Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Brockholes

"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!"

"With a history stretching back to the Middle Ages, the grade I-listed Cathedral Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George is one of Manchester’s oldest and most beautiful buildings. It is notable for its spectacular wooden furnishings and stained glass displays, much of which was restored in 1952 after the Blitz. Free guided tours are available most days from Monday to Saturday."

"Manchester Cathedral is located on Victoria Street, in between the National Museum of Football and Victoria Station. Although the origins of the cathedral are not clear, the construction is believed to have started around 700 AD. At the time though, it was just a church."

"Temple Newsam House, a magnificent 40-room Tudor-Jacobean mansion, is a must-see when in Leeds. Set in a sprawling 900-acre park on the city's outskirts, it's famous as the birthplace of Lord Darnley, the husband of Mary Queen of Scots. Interior highlights include a variety of Old Master paintings, as well as furniture by Thomas Chippendale and collections of Leeds creamware and silver."

"Temple Newsam, one of the romantic places to go in Leeds, is a historic site with vast grounds and gardens where you two can take a stroll. Take in its 500-year-deep history all recounted in its glorious 1,500-acres (607-hectares) mansion ground. The temple’s walls — where royalty once walked — are full of history."

"Adventurous couples can tackle the tree tops at Temple Newsam. Be bold and go for the tree top challenge – the hardest Go Ape course. Your unbreakable love and unwavering support (did we just say that?) will get you through once you’re 15 meters above the ground."

"A Grade-II listed site, the beautiful 19-acre Sheffield Botanical Gardens were established in 1836 and showcase more than 5,000 species of plants. This is a lovely spot for a stroll, especially in the spring and summer, when many of the plants are in full bloom. Highlights include the glasshouses, also Grade II-listed, with temperate plants from Australia, Asia, and South Africa; the Victorian Garden; and the Four Seasons Garden, which is colorful at any time of year."

"Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens covers 19 acres of land, with over 5,000 species of plants from across the world in 15 different garden areas. First opened in 1836, this grand Victorian garden was originally designed by Robert Marnock. a great outdoor venue for summer entertainment and plays host to musical, theatrical and cultural events."

"Endcliffe Park is the perfect escape for freshers in Ranmoor and Endclife, and students living near Eccy Road. With a great mix of quiet leafy spaces and open grassy meadows, it ticks every box. A short walk down the hill from the popular Botanical Gardens, Endcliffe Park is a far more peaceful place to visit when you fancy a taste of the countryside life."

"Part of Sheffield’s charm is that it has the Yorkshire countryside and surrounding greenery right at its doorstep. A great base from which to begin your exploration of Yorkshire’s green spaces is Endcliffe park. Since opening in 1887, Endcliffe park has continued to attract visitors for both its park and woodland."

"Encliffe Park, in the south west, combines woodland and parks to create one of the largest and most popular parks in Sheffield. It was opened in 1887 for Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. The park is populated with lots of things to see and do, such as the Porter Brook, which runs through the park and forms two ponds."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Chemical Engineer used under CC BY-SA 4.0. The National Emergency Services Museum provides interesting and interactive insight into the functioning of the 999 National Emergency Services. The museum encourages hands-on learning and you can even dress up in uniform."

"There’s something for all ages at Swithens Farm in Rothwell. They have an open farm the kids will love from Tuesday to Sunday, featuring the likes of cows, pigs, rabbits, ducks, geese and two irresistibly cute micro pigs called Molly and Millie. Alongside the animals, they also have a play barn or those up to the age of 11."

"The Trafford Ecology Park is tucked away in the industrial Trafford Park behind an oil depot and is a registered Biological Important site and a true oasis of wildlife. The park is spread across an area of eleven acres and is a true delight for a nature enthusiast."

"A globe-trotting, eat-all-you-like buffet concept, COSMO brings the ultimate crowd-pleasing dining experience to Sheffield. Launched by Tom Chan back in 2003, COSMO offers a set-price menu, with guests invited to choose from over 150 recipes from the…"

"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."

"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."

"CFCCA reopens with a duo of exhibitions investigating and unpicking themes of belonging, identity and citizenship in a globalised and hyper-connected society. Housed in CFCCA’s Northern Quarter galleries, the exhibitions are just a few minutes’ walk from the Arndale Shopping Centre. Multiplicities in Flux brings together works by contemporary artists Grace Lau and Eelyn Lee in a dialogue around identity and belonging."

"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."