Your search for 'Manchester' which returned [81] result(s).

Oklahoma

A café with a difference, Oklahoma is a bit bonkers and all the better for it! On one side there is a shop with shelves crammed full of quirky retro stuff, jokey and wacky gifts, imported goods and a great selection of cards, and on the other there’s a mainly veggie café with an eclectic mix of comfy chairs and tables. It’s bustling at weekends and yes you’d struggle a little with a pram when it’s very busy but Oklahoma is something different. Staff absolutely welcome children and it’s really worth a trip if you’re after an alternative present co...

Café Revive at Marks and Spencer

When I’d just had my first baby and I was out shopping in the city centre, Café Revive became a regular haunt. I made sure I timed it early enough to get a seat before the lunchtime rush and I enjoyed sitting there with a coffee and sandwich looking out of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows towards St Ann’s Square. The staff were unerringly helpful – always offering to carry my tray to the table as I negotiated my pram. They’ll provide bottle warmers and there’s baby-changing in the toilets within the café....

Yoga Manchester

Located in a beautiful studio with smooth wooden floors and perfect lighting, this post-natal mum and baby yoga class is an oasis of calm.   The hour-long session is roughly divided into three sections. The first concentrates on mum. So with baby lying on the yoga mat in front of you, you do a series of gentle exercises that include lots of pelvic floor work and concentration on breathing – an essential part of yoga of course. My personal favourite was ‘Yogic Peekaboo’ where you inhale whilst gazing upwards, then exhale coming down to kiss your baby.   Next is t...

Kindergym

When children arrive at the South Manchester Gymnastics Centre, they can’t wait to get started. Set in a huge industrial unit, there are two large rooms full of equipment. In the first, an obstacle course is set up that children can get straight on and work their way round. When the class gets started it’s with a warm-up involving hoops and music which then leads back onto the obstacle course before finishing with roly-polys.   You can then move into the second room, where there’s a huge trampoline, swing ropes, bars and rings, all over giant pits of soft foam. You&rsq...

Land of Play, Trafford Park

Reputedly where footballer Ryan Giggs held his daughter’s birthday party, the brand new Land of Play is in a bright and airy unit close to The Trafford Centre. The toddler/crawling baby section is excellent, with a good range of toys and soft play objects. The large indoor climbing frame has all the usual attachments, though isn’t quite as big as others we’ve been to – frankly this made it quite nice if you’re going with younger ones as you’ve not got lots of gallumping 10-year-olds running wild!   The motorised go-karts on a small custom-made racetra...

Kiddly Beanz, Failsworth

Situated within a parade of shops in Failsworth, this centre is essentially half-café and half-soft play. The soft play section I’d say is more aimed at the younger end of the market. Set out over two levels, it’s quite small in comparison to others, but our little ones found enough to do to keep them happy for half-an-hour or so. And the staff are extremely friendly – clearly a place for locals....

St Ann's Saturday Café

At the geographic centre of Manchester, the café of St Ann’s Church is a peaceful retreat from frenetic shoppers – great if your kids are getting tetchy. If you go into the main church entrance, the small café, staffed by volunteers, is at the back of the church. It sells homemade sandwiches and slices of cake, all served with a smile and at a nice price. The tea and coffee is all accredited by Fair Trade. If you find the café’s full, the Reverend is happy for you to sit in the pews! There is a book stall selling some children’s books. There is a highc...

Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum

The Fire Museum is a treasure trove of old fire engines, photographs and uniforms. Laid out as a Victorian street scene, it's aimed at slightly older children, but there's still loads to look at, and never underestimate the appeal of a big red fire engine to a small child. Whilst you aren't really allowed on the engines, once you get chatting to the very friendly volunteers, they'll be happy to let you take a closer look (or at least they were with us). Toilets and baby changing are available across the yard in the fire station. There is no cafŽ, but instead a coffee machine for 50p and crisps...

Zizzi

When this Italian restaurant chain moved into Dids- bury village, giving a previously miserable and derelict corner building a welcome makeover, us locals were clamouring to give it a try. We found a large, bright restaurant with a warm welcome.     I was most taken with the new interior. Taking its inspiration from Didsbury’s history as the founding place for the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), I think this informs the designto great success.   Anyway, less of the wallpaper. Our waitress was lovely, putting me, my friend and our five monkeys in a lar...

Head Over Heels, Chorlton

Head Over Heels is one of the largest play centres in the UK and the proud owner of an award-winning restaurant (The Observer 2006/7).   There are leather sofas and comfy chairs next to the main play area which, at three storeys high with a three-lane astro slide, keeps the children suitably busy. There is also an exclusively under threes soft play section – quite sizeable and really well equipped, with things like a ball pool with air fountain, slide, perspex tunnel, soft play roundabout and animals, play house, ride-on cars and play panels, among other things. Worth a special me...

