If you are looking for things to do in Manchester this weekend, or around Manchester, I have pulled together some ideas to get you started. I love planning some fun things to do when the week comes to a close and there is often plenty to get up to whatever the weather.
Personally this weekend, we are at Go Ape today for their 10th Birthday celebrations, off to Liverpool tomorrow and then on Sunday heading to the Foodie Festival over at Tatton Park. Quite varied and lots of fun.
Dinosaurs and Parks
If you’re looking for something a bit different for the weekend, then why not head up to the East side of Manchester to have fun in the park and check out the 30 huge animatronic dinosaurs that are currently residing in Philips Park in Clayton. Jurassic Kingdom is an exhibition of dinosaurs that are touring the country. It is paid entry and when we went down there yesterday we were advised to buy tickets online and find a voucher code for discount. (google it!)
The Jurassic Kingdom is in Manchester from the 9th to the 23rd of July and a family ticket is pretty reasonable at £38 online (but remember to get that voucher code!) Adults come it at around £7/£8 with code. We didn’t go on the inside as it was closing when we arrived (and we didn’t have tickets) but there are a few dinos outside to enjoy too.
If dinosaurs aren’t you thing, you can wander around Philip’s Park and venture over to Clayton Vale where there are play areas, wildlife and paths. If you’re a bit more of a two-wheeled kind of adventurer there are the mountain bike tracks and practice trails at the side of the park.
Philips Park, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DJ
Heading for cover at Norton Priory
As we very well know, the weather can switch from one moment to the next so having an indoor option is always a good idea. Norton Priory isn’t far from Manchester either by car or by train and having recently been done up offers a lot of interactive activities to keep adults and kids entertained for a long time. Again, there is an entry fee, but it is worth it for the amount of stuff you can do and learn. At only £6.70 for adults or £19.25 for a family ticket, it is really reasonable in my opinion. (dare I say cheaper than the dinos!)
And if the sunshine comes back out, you’re not stuck indoors either. The courtyard is lovely for a wander with lots of plants and some more information for curious. The garden is also stunning and the new cafe looks lovely with the outside seating too (not tried it, but it looks nice!)
Norton Priory is a great place to learn and have fun all at once. We go as an adult couple and thoroughly enjoy it!
Tudor Rd, Windmill Hill, Runcorn WA7 1SX
And if the current forecast is anything to go by….
It might be worth checking out my posts about free things to do in Manchester. I know how expensive it can get with finding entertaining things to do when the weather is damp, so having a free option of 20 is handy! And I am a frugal person so always like to hunt out free and interesting things to share with you.
10 free things to do in Manchester when it rains
More things to do in Manchester when it rains
Seriously, you would be surprised how much free stuff there is to do in the fair city of Manchester. Don’t forget to check out the Manchester International Festival schedule too, as they have many free exhibitions, activities and more during the festival. They are spattered throughout the whole city too, so surely something near you.
Finding some green space
As city dwellers and urban wanderers we love to explore everywhere and finding green space near to home for that quick wander is always a bonus. We are so lucky in Manchester to have lots of hidden parks, play areas and picnic spots. However, to make life easier, Ordnance Survey have just added a nifty feature to help you find spaces near you.
All you have to do is click on this link to take you to the Ordnance Survey website, pop your postcode in the box int he top left-hand corner and it will show all the parks, green spaces and play areas near you.
Quick tip – they can look a lot further away on the map than they are when you’re walking to them!
So really, with so many spaces on our doorstep in the city and suburbs there really isn’t much of an excuse not to get out and about this weekend, is there?
Right, that is the end of my list of things to do in Manchester this weekend (and around Manchester!) and I hope that you have found some inspiration! If so, do let me know what you plant to get up to – I’m always up for new ideas and places to visit too!
Have a good one, come rain or shine!
