There’s a whole host of exciting exhibitions and activities to catch at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester over the festive period.
One of the highlights in the iconic museum’s winter events calendar is the last work by one of Britain’s best loved artists, sculptors, and famed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang creator Rowland Emett – which is now on display in Manchester for the first time in the Textiles gallery until April 2022.
Constructed in 1984, the unique moving sculpture named – which is named ‘A Quiet Afternoon in the Cloud Cuckoo Valley’ – was saved for the UK after being purchased for the Science Museum Group Collection with support from Art Fund, the Science Museum Foundation, the Friends of the National Railway Museum and private donors, and visitors are now able to see two scenes from the work of art telling the story of a journey aboard the imaginary ‘Far Tottering and Oyster Creek Railway,’ based on one of his cartoons.
The two scenes – Far Tottering and Oyster Creek Railway, featuring the ‘Wild Goose’ locomotive, and Oyster Creek – will come to life twice a day at 11.30am and 2pm.
‘A Quiet Afternoon in the Cloud Cuckoo Valley’ is now on display in Manchester for the first time until April 2022 / Credit: Science and Industry Museum
Visitors will be treated to “cogs whirring, characters toasting teacakes, and catching butterflies”, while also getting the chance to discover what the newly-arrived sculpture has in common with the museum’s thundering textiles machinery.
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Born in London in 1906, Emett was known for creating a series of intricate mechanical sculptures based on his imaginative creations, and is famed most for the inventions of ‘Caractacus Potts’ in the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – including the flying car itself, and the Humbug-Major Sweet Machine.
Explore the whimsical world of marvellous machinery with 'A Quiet Afternoon in the Cloud Cuckoo Valley'.
This intricate and beautiful sculpture is now on display until Apr 2022 – watch the fantastical scene come to life at one of our daily demonstrations: https://t.co/teGpZilwUupic.twitter.com/ANrmQzKycS
If that wasn’t enough, from 18 December to 4 January, there’ll be some other “wondrous winter activities” will be bringing the magic of machinery to life.
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At 10.45am, 1.15pm, and 2.45pm each day, under 7s can take part in ‘Mini Movers’ to “roll, clank, whirr and clack” around the Textiles Gallery, and explore the machines through imitation, invention, and imagination, and then visitors of all ages can join the museum’s team of Explainers in the Textiles Gallery to make a simple wind-up toy from recyclable materials.
The ‘Experiment Gallery’ is also a firm-favourite with families, where science is brought to life through a series of interactive exhibits, from lifting a mini, to creating a hurricane.
There’s also two unmissable major exhibitions dedicated to medicine and music / Credit: Science and Industry Museum
For older families there are two unmissable major exhibitions dedicated to medicine and music.
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Brand-new headline exhibition Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope is the first major object-rich exhibition to explore the revolution in science transforming cancer care, while Use Hearing Protection: The early years of Factory Records lets you unearth the story of Factory Records’ formative years from 1978 to 1982, and how their innovative work in music, technology, and design gave Manchester an authentic voice and distinctive identity.
The Science and Industry Museum is also currently going through a multi-million pound restoration programme, which means that some areas – including the Power Hall – remain closed to the public.
But, there’s still plenty for families to do, see, and enjoy during the holidays.
Tickets for all winter activities at the Science and Industry Museum are available now and can be booked in advance on the museum’s website here, or by calling 033 0058 0058.
Featured Image – Drew Forsyth / Science and Industry Museum
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 5 – 11 June 2023
Emily Sergeant
Another new month is here, and so is the first taste of what’s set to be a Greater Manchester summer filled with fun.
The sun has been shining bright in the region over the last few weeks, and we’ve got an events calendar thats jam-packed full of festivals, family-friendly activities, Spring fairs, museum exhibitions, immersive experiences, and so much more to get stuck into now June is here.
Once again, we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide this week, so here’s our top picks.
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La Clique
Depot Mayfield
Monday 5 June – onwards
La Clique / Credit: Leslie Martin | Craig Sugden
A huge circus tent has been installed onto the roof of Depot Mayfield in Manchester, as the world-leading cabaret La Clique is in town.
The trailblazing show is visiting the city for a limited six-week run, featuring the best circus and cabaret acts in the world.
Presented by live entertainment company Underbelly, La Clique is wowing audiences with its genre-defining cabaret show, and for its Manchester stint, performers will include tension strap artist LJ Marles, singer Chastity Belt, aerial contortion artist Miranda Menzies, comedy and stunt performer Sam Goodburn, and more.