Imperial War Museum North

A morning trip to the Imperial War Museum lasted around an hour and a half, including a snack break. It is in a fabulous building and a great setting. The children loved the touchy feely action station and dressing up in the camouflage capes. The Time Stack interactive exhibits are probably more suited to older children, but staff are around to offer more information and take objects out for you to look at. There are some fabulous large objects including a Harrier AV8 plane and a Russian tank outside (captured from Iraqi forces by the Royal Engineers in 2003), which of course the boys were des...

The Wheel of Manchester

Every trip into Manchester city centre for the past 12 months has been dogged by our three-year-old pleading to go on the big wheel. As a vertigo sufferer, I've sought to avoid this, so he's been the beneficiary of a ridiculous number of bribes to divert attention. However, with friends to stay who were also desperate to go up, I found myself in a pod with another nervous father and two highly excitable toddlers.   Up we went, with the kids dashing from side to side, each outdoing the other spotting buses, trains and trams. My little boy started to point out places we'd been to and was ...

The Airport Hotel

From the front The Airport Hotel looks rather like an unassuming pub, but the rear sits just 50 feet from the final approach for Manchester Airport's Runway 23R, and the close-up views of aircraft landing are superb.   The car park at the pub is a small pay and display, but for £3 for one hour you get a £2 voucher redeemable against food or drink purchased inside; £5 for up to four hours' parking entitles you to a £4 voucher. A word of warning: do not park on the road as you're likely to end up with a £60 parking ticket. At the back of the pub you'll find a...

Manchester City Bus Tour

A beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon in September found me, partner, a three-and-a-half year old and a seven-month old running madly down Liverpool Street, bags flapping (not as much as me), waving frantically at one of Manchester's bright red sightseeing tour buses to stop and let us on... yep, we'd been waiting at the wrong bus stop near MOSI so rather than wait another 45 minutes for the next one, we decided to plead, and generously the driver allowed us to board. It was a bit of a kerfuffle - the pram wouldn't fit on without being collapsed and we really did have quite a lot of baby-associ...

City Airport (Barton Aerodrome)

If you have driven over Barton Bridge on the M60 or visited The Trafford Centre you must have noticed the light aircraft coming in to land or taking off from City Airport, locally known as Barton Aerodrome. One clear late Saturday afternoon, as we were driving this way, we decided to stop off for a closer look.   Don't be put off by the security barrier and seemingly private nature of the airfield - it IS open to the public! Immediately on entering the airport's grounds you're up close and personal with the planes, as the airfield is slap bang next to the car park and although it is wel...

Abbotsfield Park Miniature Railway

Abbotsfield Park in Flixton looks at first sight like any other small park. It's a recreation ground the size of a couple of football pitches with a small children's play area.   However, just as you're crossing the bridge to the entrance you're drawn to a plume of steam coming towards you at some speed. This is the Abbotsfield Park Miniature Railway and miniature is the word. It's the smallest locomotive you've ever seen outside of a domestic train set. Our son watched rapt as this tiny engine thundered past with half-a-dozen people in tow.   He couldn't wait to get on and do a ...

Abbotsfield Park Miniature Railway

Abbotsfield Park in Flixton looks at first sight like any other small park. It's a recreation ground the size of a couple of football pitches with a small children's play area. However, just as you're crossing the bridge to the entrance you're drawn to a plume of steam coming towards you at some speed. This is the Abbotsfield Park Miniature Railway and miniature is the word. It's the smallest locomotive you've ever seen outside of a domestic train set. Our son watched rapt as this tiny engine thundered past with half-a-dozen people in tow. He couldn't wait to get on...

The Airport Hotel

From the front The Airport Hotel looks rather like an unassuming pub, but the rear sits just 50 feet from the final approach for Manchester Airport's Runway 23R, and the close-up views of aircraft landing are superb. The car park at the pub is a small pay and display, but for £3 for one hour you get a £2 voucher redeemable against food or drink purchased inside; £5 for up to four hours' parking entitles you to a £4 voucher. A word of warning: do not park on the road as you're likely to end up with a £60 parking ticket. At the back of the pub you'll...

City Airport (Barton Aerodrome)

If you have driven over Barton Bridge on the M60 or visited The Trafford Centre you must have noticed the light aircraft coming in to land or taking off from City Airport, locally known as Barton Aerodrome. One clear late Saturday afternoon, as we were driving this way, we decided to stop off for a closer look. Don't be put off by the security barrier and seemingly private nature of the airfield - it IS open to the public! Immediately on entering the airport's grounds you're up close and personal with the planes, as the airfield is slap bang next to the car park and although it...

