What's on in the Summer Holidays 2025 in Cheshire & Beyond
- Jennifer Kozyra
- Jul 3, 2024
- 45 min read
Updated: 18 minutes ago
🌞 Your Ultimate Summer Holiday Guide 2025 🌞
Looking for inspiration to keep the whole family entertained this summer? Here's your go-to guide packed with fun-filled ideas, exciting activities, and must-see events happening across Cheshire, Manchester, Staffordshire — and beyond — over the 6-week summer break.
Whether you're planning big days out or local adventures, there’s something here for everyone!
👉 Top tip: Always double-check event details on the official venue websites — dates, times, and availability can change. Many events require advance booking and often sell out quickly.
Most of all, enjoy a magical summer full of memories with your loved ones! 💛
I will be adding more events when they are announced so please do keep checking back.
Some link are affiliated links which means i earn a little commission to help cover the cost of running this website. There is no extra cost to you by clicking on my link. But it does make me do a happy dance if you use it.
Days Out and Meals Out Featured Day Out
⭐ The Crocky Trail
Slide, balance, play football, and go exploring the trail.
Cafe on site or take a picnic. Free parking.
Price: Children £16.58 Adults £12.60 . Under 5's Free
Address: Cotton Abbotts, Waverton, Chester CH3 7PH
Days Out and Meals Out Featured Day Out
⭐ Blast Off into a Summer of Discovery at Jodrell Bank
📅 19 Jul - 31 Aug 2025
There’s a whole universe to discover at Jodrell Bank, with interactive exhibitions, hands-on activities, and immersive Dome Shows for astronauts of all ages.
🐻 Ted's Space Adventure £5
Young astronauts (ages 2–7) will love Ted’s Space Adventure, a lively show full of music, rhymes and interactive fun.
Every Wednesday at 11am over the summer holidays!
🚀 Rocket Lab FREE
Older space fans can get hands-on in the Rocket Lab, launch stomp rockets, and witness spectacular ‘whoosh bottle’ science demos.
🔭 Meet The Telescope FREE
Learn about the iconic Lovell Telescope through short outdoor sessions filled with fun facts for the whole family
🌖 Telescope Talks FREE
Curious about what our telescope is looking at? If our Meet the Telescope sessions have sparked your appetite for deeper knowledge, come along to our daily sit-down where our experts will explore the mysteries of the Lovell, from the dawn of the Space Age to revolutionizsng our understanding of the universe…
🎨 Space Crafts FREE
Don't forget to drop into make cosmic Space Crafts to take home.
🧪 Royal Society Summer Science Exhibits On Tour
30-31 Aug FREE
To round off the summer, visit in the final weekend of August for two days packed with fun activities, engaging talks, and captivating short films from the prestigious Summer Science Exhibition in London. From tiny atoms to vast galaxies, there’s something to spark curiosity in visitors of all ages
Book online and Save 10% plus your ticket becomes an annual pass too, so it makes Jodrell Bank a great place to keep going back to again and again.
Days Out and Meals Out Featured Day Out
⭐Enjoy six weeks of summer fun at PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm
Use my code SUNNY to get 10% OFF
📅 20 July – 1 Sept 2025
Located just of J13 of the M6 in Staffordshire, award-winning PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm has six weeks of fun and adventure lined up for families over the summer break. You’ll find different activities happening each week, so there will always be something new to enjoy, alongside massive indoor playbarns, acres of outdoor play, animal talks & interactions, farm trailer riders and daily foam parties!
🫧 Week 1 – Bubble show fun with the resident Bubble Fairies!
🚜 Week 2 – Meet the machines – a real treat budding farmers
🦕 Week 3 – Dino Discovery Maize Maze launch (then every day for the rest of summer break)
🧸 Week 4 – Teddy Bears’ SUMMER tea Party – magical role-play adventures for little visitors (and their bears)
🌻 Week 5 – Sunflower Maze launch – stroll around the beautiful blooms and capture photo memories
🛁 Week 6 – FOAM FEST – the legendary foam parties are set to go MASSIVE…
PLUS you can upgrade your summer PLAY@ tickets to include overnight farmland camping for just £12 per pitch, per night – and make your visit into a PLAY-cation
Find out more & book your tickets www.playatthefarm.co.uk
Days Out and Meals Out Featured Day Out
⭐Butter Slime Bonanza Gootopia Cheshire
📅 21st July - 5th Sept 2025
Our most requested workshop ever is back for summer – soft, stretchy, smooth-as-fudge butter slime is taking over Gootopia! Kids will knead, fold, and whip up their own buttery creations by mixing in soft air clay to create this unique, velvety texture. It’s fluffier than normal slime, holds its shape better, and spreads like a dream – a sensory delight that’s impossible to put down. Our five-star rated workshops include:
🧈 Butter slime making with soft air clay
🎨 Summer-inspired colours and mix-ins
🌈 Giant slime team challenge
🧠 Fun facts on textures, touch and sensory science
🎁 A personalised pot of butter slime to take home + a pot of giant slime
Whether you're a seasoned slime fanatic or new to the goo, this workshop is the ultimate summer treat for ages 3+. Ideal for school holidays, family days out, or just keeping cool with some screen-free fun!
📲 Limited slots – book now and select “Butter Slime Bonanza” at checkout!
Link to book www.gootopia.co.uk/book
Days Out and Meals Out Featured Day Out
⭐Summer Holidays at Eureka! Science and Discovery
📅 19 July – 31 Aug
Join the explosive experiments of Professor Pumpernickel, get active with Kidzfit, and be wowed by the wonder of Ray Bubbles bubble show that’s sure to amaze little ones and the grown-ups! Don’t miss a visit to Make Create, where there's hands-on workshops bringing fairy tales to life. It’s not just play — it’s learning, too!
• KidzFit - a series of interactive workshops exploring movement, health, and body science
• Science Made Simple - Get ready for fun, fast-paced science with interactive shows the whole family will love!
• Ray Bubbles - the International Bubbleologist and Guinness World Record Holder, in his high-energy, fast-paced show that bursts with bubbly surprises!
• Dr Ken - Roll up for a high-energy show where science meets the circus in the most spectacular way!
• Professor Pumpernickel - a 30 minute bonanza of bangs, Bunsen burners and brain-tingling bamboozlement that will leave you with a burning desire to learn more about the staggering world of science!
• Og the Giant - Come aboard the Imagination Station where we will explore fantastic stories stories live on stage!
• Science Shows with the Eureka! Enablers - Expect hands-on demos, surprising experiments, and plenty of WOW moments.
• Fairy Tale Fixers - Forget Once Upon a Time, it’s your turn to rewrite the story… with a twist only you can bring! We’re inviting families to build, tinker and experiment. On daily in Make Create
Book Here https://discover.eureka.org.uk/
Days Out and Meals Out Featured Day Out
⭐Meet Characters this Summer at Castaway Play Congleton
📅19th July - 31st Aug
Starting from 19th July you can meet characters while enjoying all the play areas inside Castaway Play. Characters include The Gruffalo, Encanto, Teletubbies, Mario, Stitch, Fireman Sam and loads more visiting every day.
Check out their socials to find out who is visiting on each day.
Bring a change of clothes and let the kids get stuck in to:
Bubble Shows 11.30 & 1.30
End of day Foam Party at 3.30
Aswel as all these extra fun there is tons of sand to play with at the Tropical Beach, pretend to be pirates in Castaway Cove, run and climb up in the trees in the Lost Jungle and slide and explore the Magical Kingdom.
The perfect day out for little ones.
⭐Exploring the Outdoors
🛶Make A Splash at Alderford Lake
Enjoy the spring time weather and get on the water with canoe, kayak, and paddleboard hire!
Bringing your own equipment? Take advantage of the self-launch option and glide across the water at your own pace.
Alderford’s Escape Islands
These are Escape Room’s like you have never experience before. Take a voyage across the lake to uncover mysteries and find your way back to shore.
A totally outdoor experience that’s only for the brave hearted.
Aqua Park
Their Aquapark is a thrilling playground on the water.
🐻Brereton Bear Festival
📅 12 July -31 August
Residents make displays with Bears in honour of the Legend of the Muzzled Brereton Bear. These bears are displayed in gardens, on rooftops, in trees in fact anywhere where they can be seen from the road! Programmes (£7) are available at Church, School, The Bear's Head, Pear Tree Shop, anywhere there is a sign. There will be a Treasure Hunt on Saturday 16 August
🦋 Tegg's Nose Butterfly Walk
📅 Sat 19 July 2025 11-1pm
Family wildlife walk around the top of Tegg's Nose Country Park to look for and learn more about some of the park's resident butterfly species
Tegg's Nose Butterfly Walk https://share.google/AuaTMp4vnh2pR0Qng
🪲 Wilmslow Bioblitz
📅 Sat 9 Aug 2025.
join experts discovering the birds, wildflowers, minibeasts and water life that can be found within the park.