Totally Jurassic / Credit: Totally Roarsome – North West
A new Jurassic-themed trail has opened in Greater Manchester, and you can go back in time to when “dinosaurs ruled Earth”.
Described as being “an immersive dino experience” where families can walk among huge static dinosaur models, all while learning lots of fun facts and snapping photos along the way, Totally Jurassic has now opened in Walkden town centre, and tickets are available from as little as £5 per person.
It’s the latest pop-up family attraction by Totally Roarsome – which is one of the North West’s best-loved immersive events companies.
Chester Zoo is bringing its ‘after hours’ events back this summer after they proved so popular last year.
Giving visitors the chance to explore the UK’s biggest charity zoo “like never before”, the Into The Night series was launched to massive success in 2022, and offered unlimited access to animal habitats, indoor areas, and restaurants after hours for the first time ever.
And this summer, it’s back for animal lovers who missed out.
With tickets now on sale from as little as £10, Chester Zoo is inviting people to discover the zoo as the sun goes down with thrilling live entertainment, special guest appearances, and delicious food and drink.
Fancy trying out some new bars, and restaurants that have opened in Greater Manchester this month?
Summer is here, al fresco dining is on the cards, and it seems like the suburbs are having a moment again, as Urmston has not one but two exciting new openings to shout about, and Withington has just welcomed Almost Famous into its neighbourhood, as Manchester’s original dirty burger bar takes over the short-lived Libertine site.
Elsewhere, Gordon Ramsay moves into town with his Lucky Cat restaurant moving into the former Jamie’s Italian site at the top of King Street.
We think you’ll agree there’s a lot to look forward to now that June’s here, so if you’re looking for somewhere to grab a bite this week, we’ve rounded up some of the best new openings to try.
Stephen Hawking at Work / Credit: Science Museum Group
Mancs now now get up close to rare personal items of Stephen Hawking’s in a new exhibition that’s now opened down at the Science and Industry Museum.
Stephen Hawking at Work explores the remarkable life of a world-renowned scientist, who passed away in 2018 – with significant objects from his office giving an insight into his life as a scientist, science communicator, and as a person who lived with motor neurone disease.
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Highlights include a rare copy of his PhD thesis, and a wager he made with his peers about whether things that fall into a black hole are lost forever, while there’s also a ‘time traveller’ party invitation that he sent to his peers after the party had taken place, to prove that time travel to the past is impossible.
RHS Garden Bridgewater is back hosting another one of its ‘Walkies at Bridgewater’ evenings by popular demand this Monday, and it means dogs owners can take a stroll around the picturesque gardens with their canine companions when the Worsley-based park opens up its grounds from 4pm–7pm.
With the sun set to shine, RHS says the special event is the perfect time to explore the horticultural delights of the season with your four-legged friend.
A giant outdoor funfair full of vintage fairground rides and a circus is back at the Trafford Centre.
After several hugely-successful runs in both 2021 and 2022, the UK’s third largest shopping centre’s outdoor space has “sprung to life” once again, and is back with a whole host of thrilling rides, a glittering circus, and lots of delicious treats for the whole family to enjoy.
Spring Escape has popped up outside the Great Hall, and tickets are now available to buy for the wide range of events on offer.
Festival of Libraries 2023 / Credit: Manchester City of Literature
Festival of Libraries is back this week.
Known for being a worthy celebration of the role that Greater Manchester’s 133 libraries play in wellbeing, culture, creativity and more, Festival of Libraries is back for its third year and is set to host a wide range of activities at internationally-renowned institutions such as Central Library, Chetham’s Library, The Portico Library, John Rylands Library, and so many more.
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There’ll be live music, library exchanges, dance and theatre, poetry commissions, a writing trail, family-friendly activities that are all FREE to take part in.
Manchester’s largest street food fair, GRUB, is hosting its second Sour Sesh of the year to kick off summer this week, and it’s giving beer lovers the chance be introduced to a range of sour beers from a wide range of local breweries.
Pastore Brewing & Blending, Kirkstall Brewery, Runaway Brewery, Left Handed Giant Brewing, North Brewing Co, Pomona Island Brewery, and Neon Raptor Brewing Co are just some of the breweries you can expect to taste beers by.
Open Kitchen is hosting its second sustainable Wine Club night, and taking inspiration from a crowd favourite from last year, this one’s called ‘Chip, Dips & Sips’.
