Blogs & News

: Lunch-time Reading: International Mother Language Day

It's International Mother Language Day! Join our fabulous volunteers from across the globe, as they read extracts from Elizabeth Gaskell's writings in their own languages. Lunch-time talks and readings are included in usual House entry No booking required, but please make sure you arrive in good time to get a seat.   For more talks, see our full programme  

: #Thankstoyou – Claim your free hot drink

We’re saying #ThanksToYou to National Lottery players with a free cup of tea at Elizabeth Gaskell's House This year is the 25th Birthday of The National Lottery, and we’re excited to be a part of the celebrations by joining in the #ThanksToYou campaign, which celebrates the contribution of National Lottery players in supporting good causes over the past 25 years! Since The National Lottery's first draw took place on 19 November 1994, more than £40 billion has been

: Piano Recital: Constance Harper’s ‘The Magic Casements’

Come and join us for a very special piano recital of children's songs, composed by a former resident of Elizabeth Gaskell's House! The Magic Casements, written by talented harpist Constance Harper in the 1920s, will be performed on our beautiful boudoir grand piano in the gorgeous drawing room here at 84 Plymouth Grove on Sunday 20 October. The Harper family lived in the House from 1913, and Constance, one of the daughters of the family and a member of

: Sketching Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Join us for our perennially popular day workshop in sketching. Have you ever wanted to record your memories of a visit using your own sketches and illustrations? Our much-loved workshop, led by urban sketcher Liz Ackerley, will teach you how to capture special places using pen, pencil, watercolour and other simple materials in a sketchbook. From drawing special items like lamps and furniture, to details, features and views, this day workshop will give you the skills and tools

: Full-day Spinning Workshop

**** This workshop has sold out *****   Learn this wonderful traditional craft in a full-day workshop in the inspirational surroundings of Elizabeth Gaskell's House. Inspired by our Ruskin exhibition, we're offering you the chance to learn this ancient skill, as championed and admired by John Ruskin himself. At this day-long workshop, you'll take a seat at a spinning wheel under the guidance of expert woolcraft and textiles tutor, Dee Sayce, and learn to hand spin your own