Steph Smith, who manages the Hale, Altrincham and Sale area for Mums in the Know, chooses five great things to do with the kids over the next week.
1. Friday Family Tea at The Blue Dog Bar and Kitchen
The Blue Dog Bar and Kitchen on Ashley Road is run by local couple Alison and Dave, who took inspiration from their beloved Irish Kerry Blue Terrier, Harley, when naming it. They’ve managed to create a truly warm and welcoming vibe.
Good service is high on the agenda at Blue Dog and with a friendly clientele, reasonably priced drinks and great quality food, there is much to offer! Friday is ‘Burger Night’ at Blue Dog and it’s just £14 for two burgers and fries. Food is served between 5 and 9pm so why not enjoy your Friday family tea out? If you get there early, you can also take advantage of Happy Hour, which runs from 5-7pm, when a glass of house wine is £2.25 and it’s £2.20 for a pint of Becks. Call 0161 929 7307 for more info.
Blue Dog Bar & Kitchen, 21 Ashley Rd, Altrincham WA14 2DP
2. Stroll Down the Victorian Street at Salford Museum
If you’re always on the lookout for inexpensive fun with your family, Salford Museum and Art Gallery is definitely worth a visit. Their key attraction for kids is Lark Hill Place, an atmospheric re-creation of a typical Northern street during Victorian times.
The street is set at the turn of the last century and the ambience is teatime on a winter’s evening, when the street gas lamps have just been lit. The sounds of children playing, horse-drawn carriages and a ‘knocker-upper’ fill the street. Lark Hill Place was originally created in 1957 when many shops and houses in central Salford were being demolished to make way for new developments. Lots of the shop fronts were actually saved and restored and the interiors have been furnished and are full of authentic objects, recreating the way they were used in Victorian times.
The first Sunday of the month (this Sunday, March 1st) is an extra special day to visit Lark Hill Place because Mr Tomlinson’s sweet shop is open and the children can meet Mrs Tomlinson and get some authentic Victorian sweets! To really get the most out of their trip, children are invited to try on the Victorian outfits to get into the spirit of the era and also join in the quiz, which encourages them to really explore the street.
The museum is easily accessible by car and is located just a five-minute walk from Salford Crescent train station. Parking is just £2 for up to three hours and there is no charge to enter the museum although, like most art galleries and museums, they welcome any donations.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday (from 10am during the week and 12pm at weekends). For more information, click here.
Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford, M5 4WU
3. FREE Taster Session at Diddi Dance in Timperley (Tuesday March 3rd)
If you have a mini groover in your house, wait until you read about Diddi Dance – the fantastic new dance class starting in Timperley next week! Devised by professional dancer Anne-Marie Martin 10 years ago, Diddi Dance offers funky pre-school dance classes for boys and girls between the ages of 2 and 4.
The classes cover 14 different dance styles, one each half term, and gives little ones a lovely opportunity to try out anything from disco to country, Charleston to Bollywood. It’s also great fun for the parents and carers who come along too and just can’t resist joining in!
You can book your child in for a free taster session at Diddi Dance’s tap themed session at their newest class location at Timperley Sports Club (located on the corner of Stockport Road and Wood Lane), on Tuesday 3rd March at 10-10.45am. Be sure to book in advance by contacting Nadine Lear on 07917 69834 / nadine.lear@diddidance.com. For more info, click here.
Timperley Sports Club, WA15 7LU
4. Down The Mines! in Alderley Edge (Tuesday March 3rd)
Join Derbyshire Caving Club for a trip down the old copper mines of Alderley Edge. Helmets with lamps are provided and it’s advisable to wear old clothes. This is an exciting trip for families with children over six years of age (kids must of course be accompanied by an adult) and you should expect some ladder climbing and crawling involved. It’s essential to book and pay in advance (£7 per person). The meeting point is the National Trust yard behind Wizard Restaurant. Book online for Down the Mines! via Eventbrite Information: 01625 374833
Wizard Restaurant, Macclesfield Road, Alderley Edge, SK10 4UB
5. Dads Only Day (Sunday March 1st)
Minikin is located just down the road in Sale and is a lovely place to enjoy some quality creative time with your family painting pots, decopatching, baby hand and foot imprints or simply enjoying a coffee. With Mother’s Day approaching, Minikin is making it easy for dads with ‘Dads only day’ this Sunday. Whilst dads are, of course, welcome anytime, this is a great opportunity to make some extra special presents with your children for the mums! The day will run from 9am-5pm and although Minikin does not take bookings, give them a call on 0161 973 6822 half an hour before you can come to reserve the next free table.
Minikin Emporium, Northenden Rd, Sale, M33 2DH