Abbotsfield Park Miniature Railway

Abbotsfield Park in Flixton looks at first sight like any other small park. It's a recreation ground the size of a couple of football pitches with a small children's play area. However, just as you're crossing the bridge to the entrance you're drawn to a plume of steam coming towards you at some speed. This is the Abbotsfield Park Miniature Railway and miniature is the word. It's the smallest locomotive you've ever seen outside of a domestic train set. Our son watched rapt as this tiny engine thundered past with half-a-dozen people in tow. He couldn't wait to get on...

The Airport Hotel

From the front The Airport Hotel looks rather like an unassuming pub, but the rear sits just 50 feet from the final approach for Manchester Airport's Runway 23R, and the close-up views of aircraft landing are superb. The car park at the pub is a small pay and display, but for £3 for one hour you get a £2 voucher redeemable against food or drink purchased inside; £5 for up to four hours' parking entitles you to a £4 voucher. A word of warning: do not park on the road as you're likely to end up with a £60 parking ticket. At the back of the pub you'll...

City Airport (Barton Aerodrome)

If you have driven over Barton Bridge on the M60 or visited The Trafford Centre you must have noticed the light aircraft coming in to land or taking off from City Airport, locally known as Barton Aerodrome. One clear late Saturday afternoon, as we were driving this way, we decided to stop off for a closer look. Don't be put off by the security barrier and seemingly private nature of the airfield - it IS open to the public! Immediately on entering the airport's grounds you're up close and personal with the planes, as the airfield is slap bang next to the car park and although it...

Manchester City Bus Tour

A beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon in September found me, partner, a three-and-a-half year old and a seven-month old running madly down Liverpool Street, bags flapping (not as much as me), waving frantically at one of Manchester's bright red sightseeing tour buses to stop and let us on... yep, we'd been waiting at the wrong bus stop near MOSI so rather than wait another 45 minutes for the next one, we decided to plead, and generously the driver allowed us to board. It was a bit of a kerfuffle - the pram wouldn't fit on without being collapsed and we really did have quite a lo...

The Wheel of Manchester

Every trip into Manchester city centre for the past 12 months has been dogged by our three-year-old pleading to go on the big wheel. As a vertigo sufferer, I've sought to avoid this, so he's been the beneficiary of a ridiculous number of bribes to divert attention. However, with friends to stay who were also desperate to go up, I found myself in a pod with another nervous father and two highly excitable toddlers. Up we went, with the kids dashing from side to side, each outdoing the other spotting buses, trains and trams. My little boy started to point out places we'd been to and w...

Abbotsfield Park Miniature Railway

www.udmes.co.uk...

The Airport Hotel

www.theairporthotel.com...

City Airport (Barton Aerodrome)

www.cityairportltd.com...

Manchester City Bus Tour

www.city-sightseeing.com...

The Wheel of Manchester

www.worldtouristattractions.co.uk...

Worsley Old Hall

As we all know, little ones can’t sit still for long, so on a warm day Worsley Old Hall is a good choice if you want a leisurely lunch. The elegant 16th Century hall (formerly the home of the Duke of Bridgewater) is set in its own grounds overlooking Marriot Worsley Park Golf Club. You can sit and relax on the terrace and savour your dessert and coffee whilst your children run around on the lawn or clamber and climb on fallen branches in full view.   The food is from the Brewers Fayre chain, of which the hall is now part. There is a children’s menu that tries to promote heal...

Anchor’s Away Play, Manchester

A new addition to the world of soft play centres, I found Anchor’s Away Play a perfect venue for the team of little ones we took along. It’s not too big, and on the day we went, not too busy, so we were able to get a table next to the smaller soft play area aimed at toddlers. It meant we could pop our two early crawlers in there and whilst they were only a couple of feet away wobbling around in a padded section, we could sit back and enjoy a coffee and a chat. This area is also flooded with natural light so it feels nice and airy.   Meanwhile the older brothers had fun in th...

Whitworth Art Gallery, The

Even with two little ones in tow, a visit to the Whitworth is still a favourite trip of mine. I find the gallery just so tranquil and inviting. Set over two floors and with plenty of ramps, it's easy to push prams around. The large airy spaces mean toddlers can enjoy a good waddle around too. At the entrance, you can pick up themed 'family bags' containing colouring paper and activities to entertain the children as you wander around and there's a couple of costume stations for them to try on outfits and amuse you with. The Art Cart is now located near the wallpaper gallery. Here you'll find co...

Lowry, The

Visiting The Lowry Galleries was a much more rewarding experience than I expected. First of all getting there - because it's slightly out of the centre and parking's all on site, it felt easy to access. There's also a bus service and the Metrolink tram drops you a 10-minute walk away. So we parked up and took a short stroll around the Salford Quays before arriving at the magnificent steel and glass clad Lowry building. The feeling of space inside the brightly coloured foyer with its sloping blue floors is fantastic. We headed first for 'The Deck' and 'Family Corner', which are upstairs just to...

