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Christmas at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Step into Christmas at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House with family and friends this festive season. Bringing you the magic of Christmas at Manchester’s very own literary house.

You can visit to see the halls decked ready for the season at this elegant Regency-style villa. Once home to the novelist Elizabeth Gaskell and her family, you can follow in the footsteps of Victorian visitors like Charles Dickens and Charlotte Bronte.

See each original room decorated, from the Morning Room and Study to the Drawing Room and Dining Room. Enjoy the seasonal atmosphere and talk literature with our friendly volunteers. Bring the whole family – the House and garden are fully wheelchair accessible and there is drop-in Christmas kids craft too.

Families can decorate their own cornucopia in the Servants’ Hall to take home for the Christmas tree. You can get stuck in with dressing-up, colouring and hands-on activities. All included in admission and under 16s go free with a paying adult.

Plus we have a delicious range of festive snacks and treats in our famous Tea Room too. Try our seasonal hot chocolate or specialty teas and coffee served in vintage china.

What else do I need to know?

We love to welcome families at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House:

• Buggies, prams and wheelchair users are welcome throughout the House and garden (we have a lift and ramped entrance), there are baby change facilities and the House is breastfeeding-friendly. We also have a ‘do touch’ policy so the majority of items in the House can be touched and chairs sat on.
• Drinks (including cordial with free refills), cakes and snacks are available to buy from the Tea Room. We have a limited food offer so you are welcome to bring a picnic.
• There is a small shop with pocket money items from £1 upwards including quill pens, cat toys and erasers. We also have a small selection of second-hand children’s books on sale.

We are approximately a 10-15 minute walk from Manchester Museum and the Whitworth Art Gallery on Oxford Road.

The House is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 11am-4.30pm (last entry 3pm).

Gift £10 to Celebrate 10 years.

Keeping Elizabeth Gaskell’s House open to the public remains a real financial challenge. Our incredible team needs your help and support to continue the story long into the future. During our anniversary year we are asking our supporters to give £10 to support the House and to help us raise £10,000. You can make a donation via JustGiving.