Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Oswaldtwistle

"Dating back to the 15th century, the Manchester Cathedral has experienced quite a bit of history! After Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church, the Cathedral's riches were confiscated. During the English Civil war in the mid 17th century, pitched battles were fought inside and around the Cathedral between the Royalists (those supporting Charles I, the Stewarts, and the Anglican Church) and the Roundheads (Oliver Cromwell loyalists). Also Ann Lee, the founder of the religious movement called the Shakers interrupted services here when she lived in Manchester. The church was targeted by the Nazi Luftwaffe and received a direct head during the bombings of 1940. Yet through all this the Church maintains it's quiet dignity and beauty. It is a must see while in Manchester!"

"Although there has been a parish church building on this site since the late Anglo Saxon or Early Norman period, the cathedral we see today looks nothing like the building that would have stood there all those years ago. The cathedral has been modified over the years after structural damage caused by the Civil War, damage caused by a German bomb during the Manchester Blitz in the second World War and further damage caused by the IRA bomb of 1996. In the thirteenth century a stone parish church was constructed in the parish that was to become Manchester, serving people in a 60 mile radius."

"This church built in the Gothic style is a very pretty sight to see in Manchester. One of the oldest buildings in the city, it is also a historic site. The stunning design of the rustic building is reason enough to visit it but the interiors are equally beautiful and are sure to transport you back in time."

"As home to the aforementioned world-famous Manchester United Football Club, this is the UK’s largest club stadium with a maximum capacity of around 76,000 spectators. It’s called ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ for a reason. The facilities are also world class, with cafes, restaurants, VIP boxes, event spaces and even a museum with accompanying tour."

"Within Preston city centre, you'll find the Preston Cenotaph. The Cenotaph is a stunning Grade I listed structure, standing proud in recognition of the men who lost their lives in WWI. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the Cenotaph was restored in 2013 and is an important part of Preston's heritage."

"The Cenotaph stands proudly in Market Square, dedicated to solders from both World Wars. This is certainly something to remember and what better way to do so than eternalising it in your wedding photos?"

"Situated on Chapel Street, the bar and club venue features a secret garden, shisha lounge, water features, a fire pit, a landscaped garden, heated seating area, a VIP area and heated terrace. The menu features signature cocktails created by Bijou's mixologists alongside a good selection of wine, Champagne and spirits. Call 0161 834 6377, for guest list enquiries email guestlist@bijouclub.co.uk, for table enquiries email bookings@bijouclub.co.uk, and if you have general enquires email info@bijouclub.co.uk."

"Come to Bijou Club and celebrate in style in the only venue with a riverside terrace…. This sophisticated club is renowned as one of the best celebrity hangouts in the north, welcoming in massive names such as Justin Bieber, Rita Ora, Drake and more. The iconic neon water feature is a great backdrop for stag party celebrations, as this club oozes sophistication and style,"

"Frequented by reality TV stars, this nightclub also hosts famous DJs and celeb party guests. If you fancy a boogie in luxury surroundings, this club will cater for all your needs as well as providing the perfect back drop for a photo with your squad. With a dress code that oozes glamour, be sure to make an effort when arriving here."

"You can walk along the canal, through the Castlefield Urban Heritage Park on your way to the Museum of Science and Industry. Castlefield Urban Heritage Park. Admire the old industrial buildings, soak up the atmosphere of the canal, and see how Manchester used to be in years gone by."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Martin Clark used under CC BY-SA 2.0. Bingley Five-Rise Locks is a staircase lock, on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal of Bingley. As the name infers, a vessel going through the lock is lifted or brought down in five phases."

"A stylish spot from the Drake & Morgan chain, The Anthologist is a great place for all day dining. Brunch and lunch are best for families, where you can feast on dishes like buttermilk chicken and waffles, salt & pepper squid or a mushroom shawarma. The children’s menu features yummy dishes like gnocchi ‘mac & cheese’, plus a free babyccino or hot chocolate."

"One St Peter's Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 3DE. Colourful and with a buzzy atmosphere, The Anthologist is an all-day casual dining joint which can cater to every dining whim. Weekend brunches are particularly popular here, while the pre-theatre menu is a real steal."

"The Anthologist is a contemporary European restaurant with cool interiors and an impressive vegetarian menu. From coconut-crusted tofu to mushroom shawarma and naughty gnocchi mac 'n' cheese, there are plenty of divine dishes to choose from."

"Travel a bit outside Manchester's city center to the Salford Museum and Art Gallery, which is situated int heart of Peel Park. First opened in 1850, the museum features both permanent displays and changing contemporary exhibitions, with free admission for all visitors. One of the museum's highlights is Lark Hill Place, a recreated Victorian street that lets visitors experience what life was like in Victorian Salford."

