September

Until 3 September 2023 10.30am – 5pm
Summer of Play at Quarry Bank
Explore the festival of play on the Mill Meadow. With a mini obstacle course, hay bale maze, natural art, and traditional garden games, (plus much more) there is something for everyone to enjoy. There will even be a stage for your little ones to put on their very own performances!
Explore the site and have a go at building your own Mill, try to find the secret music glade in the gardens or discover your favourite Georgian parlour game in Quarry Bank House.
With a changing programme of events from puppet shows to storytelling, and wild art to teddy bears picnics, join in for a summer filled with play and fun for all the family.
Quarry Bank
Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4LA
Tel: 01625 527468
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/quarry-bank/events/b8dda802-a1b5-44ac-b3f1-f5680ad5fe53

Until 3 September 2023 10.30am – 4pm (3.30pm for garden trail)
Summer of Play at Lyme
It’s a Summer of Play at Lyme. Choose between various activities: a Family Garden Trail, fun-filled Garden Games on the West Terrace and North Lawn, not forgetting Crow Wood play area, follow Building Block trail, see the historical houses and then have fun with building your own models using your favourite building blocks.
Lyme Park
Disley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 2NR
Tel: 01663 762023
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme

1 September 2023, 9am, 10,30am, 12noon, 1,30pm, 3pm
Peppa Pig Family Fun Day
The East Lancashire Railway is thrilled to welcome back everyone’s favourite cheeky little piggies. Come and meet Peppa and George at intervals throughout the day in the fantastic Bury Transport Museum. You can also take part in Peppa Pig’s Hide & Seek activity trail!
With no additional cost to general admission, the family fun continues with a cracking fun fair, face painters, craft activities and even a petting zoo so that you can meet some farmyard friends.
Pre-booking required
Please note: trains will not be running – this is an event held exclusively at the Bury Transport Museum.
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/events-activities/peppa-pig-and-friends-fun-day

1 September 11am – 11.40am, 1.30pm – 2.15pm, 3pm – 3.45pm
Summer of play: Archery for kids at Lyme
Archery is a fun and exciting sport that can help your kids develop their coordination, concentration and confidence, teach them about safety and teamwork. Most importantly, it can give them a chance to have fun and make new friends.
During the 45-minute event, kids will learn the basics of archery, such as how to hold the bow, draw the string, aim and release the arrow and will finish off with a competition. All children will receive a medal and the winner will receive a medal and a prize.
Suitable for ages 7+ , led by an experienced member of the Lyme team.
Price: £5 per session, normal admission fees apply
Lyme Park
Disley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 2NR
Tel: 01663 762023
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/lyme/events/b0da7e7b-4fb7-4459-beac-166defc2302e

7 September
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

8 September 10am – 12noon; 13 September 2 – 4pm, 6 – 8pm
Rubbish to Resource – See your recycling in action
Do you want to find out exactly what happens to the recycling from Greater Manchester once your bin has been collected? Discover how the state-of-the-art technology in our Materials Recovery Facility sorts and separates the recycling ready to be transformed into something new.
You will also have an opportunity to take part in activities to dispel those recycling myths, ask questions and understand why getting it right is important. This is a two hour session that includes a tour plus some indoor recycling activities.
Free, pre-booking is essential, and numbers are limited.
Minimum age 7, under 18’s must be accompanied.
Longley Lane
Sharston
Manchester M22 4RQ
Tel: 07581026053
www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/rubbish-to-resource-see-your-recycling-in-action

9 September 9am – 1pm; 2pm – 5pm
Discover the Carnegie Library, Didsbury | Heritage Open Days
This beautiful Arts and Crafts library was opened on 15th May 1915, the generous Scottish-American Andrew Carnegie funded the building of this fabulous library, following requests from Fletcher Moss. It was built on the site of Victorian cottages, which were demolished in 1912 and the bowling green of The Wellington Inn.
Didsbury Library
692 Wilmslow Road
Didsbury
Greater Manchester, M20 2DN
www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/didsbury-library

15, 22, 29 September, 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

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 September 2023, 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

16, 23, 30 September, 10am – 10.45am, 11am – 11.45am
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, Salford Quays. Manchester
Tel: 0333 320 2838
www.thelowry.com

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

30 September, 10am – 4pm
Apple Fest
Come and celebrate the season of apples. The Farm and Gardens are all set to welcome you to a scrumptious weekend of fun-filled activities and delicious treats.
Get ready for a weekend full of games and children’s activities that will keep everyone entertained. In the stunning gardens, you will get the opportunity to taste delicious varieties from Tatton’s historic orchards. The aroma of freshly picked apples will fill the air and leave you craving for more.
Don’t miss out on the chance to take home some of the freshest apple goods. The on-site shops and restaurants will be stocked with an array of apple-themed treats that you will definitely want to sink your teeth into. From apple pies to apple jams, there’s something for everyone.
So, bring your friends and family along for a weekend of apple-filled fun. Entry to the event is free and the memories you make will last a lifetime
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN
Tel: 01625 374400
www.tattonpark.org.uk/events_at_tatton_park/event-listings/2023/october/apple-fest.aspx

30 September – 1 October 9am – 5pm
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/

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(for Manchester & Cheshire area, please)