Cotton on to Manchester

In addition to Manchester’s permanent attractions, the city hosts a number of first-rate events throughout the year. On 18 February, you can ring in the Year of the Pig as part of Chinese New Year celebrations, while the luck of the Irish takes over in March. From 28 June to 15 July, the first-ever Manchester International Festival will showcase new work, commissions and ideas by talented artists and innovators, and by the time autumn rolls around, you’ll have the Manchester Literature Festival, the Manchester Comedy Festival, and the Manchester Food and Drink Festival – the largest of its kind in the UK – to choose between.

Marketing Manchester, the official tourist board for Greater Manchester, recently launched a new interactive website that features articles, listings, insider tips, downloadable maps, and up-to-the-minute information about what’s going on in the city. It’s easily navigable and has a dedicated groups section where you can find out about attractions, group packages, entertainment, eating out, and stuff to do beyond the city limits. So get clicking… or read on for more.

•             www.visitmanchester.com

War and peace

In Manchester’s fashionable Quays district, the Imperial War Museum North is a striking addition to the skyline. Opened in 2002, the iconic building was the first new-build museum to encapsulate the museum’s message in its architectural design: a reflection of the world torn apart by conflict.

Inside, the exhibitions and events focus on lives that are shaped by war and conflict. Innovative displays like the Big Picture put you right in the centre of the experience, using a dramatic display of projected images and sound. The museum’s main exhibition space also houses thousands of objects – from a T34 Russian tank to clothing, diaries and works of art.

There are four group packages to choose from, some of which include tours and refreshments. See their website for more.

t            0161 836 4064

e             learningnorth@iwm.org.uk

•             north.iwm.org.uk

Hats off to Hat Works

Earlier this year, Stockport’s Hat Works Museum won best small visitor attraction for the second time at the Manchester Tourism Awards. What makes the museum exceptional is the variety of events and exhibitions it offers, as well as its commitment to the community: Hat Works recently removed admission charges to make it accessible to everyone.

Hat Works is the UK’s only museum dedicated to the hatting industry, hats and headwear. Housed in an old hat factory in one of Greater Manchester’s leading hatting towns, Hat Works focuses on the development of the industry from its humble beginnings to the mass production of the early-19th century. When you go you can expect to see live demonstrations of working machinery, as well as an extensive collection of – you guessed it – hats. There are more than 400 hats from around the world, including one of the world’s tallest top hats.

For £2 a head you can arrange to have a customised group tour, and group catering’s also available. Just call the booking desk on the number below. Hat Works is open Monday to Friday from 10 to 5pm and weekends from 1 to 5pm.

t            0845 8330991

•             www.hatworks.org.uk

Taking Stock

You can hardly visit Hat Works without stopping in at Staircase House. Half a mile up the road, it’s well within walking distance and completes the restoration of Stockport’s historic town centre.

What’s nice about Staircase House is its hands-on approach to history and learning. Despite its status as one of England’s oldest and best-restored merchant’s houses, you’re invited to get interactive with the exhibits and displays in its 16 rooms. Pull up a chair at the 200-year-old dining table, for example, or climb into the 17th-century four-poster bed. In this way, you get a feel for what it was like to live in the house from its construction in 1460 all the way up to WW2.

If you’re looking to book a last minute outing, Staircase House will be in fine festive fettle on 16 December. There’ll be traditional beeswax candle making in the tallow room, hands-on baking in the kitchen, traditional Christmas music in the parlour, quill pen writing and card making in the counting house, and plenty more. Admission costs £3.50 and the event runs from 12 to 5pm.

Groups are welcome to visit outside of normal operating hours – just remember to book before you go.

t            0161 480 1460

•             www.staircasehouse.org.uk

Havens of repose

Major cities like Manchester and Liverpool make the north west an excellent destination for a city break. But with three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and claim to England’s largest national park, the north west is also a good spot to enjoy the great outdoors.

In Preston, Forest of Bowland AONB is a place of grandeur and isolation. As part of the main Pennine range, it has summits over 450 metres and vast expanses of heather-covered moorland. Marton Mere and Cala Grand, two of Haven’s holiday parks, are both within a half-hour drive – and just minutes from Blackpool’s coast and seaside attractions.

Up in Cumbria, Haven’s Lakeland Leisure Park is within a half-hour drive of both Arnside & Silverdale AONB and the Lake District National Park in Kendal – two sites that are definitely worth a visit.

All of Haven’s holiday parks offer a busy programme of on-site entertainment and activities, which might make it difficult to pull your group away for the day. But when you’re this close to some of England’s finest outdoor attractions, we strongly recommend that you do.

t   0870 242 1111

•             www.havengroups.co.uk/pass

Flower power

But that’s not to say you won’t find a tranquil spot in the city. The National Wildflower Centre in Liverpool is a good example of urban regeneration. Opened in 2001, it aims to raise awareness about the importance of wildflowers to the environment, and it also helps to preserve many of the UK’s native flora and fauna.

From early March to early September, you can check out the colourful wildflower displays and take part in one of many on-site workshops. GTOs are invited to contact the centre in advance, as staff can gear events to suit the group.

A trip to the National Wildflower Centre is about a half-day affair, and if you’re coming or going around lunchtime, you can grab a bite to eat at the award-winning Cornflower Café. Give the centre a ring for more information about different visitor options for groups.

t   0151 738 1913

Tropical paradise

Nothing beats the winter blues like a tropical getaway – and you don’t need to travel to Jamaica or the Bahamas to benefit from the moist air, warm temperature and stunning natural surroundings.

The Palms Tropical Oasis at Stapeley Water Gardens in Cheshire puts you within arm’s reach of catfish, piranhas, sharks, toucans, Tamarin monkeys, and giant Amazon water lilies.

For a breath of fresh air, you can stroll outside in the Italian garden or by the Japanese Koi Carp pool. And if you fancy a souvenir from your ‘holiday abroad’ you can always browse Stapeley’s enormous garden centre where you’ll find plants, camping, outdoor and angling equipment, and gifts.

There are good group rates starting at £3.55 per head, and GTOs and coach drivers benefit from free entry, free lunch and a gift voucher to spend in the garden or angling centre. See their website for more info.

t   01270 628628

•             www.stapeleywg.com