Rhythm Time

This is a great musical interaction class, well thought out and designed to help a child’s development – it’s also fast-paced and really enjoyable for parents and babies alike! First of all there’s a bit of an introduction where everyone in the group says their baby’s name and how old they are. Then it was straight into the first song and shaking the maracas!   The next musical interlude involved sliding the babies up and down mum’s knees whilst singing – they all adored it. As well as musical instruments, there are lots of props used throughout...

Pizza Express

Pizza Express is a pleasant dining experience and delivers consistently good pizzas. They are very family-friendly and are more than used to the odd tantrum. You can watch pizzas being made in the open kitchen, but unfortunately you can’t make your own (although some branches now cater for children’s parties where you can do just that).The Piccolo children’s meal is three courses for £6.10.     This includes dough balls, pizza or pasta, salad and dessert, plus a Bambinoccino – frothy milk with chocolate sprinkles, that give parents an extra 10 minutes ...

Lead Station, The

An informal and popular café bar where you can have a leisurely breakfast, pop in for coffee and cake or dine on three courses. Housed in a former police station, it always seems to be teeming with children of all ages (particularly around the early dinner slot of 6-8pm). This really helps to provide its informal and friendly atmosphere.     We are regulars, in fact my four-year-old is so accustomed to the menu that he usually places his order as we are being shown to a table. The boys love it because the children’s menu is good and the staff always take time to have a...

Coriander Restaurant

We didn't start our night aiming for a curry with the children, but that’s where we ended up at an unusu- ally late hour of 7.30pm. We quickly ordered poppadoms and even got the boys trying the dips while we glanced through the menu.   It was only after a few minutes that we realised it was in fact the children’s menu. It is a very extensive list, priced around £7.90 for a main course, rice and chips including a drink or ice cream. We ordered one curry for them to share, which was plenty. There are no baby-changing facilities or crayons, but the staff are very friendly...

Fat Loaf, The

We worried a bit that we’d be too disruptive for this smart bistro in Didsbury, but the staff couldn’t do enough for us. It’s part of a local, independent chain and is advertised as a family-friendly restaurant – a billing it definitely lived up to.     We had a very cosy early supper by a wood-burning stove as a welcome respite against a snowy January evening. It’s not the cheapest, but deals are usually available. I’d recommend the pre-6pm light bites menu as perfect for a young family. We ordered plain grilled fish with vegetables from the chi...

Wythenshawe Park

This public park covering around 250 acres in south Manchester has a lot to offer - a working community farm, a playground, a sixteenth century hall and even a horticultural centre.   It also has historic and ornamental woodlands, formal flowerbeds and beautiful wildflower meadows to explore. The small farm (a registered charity) is always our main reason to visit. Because it's free and on the doorstep, it is easy to pop in for half-an-hour. There are cows, sheep, pigs, horses and chickens - the usual suspects. You can buy eggs here as well. If you're after a pleasant walk, a trip to a ...

Platt Fields Park

Although not the prettiest, Platt Fields has a lot to offer. There are two great playgrounds for small children, one specifically for under fives with lots of age-appropriate equipment and a central boating lake which is paved all around.   During the summer you can hire boats for around £5 for half-an-hour for up to four people. Through the rest of the park there are walking paths where you tend to stumble on some rather nice little mini-gardens such as the Shakespearean Garden and the Eco Arts Garden, the latter of which is great for exploring.   Toilets are in the Lak...

Philips Park

Opened in 1846, Philips Park is one of the world's first municipal parks. It's still crammed with original features including the carriage drive, serpentine paths and plantation, although its Victorian splendour has worn a little thin.   It's situated next to the City of Manchester Stadium and covers 31 acres of ground, with the River Medlock running through the middle. We found the best place to leave the car was on Stuart Street - the entrance there brings you straight in at the younger children's play area, then you can drop down towards the duck pond and have more of a walk around t...

Pennington Flash Country Park

With a huge lake as its focal point, Pennington Flash is a beautiful country park in Leigh. Clearly popular, there's a large pay and display car park by the water's edge. We started our visit with the obvious favourite - the children's playground, which everyone loved.   There was sand to play in, a large net-style circular swing, toddler swings and even a metal satellite dish style spinning ride - great equipment but I imagine on a busy weekend it may not be quite big enough. Next we embarked on the walk. We checked the map first, did the toilets second (surprisingly clean - big tick t...

