As the UK prepares for record-breaking temperatures, many people’s attention will be focused on how to keep themselves, and others, cool over the next few days. With forecasters predicting temperatures of potentially 40C in some parts of the UK on Monday and Tuesday, it’s definitely worth planning ahead.
As tempting as it might be to head straight for the freezers at your local supermarket, the jury is still out on how long is socially acceptable to hang about near the chillers. And if all the fans and paddling pools have already been nabbed, you're probably looking for some other options.
You might already have seen that Showcase Cinemas are offering free entry to its fully air-conditioned cinemas so people can keep out of the sun. Well, only if you’re of fair complexion and have red hair, as redheads are more vulnerable than most to the sun’s rays.
READ MORE: NHS heatwave advice and how to stay cool in the hot weather
That said, there’s plenty of other places where you can get out of the sun and keep cool across Greater Manchester. Below you’ll find a selection of venues and attractions - many of which are free - and open to the public this coming week.
Chill Factore
Images of dogs cooling down at Chill Factore have become a common occurrence in previous years, as people have flocked to the indoor ski slope and activity centre for a family day out, or just as an escape from the heat. As well as ski and snowboard lessons, there’s also the Snow Park pass (£19pp), which includes access to the Ice Slide, Downhill Donuts and Sledge ‘n’ Slide.
Chill Factore also confirmed that people are able to sit at the Lodge Bar & Kitchen free of charge and without having to buy passes for the ski slope or activities. The bar & kitchen is open from 9am-7pm on weekdays and 9am-9pm on weekends.
7 Trafford Way, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M41 7JA
Planet Ice
Staying on topic, Planet Ice in Altrincham might just be the ticket if you're looking for somewhere cold to pass the time. Open for public skating throughout the week, tickets for adults cost £10.85, and £4 for under fours.
Planet Ice also has a great track record for teaching people to skate and has now adopted the Skate Excellence programme, which places a bigger emphasis on fun while learning.
Oakfield Rd, Altrincham WA15 8EW
Pools, lidos and outdoor waterparks
As Ian Brown once famously said, we've got everything except a beach in Manchester. Everything, that is, except an outdoor pool or lido. That said, you don't have travel that far from the city to find an open-air swimming spot, or splash park for the kids.
For pools and lidos visit our guide here, and for outdoor water parks, splash zones and paddling pools for kids, check out our guide here. Many of the spots within both guides are all under a 90-minute drive from Manchester on a clear run, and might just help you keep cool during thee heatwave.
Find some shade
If there's one thing the pandemic taught us, it's that we should value our green spaces. And while it might not be the best idea to sit out in the sun for too long, especially over the next few days, there are a number of parks round Greater Manchester that offer some much needed shade. Many also have cafes so you can fully retreat from the sun. Here are some of the best parks in every Greater Manchester borough.
Visit a museum
We're lucky in Greater Manchester to have a number of museums, and many of them free. While in the city centre there's options such as the Science and Industry Museum, where you can explore Manchester’s rich legacy or scientific discoveries; The People's History Museum, the national museum of democracy, which also has an excellent food waste café; and the National Football Museum, where you immerse yourself in the beautiful game, further out there's plenty of choice.
Over in Rochdale there's the Pioneers Museum, In Bolton you've got all bases covered with an art gallery, library, museum and aquarium; and in Bury, the Transport Museum, a must-see for all visitors to the East Lancashire Railway. The above only scratches the surface, so for more information head to our museums page.
Get your culture fix
Manchester has a strong mix of art galleries, from The Whitworth, located in Whitworth Park and containing 55,000 items in its collection to Manchester Art Gallery on Mosley Street, which features works of great local and international signifance. Other galleries worth paying a visit to stay out of the sun include Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre, and The Holden Gallery.
If you're looking for some shade, the Gallery in the Park at The Whitworth has plenty, and even has a cafe in the trees. The Park also has park keeper's for the 21st century, who brings art, nature and people together through outdoor activities and health and wellbeing.
Manchester Central Library
If you haven’t had a chance to pop into Manchester’s Central Library since it underwent a major £50 million renovation project, now might be the time. Encompassing a children’s library, media lounge, extensive media library and BFI Mediatheque, it’s a great spot for all ages, whether you’re in need of somewhere cool to work or somewhere to take the kids.
Other libraries across the city include the John Rylands Library, Chetham’s - the oldest surviving public library in the English-speaking world - and the Portico.
St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 5PD
Catch a film
It might seem counterintuitive to head to the cinema when the sun is out in Manchester, but with record-breaking temperatures expected, a few hours in a darkened room might be the perfect respite from the heat. Over at HOME - Manchester’s centre for contemporary theatre, film, art, music and more - there's five cinemas, two theatres and an art gallery, so plenty to keep you busy.
Other cinemas across the city centre include the Odeon at Great Northern Warehouse, Vue at the Printworks and Quayside, Everyman at St. John's next to Spinningfields, and the mini cini at Ducie Street next to Piccadilly station.
The Lowry
As well as gallery exhibitions, The Lowry is a great place to catch a performance, whether it's a musical, comedy or film screening. The L.S Lowry exhibition is open to all and free to enter, as is Picture This , a free family exhibition, which includes illustrations and artworks from six popular children’s books. After getting your culture fix, there’s plenty of restaurants and cafes to grab a cold drink just over the way at Quayside - the large outlet mall.
Situated on the waterfront in MediaCity, it’s easy to access by bus, tram or car. While it may be closed on Mondays, it is back open again on Tuesday, when temperatures are expected to reach close to 40C.
The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ
Trafford Centre Splash Park
Now, hear me out, a building with a glass roof might not sound like the ideal place to escape the sun, however there's a number of events and activities on at The Trafford Centre that will keep you cool, especially as the shopping centre gears up for the summer holidays. Starting this Friday, the Splash Park with multiple water jets, Steam Storm wave machine, log flume and more, gives parents a chance to find somewhere nearer to home for the kids to cool off.
The Women's Euros and Tour De France are also free to watch on the big screen outside at the Trafford Centre and the outdoor cinema will return from Friday 22 as well, so when its cooled off in the evening you can watch films under the stars. For more information on activities at the Trafford Centre this summer, visit the website here.
Grab an ice cream
Blue skies and sunny weather is synonymous with lots of things - beer gardens, barbecues, country walks, beach trips, and complaining that it’s too hot. However, little is as synonymous with sunny weather as an ice cream, and Manchester has plenty of places to try.
For some ice cream inspiration you can check out our guide here, but some of the standout ice cream parlours and shops include Ginger's Comfort Emporium, which started out as an ice cream van for adults and has a base at Afflecks; Grandpa Greene’s, a canal-side cabin in Diggle which uses local full-cream milk and thick double cream; and Frederick's in Wigan, which boasts 30 ice cream flavours plus a range of sundaes. Oh and don't forget Blaze Farm near Macclesfield, and their award-winning ice creams.
Get the latest What's On news - from food and drink to music and nightlife - straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
