A trip into Manchester city centre may not always seem the most appealing with young children.
Whether in the car, or on bus or tram, it can sometimes feeling a little overwhelming, if it's not somewhere you'd typically visit.
But one mum has shared the little gem of a place she heads to with her little ones - and best of all it's free.
If you've walked near Great Northern Warehouse then chances are you will have already seen part of it, as there's a huge sandpit area and playhouse just outside the building.
Read more: Families saddened by closure of 'amazing' play centre as owners blame economic climate
But inside is Little Northerners, a glass-surrounded playroom that's got all sorts inside to keep youngsters happy.
There's everything from a play kitchen and shop, to climbing boxes, instruments, a castle and more.
There are books you can grab to read with your child and on Tuesdays there are free story and rhyme time events from Play Maker Events.
In a post about the venue on her Leyland Family Adventures Facebook page, mum Sarah said: "This is our go-to place whenever we go to central Manchester and the boys need some time to chill and play. The best bit? Little Northerners is a totally free play space in the heart of the city - open daily and you don’t even need to book."
She added: "It’s open 9-4 every day and is unmanned so I wondered if it might be a bit of a mess but actually it’s always been so nicely kept & clean whenever we’ve visited. There’s a play shop, kitchen, teepee, dolls’ house, castle, climbing boxes, rocking arch, blocks, books, instruments & baby toys. Plus a comfy sofa and a handwashing station. Right next door there’s a separate ‘Book Nook’ with even more books for kids and for grown-ups & a little tent too."
Sarah, who has two boys aged four and two, said it initially took her a while to find the place, but once you know where you're going 'it's actually really easy'.
"Just head to Odeon and it’s there," she said. "For step-free, we enter the complex by Alex's Bakery, head past the sandpit towards Almost Famous GN, and go inside to take the lift up 1 level."
With other attractions nearby including the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Central Library and the People's History Museum, she added: "This is such a great location for a free play space and I wish every town had one."
Sarah also posts about her family's adventures on Instagram @leylandfamilyadventures.
Find out more about Great Northern on the website.
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