Longford Park

Despite the fact that between us we've lived in Didsbury and Chorlton for donkeys years, neither myself nor my friend Caroline had ever visited Longford Park, just a mile or so down the road in Stretford.   So it was good to spend a couple of hours here exploring with our four children. The park dates back to 1850 and still contains the historic coach house and stable buildings, though unfortunately the original house constructed by John Rylands, the famous cotton merchant, has been flattened. We strolled around the pretty gardens and although in some places you could see money needs to...

Heaton Park

One of the largest publicly-owned parks in Europe (650 acres, Grade II listed) and just four miles north of the city centre, there is loads to see and do with little ones in beautiful Heaton Park. There are four car parks so look on a map before you go to work out which one's best.   First off we visited the Farm Centre - home to pigs, cows, sheep, rabbits and alpacas, although the animals were slightly upstaged by the tiny outside play area with its wooden tractor. Thankfully the lure of a donkey ride tempted them away. The donkeys from the farm are harnessed up most weekends to give c...

Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens

Whether in summer or winter, this park is beautiful. There is limited parking off Millgate Lane and on Stenner Lane, but beware of parking in the Didsbury Pub car park as there are clamping signs everywhere.   The cafe opens most weekends and daily through the summer months, as well as occasionally on a cold bright winter's day. There is a small visitor centre at the bottom of the building behind the cafŽ which is open Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, and at weekends if there is a warden. Toilets are usually open, but there are no baby-changing facilities. If you manage to get past the cafe without bei...

Daisy Nook Country Park

Daisy Nook is an area of the Medlock Valley between Oldham, Failsworth and Ashton-under-Lyne. Despite us missing the turning it is actually quite easy to find (follow the sign to Daisy Nook Garden Centre) and is only five minutes from the motorway and Ikea. At the bottom of the hill is a free car park and The John Howarth Countryside Centre, a friendly cafŽ with information leaflets and displays.   They sell hot and cold snacks, including bacon barms, toasties, cups of tea and hot Vimto. Tables can be found inside but there's also an outdoor picnic area. It is worth calling in here for ...

Chorlton Water Park, Chorlton Ees and Ivy Green

Tucked away, not far from Princess Parkway, you'll find this great all-round park. It is a very easy one-mile walk round the lake and with flat paths it is perfect for pushchairs or bikes.   There are a couple of gentle sandy slopes down to the water, ideal for feeding the ducks or poking around in the mud with a stick. Take detours off the path and you'll find blackberry bushes and almost directly across the lake from the main entrance, over the bridge, you'll discover a path on your left leading to Kenworthy Woods - essentially a secret orchard, where you can help yourself to apples, ...

Boggart Hole Clough

Boggart Hole Clough is an ancient, densely wooded park three miles north of Manchester city centre. Park in the free Charlestown Road car park and set off in the direction of the lake but one word of warning - the park is anything but flat!   As the name indicates it's in a clough - which means a ravine. In former times, the clough was said to be haunted by the Boggart, a mischievous goblin or phantom. We were a bunch of one pram containing a baby, one toddler walking and three on scooters. So the scooters were whizzing perilously down hills, the mum with the pram was puffing up hills ...

Wagamama

With a name that translates as wilful or naughty child, surely Wagamama must be the place to go with children for dinner?     We visited the Spinning- fields    branch of this rapidly-expanding noodle bar chain. It is set on ground level in a state-of-the-art building, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking trees festooned with fairy lights and it always seems to have a buzz and energy about it.     The staff are friendly and the food is consistently good. Highchairs clip straight on to the tables so there’s no problem sitting wherever you like a...

The Olive Press

Part of chef Paul Heathcote’s restaurant collection, the Olive Press chain is brilliantly child-friendly. The Little Olives menu selection is impressive and at £4.95 very good value.     The ‘make your own pizza’ option is hugely popular in our household – a small pizza base is brought to your table with various toppings – the children then make their own concoction and it’s whisked off to the oven. But if that doesn’t take their fancy you’ve got plenty of pasta or grill dishes to choose from. They also get a drink (fruit juice,...

Tampopo

After reading the rave review in last year’s Babies in the City, I couldn’t wait to try out Manchester’s very own noodle chain – Tampopo. It didn’t disappoint. We went on a Satur- day for lunch and though busy, we got a lovely welcome and thankfully a table too! Crayons, menus and children’s chopsticks were quickly doled out and our drinks order promptly taken.     The food options for the children were chicken satay or noodles, plus an ice cream or sorbet for £3.95 or a choice of a small version of anything off the main menu for £4.5...

Tai Wu

The Tai Wu on Oxford Road opposite the Palace Theatre has always been a favourite in our family. It’s a brilliantly popular restaurant, full of Chinese families. We either arrive a few minutes before it opens at 12, (though we are still never first in line!) or leave it until later when things have quietened down. You will probably still have to take a ticket and wait in the bar area for 15 minutes.     Tai Wu serves traditional dim sum from trolleys pushed around the restaurant. The benefit is food available immediately, but you can still order from the menu.. With all the v...