Drop-in activities throughout the day include butterfly walks, pond and river dipping. Age 5+
⭐ Brimstage Farm & Maze
📅 19th July - 30th August 2025
This year Brimstage Farm have gone ‘back to our roots’ with a really lovely ‘farming’ theme to the site. With their giant maize maze, games and play equipment.
Outdoor Buxton Opera Activities
📅 1 - 4 Aug 2025
Buxton Opera House have once again partnered with Buxton Civic Association to bring you a vibrant programme of activities and workshops for all ages, aimed to inspire creativity and increase wellbeing and nature connectedness. Full programme below!
⭐ Fun and Games at Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
📅 19 July - 31 Aug 2025 10am-5pm
Loads of activities for the whole family to get stuck into. From soft play and mini golf to archery and den building, there’s all sorts of fun to be had all through the school holidays.
⭐ Kids go FREE at Cholmondeley Castle Gardens
📅 19th July - 31st Aug 2025
Pick up your free children's Find & Seek booklet upon arrival and embark on a nature quest: spot butterflies, identify flowers, listen for birdsong...
(excluding the week of DevaFest)
Adults £9.00 / Kids FREE
Dogs welcome, parking is free too!
⭐ The Great Woodland Adventure at RHS Garden Bridgewater
📅 23 July – 31 Aug
Head to our woodland basecamp for six weeks of hands-on fun and outdoor challenges, from epic den building and forest school workshops to woodland crafts, tree climbing, fire making and much more. With family trails, explorer walks and storytime for little adventurers, too.
• Summer escape hunt
Daily - Solve the puzzles, find the hidden locations and collect all the stamps while uncovering the secrets of the woodland in this exciting self-led treasure trail.
• Habitat trail
Daily - Follow the trail to discover threatened animal species and find out how you can help support them in your garden and local area.
• The Big Den Build* age 4+
Thur 7 – Sat9 Aug *£10 per child; £5 per adult.
Build a giant woodland adventure castle.
• Dreamcatcher crafts age 3+
Fri 25 July & Wed 6 Aug
Make your own dreamcatcher to take home
• Sunflower planting age 3+
Wed 23, Mon 28 July & Mon 4 Aug
Plant your own sunflower
• Wild Wings: Birds of prey encounters age 5+
Thurs 24, Tue 29 July & Tues 5 Aug
Meet majestic birds of prey and owls up close
• Tree climbing* age 6+
Wed 30 July – Frid 1 Aug
Climb safely in the treetops with the help of expert instructors *£8 per child
• Little explorers: Wildlife spotting walk* age 2-6
This 40-minute gentle guided nature walk encourages young children to spot wildlife. *£2.50 per child
⭐ Zog's 15th Anniversary at Warwick Castle
📅 All Summer 10am - 5pm
Celebrate 15 years of ZOG with a Brand New Show for 2025 "Zog and the Flying Doctor"
• Wars of the Roses Live! Jousting Spectacular: The story of this historic battle is told through incredible jousting, daring trick riding, and incredible special effects. A truly world-class equestrian display.
• The Falconer’s Quest: The UK’s largest bird of prey display returns with over 60 stunning birds
• Zog: Enjoy the Zog Playland, Zog Live Show, and Zog and the Quest for the Gold Star Interactive Trail
• The Trebuchet: Witness Britain’s largest siege machine up close in person
• Princess Tower: Immersive, magical storytelling for young knights and princesses
• Horrible Histories Maze: Get lost in time with history’s best (and worst!) moments
• Heritage & History: Explore stunning interiors and royal stories and learn Warwick’s rich history from expert Historians
• Book Here https://tinyurl.com/DaysOutandMealsOutWarwick
⛳Mad Hatters Adventure Golf in Hartford
Alice in Wonderland themed Adventure golf
Applejacks Adventure Farm
📅Open Daily
With lots of activities, entertainment and farmhouse food there’s joy to be found by all ages for a fun filled day out, though our attractions are mainly aimed towards 4 to 12 year olds. Plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy in any weather!
BeWILDerwood Cheshire
From storytelling, puzzling park trails, puppet shows and lots of craft making activities. There’s oodles of fun things to do!
The British Ironworks Centre
📅Open Tuesday - Saturday 10-4 (open at 9am on Sat)
Massive outside sculpture museum with shop, cafe, playground and fun trails for children.
Always a fun place to visit and Children are free all day, every day.
Website: Home | The British Ironwork Centre
Big Lights, Big Fun at The Trafford Centre
📅dates coming soon
Get ready for a spectacular summer as Trafford Centre’s beloved fairground returns with a new name and even more excitement! “Big Lights, Big Fun” promises a fun day out for the whole family, with attractions including a splash park, giant beach, delicious food trucks, and fairground rides galore.
🌞 Summer at Chatsworth Estate
📅 19 July –7 Sept 2025
From Garden Olympics and face painting to cuddling guinea pigs and craft activities.
🦋 Butterfly Week: 28 July - 3 Aug
Decorate your own butterfly, butterfly crafts and counting.
🌳 Tree Week: 4 - 10 Aug
Tree inspired crafts, get to know trees and the big tree climb.
🌼 Flower Week: 11 - 17 Aug
Wild flower printing and pressing & flower walks
Get Active Week: 18 - 24 Aug
Garden Olympics, sports day and balance play
Address: Chatsworth House Road, Bakewell DE45 1PP
⭐ Summer Fest at Otterspool Adventure
📅 21st July - 31sg Aug 2025 10am - 6pm
Get ready for the best summer festival yet! We’re taking things up a notch this year with a brand new theme that’s perfect for sunny days. Keep your eyes peeled for more info soon…
Website: Otterspool Adventure | Magical Outdoor Fun in Liverpool Otterspool Adventure (otterspooladventurecentre.co.uk)
⭐Children's Trails & Walks
😃 SmileyWorld® Art Trail in Stockport
📅 4th July - 15th Sept
💰 FREE
Stockport has been transformed into a playful outdoor gallery as the SmileyWorld® Art Trail takes over the town centre with a colourful collection of quirky, fun and exciting sculptures, each inspired by the SmileyWorld® icons. Brought to you by Wild in Art.
🌳Stick Man Trail at Delamere Forest
📅 From 5th February 2025 to January 2026
Head to Delamere Forest to have fun doing the Stick Man activity trail where families can follow the beloved character on his journey back to the family tree.
💰 Stick Man trail activity pack £4 from visitor centre
🥾 The Stick Man Trail is a 1.5 mile
👶 Pushchair friendly if not muddy
🐻The Gruffalo's 25th birthday trail at Delamere Forest
📅24 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2025
An accompanying trail pack is available to buy on-site for just £4. These include a festive party headband to get you into the party spirit, an activity leaflet for curious minds, stickers, pencils and crayons to get creative, and a woven Gruffalo sew-on patch as a cherished keepsake.
🌳 The Stick Man Outdoor Trail at National Arboretum
📅 Open Daily
Their Stick Man trail follows the adventures of The Stick Man* as he tries to get home to his Family Tree.
Pick up a FREE self-led trail sheet on arrival at the Welcome Desk, and head out into the Arboretum grounds to explore the, fully accessible, one mile route. Along the way you'll be able to spot fun character carvings, including Stick Man himself!
Address: Croxall Road, Alrewas, Burton-On-Trent DE13 7AR
🌳Hawkstone Follies
Visit the Hawkstone Park Follies and take part in their Enchanted trail all around Park. With Fairies, Trolls and caves galore!
Our fun interactive trail is an additional £1 per participating child on top of general admission.
⭐Inside Activities
Is it raining outside or you just wants to escape the sun and bees? Here is my main guide for Rainy day and inside activities and things to do inside. https://www.daysoutandmealsout.com/post/rainy-day-ideas-in-cheshire
🌞 The Beach is Coming to The Lambing Shed! 🏖
A fun-filled indoor play space perfect for little ones, whatever the weather.
🏖 A giant sandpit
🎯 Games & activities
🌭 A summer food shack
🍦 And plenty of ice cream!
Entry is £2.95 per child.
☀ Open every weekday and weekend throughout the summer holidays — rain or shine.
🎉 Planning a birthday or family celebration? The Beach is also available to hire for private parties! Email us at shop@thelambingshed.com to find out more.
