Blogs & News

blogsNnews : 2025 Events Season: Exploring the impact of Elizabeth Gaskell’s Ruth

‘Nay, Ruth, you are not going to have secrets from me, are you?’ Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is delighted to be celebrating a new 10-year anniversary season of events dedicated to the most controversial of all Elizabeth Gaskell’s novels, Ruth. This infamous book was ‘banned, burned and denounced from the pulpit’ when it was published in 1853. A ground-breaking work, it is now recognised as the first mainstream novel to tell the story of a ‘fallen woman’ sympathetically. The

blogsNnews : A Man’s World – New Online Course for Spring 2025

In our 10th anniversary year, Elizabeth Gaskell's House is delighted to announce a new online course with the ever-popular Dr Sherry Ashworth. This spring we take a look at literary men and masculinity. Join Sherry to ask what do Victorian novelists have to say about men as fathers, lovers, activists, wealth creators – and kings? In this new course, we will be looking at Elizabeth Gaskell’s John Barton in Mary Barton (father), John Thornton in North and South

Events : Wives and Daughters: An exciting events programme for you in 2024

'Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom.' Wives and Daughters was Elizabeth Gaskell's last, and unfinished, novel. It has been called ‘the most underrated novel in English’. The story centers on young Molly’s response to her father’s new marriage and its impact on those around her. Set in a small English country town, the book is a literary masterpiece. Its wit and charm are often compared to writers like Jane

blogsNnews : Summer at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Rain or shine, indoor or outdoor, we have a summer of trails and games for all the family when you visit Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. The perfect day out for all ages. Enjoy some family time to relax and unwind Take some time to relax in the beautiful Victorian garden of one of our greatest novelists. Spend some time with the kids to explore our historic garden on the garden trail by scanning the QR codes to learn fun facts, play