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Tours and Activities in the North

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

Spring yet? Yes? Please? Soon? While we all spend the next few weeks asking these questions, staring wistfully towards grey windows, we’ve assembled a selection of indoor tours and activities that will have you feeling cosy and comforted.

Kicking off with Poems and Coffee, a club for poetry-curious individuals who are keen to engage in group writing sessions. Poet Louis Glazzard facilitates a coffee fuelled (other drinks are available) creative hub where people can write, socialise and make art out of words together.

Over in Leeds you can join Leeds Central Library for a tour of the Leeds Tapestry, a large scale public artwork created to document the heritage, day to day happenings and beauty of Leeds life.

At the Portico Library, artistically curious folk are invited to explore their current exhibition Echoes: China and Hong Kong through a series of folk life drawing sessions.

Scroll down to find more top picks of tours and activities, and break away from your normal.

Our top picks

Folk Life Drawing: China and Hong Kong

Folk Life Drawing: China and Hong Kong at The Portico Library, Manchester, 26 March–28 May 2025, from £5.00 - Book now

Folk life drawing combines a mindful art class with the current Echoes exhibition at Portico Library.

Find out more
A Poster of the event featuring pixel-art people along the bottom border
The Portico

Tapestry Tour at Leeds Central Library

Tapestry Tour at Leeds Central Library, Leeds, 19 March 2025, from £4.00 - Book now

Take a deep dive behind the expert needle work and thoughtful composition of this large scale civically celebratory public artwork.

Find out more
Section of Tapestry depicting a couple eating fish and chips
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Online Course: A Man’s World with Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Online Course: A Man’s World – Kings – The Man Who Would Be King by Rudyard Kipling at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, Manchester and online, 14 May 2025, from £13.00 - Book now

Interrogate the role of Men in a Man’s World from the writings of Elizabeth Gaskell and her contemporaries with Dr Sherry Ashworth.

Find out more
Classic books on a shelf with 10 year branding on image
Elizabeth Gaskell's House

The Manchester Pub Walkabout

The Manchester Pub Walkabout at Manchester Central Library, Manchester, Until 6 December 2025, from £20 - Book now

Stagger across three hundred years of Manchester’s drinking history in one of the city’s most fun-loving walking tours, packed with fascinating stories, brilliantly bizarre facts and hilarious fun and games.

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Bars
Band on the Wall

2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

2025 Banner Bingo, Until 29 December 2025, free entry - Visit now

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism. 

Find out more
Two young visitors looking up at a banner in a case, holding pencils and an activity sheet.
People's History Museum

Floating Art Workshops

Floating Art Workshops, Until 31 May 2026, from £24.30 - Book now

Join expert teacher Ula for relaxed painting workshops that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.

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Leeds Waterfront Guided Tour

Leeds Waterfront Guided Tour, Until 29 June 2025, from £15.00 - Book now

The Leeds Liverpool canal has a rich history as well as an exciting future. Discover both in a Leeds Waterfront walking tour.

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A docked narrowboat next to a heritage crane and surrounded by buildings and blue sky at Granary Wharf in Leeds
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

The Wild Grill Experience at Millington Hall Farm

The Wild Grill Experience - Spring Edition at Millington Hall Farm, Manchester, 11–27 April 2025, from £89.50 - Book now

The Wild Grill Experience at Millington Hall Farm is ideal for those who love meat, barbecue and learning something new.

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Come and enjoy The Wild Grill Experience here at Millington Hall Farm
Millington Hall Farm

Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Craft Beer Tour Manchester at Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse, Manchester, Until 31 December 2026, from £35 - Book now

Explore Manchester’s thriving artisanal brewery scene with the experts from Craft Beer Tour.

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Craft Beer Tour Around Manchester
Image curtesy of Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Sauna and cold plunge pools at iglu sauna

Sauna and cold plunge pools at Hebden Bridge Hostel, West Yorkshire, Until 31 August 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

Award-winning sauna and cold-plunge pools experience located in the heart of Hebden Bridge, iglu brings the Scandi experience to Yorkshire. 

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Flavours of Manchester – A Taste of Two Cities

Food & Drink Tour of Manchester & Salford : A Taste of Two Cities , Until 31 December 2030, from £49.00 - Book now

The culinary worlds of Manchester and Salford are both uncovered in this brand new food tour from Flavours of Manchester.

