News

Summer Holiday Fun

It’s all about nature at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House this summer as Manchester’s favourite literary house throws open its doors to a celebration of John Ruskin and his love of the natural world.

Cloud spotting, weaving, sketching and crafting are all on offer in our family summer workshops, which are part of the Manchester-wide Ruskin in Manchester festival, celebrating the bicentenary of the influential artist, writer, critic and friend of the Gaskells.

Children and their families will enjoy trying traditional crafts, working with natural materials and celebrating the beauty of the outside world.

And there’ll be chance to explore our glorious gardens too, and relax with a refreshing drink in our Tea Room.

No need to book. Join us every Wednesday in the summer holidays, between 1-3pm. £1 per child with accompanying adult paying House entry (£5/£4).

24 July: Cloud Spotting: write poems and try painting your own clouds

31 July: Weaving: Make your own rustic decoration in our simple weaving workshop

7 August: Sketching Nature: Be inspired by Ruskin and make your own nature studies

14 August: Making Bees: Make alder cone bumble bees in this craft workshop

21 August: Lavender Bags: Capture the scent of summer and make your own lavender bags

28 August: Dame Wiggins of Lee: Make an origami cat, inspired by Ruskin’s whimsical children’s tales

 

The city-wide Ruskin In Manchester celebrates the legacy of John Ruskin (1819-1900) in Manchester, in the year that marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of this visionary thinker, with a programme of public events taking place across summer 2019. Ruskin In Manchester is supported by the Guild of St George (the education charity founded by Ruskin in 1871) and Manchester Metropolitan University.

The summer activities at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House have been made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, and will share the heritage of John Ruskin with families, community groups and visitors to the House over the next 12 months.