Writing the Future | Summer at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House
• Family Friendly free workshops • new exhibition •
Summer at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is set to be a creative adventure for families, who will have the chance to write, weave and paint their way through Manchester’s only literary house in a series of workshops led by artists and writers taking place during August.
The Victorian House set in beautiful gardens is a fantastic place for children to explore and be inspired by one of Manchester’s historical trailblazers, with the free workshops the perfect addition to a great Family Friendly day out!
Acclaimed nature writer Anita Sethi invites you to join her on an exploration of the garden on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 August, which will lead you to creating your own story inspired by the different sights and smells all around you.
On Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 August writer and artist Stevie Ronnie will help you to bind your own book before you set off wondering around the house ready to fill it with colourful watercolour paintings and poetry.
Elizabeth Gaskell was in regular correspondence with other famous writers, including Charlotte Brontë and Charles Dickens, and these letters are the inspiration for a weaving activity that will blend words and art led by artist Eleanor Godfrey on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 August.
On Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 August you can join artist Katherine Harrison in the gardens that Elizabeth was so fond of, to build a Garden of Hope. This will be a shared space filled with all your favourite treasures and imagination.
The summer season at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House has been all about celebrating the creativity of young people. An exhibition has just opened that showcases the talents of three young writers in residence. Playfully called I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell (until 9 November), unlike a 
traditional exhibition instead of interpretation panels there are giant phone screens, author ‘profiles’, ‘biogs’, ‘likes’, ‘voice notes’ and QR codes to connect to the work, alongside objects that have influenced their work.
The writers are Georgia Affonso, Princess Arinola Adegbite and Guruleen Kahlo and their poetry, short stories and a play are woven into your visit to make it an immersive experience. It’s the ideal accompaniment to the Family Friendly activities, which also include a Cranford the cat family trail, Victorian dressing-up, traditional garden games and craft activities.
- Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11:00am to 4:30pm.
- Entry is £8.50 for adults and free for children under 16s, when accompanied by an adult.
- Because tickets are valid for a year, that means you can pay only once and enjoy all of the summer workshops, which are free to take part in!
- Booking in advance is recommended and can be done via www.ticketsource.co.uk/elizabeth-gaskell-house.
- The workshops are drop in and take place between 11am and 3pm.
- For further information visit:
– www.elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk
– https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethGaskellsHouse
Some great activities going on here for families!
I love Elizabeth Gaskell house, it’s a great place!
Looks a great place to go to encourage creativity and lots of family fun
I love Elizabeth Gaskell’s work – I had no idea you could visit her house. This will definitely be added to my list of places to visit someday soon!
Looks like everyone had a good selection of activities to go to