Writer, poet and comedian Kate Fox has been in residence at Quarry Bank Mill in Styal, exploring the role of women at a cotton mill both past and present. Join her in a drop-in session where poetry and textiles will be explored in a fun and informal way, with Kate weaving words into on-the-spot poetry. The cost of the workshop is included in the admission price to Quarry Bank; see website for details.
Swerve the queues at Manchester Airport, while enjoying food and drink curated by The French’s Adam Reid.
Manchester’s largest 4-star hotel brings a new standard of accommodation and hospitality to the Manchester Airport complex.
Firin serves up great quality Turkish cuisine at Manchester Airport.
Wythenshawe Forum comprises co-located services and a hub for community and business. The venue has leisure facilities as well as a performance space and complete library services.
Charming independent pizza and cocktail bar in Alderley Edge, that prides itself on only using the freshest ingredients.
High-end Chinese restaurant that combines traditional Cantonese cooking and modern ideas. Based in Alderley Edge.
This is one of our favourite cosy pubs: not far from Manchester, The Church Inn is Grade II-listed and dates back to the 18th-century.
Bhaji Pala is an all-vegan Indian small-plates restaurant at the heart of the booming South Manchester food scene.
Cheshire Art Gallery sells and displays talent from all across the UK, with pioneering and exciting works making this space a must-visit.
Simply Books is an award-winning independent bookshop based in the heart of Bramhall.
Greenhouse Books stocks a range of reading material, both brand-new and secondhand.
Throughout 2025, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is celebrating its tenth anniversary, having first opened to the public a decade ago.
from £0.00
Throughout 2025, the team at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is taking a deep dive into Ruth, one of the famous 19th-century author’s most shocking texts.
from £6.00
Lancaster Literature Festival, or Litfest to its friends, is rolling out its 46th programme, having created a variety of events for its audiences since 1978.
from £3.00
Various independent publishing houses set out their stalls at the Northern Publishers’ Fair at Manchester Central Library.
free entry
Poets & Players is a must-go for lovers of words and music, presenting poets established and emerging, with the latest readers Katharine Towers, Sascha Akhtar and Victoria Gatehouse.
free entry
Expect an unforgettable evening of captivating conversation as award-winning poet, memoirist, novelist and literary critic Seán Hewitt reads from his eagerly awaited debut novel.
from £5.00
Now in its 20th year, Manchester Literature Festival is presenting a special programme of spring events.
from £8.00
Poetry at the Dusty Miller is a now regular night with invited readers, organised by Carcanet-published Carola Luther and Judith Willson in the Coiners’ Room in the Mytholmroyd pub.
free entry
Spring is here and the North is buzzing with must-visit new restaurants and bars.
Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring.
Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.
Crocodile-themed Easter egg hunts, sense-sational museum trips and more this Easter!
Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month
We've got many a good time in store this month as we round up the best walking tours, cultural classes and makers markets in the land.
Dynamic dance, party-performance, high-energy stand-up and a site-specific show set in a pub. All this and more in our newest theatre guide.
If it's inspiring, inclusive events and avant-garde, experimental afternoons you're after, look no further than live literature this spring – we've got you covered.