"The museums in Salford give the very essence of its citizens and rich culture. If you are looking for something deeper and more meaningful, head to the museums in city. Explore the cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical side of Salford with these museums."

"CFCCA is the UK leader in Chinese visual culture, with a reputation for debut solo exhibitions and a roster of internationally-renowned artists; impressive considering that, three decades ago, it was just a series of events in Manchester’s Chinatown. As Manchester’s Chinese population is second only to London’s, the centre’s heritage is particularly important; now represented in a new archive and library. Best feature: A vibrant events schedule, spanning film screenings to workshops and even Mandarin lessons"

"Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art is a unique art gallery with a year-round programme of socially engaged exhibitions, events, and artist residencies. They have over 30 years experience of working with emerging and established artists to provide a space for conversation, debate, and cross-cultural exchange. They are the go-to place to discover new artists and explore relevant global issues from different international perspectives."

"Manchester's Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art will reopen both of its galleries on Wednesday May 19. Exhibitions Multiplicities in Flux and Autopsy of a Home, which originally opened in October, will be back until June 13. Booking is advised at cfcca.org.uk but walk-ups are welcome."

"Housed in an iconic aluminium-clad building designed by Daniel Libeskind, the IWM North houses several fascinating exhibitions which tell the story of how a century of wars have affected people’s lives in Britain. The main exhibition space shows a timeline of the wars that Britain has been involved with since the First World War. The Big Picture Show uses the latest HD projection technology to tell people’s stories of war in a vivid and captivating way."

"This museum focuses chiefly on the human cost of war in the 20th and 21st centuries. From Feb 6–June 13 it will exhibit the work of and personal memorabilia of war photographer Don McCullin. Other exhibitions include images by Sean Sutton, an exploration of the life of Odette Hallowes, the heroine of World War Two, and a photographic display marking the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall."

"Manchester also has an important history when it comes to war and conflict over the past hundred years. The Imperial War Museum North (IWMN) is an interactive space built solely for the purpose of telling the most vital, powerful stories of war from across the region. The entire structure was built around an impressive, genuine fighter jet!"

"This Welsh doughnut shop in the Northern Quarter offers melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts made on-site by Blawd bakery including inventive flavours such as apple crumble, maple pecan glaze, cherry bakewell and strawberries and cream. For National Doughnut Week there are rhubarb, vanilla and raspberry fills all week long, or try their mango lassi edition –  a special collaboration with indian street food specialists Bundobust. This unique cardamom doughnut sandwich with an Alphonso mango cream is glazed and topped with candied fennel seeds, and all proceeds go to The Children’s Trust."

"By far one of the Northern Quarter’s most unique hangouts in all its brightly-coloured glory, you can pop by Siop Shop this weekend to get yourself that quick caffeine fix, and perhaps a sweet doughnut treat too if that takes your fancy. 53 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1LS. You can find more information via the Siop Shop website here."

"Dessert fans visiting Manchester shouldn’t have without trying the best doughnuts in town. Mine was filled with blackcurrant cheesecake (minus the base) and was probably the best £2 I’ve ever spent. Where: SiOP SHOP cafe on Tibb Street and at the Makers Market held in the Northern Quater on the second Sunday of each month."

"A Tafford Centre pit stop isn’t the same without some warm topped cookie dough!. My Cookie Dough has reopened at the shopping centre – returning with a large list of flavours to try from Red Velvet to Fudge & Honeycomb (which you can customise by adding your own choice of toppings and ice cream). My Cookie Dough also launched a Build Your Own kit which you can have delivered straight to your doorstep containing all the ingredients you need to make enjoy your My Cookie Dough experience at home."

"My Cookie Dough has a seriously committed following, judging by the crowds at its Manchester Arndale stall (it recently opened another at the Trafford Centre too). Big dollops of dough are baked until warm and crispy, but still soft enough to dip into with a spoon, then loaded with various sauces and toppings. Indulgent flavours include red velvet and Nutella, white chocolate and raspberry, Oreo, fudge and honeycomb, Biscoff, and coconut chocolate."

"Taking the humble traybake to new heights, My Cookie Dough is among the best dessert shops in Manchester. Their Slutty Brownie stacks are a mouthwatering mess of chocolate brownie, crushed Oreos and their house cookie mix, served up as chunky slabs and coated in a hefty drizzle of Nutella. With locations at both the Trafford Centre and the Arndale, you won't have to travel far to get your hands on these bad boys."