Tai Pan Restaurant

If you’re looking to introduce the kids to Chinese food, then the Tai Pan may well fit the bill. Located in purpose-built premises on Upper Brook Street, free on-site parking makes it very easy and the children will find the supermarket downstairs an interesting contrast to Sainsbury’s.     Upstairs (there is a lift for your pushchair) the restaurant is popular with Chinese families, bearing testament to the excellent food. The waiters aren’t the friendliest in the world, but the food is pretty quick and fairly reasonably priced.     There are plenty o...

Strada

I think the pizzas at Strada are pretty much the best you can get. We tried out the city centre branch in the Spinningfields area with the children one Saturday lunchtime.     I was surprised at how quiet the restaurant was, but this meant there was no problem getting a table. There was no children’s menu (though according to the manager one is being tried out in Wilmslow) or activities, but a smaller version of any adult meal can be supplied. We stuck to pizzas (average price for an adult size £8.95) and when they arrived, our three-year-old’s wasn’t much s...

Loch Fyne

My first trip to Loch Fyne was with friends in the evening and I had a great time so I was looking forward to returning with the children so that they could check out the fish tanks and the colourful array of lobsters, crabs, langoustines and oysters on display.     The staff were great with Harry and Sam and took them over to the fish tanks for a short lesson in crustaceans, and at one point a waiter brought a live lobster to the table, which went down really well.     Loch Fyne has a children’s menu and for £6 you have a choice that includes haddock goujon...

Jam Street Café

I’d only been to Jam Street Café in the evening for drinks and a spot of dinner, so thought it was worth a try in the name of research to come back during the day with the kids.     In the traditional sense they are not child-friendly. There are no baby-changing facilities, little room for pushchairs and no obvious children’s menu. But they do a great breakfast (available until 3pm) for £5.80, which is perfect to share with a little one, or they are happy to go off piste and cook some beans on toast or something similar.    A children’s fa...

Gourmet Burger Kitchen

The menu has a whopping 28 burgers to choose from with some very tasty twists on the classic burger. Gourmet Burger Kitchen is certainly child-friendly, there’s a dedicated children’s menu where they can order a burger (vegetarian option available), fries and drink for £5.95.     Or there’s the option to have chicken pieces instead for the same price. Our little boy wasn’t perhaps quite at the age where he could get stuck into the food so it was a bit wasted on him. The food was delicious but there are no activity packs for little ones so take your own...

Giraffe

Myself and the boys were in town early on a Saturday evening in the run up to Christmas. Having been turned away from another restaurant in Spinningfields despite not being full (we only wanted a quick snack for the boys), I expected the same treatment from Giraffe. Nothing could have been more different, the staff were extremely welcoming and quickly sorted the kids out with balloons and a Giraffe stirrer, which they loved.     From Chicken Schnitzels to a Sunshine Power- food Salad, Giraffe is all about exploring different foods from around the world.The children’s food por...

Felicini

Although pretty much an institution on Didsbury High Street, funnily enough I’d never actually tried Felicini until one lunchtime when friends and I were passing and a board outside advertising a cut-price pizza deal enticed us in.     As it’s quite a swish restaurant, we requested a table in a quieter bit so we wouldn’t disrupt the other diners – the waitress sensibly suggested we sit towards the back in one of the large leather-seated booths. She was very accommodating, bringing crayons and paper out for the children and obliging with a large jug of tap wa...

El Rincon De Raf

This well-known Manchester institution was regularly frequented by the younger and more single me, so what would it be like to return with two children in tow? The 20 or so steep steps down to this hideaway basement restaurant are the first indicator that babies probably don’t visit that often.     Once I’d safely and extremely slowly navigated these (God bless the Bugaboo), I was asked by the waiting staff whether I’d booked – yep, despite it being 5pm on a Saturday, the restaurant was bustling. “Errr, no I haven’t!” Things were not lookin...

Dukes 92

A favourite of ours pre-children, we decided to return to Dukes with our three-year-old in tow. For those who don’t know it, Dukes 92 is located in a fabulous spot in the Castle- field area of central Manchester at the meeting point of the Bridgewater and Rochdale canals – in fact it takes its name from the adjacent Duke’s Lock.     The pub-café interior is nice and spacious with a selection of booths or tables and chairs – it’s all on the flat, so easy to get in with a buggy and park up next to your table. The canal-side patio has plenty of sea...

Dimitri’s

For me, this great Greek restau- rant brings back memories of long leisurely evenings spent with friends – so I was a little apprehensive about allowing my two-and-a-half year old to blow a hole in those rose-tinted glasses. But I need not have worried. Things got off to a great start, with the houmus and pitta bread having the same effect on my daughter as the San Miguel had on me – soothing.     A main of pasta bolognese for her (okay so it’s not exactly Greek, but anything for an easy life) and fish kebabs for us got a serious thumbs up all around. The kids&rsq...