The Leftbank cafe / restaurant will serve a number of chef-made crisps and dips, along with other delicious nibbles that are made specifically to pair well with each of the curated wines, and you’ll also get to learn about how the selection of ethical wines are unique from the standard.
Fancy soaking up the atmosphere and watching the Champions League final surrounded by thousands of other football fans?
Well, there’s a massive fan park coming to Manchester that’ll let you do just that.
As Manchester City set their eyes firmly on what would be a historic treble title-winning season, the Sky Blues have a showdown against Inter Milan in the final of European football’s flagship tournament to get past first – and the UK’s leading sporting fanpark brand, 4TheFans, is inviting fans to catch all the action live at a huge Champions League-dedicated indoor and outdoor fan park.
Having taken place at Heaton Park since 2013, when it outgrew its original home in Platt Fields Park, this year’s event will take place on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 June, and features an absolutely packed lineup of huge local and global names like indie favourites The 1975, Manchester rapper Aitch, in-demand producer and DJ Fred Again.., and legends The Prodigy, alongside so many more.
The massive party is attended by some 80,000 people each day, and is one of the biggest events in Manchester’s cultural calendar.
You can find out everything you need to know about Parklife 2023 here.
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The Coronation Street Experience
ITV Studios
Sunday 11 June – onwards
The Coronation Street Experience / Credit: ITV
A brand-new Coronation Street Experience is opening this weekend, and it’s giving fans access to areas they previously haven’t been able to before.
The Coronation Street Tour is known for giving people the chance to discover the hidden world that lies behind the camera at the external sets at MediaCityUK in Salford, and now, the already award-winning experience is about to get even better as the new exhibition is set to extend the current 90-minute tour and make it even more “immersive” for fans.
You’ll get the opportunity to see Dierdre’s famous glasses up close, take a seat in Roy’s Rolls, or even stand behind the bar at The Rovers.
One of the most popular charity football events in the world is back in Manchester this weekend.
Soccer Aid for UNICEF returns to Old Trafford on Sunday 11 June, with Lionesses’ Euro 2022 winner, and Queen of The Jungle, Jill Scott captaining the England team, and iconic world champion sprinter, Usain Bolt, serving as captain for the World XI FC team.
Jack Wilshere, Joel Corry, Bugzy Malone, Karen Carney, Gary Cahill, Sir Mo Farah, Paddy McGuinness, Vicky McClure, Tom Grennan, Lee Mack, Gary Neville, and Paul Scholes are just some of the other big names lacing up their boots.
Featured Image – Parklife | 4TheFans | The Manc Eats
What's On
All the June Manchester restaurant deals, discounts and offers you need in 2023
Georgina Pellant
There are a surprising number of places doing some big 50% off deals in Manchester this month, and we’re so here for it.
From half-price brunches, tapas and burgers to meal deals under a tenner and set menus for less than £30, use these offers to save a pretty penny and support your favourite local restaurants and bars at the same time.
Keep reading to discover the best dining deals in Manchester this June.
50% off food and drink – Manchester June dining deals
Trof is offering 50% off its menu every Tuesday throughout June. / Image: Trof
Savoury French toast at Trof. / Image: Trof
Almost Famous
What is it: Manchester’s original dirty burger bar, now available in the suburbs after recently opening a new site in Withington.
The offer: £5 burgers.
T&Cs: Available at all sites until 4 June. Phoenix, Triple Nom, Famous, Juicy Double and Liberty Island burgers are all included.
The Blues Kitchen
What is it:
The offer: 90 minutes of bottomless buffalo or Korean wings for £12.
T&Cs: Available every Sunday between 12-6pm.
Corbieres
What is it:
The offer: Free pizza with every drink.
T&Cs: This applies when you follow the bar on Instagram. Available Tuesday to Friday from 4.30-7.30pm.
The Daisy
What is it:
The offer: £1.50 oysters and various drinks offers including £20 martini carafes.
T&Cs: Available from 4-7pm, first Friday of the month only.
The Drop
What is it:
The offer: Two for the price of one on big plates and boxes.
T&Cs: Available every Tuesday. Prebooking and purchase of one small plate are required to get the deal.
Elnecot
What is it:
The offer: Complimentary bar snacks when you order a drink from the Aperitivo list.
T&Cs: Available Monday to Thursday, 4-6.30pm.
Firefly
What is it:
The offer: 50% off.
T&Cs: Applies to Firefly’s new Dawn menu. Available all day throughout June on Wednesdays and Sundays, from 12-5pm Thursdays and Fridays.
Emily Sergeant -
24th November 2021 
