What’s On

  • All
  • Exhibition
  • Family Friendly
  • Performance
  • Readings/Lectures
  • Workshops

“My Dear Mr Ruskin….” Friendship, Inspiration and Scandal.

18th July - 30th June

A new year-long exhibition as part of The Ruskin Bicentenary.

Reading The Nineteenth-Century: Ruth

22nd January

Reading workshop on Elizabeth Gaskell's 'Ruth'

MACFEST: Indonesian batik painting workshop with Rina Koesnanto

22nd January

Demonstration and history of batik painting in Infobesia by Rina Kiesnanto

Lunch-Time Talk: Fallen Women

26th January

Lunch-time talk on fallen women

Sewing Bee

Every fourth Thursday

Come along to our sewing bee every fourth Thursday of the month

Lunch-time Talk: Introduction To Ruskin

30th January

Lunch-time Talk on John Ruskin

The Old Nurse’s Story – A Dramatic Reading

2nd February

Listen to Gaskell's Gothic horror story read in the Drawing Room

Pen Portrait Performance

Every first Sunday at 3pm

10 minute monologue performance from one of our volunteers.

Crafternoon Tea: Origami Heart Bunting

6th February

Crafternoon Tea: Learn to make Valentines Origami Heart Bunting

Keeping it Clean at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Find out about the conservation cleaning practises at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Sketching Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

7th February

Second-Hand Book Sale

Every second Sunday of the month

Second-hand book sale on every second Sunday of the month.

Story and Play: We’re Going On A Bear Hunt

12th February

Story and play session for under fives

Raucous Writers Afternoon Teatime

12th February

Hold tight to your teacups - it's Raucous Writers Afternoon Teatime!

February Half-term Family Crafts: Making Origami Cats

19th February

Half-term family crafts from 1-3pm: origami cats

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House Book group

We read (and re-reading) classic works of fiction. New members welcome

Lunch-time Reading: International Mother Language Day

20th February

Lunch-time reading: International Mother Language Day

The Poetry of Humble Life – Friends Event

22nd February

Glimpses of working-class life from working-class poets

Lunch-time Talk: Art, Architecture & the Future of Humanity – Ruskin’s Enduring Message

23rd February

Lunch-time talk on Ruskin, Art and Architecture

Lunch-time Talk: Ruskin In Manchester

26th February

Reading The Nineteenth-Century: Adam Bede

26th February

Reading the nineteenth-century workshop: Adam Bede

Full-day Spinning Workshop

6th March

Traditional Spinning Workshop

Lunch-time Talk: International Women’s Day

8th March

Lunch-time talk for International Women's Day

Story and Play: Rosie’s Hat

11th March

Story and play session for under fives

Mother’s Day At Elizabeth Gaskell’s House: Mother’s Day Readings

22nd March

Mother's Day Readings

Reading The Nineteenth-Century: Tess Of The D’Urbervilles

25th March

Reading the nineteenth-century workshop: Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Creative Writing Workshop: Cranford!

5th April

Join balladeer Jennifer Reid for a writing workshop inspired by Cranford

Reading The Nineteenth Century: The Unclassed

22nd April

Reading the nineteenth-century workshop: The Unclassed

Lunch-time Talk: Forgotten Female Novelists

23rd April

Lunch-time talk on Forgotten Female Novelists

Lunch-time Talk: ‘Bertha Darley’

26th April

Lunch-time talk on forgotten Victorian classic

Crafternoon Tea: Spring Paper Flowers

30th April

Crafternoon Tea: Learn to make beautiful paper flowers and enjoy tea and cake!

Wedding Afternoon Event

3rd May

Raucous Writers Afternoon Teatime

6th May

Enjoy an afternoon of literary tales with tea and cake!

Lunch-time Talk: Chocolate-box Cranford: An Idyll?

10th May

Lunch-time talk on Cranford

Story and Play: Dinosaur Roar!

13th May

Story and play session for under fives

Reading The Nineteenth-Century: Esther Waters

27th May

Reading the nineteenth-century workshop: Esther Waters

Talk: Mary Barton’s Manchester

3rd June

Evening talk on Mary Barton's Manchester, with glass of wine

Story and Play: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

10th June

Story and play session for under fives

iPhone Photography Workshop

28th June

Learn to take stunning photos with your iPhone at this photography workshop

Story and Play: Handa’s Surprise

8th July

Story and play session for under fives

Henna Taster Workshop: Paisley Patterns

19th July

Henna taster workshop: learn paisley patterns

Sketching Elizabeth Gaskell’s House: Summer Workshop

7th August

Learn urban sketching and watercolour at our day workshop

Talk: Cranford For Beginners

23rd August

Lunch-time talk on one of Elizabeth Gaskell's most well-loved books

Story and Play: Dear Zoo

9th September

Story and play session for under fives

Talk: International Day Of Peace – William Gaskell and Crimea

20th September

Lunch-time talk for International Day of Peace

Elizabeth Gaskell’s Birthday Talk: Blame The Mother?

27th September

Elizabeth Gaskell's birthday talk

Crafternoon Tea: Origami Star Bunting

15th October

Crafternoon Tea: Make a stunning origami star garland & enjoy tea/coffee & cake!

iPhone Photography Workshop

25th October

Learn to take stunning photos with your iPhone at this photography workshop

Lunch-time Talk: Cranford’s Illustrators

22nd November

Lunch-time Talk on Cranford's Illustrators

Lunch-time Talks: Christmas Revels in Victorian Manchester

3rd December

Festive lunch-time talk about Victorian Christmas in Manchester

And we've got a house. Yes! we really have

Elizabeth Gaskell, 1850