Nine half-term day out ideas in and around Stockport
The half-term is here, and chances are you're looking for things to fill your days with!
Here are some suggestions for the itinerary - whether you're enjoying some time to yourself, or if you're looking for some family days out for the memory bank.
Pear Mill
Once discovered, this hidden gem is always a favourite on the day out menu. This historic building is packed with independent businesses offering a huge range of activity options.
The Vintage Emporium is one of the jewels in the Pear Mill crown, with a bewildering array of antiques and vintage clothes stretching for almost an entire floor of the mill. There is also a cafe, perfect for a break between browsing.
Although there isn't much in the way of 'activities' for kids at the Emporium, imaginative youngsters will find much to enjoy in winding through the warren of shelves and admiring the objects for sale. What's more, there are other businesses based out of Pear Mill offering rock climbing, a soft play centre, and more.
Library events
Stockport's libraries are hosting story-time, craft sessions, and much more over the next few days.
On Friday 30 May from 11am-2pm, Edgeley Library will host a pop-up crafts session, where visitors can make bookmarks, model insects, and more.
On Thursday 5 June from 11am-1pm, visitors can join Ilaria the Storyteller at Bramhall Library for a funny interactive story session for the whole family to enjoy.
On Friday 6 June from 10.30am-2.30pm at Cheadle Hulme Library there will be a plant swap, where visitors can bring spare seeds, cuttings, garden plants and house plants to swap for something new. There will also be things available to buy if you don't have anything to swap.
And on Friday 6 June from 11am-12pm at Heald Green Library, board game sessions will be taking place for children.
Goofus Theatre at Stockport Air Raid Shelters
Join the fantastical Goofus Theatre in the amazing Stockport Air Raid shelters for magical encounters and tales for all, told with puppetry, play and mayhem.
Come and meet the transformed Mr Drake, hatter extraordinaire and be told his unbelievable story, venture with our ancestors on a nomadic quest through time with shadow imagery and witness the magical tale of The Glass Umbrella and the strange Blue Caps who dwell underground.
Reddish Vale Farm and park
Reddish Vale Farm is one of Stockport's most popular visitor attractions on Trustpilot. The place is proof that nobody is ever too old to coo over cute animals.
The farm offers the opportunity for visitors of all ages to say hello to friendly fauna, plus there is also a soft play area, a riding school, and food and drink.
Further still, it sits in the beautiful surrounds of Reddish Vale Park, where there are plenty of walking trails crisscrossing this green corner of Stockport.
Avro Heritage Museum
This is one of those museums where you could easily spend a good few days...
Avro Heritage Museum features a fleet of historical and replica aircraft, flight simulators, VR experiences, and a regular programme of events.
Also on offer are cockpit tours of certain aircraft, and a cafe with panoramic views over the airfield.
A great place to spark or indulge an interest in history, engineering, and, of course, aircraft.
Nature walks
May might be half term, but it also happens to be National Walking Month.
It means that you've got as good an excuse as any to take to the footpaths, and indeed to some of the beautiful natural areas around Stockport.
There will be some free group-led walks taking place in the final few days of May; the best way to find times and locations that work for you is to visit https://gmwalking.co.uk/festival-routes/ and browse what's on.
If you're looking for your own route, the Peak Forest Canal, the River Mersey, or Werneth Low are just some ideas to try.
Bramall Hall
This one goes without saying! This beautiful historic hall offers a lot; the charming hall itself is wonderfully preserved, with grand rooms, secret hidey holes, rare medieval wall paintings, and more.
There is also plenty of interest for kids, with regular activities and events. Further still, there is a cafe, a gift shop, and a lovely wooded park.
The hall is having repairs on its roof at the moment, but it remains open. Indeed, for those interested in conversation, it's a chance to appreciate some hitherto unseen aspects of the building.
Stockport Hat Museum
Another much-loved tourist attraction, this is the UK's only dedicated hatting museum. It re-opened last year following an extensive redesign.
If you haven't yet had the pleasure of looking around, here are some of the things to expect; you can, funnily enough, expect hats. But there's more to it than that! Interactive exhibits, factory tours, and more.
Some of the landmark hats include the Duke of Wellington's bicorne, a fez made in Stockport which found its way to South Africa (and back!), some statement hats from Manchester drag artists, and many more.
Visit Stockroom
Stockroom - Stockport's new library and events space - opened on Saturday 24 May.
It's based on the Merseyway high street, in what was once vacant retail units (formerly Topshop and Mothercare).
It's a lovely space to browse books, have a brew, and even catch a range of performances - find the full events programme here.
Stockroom boasts a beautiful open plan layout, with a huge range of areas which make the space perfect for socialising, quiet study, and everything in between.
~
Free from clickbait, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.
To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.
Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or Twitter
Share:
