What’s On in Didsbury?
Just outside of Manchester, the Waterside Hotel’s home of Didsbury has the benefit of being near the hustle and bustle of the city as well as the tranquillity of Cheshire countryside. At our Didsbury hotel, we like to make sure that our guests make the most of the amazing local attractions, so we have put together a list of our top picks that are coming up over the next few months…
October Events at Quarry Bank
A fascinating legacy of the Industrial Revolution, Quarry Bank offers a fantastic opportunity to explore life in a 19th century mill. The property, owned by the National Trust, is a remarkable example of an industrial village that housed both the Greg family, who founded the enterprise, and all of their workers. Throughout October, Quarry Bank will be holding a number of exciting events for visitors to enjoy.
Hunting for Infection 24th – 28th October
Take a tour of the Apprentice House and find out all about the grisly parasites which invaded the children who worked at the mill.
Halloween Weekend 29th – 30th October
In a great event for all the family, enjoy a special story telling session in the Apprentice House and have fun with a family craft activities and a Halloween trail in the mill.
Spooky Tours 28th – 29th October
Join in this eerie event at Quarry Bank if you dare… For a truly spine chilling evening, embark upon a terrifying tour of the Mill, performed by the NRG theatre company and students from Staffordshire University.
Exhibitions at The Whitworth Gallery
The Whitworth Gallery, which belongs to Manchester University, is another stunning example of how Manchester flourished during the Industrial Revolution. Originally known as the Whitworth Institute and Park, it opened its doors in 1889 to “people of all social classes”. The gallery’s aim was to counter the darkness and monotony of life in the inner city. While the drudgery and illness that accompanied the Industrial Revolution has now long since departed Manchester, the sentiment of a gallery for all remains and there are plenty of exciting events coming up at the Whitworth this autumn…
Idris Khan 14th October 2016 – 19th March 2017
Celebrated British contemporary artist, Idris Khan brings his striking solo exhibition to the Whitworth. Comprising of a range of painting, drawing and photography, Khan’s unmistakable spectral style is sure to provide ample food for thought.
ARTIST ROOMS: Andy Warhol 19th November 2016 – 16th April 2017
In association with National Galleries of Scotland and Tate, this exhibition focusses on themes of death, politics and identity. The collection of work came to light after an unsuccessful murder attempt on Warhol in 1968 which forced him to confront death head on. The works on display are taken from the extensive ARTIST ROOMS collection of 232 works by Andy Warhol, spanning his entire career.
‘Hats Amazing’ at Stockport Hat Works 26th November 2015 – 19th March 2017
An intriguing legacy of Stockport’s long and illustrious hatting industry, the Hat Works provide a great interactive experience. The Hat Works is home to a carefully reconstructed hat factory with 20 fully restored working Victorian-style machines and a collection of over 400 hats from around the world. At the ‘Hats Amazing’ exhibition, you can discover and learn all about Stockport’s local hatting history via an exciting array of previously unseen hatting gems.
Fashion at Manchester Art Gallery
Another stalwart of the Manchester art scene, the Manchester Art Gallery is one of the UK’s most valuable and interesting cultural resources. With collections spanning centuries, the gallery is constantly refreshing their acquisitions so that every visit is different. This autumn hey have some particularly exciting fashion led exhibitions to tickle your fancy…
Vogue 100: A Century of Style 24thJune – 30th October
This exhibition showcases an amazing back catalogue of photographs that have been commissioned by British Vogue since it was founded in 1916. The exhibition sees almost 300 prints from the Condé Nast archives as well as international collections being brought together for the first time to tell the story of one of the most influential fashion magazines in the world.
Fashion and Freedom 13th May – 27th November
Fashion & Freedom is part of 14-18 NOW, a five-year programme of extraordinary arts experiences connecting people with the First World War. The exhibition features commission pieces inspired by the fashion of 1914-18. Taking inspiration from Edwardian fashion and tracking its progression and transformation through the war years, this is a truly thought provoking retrospective.
Guided Walks at Dunham Massey
For those who fancy a bit more of a fresh air experience, then a trip to the National Trust owned Dunham Massey might be for you. The 18th century house complete with stunning gardens and medieval deer park, makes for the perfect walking spot, and to help you decide which route to take- how about one of the property’s fascinating guided walks?
Rut Walks 12th – 28th October
See the fallow deer in all of their glory during rutting season, when the stags battle it out to win the affections of the largely uninterested doe.
Architecture Walk 5th November
This walk will allow you to discover the many architectural features dotted around Dunham’s grounds and gardens.
Bird Walk 3rd December
Grab your binoculars and see what you can spot in the tree tops at Dunham Massey and learn all about the feathery residents of the property.
As you can see, there is are plenty of exciting events coming up in the Didsbury area over the next few months, and the Waterside Hotel makes the perfect Didsbury hotel to base your adventures from. Book direct for best our best rates, or call us on 0161 971 7000 to enquire.