🚋Making Tracks 200 at Chester Cathedral
📅 24 July - 30 Aug 2025
In honour of Railway200, you will see a variety of trains from the 1820s to present day. This year’s model railway is 72 feet long featuring Watford Junction and its amazing cityscape.
Events from 19 July to 29 August - Chester Cathedral https://share.google/CYTI6kJVzPuZPk8KPCome along and see if you can spot all the hidden details, and even have a go at driving the trains yourself.
⛳ Treetop Golf Manchester
📅 14 July - 31 Aug
Throughout the holidays they've got free face painting every weekend from 12-3pm, and quiet sessions every Wednesday from 9-10:30am – perfect for guests who prefer a calmer adventure.
⛳ Junkyard Golf
Manchester and Liverpool city centre
Play the craziest golf with the whole crew! Get Family Tickets from £25 before 6pm (Sun-Thurs)!
🎬 Cineworld Cinemas
📅 25 July - 28 Aug
£1 Family Films. ALL SUMMER LONG!
From Moana 2 to Paddington in Peru, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to A Minecraft Movie, every week will see a different family favourite back to the big screen
🧗♀ Summer Climbing Sessions at Audley Climbing Centre
📅 28 July - 31 Aug
Located in the village of Audley, this centre is your ultimate destination for a thrilling and dynamic climbing experience.
With a variety of climbing walls with routes that are regularly updated, ensuring that climbers of all levels can continually find new and exciting challenges.
⭐Waterworld Resort
🏊♀Have fun in the water and on the slides at Waterworld aqua park. With over 30 different rides and attractions.
🏪 Play and explore inside Adventure Mini Village
⛳Play a game of 18 hole Adventure Mini Golf
🍫 Cadburys World
Delve into Cadbury World's 14 interactive zones, offering a fun-filled day for visitors of all ages. From learning about the origins of cocoa to experiencing a simulated chocolate-making process, there's something for everyone
⭐Tenpin Bowling at Crewe
Enjoy a game of bowling, let the kids run around in the indoor solf play or visit the arcades. There is even a couple of Escape Rooms to take on. Check out their deals and offers over the summer holidays for an inside and fun activity with the kids.
🟡LEGO® Summer of Play at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester
📅12th July - 7th September
This event includes various activities like build challenges, a DJ GoodVibes dance party, and chances to meet LEGO characters.
🐟Sea Life Manchester
📅 Open daily
Th aquarium houses 15 discovery zones with a massive 5,000 amazing sea creatures. The displays are perfect for children and there is normally a quiz sheet to fill in on tour visit to encourage reading the information and finding out the answers.
⭐Festivals, Shows & Family Fun Days
🎶 Fiesta on the Field in Middlewich
📅 Sun 24th August
From the high-energy sparkle of Taylored Swift ✨
To the singalong madness of Rule the World 🎤
Plus pop icons, indie anthems, and crowd-pleasing bangers all day long…
🎶 BELLA GRANDE – Ariana Grande tribute
🎸 DAN AS ED – Ed Sheeran tribute
🎤 TAYLORED SWIFT – Taylor Swift tribute
🎵 SAM OFFENDER – Sam Fender tribute
🔥 HE’S THE ONE – Robbie Williams tribute
🕺 RULE THE WORLD – Take That tribute
📍 Middlewich Cricket Club
⏰ Gates open 1PM | Music from 1:45PM | Last Entry 5.00PM
🎟 Tickets available NOW – don’t miss out:
🎡Hopley House Fun Day
📅 10th Aug 2025.
Dog Show, Mini Fairground & Mini Farm on the field at Hopley House. 🐕 🎡🐏🐐
We will have a local fairground company in attendance with a HUGE soft play trailer, small big wheel 🎡 and no fairground is complete with out the tea cups. ☕
Kim will be back with her Mini farm, you can meet the goats, sheep and bunnys while your here.
🌟 Victorian Fair Anderton Boat Lift
Celebrating the Lift's 150th birthday!
📅 26 & 27 July, 9.30am - 4.30pm.
FREE EVENT!
🎩 Victorian entertainers and illusionists
🎪 Circus skills workshops
🤹🏾 Aerialists, jugglers and stilt walkers
🎶 Classical organ grinders
🍭Pop-up pier🍦Ice cream 🍔BBQ 🍻Bar
Visitors can also enjoy:
🚢 Boat trips along the River Weaver
🚶🏼♂Walking the Lift Tours
⚙'Make and Take' LEGO workshops
Full schedule of performances and activities HERE👉🏾 https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/canal-events-canal-festivals/2025-07-26-victorian-fair-celebrating-anderton-boat-lifts-150th-anniversary
St Annes Kite Festival 🪁
🗓 August 29-31st
📍St Annes Seafront
💷 FREE EVENT
The skies above St Anne’s seafront will be awash with colour on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday as fabulous display kites take to the air on the beach adjacent to the pier.
There is a planned illuminated kite flying evening on Friday 29th August. There will be a fairground on the beach, a stage for music and entertainment and additional stalls on the Promenade.
🐎 Family Fun Day at Chester Races
📅 Sun 3rd Aug
From inflatable play zones to craft activities and music workshops, there’s something for everyone, and best of all... all activities are FREE!
Plus, kids 17 & under go FREE too.✨
📞 01244 304610 | ✉ enquiries@chester-races.com
🎶 Together again festival Bolesworth Estate 2025
📅 25 – 27 July
With Ollie Murs, Jamie Webster, Dizzee Rascal, UB40, Cat Burns, Jakr Bugg and Scouting for Girls and lots more
Together Again Festival will bring people together through a mix of world-class acts, family-friendly activities and showcase the very best emerging artists. The festival will transform the historic grounds of Bolesworth Castle into a vibrant haven of music and entertainment.
🎶 Deva Fest Cholmondeley Castle 2025
📅 7 – 10 Aug
Deva Fest is a great value family-friendly four-day extravaganza of music, comedy, camping, family entertainment, including the popular free-to-ride fairground, and fabulous handpicked food and drink stalls from local suppliers. With acts including Gloria Gaynor, Happy Mondays and DJ and producer Sigala.
🎶 Castle Park Live Frodsham 2025
📅 26 July
Castle Park will once again play host to a day of live music and entertainment featuring some of the UK's best tribute bands, along with workshops for children, outdoor street theatre, walkabout entertainers and much more!
Chatsworth Country Fair
📅29 –31 Aug 2025
Featuring grand ring displays in the air and on land, demos from celebrity chefs plus family entertainment.
Medieval Weekend at Norton Priory
📅 9 & 10 Aug
Historia Normannis present a siege special at Norton Priory Museum & Gardens. See an exciting battle on the event field where medieval knights and soldiers attack the palisades with siege engines and 12th century weaponry.
In between acts, explore our dynamic living history encampment to see the clothes, food, crafts and skills of every day medieval life. Discover Norton Priory's medieval history through our permanent museum gallery displays and historic ruins.
There will also be family friendly crafts in the classroom, trails around the museum and gardens, and why not take your photo trying on some of our medieval fashions!
Included with General Admission - free for members
🎶 Hale Barns Carnival
📅 19 & 20 July 2025
The daytime events, which are free to attend and open from 12noon to 4pm on both Sat and Sun, promise fun for all ages with a traditional funfair, Rob’s Car Fest featuring iconic movie and TV vehicle displays, a gift and craft market, local food pop-ups, inflatable world, family entertainment and live music celebrating the best in local talent.
Meanwhile the ticketed evening events, with this year’s headline acts featuring award-winning tribute performances.
📅 On Sat 19 July enjoy full band tributes to Roxy Music, Tina Turner and disco icons Chic featuring Nile Rodgers.
📅 Sun 20 July brings Hale Barns Carnival to a rousing close with incredible tributes, Madness and the Bee Gees along with a homage to superstar Dolly Parton
🍔 The Heaton Park Food & Drink Festival 2025
📅 2 & 3 Aug
What's New for 2025:
• Their Largest Ever Food & Drink Line-Up (Prepare to feast!)
• All-New Entertainment (Fancy trying your hand at the Foodie Olympics?)
• Top Chefs from Manchester Sharing Their Expertise
• Fresh Evening Tributes to Keep the Party Going
Magic of Thailand Festival in Manchester 2025
📅 9 August - 10 Aug
At Platt Fields Park
Treat yourself to a weekend wonder and bring along your families and friends to feel a touch of Thai culture, where you can challenge your taste buds and feast your eyes on world class food and performances. Unwind with a traditional Thai massage and don't miss the unique eating competition and Muay Thai boxing.
