Blogs & News

: Silly and Spooky Sill-Haunters: October Half-Term

Join us at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House for some spookily good family fun this October Half-Term. Book Now to Visit Explore the House with our Cranford the Cat trail, where our fluffy familiar will lead you through the rooms with lots of games and puzzles along the way. Then head down to the Servants' Hall, where you can make your own sill-haunter. These little monsters of your creation can guard your window-sills, welcoming the treaters and scaring off the

: Christmas at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Our Victorian Christmas Experience is back and even more magical than last year! Starting from 15 November and running until 20 December the House will be decked out in Christmas splendour.  Expect sparkling trees, unusual seasonal book-ish decor and atmospheric rooms that tell stories of Victorian Christmases past.   Book now Entertainment  Catch The Venti Choir performing traditional carols and new compositions throughout the festive period. Check back here for performance times.   Don’t forget to stop by the Servants’

: October Half-Term

Join us at your local museum this October Half-Term for family fun and Halloween kids activities. Discover our Hidden Wonders Trail around the House, join our drop-in creepy craft activities and share some Autumn time out with friends and family. Children aged 4+ and their families are invited to experience the joy of discovery at Elizabeth Gaskell's House this October half term. The Hidden Wonders Hunt is a free spotter trail from Kids in Museums and Walker Books,

: M13 Residents Go Free

To coincide with the Swinton Grove Park Community Christmas light switch on, local residents with a M13 postcode can gain free entry to Elizabeth Gaskell's House on Wednesday 3 December. The House will be decorated for Christmas click here for more information and open from 11am, with last entry at 3pm. Pick up Christmas gifts from our museum shop and try festive treats in our Tea Room plus we have craft activities in the servants' Hall for all

: February Half-term Family Crafts: Making Origami Cats

And do you know we are to have a kitten all the way from Paris, called Cranford; with very long hair and soft pretty eyes? Elizabeth Gaskell, from a letter, 1854 Cats! Cats! Cats! Feline friends are a firm feature in Elizabeth Gaskell's life and writing! From her own cats, Cranford and Mimi, to the unfortunate cat who swallowed a fine lace collar in her novel Cranford, and the crafty cat who stole the Christmas sausages in her short