Whether you believe in things that go bump in the night or are just fascinated with gory histories, Greater Manchester’s got plenty of spooky places to explore.
From the pub that’s said to be one of the most haunted in the UK to stately homes still occupied by former residents, there are allegedly haunted buildings all over the region.
This interactive map shows where to find the 10 most haunted places in our corner of the north west, and even the descriptions are enough to give you chills.
Now a fancy hotel with stunning interiors, the map warns of ghostly goings-on in room 261, where guests have reported hearing the sound of children playing in the middle of the night.
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Kimpton Clocktower is said to be one of the most haunted places in Greater Manchester. Credit: Unsplash
One of the hotel’s ghosts is said to be a grieving war widow who threw herself down one of the hotel’s main stairways.
The Peveril of the Peak pub is another city centre venue named on the haunted list, where spooky but weirdly helpful happenings include shattered glass clearing itself up and glasses taking themselves to the glass-wash.
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There are stately homes like Ordsall Hall (where a jilted bride roams the halls and the ghost of a young girl plays with visiting children), Wythenshawe Hall (haunted by Mary Webb, or the Lady in White, who sobs around the hall in a long white dress) and Ryecroft Hall (expect sudden changes in temperature, unexplained smells and objects such as cigarette stubs mysteriously falling from a balcony).
One of the actors who performed at Oldham’s Coliseum Theatre is said to have never left in spirit.
Harold Norman was accidentally stabbed to death during a sword fight scene in a performance in 1947, and now audiences still report cold sensations and moving seats.
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It’s been created by Salford-based web design agency Supremo, whose art director Elly Cordy said: “There’s no better place to visit than Manchester during the month of October.
“It’s the perfect place to celebrate Halloween and so we wanted to map out some of the most iconic and spooky spots.”
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
Boroughs
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 9 – 15 September 2024
Emily Sergeant
We’re into our second full week of September now, and summer is already beginning to feel like a distant memory.
For many people, the end of summer can sometimes mean the end of all the fun and the start of the cosy season, but as we head into autumn, there’s still absolutely no shortage of things for all the family to be getting up to across Greater Manchester.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though, we’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide this week.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Heritage Open Days 2024
Greater Manchester
Monday 9 – Sunday 15 September
Heritage Open Days / Credit: Chris Lacey | Paul Harris (via HODs)
The UK’s largest festival of history and culture has returned this week, and there’s thousands of free events on the lineup.
Back by popular demand, the National Trust’s ‘Heritage Open Days’ are run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, and they’re all about bringing people together to celebrate their culture, community, and history.
From historic houses, factories, and museums, to music halls, formal gardens, and graveyards, countless of places and spaces across the country – including loads here in Greater Manchester – are open to the public, all without having to spend a penny.
Find out more about everything on the lineup here.
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Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 9 September – onwards
Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine / Credit: Science Museum Group
More than 100 objects and stories collected during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic are now on display as part of a new exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum.
The groundbreaking new exhibition, titled Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, explores the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed, while uncovering the inspiring stories of scientists and innovators around the globe who collaborated to tackle the worldwide COVID-19 challenge along the way.
A groundbreaking new immersive exhibition exploring our relationship with the natural world is now open at Manchester Museum.
‘Wild’ look at how people are creating, rebuilding, and repairing connections with nature, and how the natural world has traditionally been presented and idealised through Western art, as well as looking at some unique approaches to environmental recovery too.
The exhibition will also crucially look at how we can tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis by making the world more wild.
50 Years of the Replica Shirt / Credit: National Football Museum | Admiral Sports
A new exhibition telling the story of the football shirt pioneers, Admiral, is now open at the National Football Museum.
50 Years of the Replica Shirt will take visitors right through the Admiral’s history, from their humble beginnings in a Leicestershire textile town, to the official kit manufacturers for the England national team – with key moments in the company’s timeline highlighted through a range of objects, photographs, and kit designs.
Manc visitors will be able to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore some richly-themed environments, and encounter a life-sized Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, and the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.
You can be in with a chance of winning one of hundreds of free prizes just by heading down to Spinningfields this week.
In case you hadn’t heard, Spinningfields has just launched a brand-new app that’s now available to download, and in a bid to mark the occasion and properly celebrate this exciting launch, the city centre leisure and business district will be hosting an epic ‘Spin to Win’ event where “everyone’s a winner” on Tuesday from 8am.
There’ll be free coffee and free prizes to make the most of, all for just downloading a free app.
One of Greater Manchester’s best-loved outdoor dining concepts has returned for 2024, and there’s a proper tasty lineup of traders.
‘Kargo on the Docks’ – which is MediaCity‘s al fresco dining pop-up, in place of the former Box On The Docks – has had itself a bit of a “glow up” and has taken over the waterfront and gardens with a fresh wave of local food traders and stunning artwork by Salford-based creatives, all as the sun shines down on Salford Quays this summer.
Did you see that Bolton has launched its own ‘Hollywood of the North’ TV and film location tours around the town centre?
Merely months after being named Greater Manchester’s new ‘Town of Culture’, Bolton is already proving why 2024 is its year, as the town is celebrating its shiny new title by celebrating all the times it has been chosen as a filming location for dozens of major film and TV productions over the years.
These new behind-the-scenes tours are led by local historian and professional tour guide, Suzanne Hindle, and will feature all of the town’s famous filming spots.
Bolton Film & TV Tours / Credit: Supplied | BBC
Visitors will get to explore places such as court rooms, cells, and Crescent corridors whilst hearing tales of how the industry adapt these unexpected locations to set the scene.