🍔 Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2025
📅 22 Aug - 25 Aug
This summer, the town will once again transform into a buzzing hub of global cuisine, live entertainment, and family fun, with more than 180 vendors serving up everything from artisan bakes to sizzling street food.
Festa Italiana Manchester 2025
📅 22 - 24 August
It is a free, weekend-long celebration of all things Italian
Inspired by Manchester’s Italian heritage, as well as the traditional festivals over in Italy, the Festa is all about the community coming together to socialise, enjoy beautiful food, delectable drinks and live music.
🥳 Warrington Mela 2025
📅 31 Aug
The leading outdoor multi-cultural festival of free street theatre, dance, music, food and colliding cultures is returning to Warrington. The event will take place in Palmyra Square and Time Square Warrington. The two sites will be linked through a complementary programme and a processional performance, culminating in an exciting grand finale.
🥳 Chester Pride 2025
📅 16 Aug
Celebrating diversity and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender + community and is a free event celebrating equality and diversity in the heart of Chester.
🧀 The Nantwich Show 2025
📅 30 July
From thrilling BMX bike displays and a climbing wall to gun dog demonstrations and a family treasure hunt. Explore impressive livestock competitions, enjoy live music and entertainment, and take part in a range of family-friendly activities. With local food, craft stalls, and plenty of competitions, it’s the perfect summer day in the Cheshire countryside.
🚗 Tatton Park VW Show 2025
📅 3 Aug
The largest gathering of Volkswagens, both air and water-cooled, in the North of England, from Beetles to Golfs, Beach Buggies to Camper Vans returns to Tatton Park this summer.
🥳 Family Pride Manchester 2025
📅 23 Aug
Manchester Pride celebrates modern families of all shapes and sizes. Whether LGBTQ+ families, single-parent households, same-sex parents, adoptive families, foster families, or multi-family homes, every family deserves to be seen, heard, and cherished.
Check out the guide which allows you to find events that offer children and families a friendly space to meet, connect and celebrate pride in a way that’s designed just for them.
🥳 Mardi Gras 2025
📅 23 Aug & 24 Aug
A brand-new addition to your Manchester Pride Bank Holiday Weekend, this high-energy, high-glam, high-queer extravaganza takes over Depot Mayfield for two days of world-class artists, DJs, drag royalty, cabaret, and more in celebration of LGBTQ+ culture.
✈ Blackpool Air Show
📅 9th & 10th Aug
The event will feature displays from the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the Typhoon fighter jet, among others. The airshow is a free, family-friendly event held on the Blackpool Promenade
• The RAF Red Arrows display team will perform a nine aircraft display on both days of the 2025 Blackpool Airshow.
😀 Happy Place Festival with Fern Cotton
📅 30th -31st Aug
Happy Place Festival is the perfect place to immerse yourself in thought-provoking talks, discussions, and panels which take place on the Talk Stage.Our live podcast recordings offer a unique opportunity to see your favourite hosts and hear from them in a live setting, including of course, Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast.
⭐Museums & Science
Summer Workshops at Catalyst Science & Discovery
📅19th July - 31st Aug
As well as visiting the interactive science museum, they have all these extra workshops on which are all £2.75pp
• Catalyst Cluedo! - 19th Jul - 1st Aug
Take part in our forensics workshop to see if you can solve the crime. Match the DNA fingerprint, test some mystery powders and work out where the crime was committed!
• Making Scents of Smells - 26th Jul - 8th Aug
test your own sense of smell, make a fragrant solid perfume and sniff a scent from space.
• Operation Earth Show - 2nd - 15th Aug
Become a trainee environmental scientist and help us investigate Earthy’s land, air and oceans and see if together we can identify and find solutions to Earthy’s problems.
• Sun Protection Scientists - 9th - 22nd Aug
Become a Sun Protection Scientist and carry out your own investigations to find out just how important sun protection really is
• Bubble Trouble - 16th – 31st Aug
Come and learn how to make super sized bubbles, square bubbles and even try to get a person inside a bubble in this workshop bursting with fun!
• Explore Your Universe Show 23rd - 31st Aug
With demonstrations including a plasma ball and a thermal imaging camera
Titanic Exhibition: Manchester
📅31st July - 24th Aug 2025
Explore the Titanic story as you’ve never seen before. Combining unique immersive experiences with genuine artefacts, this exhibition is not to be missed.
At the Exchange Hall at Manchester Central, you will follow the Titanic’s journey from the Harland and Wolff Shipyard in Belfast, through its fateful voyage and sinking, to its rediscovery at the bottom of the Atlantic and the legacy it leaves today
Immersive interactive exhibits, bringing the story to life through music, narration and visual effects. Take home unique and personal souvenirs both from the exhibition experience and our well stocked gift shop!
Homemade festival at British Iron Works
📅 25th & 26th July
Showcasing the best of British, our talented crafters have been busy working on their best pieces yet!
Come along and browse over 100 crafters stalls surrounded by the outdoor museums's wonderful sculptures!
The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years at Manchester Museum
📅 l9th July -14th Sept 2025
This summer, with their programme of family activities inspired by all the cats around the museum, dreams and imagination take centre stage!
Step into a fantastical world with this in this world-premiere exhibition, The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years. Created with creative robotics studio Air Giants, this 10-metre-long inflatable robotic feline moves, shimmers with light and projects its dreams; inviting visitors of all ages to explore, interact and reflect on connection and care. Experience a playful blend of museum, theatre and dreamscape unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Salford Museum & Art Gallery
📅 23 July - 29 Aug 2025
Enjoy a summer filled with Victorian-themed fun, hands-on workshops, and exciting activities for all ages! Make a bookmark, make a Kaleidoscope, Make a Worry Doll and lots more
Sick to Death Museum Chester
📅 Open Daily
Learn all about the history of medicine. A playground of plague with a smatter of splatter, and a chance to poke into our medical past. Meet the Grim Reaper and Asclepius, the ancient Greek God of medicine as they guide you through the weird and wonderful history of medicine.
Experience the past in a way that has never been done before!
Deva Roman Experience Chester
📅 Open Daily
Experience life as a Roman arriving in a strange and distant land and discover what it was like for those living here in the fortress of DEVA long ago. Archaeological remains right beneath your feet!!! Discover the hidden history of Chester that lies beneath your very feet, by visiting our exclusive archaeological site, and witness 2000 years of history as never shown before!
Free holiday programme at Museum of Science & Industry
📅 19 July – 31 Aug
From brains to bogies, explore how brilliant our bodies really are with a jam-packed summer programme inspired by our sense-sational new exhibition, Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You.
Uncover the mysteries of the human brain in our brand-new science show and discover how things are not always as they seem with fascinating optical illusions, mind-bending games and curious challenges to test the whole family.
Get stuck in at the Bogie Lab and make your own pot of surprising snot to take home. Get up close to sticky substances and discover how this magical mucus protects our bodies.
Put on your dancing shoes and take your senses for a spin at the silent disco and explore how our bodies respond to sound.
Add a ticket to Power Up and get ready to play your way through the very best video games from the past five decades.
⭐ Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You at Manchester Museum of Science & Industry
🗓14th Feb 2025 - 4th Jan 2026
Get ready for a brand-new adventure of super-sized science and brilliant biology with Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You.
Xplore! Science Discovery Centre
With more than 85 exhibits to enjoy and an interactive live-science show Xplore! really is the place where science lives.
National Football Museum Manchester
With four galleries to explore, six interactive games, plus an exciting programme of exhibitions, guided tours and workshops, there’s something for everybody to enjoy.
Grab a photo with iconic league cups and trophies in the Pitch Gallery, see the original ‘laws of the game’ in the Match Gallery and test your skills with the interactive Football+ games in the Play Gallery. If you buy your ticket direct from the National Football Museum you can enjoy unlimited visits for a year!
Norton Priory Museum & Gardens
•Relaxed Norton - An Autism-Friendly Afternoon
📅 7th Aug
• Halton Libraries Storytelling
29th July, 12th and 26th August
Join Halton Libraries as we share stories celebrating nature and the great outdoors.
• Medieval Weekend
📅 9th - 10th Aug 2025
See an exciting battle on the event field where medieval knights and soldiers attack the palisades with siege engines and 12th century weaponry.
In between acts, explore our dynamic living history encampment to see the clothes, food, crafts and skills of every day medieval life.
Silk Museum Macclesfield
Over the summer 2025 there are lots of workshops you can book onto at the museum.
