The sun is shining and there is lots happening across the region
07:40, 03 May 2025Updated 07:41, 03 May 2025
Open Air Bounce (Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
The bank holiday weekend is here and for once there is no rain forecast.
Most people will be wanting to make the most of the three days by getting out and about in the nice weather, especially if you’ve got kids to entertain.
Well if you’re out of ideas never fear, as there’s lots of stuff happening over the long weekend, including a special VE Day Street Party taking place at Imperial War Museum North on bank holiday Monday to mark the upcoming 80th anniversary of VE Day.
We’ve put together a few suggestions here to give you a little inspiration for the next few days…
Open Air Bounce – the outdoor inflatable bounce park is open at Over Hulton, Bolton, this weekend, with sessions at 11am and 2.30pm. Based on Umberton Farm, the attraction is packed with huge inflatables including bouncy castles, slides and obstacle courses. Fairground rides are also available for an additional charge. Visit the website for more details or follow Open Air Bounce on Facebook.
Day Out With Thomas, East Lancashire Railway – There are still tickets available for the event at Bury’s East Lancashire Railway this weekend. Celebrating 80 years of Thomas, it includes a train ride and lots of other activities including live performances from Rusty and Dusty and Sir Topham Hatt, the chance to meet Diesel, story tellings, singalongs and more. Visit the website to book.
A Day Out With Thomas is running this Saturday to Monday(Image: ELR)
Tatton Park – The park is always a popular spot when the weather is nice and on bank holiday Monday it’s playing host to the Fun Dog Show. Take your furry friend along and compete for prizes in categories like ‘Waggiest Tail’ and ‘Golden Oldie’. Every class winner will receive a rosette, and there’s a chance for your dog to be crowned the Show Champion at the end of the day. Visit the website for more details.
Wild Shore Delamere / Blackpool – Families can cool off with some water sports at Wild Shore sites in both Delamere and Blackpool this bank holiday weekend. Activities include the aquapark and paddle boarding and the Delamere site is home to the floating obstacle course Aqua Chimp. To book see the website here.
The aquapark at Wild Shore Delamere(Image: Wild Shore Delamere)
Smithills Open Farm, Bolton – There are lots of new arrivals to meet at the farm this weekend, including some newborn piglets. There are all kinds of activities to get involved with including the chance to feed animals, enjoy tractor rides and donkey rides and see the reptile room. The farm’s Ice Cream Shop is also open longer now the weather is warmer. Those visiting the shop between 5pm and 8pm get access to the play park on site too, with climbing frames, slides, ride-ons and more. See the website for more details.
Imperial War Museum North – If you’re wanting to get inside for some shade this weekend then there’s lots happening at IWMN. Story Seekers sessions are available each weekend giving visitors the chance to explore the collection and ‘discover compelling real-life stories’. On Bank Holiday Monday, May 5, there is a special VE Day Street Party taking place. Drop in between 10am and 4pm to take part in street party activities; craft paper hats, flowers, and paper plate portraits, and enjoy playing a range of games. Visit the website for more details.
RHS Garden Bridgewater – A ‘magical garden adventure’ based on the much-loved children’s book Guess How Much I Love You is running at Salford’s RHS Garden Bridgewater. Young visitors can bounce, hop and stretch their way around the interactive garden trail, exploring colours, textures and shapes while learning about nature, growing and the changing seasons. Visit the website here to book.
A trail based on the book Guess How Much I Love You is running at Salford’s RHS Garden Bridgewater(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
Stick Man Trail, Delamere Forest – You could use the weekend to check out the free forest trail themed around the hit children’s book Stick Man to explore at Delamere Forest. Following the beloved character on his journey back to the family tree, young adventurers will discover nine interactive activity panels and six spotter panels, offering hands-on experiences from building with sticks to learning about forest wildlife, birds and nests. To make the adventure even more special, families can purchase a £4 activity pack. The pack includes materials to create their own Stick Man and a special passport system. The forest is also home to a new play area with a slide, sandpit and more. For more details, visit the website here.
Stick Man trail at Delamere Forest(Image: Forestry England)