Family in Victorian costume

What's On

Family Fun – Summer at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Join us at your local museum for a summer jam-packed with family activities.

Write, weave and paint your way through the House in a series of free workshops led by artists
and writers.

PLUS we have our Cranford the Cat family trail, Victorian dressing-up, traditional garden games and craft activities throughout the summer.

Garden Adventure
6 & 7 August

Join acclaimed nature writer, Anita Sethi on
a creative adventure through the garden
and create your own story inspired by the
different sights and smells.

Write Your Own Book
13 & 14 August

Writer and artist Stevie Ronnie will
help you bind your own book before
you explore the House to fill it with watercolour paintings and poetry.

Family doing craft

Garden of Hope
27 & 28 August

Together with artist Katherine Harrison you
will build a Garden of Hope, a shared space
filled with all your favourite treasures.

  • Under 16s go free with a paying adult (£8.50 valid for a year so adults only pay once for the summer!)
  • No charge for workshops. All workshops are drop-in sessions between 11am until 3pm.
  • Booking is advised as it helps us make sure you have the best time possible – or just turn up and pay on the door.

Family Friendly venue

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).

Supported by Museum Development North and Arts Council England.

Museum Development North and ACE logo

Every Wednesday and Thursday of July and August

23rd July
24th July
30th July
31st July
6th August
7th August
13th August
14th August
20th August
21st August
27th August
28th August

ALL DAY

Family Friendly, Workshops

To begin with the old rigmarole of childhood…

Wives and Daughters