These include:
Family Silk Experience
Free Craft Thursdays,
Story & Crafts for younger visitors,
Teen Art Sessions - Gothic Embroidery, Lino Printing Text
Clay & Paint Family Art Course
Have a look on their website for all the courses
Address: Silk Museum, Park Ln, Macclesfield SK11 6TJ,
⭐Farms & Zoos
🐍Holmes Chapel Zoo
📅 Open Daily
Meet the Meerkats, Meet the Skunks, Bird Encounters & Snake Handling experiences can all be booked on to at this local small zoo at Bidlea Dairy in Cheshire
🐐Lakemore Farm Park
A great place to go with young children. It is a lovely farm park with llamas, shetland ponies, pigs, pigmy goats and more. Enjoy the indoor play area, and a small outdoor play with ride on cars, crazy golf.
Clay Lane, Crewe CW1 5SQ
🐄 Farm Fiesta at Manorafon Farm
📅 19 July - 31 Aug 2025
Tropi-COOL vibes only as we load up the foam, blast the tunes, and get this summer party started!
🐄 Farm Fest at Reddish Vale Farm
📅 1st - 11th Aug 2025
With fairground rides, children’s entertainers, inflatable assault course, popcorn, glitter face painting, foam party and a beach with deck chairs.
Plus, all the usual fun of the farm with animal meet and greets, the indoor sand pit, outdoor adventure play with zipwire and more.
🐄 Big Summer Blow Out at Cockfields Farm
📅 26th Jul - 31st Aug 2025
The farm park has been fully transformed to bring you those ultimate summer vibes! With all this:
• Barnyard Bingo With Prizes
• Party Tractor Trailer Rides
• Mini Moo-vers Indoor Rave
• Festival Glitter Paint
• Tiki Bar for free lemonade
• plus, all the usual farm park favourites
Afterglow at Chester Zoo
📅 1st –17th August 3–8pm 2025
Afterglow IS BACK with 15 nights of golden-hour adventures!
🎶 Live music
🎠 Rides for all ages
🦕 Walk among life-sized dinosaurs
🎭 Pop-up performances
🌮 Street food favourites
🎁 Prizes, surprises & more!
Book your tickets now https://www.chesterzoo.org/events/afterglow
🐒 Trentham Monkey Forest
60-acre woodland of which 140 free-roaming Barbary macaques call home. Visitors can walk amongst the monkeys and also observe their fascinating natural behaviours from up close!
🐎 Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre
📅 Open daily 10 -5pm
There is lots to see and do to make your visit interesting and enjoyable. You can learn all about the Shire horse, from its history carrying knights in armour to the important studwork today. With Shetland pony grooming, feeding of the Otters, Polecats, Red Foxes and Scottish Wildcats and open barn talks about the shire horses.
🦒 Creature Cases at Knowsley Safari
19 July - 3 Aug 2025
Join the adventure at Knowsley Safari as aspiring young agents solve wild animal mysteries on our brand-new trail inspired by Netflix's hit show Creature Cases!
Your Mission:
• Explore a trail of thrilling animal activity stations throughout the Foot Safari.
• Complete fun activities at each stop, collect clues and letters.
• Unscramble the secret word to complete your mission!
• Report back to C.L.A.D.E HQ (our Tipi base) for your official detective certificate.
• Get creative with crafts and badge-making at HQ.
• Capture the moment with special Creature Cases photo opportunities.
An all day destination, the fun doesn’t end with the Safari Drive at Knowsley Safari. Head to the Foot Safari where you can explore the Amur Tiger Trail, visit their gentle giraffes or watch the educational animal displays. As well as all the amazing animals they also have amusement rides, face painting, food outlets and play areas to keep the little ones entertained all day long!
🦕 Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World
A family-run zoo and dinosaur park located on the outskirts of Telford. It offers a fun day out for all the family with a strong message about conservation.
🐧 Where's Wallaby? At Peak Wildlife Park
📅 18th July- 5th Sept 2025
Somethings hopping across the Staffordshire moorlands… Can YOU find the wallabies? A free sculpture trail is here for the summer
In partnership with Outside and Wild in Art
🎲 Monopoly-inspired fun, games and wild discovery at Twycross Zoo
📅 19 July - 31 Aug 2025
🎲 NEW Twycross Zoo Monopoly Board Game - take home a piece of the adventure with our limited-edition Monopoly board game!
🗺 Explore fun-filled activities - discover what it's like to 'Run Your Own Zoo' across interactive activity stations! Collect stamps, and enjoy chances to win and save
🎩 Meet Mr. Monopoly around the zoo
🐾 Discover over 100 incredible animals
💦 Wet & Wild Splash Pad
🌳 The Gruffalo Discovery Land
✨ and so much more all through the summer!!!
⭐Art & Craft Activities
🎨 Art Zone Holiday Club Holmes Chapel
July
Tue 22nd: Round & Round
Thur 24th: Carnival
Tues 29th: Vikings
Thurs 31st: Long Time Ago
Aug
Tues 5th: North & South
Thur 7th: Dark, Dark Night
Tues 12th: Hot, Dry Deserts
Thurs 14th: Colourful India
Tues 19th: Journey
Thur 21st: Distant Japan
🌎 The Scout HQ, Back of Tesco, Holmes Chapel, Normal Day 9am-4pm: £36; Extended Day 8.30am-4.45pm: £38. Please email jo@art-zone.co.uk for a programme and booking.
🎨 Sam Dales Holmes Chapel
Kids crafty classes including making fairy gardens, decorating shells, tie dye, braclette making, decorating a pot and more.
🌎 12 Macclesfield Rd, Holmes Chapel, Crewe CW4 7NG
🎨Imaginators Northwich
📅 30 July, 6 & 12 Aug
Kids craft activites which are taking place at Abbeywood Gardens in Delamere. Including making a dream catcher, a fairy garden, story spoons
🎨 Artisanity at Glebe Farm
2 Aug Gelli Plate Botanical printing
3 Aug Crochet Mini Fidgets
30 Aug Intro to Lino printing
And lots more on their website
🌎 Glebe Farm, Peel Ln, Astbury, Congleton CW12 4RQ
🪡 Artisanity De - stash Craft Fair
📅 17 Aug
📌 at Glebe Farm
A craft fair with a twist, as we celebrate two years of the Glebe Farm Shop!
Expect a creative mix of local makers selling finished products alongside a car boot–style clear-out of craft supplies, tools, and materials. Whether you're hunting for handmade treasures or looking to stock up your craft stash, it's a day full of inspiration, bargains, and community spirit.
🎨 Cafe Glaze Sandbach
Family run pottery painting studio
Booking is essential for school holidays and weekends
🌎 9 Penda Way, Sandbach CW11 1GS
🎨 ScrapAdoo
Teen Sewing £30 & Family Crafts £12
July and August dates. Check out the website to find out more and to book.
🌎 Jack Ln, Farm, Moulton, Northwich CW9 8QD
🎨 Sandbach Art Room
The Art Room is run by non profit organisation Cheshire Arts for Health. Check out their website and socials for children's classes through out the summer holidays
🌎 2 Bradwall Rd, Sandbach CW11 1GR
🎨 Pottery Painting at Cheshire Craft at Blakemere
They have over 500 pieces of useful and decorative blank pottery to choose from. Prices range from £13 – £45+ which includes studio time, all resources, glazing and firing.
They don’t take bookings for pottery painting, just pop in!
🌎 Blakemere Village, Chester Rd, Cheshire, Northwich CW8 2EB
🎨Periwinkle & Clay Studio - Macclesfield
A lovely pottery studio where you can have a go at painting your chosen pot.
Address: Wood Street Mill, Wood Street, Macclesfield SK11 6JQ
🎨 Brookside Pottery
📅 Open Weekends & daily during holidays 10-4pm
They offer pottery painting in two styles - Paint and take the same day for our children’s range, or glaze and collect 2 weeks later for our full range.
🌎 Brookside Garden Centre, London Rd N, Poynton, Cheshire, Stockport SK12 1BY
🎨 Children's Craft Worlshops at Hobbycraft Crewe
📅 19 july - 31 Aug
Workshops including Beginner's Guide to Crochet, Kids' Silhouette Canvas Painting, Kids' Clay Vegetable Characters, Kids' Slime Making and Beginner's Guide to Acrylic Paint Pouring
🎨 Happy Hour Workshop
Soft play, role play, creative craft and painting for all ages.
Canvas painting, money jar painting, bracelet making, mirrors, combs and so many more! Most activities can be done within an hour, take home a nice souvenir or a gift for someone special. From £2
🌎 The Lowry Outlet Mall, The Quays, Salford M50 3AG
🎨 Sandbach Craftworks
Creative session for kids - come draw, paint and more. Check out details and dates on their website.
