Science and Industry Museum
Working steam engines, the story of Cottonopolis, and hands-on galleries in the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station. Free, and the live demonstrations are the bit kids actually remember.
Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens
Manchester, Greater Manchester
Fletcher Moss is the Didsbury family's Sunday walk. The rockery, started with alpine plants a local couple collected in the mountains of Europe, tumbles down a slope, and beyond it are meadow, woodland and easy access to the Mersey. Most paths take a pushchair. The RSPB was founded here in 1889, a good fact for a bird-spotting child.
Entry and parking are free. There are three car parks and none is huge, so a sunny Saturday means circling. Coffee is sold at the Parsonage and there is a cafe in the park, though its hours are not published. There is no big playground, so bring a ball, or a bag for conkers in autumn.
What it costs: Free entry, dawn to dusk. Tennis courts charge. Toilets open about 9am to 4pm (Parsonage 9:30am to 4pm).
Know before you go
- Three car parks: Millgate Lane (M20 2SD), Stenner Lane (via Ford Lane) and Wilmslow Road. They fill at weekends.
- Toilets close at around 4pm, earlier than the park, so plan for that on long summer evenings.
- Take the path down to the Mersey for the riverbank and the water meadows after the gardens.
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