There’s a wonky historic hall less than an hour away from Manchester that will transport you back to Christmases past.
This charming Tudor manor house set in the Cheshire countryside is taking visitors on a magical journey to Christmases that have long been and passed during weekends this December.
Little Moreton Hall looks like a festive picture postcard come to life, especially when covered in a dusting of snow.
The higgledy-piggledy black and white timber structure, surrounded by a small moat, will make you feel like you’ve been transported back to a time where you could have rotten veg thrown at you in the stocks while being laughed and jeered at, or lose your head for simply stating an opinion.
The property’s captivating topsy-turvy appearance is partly down to the glazed third-floor gallery weighing down on the floors below.
Some parts of this olde worlde manor house date all the way back to the 16th century – so it’s certainly seen a fair number of Christmases in its time.
This December, Little Moreton Hall will take you through a journey looking at how Christmas has been celebrated over the decades, all the way back from when it was first built up to the present day.
As guests take a walk through its historic rooms, they’ll experience festivities throughout the ages.
To add to the fun there will be a mischievous jester to perform for visitors and bring the sound of the past to life.
To finish your day you can take a stroll through its stunning garden and grounds and walk along the path of the moat, which surrounds this magical place.
The Elizabethan-style knot garden is a ‘must-see’ with its pretty box hedges in a Tudor quatrefoil design.
Little Moreton Hall also features a second-hand bookshop where you may find the perfect Christmas gift for someone near and dear, or even yourself.
The hall is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 15th-17th from 11am to 4pm.
Last entry is at 3.30pm and prices start from £6.50 for children and £13 for adults. There’s no need to book in advance, just turn up and enjoy the journey through Christmases past.
Little Moreton Hall is located at Newcastle Road, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 4SD.
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region. Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas. There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats. The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement. Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.” Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year next month, bringing with it a vibrant gallery space showcasing thousands of works from over 500 artists.
One of the biggest and most significant events in the UK art world calendar, it’ll take over Manchester Central for three days, from Friday November 15th to 17th.
The city will be flooded with art from all corners of the world, championing everything from local heroes to new emerging talent, as well as international artists with worldwide acclaim.
Manchester Art Fair
A wide range of artistic disciplines will be represented at the event, from painters, illustrators, and sculptors to graffiti artists and everything in between.
Expect exhibitions, workshops, Q&A sessions, demos, book signings and parties happening across the event.
Tickets include free access to art workshops and talks from leading artists and cultural experts, and are on sale now.