🌎 Sandbach Enterprise Centre, Bradwall Road, Sandbach, Cheshire. CW11 1DG
🎨 Crafts in the Corner at Blakemere
⏰ Open 10:15 daily
Drop-in Craft Activities
Get creative with painting, decoupage, sand art, kids’ jewellery making and more! No booking needed - just drop in and start crafting.
🎨 The Craft Room Tarporley
Art classes for children
Paint your pet" Wed 6/8/25 10-3pm £45
Cupcake" Tue 12/8/25 10-3pm £45
🎨 Needlessly Felted
Workshops at a variety of venues in Cheshire suitsble for ages 8+ and adults including
The Craft Cabin at Hopley House - 24th July - Wet felting
MIni landscape card or brooch - Sam Dale Holmes Chapel 19 Aug 6 -8pm
Check out the website for more dates and locations
⭐Perfect for Little ones
⭐ Mini Land Rover Track Experience at Bidlea Dairy
📅 Every weekend in July & every day in August
No pre-booking required
Open 10am - 3pm
Drivers : 4-10 years
Passengers: 2 - 4 years
2 Laps - £7 - 4 Laps - £10
Cash & card accepted
🌎 Bidlea Dairy Orchards Farm Twemlow Lane Holmes Chapel Cheshire CW4 8DS
🚗Track Fest is back for the Summer Holidays
Sandbach Masonic Hall 📅 28th-29th July, 5th-6th & 21st-22nd Aug
Middlewich Masonic Hall 📅 13th-14th , 25th Aug
👍🏁🏆If your kids love car tracks but only play with them for 10 mins, take up loads of space and you're left to tidy them up! Track Fest have over 30 tracks and fun activities..Please check out my follow-up events 👍🏁
🛝Wild Tots Play Cafe - Northwich
The play cafe features a fantastic role-play café and market, plus a dedicated toddler-only area and a cosy baby sensory zone. The adventure play area encourages climbing, crawling, and plenty of imaginative play. At its heart is a large wooden structure with high nets, towers, and that impressively speedy slide. Beneath it, kids can explore grassy mounds, tunnels, and bridges. It’s an ideal spot to meet up with friends or treat the kids after a shopping trip in Northwich.
👄 TinyTalk Northwich & Knutsford
Babysign and Toddler Talking classes over summer holiday. Communicate with your baby before they can speak.
Promote language development with your Toddler, with fun topics and activities such as parachutes and bubbles.
• Knutsford (brook street chapel)
📅 Wed July 30th & Wed August 13th
• Hartford Methodist Church
📅 Tues August 5th
• Riverside organic
📅 Friday August 15th
Website - Tinytalk.co.uk/beckyjackman
Booking link
Email - Beckyjackman@tinytalk.co.uk - 07866 730975
🥾 Walking Mums Cheshire
Walking Mums are on a mission to fill the Summer with fun, activities to help Mums keep children (of varying ages) entertained. From mum and child fitness sessions to Teddy bears picnics and everything in between. There will of course also be lots of planned walks and the occasional hike too. See the website for details
🍦The Ice Cream Farm
A great day out including the sand and water play, soft play barn, inflatables, bouncing pillows, go karts, adventure golf and lots of free play. Don't forget an ice cream.
🐐 Wheelock Farm
📅 Open every day
Indoor soft play, outdoor Adventure playground, bouncing pillow, cafe and farm shop.
Magical Malpas PYO farm
📅Magical Malpas role village OPEN on select dates throughout July & August 2025.
With a role play village with a vets, hairdressers, supermarket, emergencies, hospital, campsite, construction site, museum and much more! There are also animals to meet and a playground.
Their Sunflower field with fairies and elves will be open over summer.
Address: Malpas Road, Agden, Malpas, Cheshire, Malpas SY13 4RB
🐇 Alice in Wonderland at Z-Arts
📅 Starting from 8th April
An enchanting play experience which invites families to explore Wonderland. Follow the White Rabbit into scenes from the beloved book. Make friends with the Cheshire Cat, have tea as the Mad Hatter, get lost in a card maze, and wake up back on the riverbank, just in time for tea. For ages 1 - 8
🎨Imagine That in Liverpool
A fun-filled experience through four different zones. Each zone designed with a unique blend of imagination, creation and learning to stimulate the minds of all ages. Play shop in the Imagination Role Play Village, then head to the Arts and Crafts area with a stop off at the outside play area. Next is the hands on Science Area and to finish your visit at the Slime Factory.
⭐Sunflower Maze & Maize Maze
For my full list of Maize Maze & Sunflower Trails Click Here Maize Maze & Sunflower Trails in Cheshire & Beyond (daysoutandmealsout.com)
Kenyon Hall Farm
Maize Maze
Open Mid July
Navigate the towering maize crop to find the hidden characters. It's a fun, affordable activity loved by children of all ages.
Fruit Picking
There is lots to pick at Kenyon Hall Farm, including strawberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, tayberries, chuckleberries and dessert gooseberries to pick today. No bookings required, just arrive between 10am - 4pm.
Address: Winwick Lane. Croft, Warrington, WA3 7ED
Website: Kenyon Hall Farm
Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm
Sunflower Maze
Open from Late July till Sept
Characters to find with in the maze using a trail sheet. Great activity for children and a lovely cafe to visit.
Address: Ash Farm Station Road, Dunham Massey, Altrincham WA14 5SG
Great Budworth Ice Cream Farm
Sunflower Maze
Opening Late July
A fun Sunflower Maze with a trail sheet, we always really enjoy this as the trail sheet is normally really fun and a bit of a challenge. Afterwards meet some of the goats and have an ice cream at the cafe.
Address: New Westage Farm Heath Lane, Northwich CW9 6ND
Website: Home - Ice Cream Farm
⭐Summer of Play at National Trusts
Summer at Tatton Park National Trust
⭐ 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' at Tatton Park
📅 19th July - 7th Sept
The park has teamed up with Wild in Art to create an outdoor arts trail based on the beloved children's story.
Set off on the hunt for eight bear sculptures in the gardens, with two more at the farm.
The sculptures have been designed by artists for Wild in Art, and are inspired by the classic tale by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.
Address: Mereheath Drive, Knutsford WA16 6QN
Website: Tatton Park
Summer of Adventures at Tatton Park Farm
📅 22 July – 22nd Aug
This summer, head down to the farm for a fun-filled day out! From getting up close and personal with all your farmyard favourites to delicious cookery demonstrations.
• Taster Tuesdays:
Sweeten your summer with our honey-themed Taster Tuesdays.
• Planet Friendly Fridays:
Get hands-on with science and sustainability.
Be a Human Generator: Hop on our electrical interactive bike and light up the room, literally!
🚗 Tatton Park Parking
Parkland vehicle entry fee is normally £9 mid-week and £10 at weekends. If you think you will visit a few times its worth getting a parkland pass for summer 2025, the pass is just £20, which means you can visit the Parkland as many times as you want between 23rd July – 3rd September. Passes must be purchased online before the 31st July 2025.
☀️Summer of Play at Biddulph Grange
📅 19 July - 31 Aug
Throughout the garden, there will be a variety of different games and activities. From racquet games on the Tennis Lawn, bowls on the Bowling Green, super-sized games near the Geological Gallery to the play area on Woodland Walk.
Address: Grange Road, Biddulph ST8 7SD
☀️Summer of play at Hare Hill National Trust
📅 19 July – 31 August 2025
Water Wonders Trail
'Where does it come from, where does it go, explore the journey of H2O!' Go with the flow and follow the self-led trail though the gardens at Hare Hill.
Address: Prestbury Road, Over Alderley, Macclesfield SK10 4PY
⭐ Summer of play at Quarry Bank Mill
📅 19th July – 1st Sept
• Fourth Floor Play Hub – with soft play, fancy dress, puppet shows, giant board games and more.
• Mill Meadow – Explore, build and create with nature bingo, loose parts play, and a maze
• Discovery Zone – Craft, play and enjoy traditional games Every day of the holidays is different with fun for the whole family:
• Magic Mondays Spellbinding storytelling with Histrionics – tales told throughout the day.
• Travel Tuesdays Adventure awaits! Become a pirate for the day or go on a spotter walk with your furry companion.
• Woodland Wednesdays Head outdoors for den building and minibeast hunts in the woods.
• Theatre Thursdays Get dramatic with theatre games and prop-making – or perform on our Fourth-Floor stage.
• Fitness Fridays Ready, steady, go! Take on Sports Day classics and our fun obstacle course.
• Wild Weekends
Saturdays – Zoolab Encounters Meet marvellous creatures up close. *Pre-booked ticketed event
• Sundays – Nature Crafts & Scavenger Hunts Create, explore and uncover nature’s treasures.
Address: Quarry Bank Road, Styal, Wilmslow SK9 4LA
☀️Summer of Play Dunham Massey
Play Every Day
📅 19 July – 31 Aug
From circus skills to storytelling, check the summer schedule for daily activities in the North Park Play Hub.
• Movement Mondays - Balance and bend in a yoga workshop or bust a move with break dancing.
Dance 21 July, 5 and 18 August
Yoga 28 July, 11 and 25 August
• Circus Tuesdays - have a go at circus skills workshops with local partners The Circus House.
• Wordy Wednesdays - Curl up with a story from our pop-up book nook, add to our summer word tree or create your own nature inspired poem.
• Arty Thursdays - Have fun with foliage and flowers and take inspiration from the nature around you.
• Fancy Dress Fridays - Come along in your favourite fancy dress
• Storytelling Sat & Sun - nestled amongst the ancient trees sits the story throne. Join one of our skilled storytellers for an immersive adventure of the imagination
Address: Dunham Massey Hall, Altrincham WA14 4SJ
Website: Dunham Massey | Cheshire | National Trust
☀️ Summer of Play at Speke Hall - National Trust
📅 21st July - 31st Aug 2025
Share the joy of play with a wide range of activities, challenges and magical moments, there will be something for everyone, meaning you can play in your own way! From making mud pies, running races, opportunities to build and create and getting cosy with a good book.
Address: The Walk, Speke, Liverpool, L24 1XD
☀️Summer of play at Lyme Park National Trust
📅 18 July – 7 Sept 2025
Experience Summer of Play with a host of imaginative and hands-on activities all over Lyme.
🏠 In the house: Recreate Thomas Legh’s travels through Egypt with shadow puppets, brave crocodile-infested waters and camp under the shadows of the pyramids.
🌼 In the Garden: experience the locations of Pride & Prejudice through the eyes of a child. Visit one of Meryton’s shops on the West Terrace, get creative at the outdoor weaving stations, hop and jump along the obstacle course, perform on stage, or dance at the Netherfield Ball on the Top Lawn.
💧At the Mill Pond (Thurs only): make a splash and discover the moorland through games and interactive activities.
🔥 At the Boiler House: Attend the Riverlands Silent Pond Disco, curl up with a book in the nature reading corner and play nature-themed board games.
Address: Disley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 2NR
☀️Summer of Play Shugborough Estate
📅 12 July - 7 Sept
Set sail on the haybale ship ‘HMS Shugborough’, and toddler sized haybale tugboat, explore the play hub complete with sandpits, maze and outdoor games. With a weekly calendar of activities including yoga, tree climbing and disc golf there is plenty to see and do.
📅 25 June - 7 Sept
Ben Plants a Butterfly Garden Storybook Trail
Join beloved Kate Petty and Axel Scheffler character Ben, on his journey to grow a butterfly garden. Along with his friends Lady Bird and Worm as they learn about growing plants and encouraging butterflies.
⭐ Summer of Play: Past Playdays at Little Moreton Hall
📅 19 July - 31 Aug
Have fun exploring our blast from the past self-led trail of play! Travel through time, without the need for a time machine, from Tudor to present day, as you delve into the history of games in the outdoors. Will you come across a familiar favourite or discover a new game to give a go?
Address: Newcastle Road, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 4SD
⭐ Summer of Play at The Children's Country House
📅 25 July - 1 Sept
Take part in a variety of themed play zones designed for hands-on, interactive fun that's ideal for the young and the young-at-heart. Plus, the Hall and Museum of Childhood will be open daily
⭐Outdoor Cinema
🎥 Outdoor Cinema at Tatton Park
📅 23 - 25 August 2025
Tatton Park is transformed into an outdoor cinema paradise!
With 80s film classics and family favourites including
Sat 23rd - Grease
Sun 24th - Wicked, Encanto & Top Gun
Mon 25th - Shrek & The Greatest Showman
🎥 Moon light flicks – Grovesnor Park & Claremont Farm
📅 10 July – 25 Aug 2025
This summer, settle in under the stars as the picturesque Grosvenor Park and Claremont Farm set the stage for movie magic. With both family favourites and classic films including Dirty Dancing, The Greatest Showman, Pretty Woman, Mama Mia, Wicked and Paddington in Puru plus many more.
🎥 Adventure cinema – Lyme Park National Trust
📅 11 - 14 Sept 2025
Grab a picnic, chair and friends and watch a film in the grounds of Lymm Park. With films including
11th - Bridget Jones' Diary (15)
12th - The Greatest Showman Sing-A-Long (PG)
13th - Grease Sing-A-Long (PG)
14th - Pride and Prejudice (U)
🎥 Screen on the Docks at Media City
FREE Open Air Screen
📅 2 June - 31 Aug 2025
This summer they are showing film classics like Dirty Dancing and Forrest Gump, family favourites including Wicked and Moana 2, plus popular sports including Wimbledon and the Women’s Euros – all completely FREE throughout the summer.
⭐ Theatre & Shows 2025
🎭 Horrible Histories at Crewe Lyceum
Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians
📅 1st August 1.30pm, 4.30pm
Are you ready to swing with a Georgian king? Does the Duke of Wellington get the boot? Would you stand and deliver to dastardly Dick Turpin?
Don’t miss this horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in!
🎭 The Twelfth Night Performed by The Lord Chamberlains Men at Alderford Lake
📅 12th Aug 7pm
Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men this summer, in their 21st year, for Shakespeare’s greatest romantic comedy, Twelfth Night. With a history stretching back to William Shakespeare’s original company, they present this joyous play as he first saw it – in the open air, with an all male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.
Bring a chair and a picnic and prepare to be entertained and transported. Book early to avoid missing out!
Gates open at 6pm and show starts at 7pm.
🎭Outdoor theatre at Quarry Bank
Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth - Double bill
📅 Sun 20 July 5pm
From the dark tragedy of Macbeth, with raw ambition, betrayal, and supernatural prophecy, to the hard-hitting passion, violence, and urgency of Romeo and Juliet, A Place For Us Theatre presents these five-star-acclaimed, abridged, and accessible visceral versions of Shakespeare's chilling plays.
🎭 Outdoor theatre - Breadcrumbs presented by Wrongsemble
📅 Sat 9 Aug 12 + 2.30pm
Breadcrumbs," a family show by Wrongsemble, tells the story of Hansel and Gretel, two siblings who argue about everything. When they find themselves lost in the enchanted forest, they must put aside their differences to find their way home with only a trail of breadcrumbs to guide them. The show features music, magic, and puppetry, celebrating how even the simplest stories can become the wildest fairy tales.
🎭Milkshake! Live – Milkshake! On Holiday at Parr Hall
📅 31 Jul 2025, 12:30pm
Pack your bags and jump aboard the Milkshake! train as we go on an all singing, all dancing holiday together!
🎭Sweet & Sour – The Ultimate Tribute To Olivia Rodrigo & Sabrina Carpenter at Parr Hall
📅 14 Aug 7:30pm
Feel the intensity of Olivia’s raw, emotional ballads like Drivers License and Vampire, and let loose to Sabrina’s unapologetic anthems like Please, Please, Please and Nonsense.
🎭 Folksy Theatre at Hare Hill with an outdoor production of Robin Hood!
📅 26th Aug 6pm
A brand new musical adaptation of the classic tale of Robin Hood, in the Walled Garden at Hare Hill.
Filled with Folksy’s signature live music, audience interaction, and delightful silliness, this adaptation promises to have you laughing and singing along!
Book your tickets now on the Folksy Theatre website: https://folksytheatre.co.uk/
⭐ Open Air Theatre with Storyhouse Chester
https://www.storyhouse.com/open-air-venues/grosvenor-park-open-air-theatre/
Alice in Wonderland walkabout experience
📅25th July - 30th Aug
Little ones will meet curious characters as they journey through the park, ending in a joyful finale inside the open-air theatre. It’s the perfect way to spark young imaginations and introduce children to the magic of live performance. For under 10s
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
📅18th July - 30th Aug
In modern-day Chester, renowned detectives Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are thrust into the spotlight as they’re drawn into their most intriguing, and personal, mystery yet.
Age guidance 10+
Pride & Prejudice
📅4th July - 31st Aug
Packed with sparkling dialogue, music and dancing; Pride & Prejudice sweeps you into the Regency countryside. As hearts collide and sparks fly, spirited Elizabeth Bennet and brooding Mr. Darcy find themselves entangled in a tale of mismatches, misunderstandings and unexpected romance.