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Group Day
Food & Drink Tour of Manchester & Salford : A Taste of Two Cities

Eat The City – Scranchester Tours

Eat The City - Scranchester Tours, Until 31 December 2027, from £60 - Book now

Join Scranchester Tours for a feast of edible culture as you rediscover Manchester’s past and present through its food.

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Millington Hall Farm

Millington Hall Farm, Millington Hall Farm, Millington Hall Lane, Cheshire, WA14 3RN - Visit now

Millington Hall Farm is a one of a kind destination offering field to fork dining alongside learning experiences that will stay with you long after your visit.

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Millington Hall Farm
Image courtesy of Gemma Parker

Sketch and Stroll: guided art tour at Abbot Hall

Sketch and Stroll: guided art tour at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Cumbria, Until 5 July 2025, from £0.00 - Book now

Experience the art of Abbot Hall in a hands on and creative way with their monthly Sketch and Stroll tours. 

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Person sketching inspired by our Charmaine Watkiss: Legacy themed guided art tour at Abbot Hall.
Lakeland Arts

The Modernist App – architectural city tours

The Modernist App - architectural city tours, online, Until 31 December 2025, free entry - Visit now

Delve into the treasure trove of 20th Century architecture design with the expert knowledge and passionate curation of the Modernist App. 

Find out more
Image of The Modernist App in use
The Modernist

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, Until 30 September 2025, free entry - Visit now

Discover 40 of the highlights and hidden gems that are available to explore every day at the Science and Industry Museum.

Find out more
40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum
Science and Industry Museum © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

More activity events

Until
ActivityManchester
Floating Art Workshops

Join expert teacher Ula for relaxed painting workshops that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.

from £24.30
Two young visitors looking up at a banner in a case, holding pencils and an activity sheet.
Until
ActivityManchester
2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism.

free entry
See all activity events
Mother's Day in Manchester and the North
Spotlight on

Mother's Day in Manchester and the North

From bespoke bouquet workshops and poetry royalty to slap-up Sunday roasts and gin tastings, check out our guide of things to do with your mum this Mother's Day.

Take me there

Tours and Activities in the North

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

The Light Cinema - Sheffield.
Sheffield
Cinema
The Light Cinema Sheffield

Opened in 2017, The Light Cinema Sheffield is a nine-screen multiplex venue showing the latest mainstream blockbusters and independent films.

Cumbria
Cinema
Rheged Centre

A visitor centre off the A66, containing gallery spaces, cinema screen, artisan shopping and local produce, as well as cafes and children’s play areas.

Cineworld Sheffield
City Centre
Cinema
Cineworld Sheffield

The largest Cineworld in the country, if just you have to see it on the biggest screen possible, then the ginormous IMAX screen at Cineworld Sheffield is the place to do it.

Cumbria
Cinema
Alhambra Cinema

An independent cinema in the heart of town, the Lonsdale Alhambra is, for many locals, a treasure of Penrith.

See all places

Destination Guides

Things to do in Bradford: Kala Sangam
Things to do in Bradford

Our guide to the dark horse of Bradford, full of eye-opening exhibitions, independent shops and authentic curry houses.
Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
Birkenhead Priory
Things to do on the Wirral

The Wirral is a short train (or ferry) ride away from Liverpool so why not sample its best arts and culture spots?
York Castle Museum
Things to do in York

We take a closer look at York, one of the UK’s most beautiful heritage cities with a wealth of contemporary culture.
Burnley's Singing Ringing Tree
Things to do in Lancashire

Our guide to the culturally rich coastal county of Lancashire, encompassing Lancaster, Morecambe, Blackpool and Blackburn.
Chester
Things to Do in Cheshire

Our guide to the best things to in Cheshire, including culture, shopping and food and drink in Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield.
Things to Do in Cumbria

Our guide to the best things to do in the Cumbria and the Lake District, including Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, Keswick and Cockermouth.

Culture Guides

Mohair Man, 1991, by Dave Swindells
Exhibitions in the North

Cinematic sets, 90s nightclub photography and even new gallery - we have a great mix of exhibitions for you this month.

Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
Literature Events in the North

It's like the Woolies pick'n'mix counter this month in live literature land – so much choice, we're not sure where to start digging in.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.

We shelter here sometimes promo image. Featuring My Dog Sighs inside and abandoned building.
Cinema in the North

David Lynch, International Women's Day and Manchester Film Festival are amongst our cinematic highlights this March.

GROVE
Music in the North

We’re championing all things underground this month, with a selection of gigs and festivals that embrace the strange.