Eye spy with my little eye… some nice weather… Is that summer I see approaching us? It feels like we’ve been waiting for the sunshine forever but it’s finally upon us – I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to enjoy some free time! If you’re spending your summer in Manchester, you might have found yourself at a loss as to what to do – and that’s where I come in. Want to find out some new things to do in Manchester this August? Then keep reading.
Surround yourself in Nature
If I’m tired, stressed, sad or otherwise, I always find the best way to make myself feel better is to get myself outside enjoying some nature – and when the weather’s nice, being outdoors is a necessity.
The summer is a great time to get out and explore some of Manchester’s outdoor spaces – whether that’s sunbathing in Piccadilly Gardens in the Northern Quarter, wandering canal trails (and maybe ending up in a pub) or getting on a bus to escape the city centre and explore Fletcher Moss Park.
Living in a city can feel claustrophobic at times, so make sure to get out and enjoy these spaces when you can – your body will thank you for it. And if you’re really feeling stuck, jump on a train and head to the beach at Merseyside – have a whole day out, why not?
Go to the Theatre
The last year and a half has been a difficult time for everyone, but I think it’s safe to say that theatres have taken a bigger hit than some other industries. Finally, they’re able to re-open and shows are starting to come back, so why not go support our industry and enjoy theatre at the same time?
The Hope Mill Theatre is coming back with a bang, with their outdoor arts and culture festival Hope Fest throughout July and August, and their production of Rent opening from 6th August to 19th September (I’ve got my tickets and I’m very excited).
Arts centre HOME has opened its doors for film and theatre alike, and its new outdoor venue HOMEGROUND is still open for business too – whatever you’re looking for, there’s something for everyone. Manchester Theatres usually has a good list of what’s on around the city, so check in there to see if there is anything you fancy.
Visit the Trafford Centre
Now I’m not trying to encourage you to spend ALL of your money – but have you seen the Trafford Centre? It’s like a holiday in itself! Being the third-largest shopping centre in the UK, the Trafford Centre has so many ways for you to spend the day.
Not only does it have all the shops you could ever need to kit out your entire life, but it also has a Sealife Centre, an adventure golf course and a cinema, plus over 50 places to eat and drink.
You could literally spend a whole weekend here and still find things to do. Plus the inside is decorated with palm trees and chandeliers and looks so wonderful – can you tell this place blows my mind? This girl from a little village is impressed. Let’s go shopping!
Celebrate Pride
One of the biggest celebrations of the summer, Manchester Pride is drawing near – and with restrictions continuing to ease, the event is hoping to go ahead as normal.
Pride is the best time to celebrate all things LGBTQIA+, and the weekend of fun is not to be missed. Whether you want to attend the free Pride Parade or grab tickets to the Gay Village Street Party or Pride Live, you can have an incredible time celebrating love with your pals – and after the year we’ve had, I think it’s well needed. Check out the Manchester Pride website here for more information.
Explore Chinatown
Sometimes England gets a bit boring, and you wish you could be exploring another country and culture, right? Well when that’s the case, take a trip down to Manchester’s Chinatown.
Being the second-largest Chinatown in the UK it’s a great place to experience new culture and cuisine, with so many great restaurants such as Lotus Vegetarian Kitchen and Teppanyaki – plus the Manchester Art Gallery is located nearby, so you can go enjoy some art while you’re there too. A double whammy of fun!
Try an Escape Room
Who would’ve thought that people would find enjoyment from being locked in a room, and only being allowed out if they solve a load of puzzles? It’s definitely a strange one – but you best believe I am one of those people that loves escape rooms.
If you and your friends fancy a fun, new activity to try, why not head out to one of Manchester’s many escape rooms to try a game? Breakout Manchester has 16 different puzzles for you to try of varying difficulty, so you’re bound to find one that appeals to the whole group.
Escape Reality has 8 rooms for you to get locked in – plus both have some ‘spooky’ rooms if that’s what you fancy.
Whether you’re the kind of person who can spend the day lounging in the sun, or you need a bit more activity to keep you occupied, Manchester has so many ways for you to spend the day. So make sure you’re enjoying that summer sunshine and have the fun holiday that you deserve!
Author: Charley Morgan, ICTheatre Graduate 2020