The Koala Who Could at Storyhouse Chester
📅1st - 3rd Aug
Join Kevin, King of the staying-still-kings, and his friends kangaroo and wombat in an Australian Outback adventure, as they learn that “life can be great when you try something new!”
https://www.storyhouse.com/whats-on/the-koala-who-could/
🎭 Out of the Deep Blue at Waterside Arts
📅 26th & 27th July
FREE - A moving tale about our earth's climate emergency told through dance, movement, and masterful puppeteering. Ideal for children and family audiences
Out of the Deep Blue is a tale told in two parts - an interactive walkabout of the Sea Giant Eko and a physical theatre duet with little Violet.
https://watersidearts.org/events/out-of-the-deep-blue/
Stockport Plaza Shows
Fireman Sam – The Great Camping Adventure
📅Saturday 26th July at 12.30pm & 3.30pm
Norman wants to go on an adventure to impress his friends, so when two famous animal explorers arrive in Pontypandy, he decides to follow them into the mountains.
🎭Tom Gates EPIC Stage Show
📅Sunday 27th July at 12.30pm & 3.30pm
With catchy tunes and hilarious performances, this fantastic new stage show brings the best of the Brilliant World of Tom Gates into one live show!
🎭Horrible Histories: Gorgeous Georgians & Vile Victorians
📅Sunday 17th August at 2.00pm & 5.00pm
Don’t miss this horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in!
The Lowry Shows
🎭 In the Night Garden
📅 26th & 27th July
See all your favourite characters beautifully brought to life with full-size costumes, magical puppets, and enchanting music. This show lasts just under an hour with a very special visit from the amazing flying Pinky Ponk
https://thelowry.com/whats-on/347//in-the-night-garden-live
🎭 Six Live!
📅 29th July - 3rd Aug
From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power
https://thelowry.com/whats-on/299//six
🎭 A Squash and A Squeeze
📅 5th - 24th Aug
A heartwarming and hilarious adventure, full of beautiful puppets and enchanting songs. Written and illustrated by the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
⭐Theme Parks
🎡 See Bing & Flop at Gulliver's World Warrington
📅 5 July - 1 Sept 2025
Bing and Flop will be making appearances together throughout the day.
Summer Sparks Spectacular at Gullivers - 30th Aug
Enjoy extra ride time with our extended opening hours (10:30am - 8:30pm) ahead of a fantastic fireworks display starting at approximately 8:45pm!
🎢 Alton Towers
📅 Open every day
Alton Towers is home to over 40 iconic rides and attractions, so there's something for everyone, whether you like little thrills or adrenaline-pumping rides! There are plenty of head-spinning, heart-pounding, world-class rollercoasters, such as Spinball Whizzer, Hex, and Wicker Man.
🎡LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
With various activities and events during the summer holidays, including a brand-new LEGO City: No Limits! show, and attractions like Drench Towers and Pirate Falls.
LEGO City: No Limits! Show:
A new show running from August 1st to 31st.
🎡Chessington World of Adventure
📅 Open daily
Head to the park for a family adventure and find more than 40 rides and attractions across 10 exciting themed lands, as well as a SEA LIFE centre and zoo with more than 1,000 animals
⭐ Free & Low Cost Places to Visit
For my full list of Free Days Out click Here
🛝 Parktastic FREE games in Manchester Parks
📅 21 July - 29 Aug
This summer, 54 parks across Manchester are turning into play zones as part of the Summer of Play!
🕔 When? During the Summer Holidays- Every session runs from 5–7pm
🍎 What’s included? Outdoor games, fun activities, snacks & drinks — all for free!
📍 Where? All across the city
👉 Find out more: https://childfriendlymanchester.co.uk/news/parktastic/
🦖FREE Prehistoric fun at Trentham shopping village!
To celebrate the release of the new Jurassic Park film, they're bringing dinosaurs to life with two epic FREE events for fans of all ages. 🦖
🌟 Dinosaur Day — 11 August
Join us for a roar-some adventure! Meet Emily the Diplodocus, snap selfies with baby dinosaurs, and enjoy Jurassic fun at every turn.
🎟 Free family-friendly event
📸 Plenty of photo opportunities
👨👩👧👦 Perfect for dino lovers of all ages
🌿 Dinosaur Trail — 21 July to 31 August
Go on a FREE prehistoric hunt all summer long! Follow our Dinosaur Trail through the shopping village and track down Jennifer the Venifer, Darcey the Dromaeosaurus, Tulula the T-Rex, and Stan the Stegosaurus hidden among the shops.
🔍 Fun for all ages - from little explorers to grown-up fossil fans
🍽 Refuel at cafés, restaurants and snack stops along the way
📅 Make it a full day out with friends and family with a trip to the gardens
Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/TrenthamDinosaurTrail
The Great Northern Giant Summer Sandpit
📅 13 July - 31 Aug
FREE to visit
Great Northern Warehouse’s iconic amphitheatre has reopened its newly redesigned playhouse and ever popular giant sandpit this week for families to enjoy throughout the summer. With 50 tonnes of sand, some wooden logs to sit on and play with and buckets and spades to borrow, it’s the perfect place to stop off.
fun space for kids to play and let their imagination run wild while parents and guardians relax.
🌳 Wondrous Trees at National Arboretum Stafforshire
📅 19 July - 31 Aug 2025 10am - 5pm
FREE
Let the stories, science and sounds of the Arboretum’s trees inspire you as you discover the importance of the trees, their connection with humans and the wildlife that calls our woodland habitats their home. With activities including:
🎶 Music Making Workshops
Let your child’s creativity take root in our interactive music workshop, where the wonders of trees inspire rhythm, song and music.
🎭 B'Opera presents: Alice and the Library Tree - 3-5 years
Come and find out in this magical interactive production, a whistlestop tour of beautiful music by Handel, Mozart, Beethoven and more, woven around nursery rhymes, folksong, and original music.
📖 Interactive Storytelling
Join us as we bring to life the book “ Tree Full of Wonder” a journey into the heart of nature.
🎨 Arts and Crafts
For younger visitors, get crafty with twigs, leaves, feathers, and more!
☀️Summer is ON at Liverpool ONE! ☀
11 jul - 31 Aug
🎹 Tickle the Ivories (now in its 15th year!) is back – and they're launching it in style with the one and only Brad Kella
🏖 Summer on the Park brings a FREE beach, family-friendly rides and FREE sporting sessions
🤸♀ Olympian Beth Tweddle will help us kick off our FREE sports sessions
♟ ChessFest will return
Plus, there’s loads of family fun to enjoy across the stores, restaurants and entertainment venues!
🪙 FREE Treasure Hunt Trail at Tittlesworth Reservoir
📅 1 - 31 Aug 2025 10am-4pm
Test your fact hunting skills around the site. Grab a sheet and follow the clues to find answers to the questions. When you've finished you can pop your sheet into the box to be entered into a draw for a whole host of goodies!
Address: Meerbrook, Leek ST13 8SW
🎞 FREE Big Summer Screen at Trafford Pallazo
📅From 1st July
This summer we're bringing all the live sport including Wimbledon, Women's Euros and F1 Grand Prix, favourite films and more to Trafford Palazzo
Keep and eye on their weekly schedule here
📚 Z-arts FREE family-friendly fun, including storytelling and drop in Arts and Crafts!
📅 29 July – 23 August
Each week will have a different theme inspired by our Adventures in Wonderland experience.
• Week 1 is themed on Tea Parties!
• Week 2 is themed on birds!
• Week 3 is themed on magical creatures!
• Week 4 is themed on hares and rabbits!
Please note that storytelling sessions (11:30am, 12:30pm & 1:30pm) must be booked but our Arts & Crafts activities are drop-in.
Walton Hall & Gardens
Children's playground, a zoo, gardens, fairground rides and cafe.
Buxton Pavillion Gardens
Children's playground, gardens, boating lake to hire a pedalo, shop and cafe
Glebe Farm
Open daily and FREE to visit
Animals to meet and feed, tractor ride, a lovely cafe, independent shops and a children's playground and shops
Runway Visitor Park Altrincham
With a playground, fairground rides, cafe and plenty of planes to watch land and take off.
Just pay for parking. Full Review here https://www.daysoutandmealsout.com/attractions/the-runway-visitor-park-manchester-
Chester for the day
Visit Chester Cathedral for a small donation, walk along the city walls, take a picnic to Grosvenor Park and sit and watch the boats on the River Dee
Here are more ideas for days out in general
⭐Rainy Day Ideas can be found here
⭐There are plenty of Free Days out Here
⭐Ideas for Teenagers and Older Children
⭐Family Friendly Walks are always a great activity with a picnic or cafe
Follow me on Facebook for lots for ideas I'll be sharing over the Summer Holidays
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