{"id":5225,"date":"2015-08-12T07:44:13","date_gmt":"2015-08-12T07:44:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/?p=5225"},"modified":"2023-03-28T13:48:16","modified_gmt":"2023-03-28T13:48:16","slug":"family-days-out-in-manchester","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/family-adventures\/family-days-out-in-manchester\/","title":{"rendered":"Family Days Out In Manchester"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Garden

Manchester Urban Gardening Festival by City Co. Photo \u00a9 markwaugh.Net<\/p><\/div>

This year, with a slew of new galleries, festivals and theatres signalling the start of a cultural renaissance in the city, a pilgrimage to Manchester should be high on your summer itinerary.<\/p>\n

And with 11 of Travelodge’s<\/span><\/a> value hotels dotted all around Manchester, including three hotels in the city centre, your weekend needn’t cost you a Damien Hirst diamond skull.<\/p>\n

Here’s our pick of Manchester’s unmissable summer programme…<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0HOME<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

This ‘international centre for contemporary visual arts, theatre and film’ (try saying that three times fast) has followed up its May opening weekend with a packed programme of events, exhibitions and screenings.<\/p>\n

Sundance Film Festival-favourite Listen Up Philip<\/em>, in which Jason Schwartzman plays a misanthropic writer, is currently showing at the cinema.<\/p>\n

But our tip would be to set aside a day for the two exhibitions.<\/p>\n

\"Douglas

Douglas Coupland’s everywhere is anywhere is anything is everything<\/p><\/div>

Group show The heart is deceitful above all things<\/em> is a mixed media exploration of love, heartbreak and revenge.<\/p>\n

While Magda Archer’s #givemeeverythingandnothingbaby<\/em> is an acid-bright print show that looks at our obsession with social media and self.<\/p>\n

You’ll leave feeling very clued-up.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0Manchester International Festival<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

This biennial arts and culture festival always makes for a fantastic two weeks.<\/p>\n

It’s not just the fact that each of Manchester’s cultural institutions will put on extra special performances and exhibitions, it’s also the buzzy atmosphere as artists and art-lovers descend on the city centre for two weeks of celebration and showmanship.<\/p>\n

It’s hard to pick a single must-see, but wonder.land<\/em> (a musical scored by Damon Albarn and based on Alice in Wonderland<\/em>) is sure to be brilliant.<\/p>\n

\"Eye

Age of Starlight, visual concept Peter Saville & Hemisphere. Photo \u00a9 ESO P.D. Barthel<\/p><\/div>

Beyond that, The Age of Starlight<\/em> is a whole experience written by Professor Brian Cox, which looks at man’s origins and the future of the planet – deep!<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0Dig the City<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

For this city-wide celebration of plants, animals and fantastic food, Manchester plays host brings out colourful show gardens.<\/p>\n

\"Family

Dig the City. Photo \u00a9 Phil Tragen<\/p><\/div>

A family day out with a difference, Dig the City has al fresco dining, horticultural talks and workshops, and a whole programme of events to keep kids delighted without television or mobile games. They’ll be running around in search of creepy crawlies or trying their hand at nature art.<\/p>\n

With pop-up meadows and allotments turning the city centre into a giant pleasure garden, it’s a great way to get inspiration for your own city plot.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0Manchester Literature Festival<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

If you’re all about the books then be sure to keep an eye on the programme of September’s literature festival.<\/p>\n

Already confirmed is literary giant Margaret Atwood (T<\/em>he Handmaid’s Tale<\/em>, Cat’s Eye<\/em>, The Blind Assassin<\/em>) who will be discussing her forthcoming novel The Heart Goes Last.<\/em><\/p>\n

Talks, special readings and workshops form the backbone of the festival, which also features a dedicated kids programme to spark young imaginations.<\/p>\n

Come and see how much there is to do in Manchester!<\/p>\n