Conveniently situated just a couple of minutes from Piccadilly Station, ABode Manchester is one of the city’s quirkier hotels. Rooms go from ‘comfortable’ and ‘desirable’ to ‘enviable’ and ‘fabulous’, while the former are a nice, the latter offer up something truly boutique. If your budget can stretch to it, the spacious, contemporary loft suites are wonderful place to plan your next adventure around Manchester.
Eat your way through the dairy based delights of Manchester, with the Manchester Cheese Crawl walking tour.
from £25
Join Craft Beer Tour Manchester for a journey through some of the cities best local breweries and artisanal beer serving bars. Discover the personality of Manchester’s beer through a diverse range of pints.
from £35
Join expert teacher Ula for relaxed painting workshops that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.
from £24.30
Try your hand at stand up comedy with an eight week intensive course with Dave Williams in the Frog and Bucket’s School of Comedy.
from £300.00
The Old Dock tour is a treat for younger and older visitors alike, fans of Liverpool’s maritime past, and anybody curious about local history.
£8.50 with concessions
Join Manchester Sacred Harp for an afternoon of uplifting four-part harmony social singing at Whitworth Art Gallery.
free entry
Explore incredible objects from the world-renowned theoretical physicist’s office in this special display.
free entry
Whether you’re a high-fashion fanatic or just couture curious, Unpicking Couture gets up close and personal with pivotal moments in fashion history.
free entry
The Botanical Gin Garden is a seasonal outdoor gin bar, open six months a year, serving a wide selection of delicious gin drinks.
Cafe Tabac is the longest running café bar in Liverpool, serving food and drinks to arty locals and curious newcomers.
Formerly a vintage chemist, McGuffie’s is a cosy cocktail bar located in a historic venue on Liverpool’s Castle Street.
Dead Air Records is a vinyl shop in Liverpool, offering a perfectly curated selection of records and a friendly space for music lovers.
The ultimate destination for seasoned plant lovers and beginners alike, Root sell a wide selection of gorgeous houseplants.
Resurrection is a long-established clothes shop, selling quirky items from both larger and niche brands to Liverpool’s fashion lovers.
Belzan is a modern bistro serving delicious food in a relaxed and friendly setting, in an unexpected location.
A Scandi-inspired restaurants that celebrates Northern hospitality, with a seasonal menu made from locally-sourced ingredients.
Mahoe Blue is a bar and bistro that serves authentic Jamaican food in a cosy venue in South Liverpool.
The largest of Rough Trade stores, it’s record shop, event space and concert venue in the heart of Liverpool, complete with its own gift shop
A disused bank vault now conceals a unique gallery space and filming location, championing local creatives and their vision.
Lake Gallery is an artist-run space in West Kirby, showcasing fine art and contemporary craft in regularly changing exhibitions.
Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we head into the new year.
Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.
From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.
From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.
Get creative, allow yourself to be curious and learn something new with this month's tours and activities guide.
Looking for the best winter meals the North has to offer? This month's guide to food and drink has the lot.
As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.
It might be chilly out there, but we're shining our lantern light on some events that will warm the cockles.