Croma

With friends up for the weekend and us all wanting a good lunch before they headed back down south, we opted for the ever-reliable Croma in Chorlton. The more I go to this locally-based chain, the more I enjoy it.     The pizzas are consistently good, the waiters always calm and it is excellent value for money. The children’s menu includes a drink, pizza or pasta dish, salad sticks, ice cream and a cromaccino (frothy milk), all for £4.95.     The staff don’t even bat an eyelid when most of the salad sticks and colouring pens provided end up on the floo...

Carluccio’s

Going to Carluccio’s for lunch is always a treat – a perfect, delicious escape. The waiting staff fall over themselves to coo at any babies and always seem to have time to engage visiting children.     The kids menu at £6.25 is excellent value, with a good choice of dishes such as breadsticks and a soft drink to start, followed by pasta with different sauces, lasagne or ravioli.   It also offers smaller por- tions of items off the main menu if nothing else appeals. And then to finish is the gorgeous ice cream, which I have to confess is simply divine.  ...

Café Rouge

Café Rouge was a winning choice for me when I wanted to meet up with fellow mums and babies. We used to meet mid-morning, post one feed and pre-another, discussing the sleeping patterns of our newborns over a hot chocolate and a croissant.The thing I liked most about Café Rouge was at this time of day it was usually pleasantly quiet. So a collection of novice pram drivers with our precious cargo didn’t feel so intimidated!   I’ve since returned with my toddler and found the staff just as amenable and the children’s menu fairly priced with a good selection...

Café Metro

If you fancy fish and chips then you will be hard pushed to find a better spot to dine than Café Metro, situated at Blackfriars between Bury and Whitefield. Offering fabulous adult and child-sized portions of meat puddings, fish, scampi and a host of non-chippy items, such as Whitby Crab starter, you will be spoilt for choice. Although it is more expensive than a takeaway (£3.45 for children’s cod and chips, £7.85 for adults), the restaurant is a charming place to eat.     It has been tastefully decorated and tiled in black and white throughout. It is also ...

Brasserie Chez Gerard

We really put Chez Gerard to the test! It was Saturday teatime in mid-December with the Christmas Market across the road and absolutely heaving with people. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Manchester city centre busier. We fought our way to the door and asked if they had a table for three; we hadn’t booked. The manager hesitated for just a moment before racking his brains and smiling ‘yes, but only for an hour or so’.     Despite our son being in a terrible mood, the staff were terrific and couldn’t do enough for him. The waitress was even on hands ...

Barburrito

Previously listed in The Guardian’s Top 50 healthy fast-food places and garnering various accolades such as ‘best newcomer’ and ‘award-win- ning and cool’, Barburrito continues to be one of Babies in the City’s favourites, too. New for 2010 is the Bambino menu for kids of 12 years and under.     They can choose from Bambino bowls (rice, beans, meat and salsa) or burritos (chicken, beans, pork), both priced at just £2.50. You order your dish at the counter, the staff prepare it freshly in front of you (which the children enjoy watching), you...

Vicarage Garden Centre, Carrington

Step through the garden centre to the vicarage garden and you feel like you have walked into a chapter of Frances Burnett’s ‘The Secret Garden’. From benches surrounded by honeysuckle, overflowing herbaceous borders, woodland walks and ducks in the peace garden, to Billy and Wilf the goats – there is something here to capture your imagination.     If that all fails, why not sit in the shade of a gigantic Gunnera (‘giant rhubarb’) whilst your children play in the adventure playground. Poo’s pantry is at the heart of the garden and serves a s...

Thyme Out Deli

This is a great little spot to go with children on a summer's day as at the side of the building is a lovely fenced herb garden complete with pebbled paths, parasols and plants for sale. It can also be accessed via a side gate, which is useful if you have a pram.   We have visited several times with a large group of friends and their children. Taking along a few toy cars and a bucket, the children have enjoyed messing around in the pebbles whilst waiting for their lunch. A good drinks menu offers fresh smoothies (£2.95 each), with interesting names such as the 'Neneh Cherry', toge...

Slattery's Patissier and Chocolatier

The real appeal of a trip to Slattery's is not the dining room on the first floor of the three-storey Victorian building that houses the Slattery empire but walking through the 'Willie Wonka'-style shop on the ground floor.   Children cannot fail to be impressed by the rows and rows of superbly decorated cakes, gateaux, chocolates of every shape and size, sweets, and bottles of sarsaparilla. Unfortunately there are no oompah-loompahs but the 'chocolate factory' itself can be viewed through large picture windows at the rear of the shop. The elegant dining room on the first floor, which c...

