the thing for two boys with wild imaginations and a burgeoning affection for James Bond films.

Top Secret: From ciphers to cyber security

From Alan Turing and his fellow codebreakers at Bletchley Park, to one of the most successful Soviet spy rings in Cold War Britain, to modern-day cyber-crime, Top Secret explores over a century’s worth of communications intelligence through hand-written documents, declassified files and incredible artefacts from GCHQ’s and the Science Museum Group’s historic collections.

The exhibition is equally fascinating to adults as to children. Children can get involved in the activity trail and I found it all fascinating; especially the section dedicated to Bletchley Park and the Enigma machine. The boys have heard of Alan Turing and were keen to find out more about him and his work.

Top Secret: From ciphers to cyber security

The activity trail is a great way to get kids involved in what they are seeing. Using their observational skills and teamwork, they can answer the questions along the way. There’s a dedicated are where you can crack codes and help identify patterns. This was especially popular with my two boys, who both got stuck into solving the puzzles. It was utterly engrossing, so it’s worth setting aside some time to explore this area. There were also people on hand to help out if you got stuck and to explain how the cypher machines worked.

Top Secret: From ciphers to cyber security

The boys also really enjoyed the more recent work of GCHQ; and we had an interesting discussion about how Alexa might be listening to them and what that could mean.

It was a fascinating exhibition to take the boys to. It certainly got them thinking and they really enjoyed the activity trail and puzzles. It’s a shame it finishes at the end of the month; but if you are interested, I suggest you get along to The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester sooner rather than later.

Top Secret: From ciphers to cyber security

Top Secret: From ciphers to cyber security runs until 31^st August 2021. The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester is open daily. Find out more information about this exhibition and how to book your free tickets by visiting the website.