Widely considered the beating, bustling heart of the North of England, Manchester is far and away one of the country’s coolest cities to call in at. From its industrial history that helped forge the modern world as we know it, to its arts and music heritage that’s truly the stuff of legend, there’s plenty to keep you busy in the place once known as ‘Cottonopolis’.
That remains true no matter who you are, where your interests lie, and most importantly who you’re travelling with. Manchester has a ton of exciting things to do for families, with experiences and attractions that inspire young minds and leave a smile on the face of kids and adults of all ages.
If you’re planning a family getaway in this northern cultural hotspot, here’s five things to put top of your itinerary.
National Football Museum
13 minutes’ walk from The Midland
Manchester is synonymous with football, in no small part thanks to its two rival Premier League clubs and the bounty of trophies they’ve managed to collect over the years. Both teams’ stadiums are well within reach of the city centre and are well worth a visit, but if it’s best to put allegiances aside, any and all lovers of the beautiful game will be wowed by the National Football Museum.
Set across several floors in Manchester’s iconic URBIS building, this interactive museum charts the history of English football, from its very earliest beginnings right through to the present day. You can expect to see legendary kits from years gone by, tributes to the greatest players of all time in the Hall of Fame – and you might even get to lift a trophy or two.
Heaton Park
20 minutes away from the Midland via the Metrolink from St Peter’s Square to the Heaton Park stop.
With its tight grid of Victorian streets, Manchester can get a little overwhelming at times. Thankfully, Heaton Park is the city’s number one space to escape the hustle and bustle, and it’s nice and easy to reach from Manchester City Centre.
Spanning some 600 acres, there’s enough trails to walk and things to do here to fill an entire day. That begins with the elegant architecture on show at the Grade I listed 18th century country house, Heaton Hall. From there, you’ll find lots of pretty follies scattered around the estate, before the kids burn off some energy on one of the park’s epic playgrounds.
After grabbing a refreshment or two, there’s plenty left to occupy your afternoon. Take out across the water on the boating lake, make some new friends at the animal farm, or get competitive with a family game of mini golf. There’s even a high ropes and trampolining centre within the park’s pretty woodland!
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
48 minutes’ drive from The Midland, or 20 minutes by train from Manchester Piccadilly to Macclesfield followed by a 15 minute taxi ride.
Set among the charming Cheshire countryside, Jodrell Bank is one of the country’s most important observatories and home to a number of enormous telescopes. Founded in 1945, the site has played a huge role in the identifying and understanding of meteoroids, quasars, pulsars and masers, as well as the tracking of space probes.
Today, Jodrell Bank also encompasses a vast visitor’s centre that throws up so many ways to spark young minds and get kids excited about the world of outer space. They include the Grade I listed Lobell Telescope, several interactive outdoor exhibits including an alien scavenger hunt, and quirky playgrounds to burn off some steam on. What’s more, the attraction is soon to be joined by its spectacular First Light Pavilion development.
Science and Industry Museum
Nine minutes’ walk from The Midland
It’s fair to say Manchester is a place that has shaped the world. Not only does it lay claim to being the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, but it’s also in the city where scientists first split the atom, as well as laying the groundwork for modern computing.
All of this incredible history is celebrated in one fell swoop at the spectacular Science and Industry Museum. Charting the story of the city from the roar of its cotton mills through to its 21st century pioneering material sciences sector, the interactive exbibits at this family friendly museum ensure everyone learns at their own pace.
Within the site you’ll find the world’s first passenger railway station. Then there’s the monstrous machines of old and new on show in the Turbine Hall, while any aviation aficionados will love the Science and Industry Museum’s collection of planes. A great way to inspire young minds, this is a Manchester attraction that families love.
RHS Garden Bridgewater
35 minutes away from The Midland via a dedicated bus service from Manchester Piccadilly
Having only just flung open its doors to the public, RHS Garden Bridgewater offers the chance to see nature at its most beautiful, across its freshly planted landscaped gardens that feel a million miles away from the rumble of the city.
Bridgewater is the country’s fifth RHS garden and has been a work in progress for many years – and at one time the largest gardening project being undertaken in Europe. Covering some 154 acres, it breathes life back into the land that would have housed the Worsley New Hall estate until the 1940s.
Across the site you’ll find several distinct areas to enjoy. Learn all about growing your own in the Kitchen Garden, marvel at the colours on show in the Paradise Garden, and see plants from the other side of the globe at the Chinese Streamside Garden. Complete with discovery centres and play areas, there’s fun to be had for all ages.
If you’re planning a busy family itinerary for a long weekend or short stay in Manchester, you’ll want somewhere special to call home between all these exciting attractions. The Midland is Manchester’s most iconic hotel, with a proud heritage and position right at the heart of this vibrant city. With 312 elegant rooms, award-winning restaurants and an idyllic spa, we have everything right here to make your stay a most memorable one.
Fancy a bite to eat? Check-out our Manchester hotspot, Flok.