Known and loved for being one of the best musicals the 21st Century – and one of the funniest of all time – having scooped up dozens of coveted awards both in the US and here in the UK in its time, The Book of Mormon is currently out on tour, and the Elders are set to arrive in our city this week for an extended stay.
The hilarious production will be taking over the iconic Palace Theatre stage from this Wednesday until early October, and there’s still chance to grab yourself some tickets too.
A new science and tech festival for all the family is coming to Cheshire this weekend to help “inspire young minds”.
Set to descend on the grounds of Bruntwood SciTech’s Alderley Park – a unique place where world-leading science, innovation, and stylish living all come together in the Cheshire countryside – SciTech Extravaganza will be a day filled full of fun science-themed shows, interactive activities, new skill-building opportunities, and more.
The brand-new family festival is designed to “spark curiosity” and “encourage engagement” through STEM-related learning.
Featured Image – Science Museum Group | Paul Harris | Supplied
Boroughs
You can visit some of Greater Manchester’s most iconic landmarks for free this week
Thomas Melia
Summer may be essentially over but the fun days out are still in healthy supply, with Heritage Open Days popular autumn event almost upon us.
Helping to clear everyone’s minds during and after the post back-to-school rush, the open days will allow you to visit hidden, historic and heritage landmarks right across Greater Manchester – for free.
Between 6 and 15 September, Heritage Open Days are working with a wide range of unique and interesting places for each and every person to visit for free.
Following what was a smash-hit success when it was here last year and over the three decades prior, the National Trust‘s ‘Heritage Open Days’ are back by popular demand.
So without further ado, here are some of the heritage highlights in Greater Manchester to visit.
Manchester Victoria Baths
The Greater Manchester Heritage Open Days includes Victoria Baths. Credit: The Manc Group
Only a mile and a half away from the city centre, this Grade II* listed building has lots of crafts and artsy projects on offer alongside exploring the bathhouse.
If shopping is more your style, the Victoria Baths have Manchester inspired gifts from local artists and makers alongside some souvenirs of their own.
This is running on 7, 8 from 11am-4pm and 11am-3pm on 11 September.
St. Wilfrid’s Church and Tower Trips – Northenden
St. Wilfrid’s Church is providing two dates this month for guests to lose themselves in culture.
Visitors will learn about some ‘Heritage Heroes’ of Manchester’s past including an 18th century owner of Wythenshawe Hall on Monday 9 September.
The second opportunity sees this site opening their medieval tower for guests to take in the nearby landscape during the afternoon on Sunday 15 September.
Rochdale Old Fire Station
You can visit Fireground in Rochdale for free for Heritage Open Days. Credit: Google Maps
Repurposed in 2021 as the Fireground Museum, this Rochdale building has kept most of its original features throughout.
Now the building is hosting an open day welcoming visitors on Saturday 7 September where you can expect guided tours and some home comforts from the cafeteria inside.
The Met’s Emerging Showcase
After a day of exploring the world of fire engines, why not finish your night with some disco inferno from some of the great upcoming artists of the North on 7 September from 8pm.
The Met is offering a chance to watch some future talent perform live at The Stanley Bar in Bury, and who knows in 10 years time they might just be the next Oasis.
They will be providing a range of Q&A sessions, displays and more for all to enjoy.
There will be refreshments and finger food all at a cost of a voluntary donation.
Salford Road Solar Farm – Bolton
Not your usual day out, this one, but that’s what makes it even more intriguing.
On Monday 9 September the solar farm is giving us the chance to see how energy is made in real time from the sun, even in rainy Manchester!
There is however a minimum age requirement of seven years old.
Heaton Hall Open Days – Prestwich
Heaton Hall in Greater Manchester is one of the spots you can visit during Heritage Open Days. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Normally only open on the second Sunday of every month, this fantastic building will be keeping its doors wide open for two days on 7 and 8 September.
If you get the time to pop in expect a jam packed day as Heaton Park is home to its iconic hall as well as the animal farm, beekeepers, vintage tram rides, lakeside walks and cafes.
It’s easy to commute to as parking is a reasonable price and there’s a Metrolink tram stop right outside.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – Ashton
After a first week back in school and work, it’s not unfair to say we all need an unwind… again.
This Mandir is all about relaxation, so why not enrich yourself in the heritage and tranquillity of a Hindu place of worship.
As you are entering a place of worship there is a dress code meaning tops must cover the shoulders, chest, navel, and upper arms and leg-wear must be at least below knee-length.
The open day is taking place on 7 September from 10am-6pm.
Medieval Food at Bailey’s Wood – Blackley
Innovation is Manchester’s middle name but sometimes its nice to take it back, all the way back to the middle ages.
The event is led by none other than a medieval food expert who will be able to answer all your cooking queries.
This special occasion is happening on 14 September for two hours from 2pm-4pm. Guests are asked to meet at the Grange Park Road entrance to Bailey’s wood for a short walk to the location of the talk.
Renew Hub – Trafford
In a world where second-hand clothing apps like Vinted and Depop are sky-rocketing in sales, why not visit the Renew Hub in Trafford for a real-life clothes recycling centre experience.
There are four tour slots allocated from 10.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 3.30pm on 6 September, where you can see the whole recycling process and even visit the Ebay store.
Steel-cap shoes will be provided with a requirement that you bring your own socks (so make sure you’ve not got odd ones on).
There are tons of events taking place as well as these listed above, for a full rundown of everything occurring throughout the coming weeks here.