April

Whether you are in Manchester city centre enjoying Duck Race, hunting Easter eggs at National Parks or in Tatton Park for lambing fortnight we hope that the weather will stay bright and worm for you. And if not, there are plenty of activities at the Lowry, in Urbis or in the Museum of Science & Industry. Manchester and Cheshire are full of surprises for all the family this Easter break.

Until 7 April, 10am – 4pm
Easter Adventures at Lyme
Discover over 600 years of history at Lyme, from the medieval deer herd to the extraordinary mansion. Inside, transport the kids back to Regency times where they can dress up in brilliant costumes and play with toys in the Edwardian nursery. Or venture into the parkland to spot deer from The Cage and run off some steam in Crow Wood play area. This Easter, there are three play zones to explore. Go on an egg hunt with activities and games for all ages in the garden, take a walk on the wild side for adventurous play on Green Drive or venture around Crow Wood for nature themed activities. With so much to do, choose your own adventure; from short bursts of fun to all-day escapades, there’s plenty to fit your family’s needs
Price: £3 per trail
Lyme Park
Disley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 2NR
Tel: 01663 762023
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme

Until 14 April, 10am – 4.30pm
Easter Bunny Mill Trail
Enjoy a free indoor trail around the historic mill this Easter holiday.
The Easter bunny has been busy putting up decorations, but has got confused and lost some of them! Can you help count the eggs as you explore the mill, so that the Easter Bunny can find them?
Hop along to the Mill Shop to find more Easter fun. And you’ll find tasty Easter treats in the Weaving Shed Restaurant and Upper Garden Café.
Quarry Bank
Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4LA
Tel: 01625 527468
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank

1 April, 2024
Peter Rabbit™ Family Fun Day
That mischievous bob-tailed bunny, Peter Rabbit™, is coming to visit us at the Bury Transport Museum.
Come and see Peter Rabbit at intervals throughout the day. There will be even more family fun with theme park rides, face painters and craft activities.
Complete your day out with a ride along one of our heritage steam or diesel trains through Irwell Valley. Ticket price includes a ride on any train services on the day of your visit.
General Admission tickets must be purchased online, so don’t miss out.
The East Lancashire Railway
Bury Bolton Street Station,
Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Tel: 0161 764 7790
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

1, 6-7, 13-14 April, 11am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 1.15pm, 2pm, 2.45pm, 3.30pm
Leeds Young Film Festival at Eureka!
Leeds Young Film Festival are bringing a cinema takeover to Eureka! as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations. With screenings of super short, animated films that celebrate our natural world as well as offer you and your little ones a chance to take a break from the outside world
Screenings are in the theatre, book on arrival for 20min sessions
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Discovery Road,
Halifax HX1 2NE
Tel: 01422 330069
play.eureka.org.uk/event/easter

3 April
The Wizarding Adventure
It’s time to sign up to our spellbinding school of sorcery as you take a wacky and wonderful whistle stop tour of the Wizard Academy and learn to become a master of mystery and magic.
During this magical interactive experience you’ll take lessons in the basics of broomsticks, practice your potion making, be instructed in incantations and learn to tattle and talk with a tawny owl.
For students age 5 – 12 recommended, but anyone is welcome to enrol.
What’s included:
– One return trip from Bury to Rawtenstall hauled by a genuine steam (and spell) powered train
– An approximately two-hour wizarding experience with the region’s most pre-eminent enchanters.
– Wizard themed activities and plenty of photo opportunities.
– Make your day complete with a trip to Bury Transport Museum, sited just across the road from Bury Bolton Street Station.
Food and drink will be available to purchase from our café on Platform 3/4 at Bury Bolton Street Station and from the Rawtenstall Buffet.
The East Lancashire Railway
Bury Bolton Street Station,
Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Tel: 0161 764 7790
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

5-7 9-12 April, 10am – 4pm, daily talks at 12pm & 2pm
Lambing Week at the Farm
Are you baarmy about lambs?
Come to the Tatton’s Farm throughout Lambing Week, when Farm staff share their expertise with visitors, giving informative talks at the lambing shed. Learn how they spot the signs of lambing and how they look after sheep and care for lambs during this extra special time.
Standard parkland and farm entry times and charges apply. Book online three days in advance to get a 10% discount.
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN
Tel: 01625 374400
www.tattonpark.org.uk

7 April, 9am – 10am
Lowry Galleries Relaxed Hour
This is an hour for individuals and families with access requirements who would prefer to experience our Galleries in a calmer and less busy environment. Relaxed Crafty family workshops take place in the Gallery. This workshop is ideal for families who would prefer a quieter, more relaxed session and specifically for those with additional needs, autism, neurodiversity or anxiety.
Free, booking essential
The Lowry, Salford Quays. Manchester
Tel: 0161 876 2183
www.thelowry.com

