Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is throwing open its doors this summer to the world of the Victorian children at play. Every Wednesday in the summer holidays, a range of activities will take visitors back in time to when the Gaskell’s daughters would have played in the House. Highlights include circus skills, Victorian theatre and costumed actors with a Victorian craft to take home for each child.

Wednesday 26 July, 11-3pm

On Wednesday 26 July, hop, skip and jump back in time for some Victorian fun and games.

84 Plymouth Grove was once home to four children who played in the gardens and throughout the house. Children visiting the House can play with the toys and games that Victorian children like the Gaskells would have played with and families can also make their own Victorian cup and ball toy to take home.

Normal admission for adults (£5) – under 16s free with a £1 donation per child for the activities.

Wednesday 2 August, 11-3pm

Roll up, roll up for juggling fun and games with Circus House on Wednesday 2 August.

Children can get a taste for some Victorian style circus games and tricks in the grounds of this beautiful historic house and also make their own trapeze artist toy to take home.

Normal admission for adults (£5) – under 16s free with a £1 donation per child for the activities.

Wednesday 9 August, 1pm

On Wednesday 9 August, experience chills and chuckles in abundance for a performance of Penny Dreadful! Mrs Lovett’s Revenge.

Experience chills and chuckles in abundance for this family friendly show, Penny Dreadful, Or Mrs Lovett’s Revenge!, at Elizabeth Gaskell House on Wednesday 9 August by Don't go into the Cellar Theatre.

This original one-woman show stars Sweeney Todd's partner in crime, Mrs Lovett. Be appalled by a plethora of other grotesque characters from the cheap and grisly pages of the Victorian era's penny dreadful papers, in a theatrical comedy suitable for all the family.

Penny Dreadful! Or, Mrs Lovett's Revenge is suitable for ages 5+

Show starts at 1pm

£5 per ticket (adults and children). Booking recommended.

 

 

Usual house admission applies if you want to visit the house as well - £5 for adults, under 16s free.

Families can also make their own Victorian puppet to take home. (This activity is available for all visitors and suitable for all ages).

 

Wednesday 16 August, 11-3pm

Victorian Photo Booth, plus meet Mrs Gaskell for a family friendly tour of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House on Wednesday 16 August.

Meet Mrs Gaskell and her housekeeper for an interactive visit to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House on Wednesday 16 August.

84 Plymouth Grove was once home to four children who played in the gardens and throughout the house. With drop in drama activities throughout the Period Rooms you can discover what it was like to live in the Gaskell household.

Families can also have fun dressing up in our Victorian photo booth and make their own Victorian Silhouette toy to take home.

Usual house admission applies if you want to visit the house as well - £5 for adults, under 16s free.

Wednesday 23 August, 11-3pm

On 23 August a Family Friendly Musical Adventure at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Join us for a musical adventure exploring the sounds of a Victorian household, including a sing song around the piano where the Gaskell daughters played!

Families can also make thier own musical instrument to take home.

Normal admission for adults (£5) – under 16s free with a £1 donation per child activities.

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Notes

Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (1810-65) was born in London and brought up in Knutsford, Cheshire. In 1832 Elizabeth married William Gaskell, who was assistant minister at Cross Street Unitarian Chapel in Manchester and later lived at 84 Plymouth Grove with her family from 1850 until her death in 1865. The two unmarried Gaskell daughters, Meta and Julia, lived in the house until Meta’s death in 1913.

 

 

 

 

The House is a Grade II* listed property, was built around 1835-1841 and is a rare surviving example of a suburban villa. It was designed in the fashionable Greek Revival style, probably by Richard Lane, a prominent local architect.

 

The Manchester Historic Buildings Trust was established in 1998 with the primary aim of saving Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. The restoration was made possible by the support and funding from The Bowland Charitable Trust, Cross Street Chapel, English Heritage, The Foyle Foundation, The Gaskell Society, J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund, Manchester City Council, Oglesby Charitable Trust, The Pilgrim Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, and The Wolfson Foundation.

 

Contact and Visiting Details

Elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk

@GaskellsHouse

Facebook: Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

 

Opening times: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 11.00am-4.30pm (last admission 4pm)

Ticket prices: £5 Concessions £4 Tickets valid for re-entry for 12 months

 

Tours on other days by special arrangement - £10 per person (includes tour, tea/coffee and cake)

 

For further press enquires, images and interviews, please contact Sally Jastrzebski-Lloyd on 0161 273 2215 sally@elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk