Blogs & News

: Puffins, Penguins and Ladybirds: Summer Family Fun

Join us at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House this summer for some family fun to celebrate the National Year of Reading. Families can squawk, waddle and scuttle through Elizabeth Gaskell’s House on the hunt for creatures on our new trail, Puffins, Penguins and Ladybirds. With easy, medium and hard levels, it’s fun for all ages. Book Now to Visit After collecting your critters, families can stop by the Exhibition Room, where there is a cosy and colourful reading corner. Complete

: Christmas at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Step into a magical Victorian Christmas Experience at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. From mid November the House will be decked out in Christmas splendour. Each of the atmospheric restored rooms will tell stories of Victorian Christmas past. Whilst festive entertainment and a children’s trail make the visit a real present! A real festive delight for the whole family - the House and garden are fully wheelchair-accessible and there is drop-in Christmas crafts for all ages. All included in admission

: 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