October

Half-term is upon us – a week or two of fun, mayhem, creativity and mischief. It is not all about Halloween though. There are plenty of activities for children at The Lowry in Salford Quays and at Tatton Park in Cheshire. Manchester is ready with family entertainments as always. And there are plenty of classes and events on your doorstep.

1 October, 3pm
Hallé Family Concert: What is an orchestra?
Did you know that symphony orchestras have existed for over 400 years, have 100 members and can sound as loud as a jet engine or as quiet as a mouse? Take a tour of the Hallé with lots of great music and plenty of fun!
Tickets: £22.50 adults, £12.50 children (aged 16 and under), £49 family (any 4 people, including at least one child)
The Bridgewater Hall,
Lower Mosley St, Manchester M2 3WS
Tel: 0161 907 9000
www.halle.co.uk

1 October
All Aboard For A Day Out With Thomas!
Meet Thomas the Tank Engine™ and his friends, who are waiting to greet you at the East Lancashire Railway! This fun filled day out for all the family includes:
– Rides on Thomas
– Meeting The Fat Controller and some of Thomas friends
– Performances by Rusty and Dusty, Sodor’s cheeky station sweepers
– Unlimited Travel on Steam and Diesel trains
– Thomas Themed Activities in the Imagination Station, including, Tabletop Games, Colouring, Thomas Films
– Re-enactments of classic Thomas stories, including the Troublesome Trucks up to no good
– Magic Shows, Circus Workshops, Face Painting
The East Lancashire Railway
Bury Bolton Street Station,
Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Tel: 0161 764 7790
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/day-out-with-thomas/

1 October, 10am – 4pm
Apple Fest
Enjoy a scrumptious Sunday in the Gardens to celebrate the wonderful apple in all its glory!
Join in games and children’s activities, taste delicious apple varieties and children can pick their own fruit of apples and pears from Tatton’s historic orchard.
The Housekeepers Store will be stocking locally-sourced apple juice, ciders, cakes, sauces and more. Also pick up hand-picked apples and seasonal produce, fresh from the orchard and Kitchen Garden (while supplies last).
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN
Tel: 01625 374400
www.tattonpark.org.uk/events_at_tatton_park/event-listings/2023/october/apple-fest.aspx

1 October, 11am – 3pm
Fungal Foray in the Parkland
Join fungus expert, FungalPunk Dave on a guided walk of Tatton’s Parkland. Young or old, two or four legged, all are welcome on this unique walk where you will discover the mysterious fungal world.
Participants need to bring a packed lunch and dress for the outdoors.
This event includes a workshop with FungalPunk Dave and entry into the parkland on the day of the event.
It is important to note that the purpose of the foray is to learn about the species found and not to collect for culinary use. You will be walking through a part of the park closed to the public containing dead wood habitat
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN
Tel: 01625 374400
www.tattonpark.org.uk/events_at_tatton_park/event-listings/2023/october/fungalpunk-dave-fungal-foray.aspx

4, 11 October, 10am – 10.45am, 11am – 11.45am
Little Creatives
A weekly creative session for toddlers and their adults! Includes music making, storytelling, dance and creative play. Sessions are 45 mins, are free for all and all attendees must book a ticket (including accompanying adult).
Suitable for ages 2-5.
Free, booking required
The Lowry, Salford Quays. Manchester
Tel: 0333 320 2838
www.thelowry.com

6, 13, 20 October, 10am for 0–1, 11am for 1–2
Babies Playtime
These classes are led by a professional early years practitioner and are an opportunity to have fun, sing, dance and make new friends. Classes last 45 minutes and are free for all. All attendees must book a ticket (including accompanying adult).
Suitable for ages 0 to 1 and 1 to 2.
Free, booking required
The Lowry, Salford Quays. Manchester
Tel: 0333 320 2838
www.thelowry.com

7, 14, 21, 29 October, 11am – 11.45am, 12noon – 12.45pm
Crafty Families
An exciting and engaging art class for families and under 11’s. With a different theme each week you’ll leave the session having created their own pieces of art. All attendees must book a ticket (including accompanying adult).
Suitable for ages 2-11.
Free, booking required
The Lowry,
Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester
Tel: 0333 320 2838
www.thelowry.com

20 October
No School Days at Eureka!
Come to Eureka for one of the quieter days in the museum, perfect for little ones to takeover!
It’s not the same as Toddler Days, on these dates there will be no school bookings so you can plan ahead to visit the museum at quieter times.
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Discovery Road,
Halifax HX1 2NE
Tel: 01422 330069
play.eureka.org.uk

20, 21 October, 5pm – 9pm (last entry 8pm)
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

21 – 29 October, at Farm opening times
The Pumpkin Patch at Tatton Park
Come down to the Farm to meet all your Farmyard favourites and then it’s off to search for your perfect pumpkin. You’ll choose your own pumpkin, from our field, so prepare to get your hands dirty! And don’t forget to share your spooky Halloween lantern designs’ pictures with Tutton on social media once you get home!
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire
Tel: 01625 374400
www.tattonpark.org.uk/events_at_tatton_park/event-listings/2023/october/pumpkin-patch-at-the-farm.aspx

26, 27 October 11 – 11.45am, 12noon – 12.45pm, 1 – 2pm, 2.15 – 3pm
Creepy Crawlies Workshop
How slimy is a snail? Are tarantulas terrifying? Do cockroaches give you the creeps? Get up-close and hands-on with a unique Animal Explorer workshop. Join ZooLab to get up close and hands on with invertebrates. Little ones will be amazed and inspired to explore the big subjects of biodiversity and the environment.
Tickets: £10, Each ticket includes admission for 1 child and 1 supervising adult.
Booking: 0344 249 1895
Lyme Park
Disley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 2NR
Tel: 01663 762023
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/lyme/events

24 September
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/events-activities/the-wizarding-adventure

27 October 2023- 2 January 2024 11am – 9pm (last skate 8pm), excluding Christmas Day
Skate under the sun, moon, and stars
Whatever the weather, enjoy the festive season and skate at the new clear roofed ice rink at the enchanting Cathedral Gardens, offering an atmosphere of festivity and fairy tale for couples, families, and groups looking for some fun this winter.
Skating sessions last up to 45 minutes
The Cathedral Gardens,
Manchester, M4 3BG
www.skatemanchester.com

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(for Manchester & Cheshire area, please)