Roma

This family-run deli, cafŽ and bakery has been in Whitefield for as long as I can remember. It was recently re-housed in a swanky new building, adjoined externally to a new Morrisons supermarket. Conveniently Roma now shares Morrisons' car park so there is bags of parking.   It is also within spitting distance of the metro station and bus stops. I visited on a Tuesday lunchtime with my two- year-old and a couple of friends. The staff were very friendly and immediately interacted with my son. The cafe and deli appeared very 'glossy' with marble floors, large windows, spotlights and shiny...

Oddest

Chorlton has always led the way in great independent eateries - and Oddest is a new kid on the south Manchester block. The third in the portfolio of 'Odd' establishments (the other two are city centre based), we gave the child-friendly service at this ostensibly grown-up bar 10 out of 10.   The decor is quirky and eccentric, with a mix of sofas, tables and chairs, plus a screen showing pro- grammes on a loop (with the mute button on) - 'Lilo & Stitch' was playing when we were there. The staff couldn't have done more - they use portable Totseats, which they helped us fasten to the ch...

Greater Manchester Police Museum

Tucked away in the Northern Quarter of Manchester city centre is the Police Museum. Voluntary run, it's only open on Tuesdays. For toddlers I don't think it is worth a special trip, but if you're in the area and have an hour this is a lovely museum and it's free. In the Transport Gallery there is a police car and bike to look at, but unfortunately not touch. There are a lot of glass cases containing police equipment and uniforms and a case filled with toy cars, which is what my children were most interested in. There are loads of dressing up clothes and handling items like poli...

Manchester Museum

Explore the world and travel through the ages' is what the blurb for Manchester Museum claims and it definitely delivers. It's impossible to describe this museum in just a few lines because its 15 galleries have a bit of everything. There are skeletons galore, including a sperm whale, Stan the Tyrannosaurus Rex and the recently introduced Maharaja, an elephant that once lived in Manchester. There's also an Egyptian room brimming with ancient art (including mummies) and the Darwin exhibition (running until August 2010), amongst millions of other items to look at. Highlights from our...

Manchester Regiment Museum and Setantii

The Manchester Regiment Museum is situated within the beautiful Town Hall in the main square of Ashton-under-Lyne. There are a number of steps leading up to the Victorian building but if you've got a pushchair there is side access with a lift. We went during the summer holidays and just chanced upon one of its regular art and craft sessions, every Wednesday during the school holidays between 11am and 3pm. The children loved making Nelson style hats, which went very well with the Sportacus outfits! The museum tells the story of generations of Manchester Regiment soldiers from 1756 until 195...

Manchester Art Gallery

The Manchester Art Gallery was short-listed for the Guardian Family Friendly Museum Award in 2008. The gallery itself is of course stuffed with fabulous paintings by artists such as Adolphe Valette and Lowry, and while you're trying to check out the masterpieces there's a few dressing up clothes for the children to play with. We tried to encourage our two-year-old to follow the drawing trail (cartoon-esque labels underneath some of the paintings by the children's illustrator Tony Ross) around the gallery and despite him being a bit young for it, we had mild success! Another feature...

MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry)

A world-class museum right on our doorstep - MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) - never fails to keep my children entertained and when we have friends from out of town to stay, it is absolutely one of my favourite places to visit. I love the fact that you can dip in and out of this museum, that each time you go there'll be a different part that you probably didn't get around to seeing last time. With five major buildings - Main Building, 1830 Warehouse, Station Building, Power Hall, and Air and Space Hall - the sheer scale of the museum also means that the children c...

Museum of Transport

This is one that everyone should go to! The Museum of Transport is delightful. It's clearly a labour of love for all the volunteers that run it, and you can't help but be impressed by the enthusiasm behind it. Located within a genuine bus garage just off Cheetham Hill in Manchester, the museum features original transport offices preserved like time capsules from the past, complete with antique dŽcor, furniture, old ticket machines and uniforms. Some of the collection was actually used in one of the Harry Potter films. There are over 70 restored buses, coaches and trams - honestly, ...

People's History Museum

After two years of major refurbishment the new People's History Museum will now be based in one location, with a spectacular new extension. This social history museum tells the story of democracy in this country and proves that ideals have always been worth fighting for. It is very much a family-friendly gallery with plenty of interactives for all ages throughout the building. There is a cafŽ called The Left Bank as well as picnic areas on-site in the old engine hall. The new museum re-opens on Saturday 13 February 2010....

Urbis

Since its arrival in 2002, Urbis has gone on to form an iconic part of Manchester's skyline. Sadly, from Saturday 27th February 2010, it will be closing to undergo transformation into the National Football Museum. It is due to re-open some time in 2011....

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