11 April 2024
Travel to Wonderland
You’re late, you’re late, for a very important date! It’s time to take a tumble down the Rabbit Hole for a curious adventure through Wonderland with Alice and her friends.
During this weird and wonderful interactive experience you’ll meet the surreal inhabitants of this bizarre place.
Your adventure includes a steam train ride from Bury to Rawtenstall and back and a roughly two-hour Wonderland experience with colourful characters and themed activities.
Pre-booking required
Bury Transport Museum
Bolton Street Station, Castlecroft Goods Warehouse, Bury BL9 0EY
Tel: 0333 320 2830
Booking Office: 0161 876 2015
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

12 April 2024
The Dino Adventure
Have you ever wanted to pet a pachycephalosaurus, get together with a Triceratops or tickle a T-Rex under the chin?
Now’s your chance. Come on an adventure of Jurassic proportions to The East Lancashire Railway and get the opportunity to get up close and personal with their baby dinosaurs.
You’ll get to learn all about these adorable dinosaurs from our expert handlers in this fully interactive experience that is both educational and entertaining for all the family. Come along an earn your diploma in dino know how and begin your training as a palaeontologist of the future.
What’s included:
– One return trip from Bury to Rawtenstall hauled by a dino-proofed steam train.
– An approximately two hour dinosaur experience with expert rex wranglers and triceratops tamers.
– Dinosaur themed activities and plenty of photo opportunities.
Make your day complete with a trip to Bury Transport Museum, sited just across the road from Bury Bolton Street Station.
Age recommended: 5 – 12 and anyone is welcome to join the fun.
The East Lancashire Railway
Bury Bolton Street Station,
Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Tel: 0161 764 7790
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

14 April, 10.30am – 4.30pm
Climate Action Trail at Eureka!
Dinosaurs didn’t know there was a meteor coming and even if they did, they wouldn’t have been able to do anything about it. But human beings, we know all about the climate challenge and we know what to do about it. And we are doing tons of stuff about it, but we need to do more, and we need to do it faster.
Location: Imagination Space
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Discovery Road,
Halifax HX1 2NE
Tel: 01422 330069
play.eureka.org.uk/event/easter

15 April, 11am, 12noon for toddlers, 13.45pm, 14.45pm for babies
Music Makers
Monthly music and sensory play sessions for babies and toddlers.
For parents with both baby and toddler, babies may attend toddler sessions. The same does not apply in reverse, as toddlers tend to be more boisterous and we want to keep the baby sessions more relaxed.
Tickets: £4.00, 1 ticket admits 1 child plus accompanying adult
Barbirolli Room,
The Bridgewater Hall,
Lower Mosley Street,
Manchester M2 3WS
Tel: 0161 907 9000
www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

16 April 2024
Toddler Days at Eureka!
Bring your pre-schoolers along for one of toddler days designed just for pre-schoolers. There won’t be any school bookings, so all spaces (and staff) will be focused on the youngest visitors.
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Discovery Road,
Halifax HX1 2NE
Tel: 01422 330069
play.eureka.org.uk

19 April, 10am – 11.30am
Experitots sessions in Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You, Special Exhibitions Gallery.
Discover the science at work with your little ones. On this session you can enjoy a voyage of discovery through the digestive system with Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You special exhibition.
Tickets: free for ages 3 and under, £9 for 4 years and older and £10 for adults.
Location: Operation Ouch!, Special Exhibitions Gallery
Level -1, New Warehouse
Science and Industry Museum
Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP
tel: 033 0058 0058
www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk

19 – 20 April
After-hours with the Mermaids
Come and meet the magical SEA LIFE mermaids at SEA LIFE Manchester!
Tickets: £25 adult, £21.50 child, £5 passholders
Pre-booking is essential
SEA LIFE Manchester,
Trafford Palazzo, Trafford, Manchester M17 8AS
Tel: 0161 749 2875
www.visitsealife.com/manchester/explore/events/after-hours-with-the-mermaids

20 April 2024, 09.30am – 11.30am
Who let the dads out?
This is a free monthly group for dads or father figures and their children aged 0 to 8 years old. There will be toys and activities for you to enjoy with your kids, as well as a bacon or sausage butty and a brew. It’s a place where you can meet other dads, make new friendships and share the ups and downs of the parenting journey.
Cale Green Life Centre
71 Adswood Road
Cale Green,
Stockport, SK3 8HR
Contact Helen on 07532 781061 or at helen.eadie@360life.church to find out more.
www.stockport.gov.uk/events

29 April, 10am – 11.30am
Experitots
Designed especially for those with children under five, you and your family will get the chance to explore the exhibition with support from the friendly Explainer team and enjoy some additional activities, all of which will be suitable for younger children, from babes in arms to toddlers
Tickets: free for ages 3 and under, £9 for 4 years and older and £10 for adults.
Location: Experiment Gallery
Level 1, New Warehouse
Science and Industry Museum
Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP
tel: 033 0058 0058
www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk

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(for Manchester & Cheshire area, please)