Emma Gill

Danny and Kate Hirst, owners of Manchester's House of Vanity salon, have opened Serenity Studio in Tyldesley after seeking a quieter, family-oriented community. The £life-savings-funded refurbishment of a former bar has created the town's first dedicated Pilates studio, offering reformer Pilates, yoga, sound baths and a wellness bar. The couple say the business is already attracting customers and aims to support local health, social connection and high-street regeneration. They had hoped to receive funding from Tyldesley's Historic England-backed regeneration scheme but were told the four-year program had ended and could not reimburse completed work.

Wash.ME self-service laundry units are being rolled out across 700 Asda stores in the UK, although only about 45 had been installed at the time of testing. Emma Gill tested a unit at Bents garden centre in Glazebury, using its 9kg and 20kg drums for dog blankets, duvets and pillows. A 30-minute 9kg wash cost £5.50 and a 20kg wash cost £12, with detergent included; optional softener, prewash and sanitizer were available for extra charges. The machines offer large capacity, fast cycles, card or contactless payment and text alerts, appealing particularly to renters, people in smaller homes and households seeking to avoid domestic energy and maintenance costs. Asda and ME Group say the rollout will make laundry more convenient when combined with shopping, while an Asda store locator and a forthcoming ME Group app will identify machine locations and availability.

Arcade Club in Bury, described as Europe's largest video arcade, offers unlimited play for £10 for children aged five to 15, while adult entry costs £18. The four-floor venue has hundreds of retro and modern machines, recently added more than 30 Japanese arcade games, and introduced a large eight-player Sega OutRun setup and a Japanese train simulator. It also provides food, drinks, a bar and school-holiday opening hours, and has served as a filming location for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and Netflix's Fool Me Once.

Manchester Evening News readers can use the code “MENS” to access remaining places at Kellogg’s Football Camps without buying a cereal box. The camps offer more than 39,000 free places for children aged five to 15 at 73 clubs across the UK, including Manchester City, Oldham Athletic and Salford City. FA-qualified coaches will run sessions during August, with limited September dates, while former England international Joleon Lescott helped launch the programme. The initiative, partnered by Kellogg’s, the EFL and several football clubs, aims to provide affordable holiday activities that keep children active, build confidence and support families.

The North West Aqua Park, described as the region's largest inflatable outdoor waterpark, has opened at the Anderton Centre near Chorley, close to Bolton. The attraction can accommodate up to 60 people and features inflatable obstacles, slides, climbing walls, balance challenges and splash zones supervised by lifeguards. Sessions cost £20 per person, with safety equipment included, and operate through August and on September weekends. The registered charity says bookings have exceeded expectations and will help fund its outdoor learning and adventure programs for children, young people and community groups.

Grandpa Greene’s will temporarily close its Diggle site in September to allow the existing building to be demolished and replaced with a larger canalside hospitality destination. The family-run ice cream business, founded by Carole Scholes using her grandfather’s recipes, says the redevelopment represents its biggest chapter yet and will include space for breakfast, brunch, lunch, drinks, ice cream and events. Customers are being encouraged to visit before the closure and share memories of the site, while the company’s Uppermill bistro will remain open.

Barton Aerodrome in Eccles, Salford, offers families aircraft viewing, a free children’s play area with a pretend control tower, picnic facilities and The Club House café, which serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. The venue is hosting free family entertainment on most Fridays and Saturdays in August, including circus performers, live music, children’s DJs and character appearances. Boogie Bingo on August 15 costs £20 per person, while some other events require wristbands or no booking at all.

Wild Shore Delamere in Cheshire is presented as a family-friendly summer attraction near Manchester, featuring an inflatable Aqua Park, the Aqua Chimp floating obstacle course, Ringo rides, paddle boarding, wakeboarding and a lakeside sauna. The activities have age, height and swimming requirements, with equipment such as wetsuits and life jackets included in ticket prices. Visitors can also use the Wild Shack Cafe, party packages and sheltered seating. Summer prices include £24.50 for the Aqua Park, £22 for Aqua Chimp and £30.50 for Ringo sessions for groups of up to nine, while Wild Shore Blackpool offers a similar alternative.

Snugburys Ice Cream in Hurleston, near Nantwich, has opened a free summer willow sculpture trail to mark its 40th anniversary. Created by artist Sarah Gallagher-Hayes, the trail features six sculptures inspired by the farm's past attractions, including Paddington, a Dalek, a dinosaur, Peter Rabbit and a meerkat. It is open daily from 10am to 6pm through the sunflower field, with visitors also able to buy ice cream; dogs are welcome on leads.

The National Trust warns that Formby’s protected sand dune landscape offers a more challenging and less traditional seaside experience, with limited parking, basic facilities, and long walks to the beach. Increased summer visitor numbers often lead to heavy traffic and full car parks, prompting advice to plan ahead or consider alternative North West beaches. Trust managers highlight ongoing conservation work, the area’s rare wildlife, and the need for visitors to avoid fires, take litter home, and help protect the sensitive habitat.

A new disco-themed maize maze has opened at Kenyon Hall Farm near Manchester for the summer holidays, offering families a low-cost activity with photo opportunities and accessible pathways. Tickets cost £3.95 and must be booked in advance, with the attraction open daily through the school break. The farm also offers fruit picking, a play area, a farm shop and a conservatory café, adding to its popularity as a family destination.

Moss Bank Park in Bolton offers families a discounted deal on unlimited funfair ride wristbands, reduced to £5 for a two-hour session on selected summer dates. The park features inflatables, rides, a miniature train, playgrounds and nature activities run by The Wildlife Trust, alongside several upcoming themed events for children. The attraction operates daily through the summer holidays with various token packages available, and the park continues to receive strong visitor reviews for its family‑friendly environment and facilities.

A family-friendly pub in Boothstown, Salford is hosting free kids cinema sessions with complimentary hot dogs every Thursday and Friday during the summer holidays. Coal & Cotton will screen a schedule of popular children’s films starting July 23, with booking required to reserve seats. The venue also plans additional summer events including live music and afternoon teas, and highlights its local community focus and popular Boothstown Gin.

A free, ticketed Wild Things exhibition celebrating classic and contemporary children’s animal stories has opened at the Lowry in Salford, featuring nearly 100 original illustrations and interactive activities for young families. Running through summer and autumn with accompanying events including the Dear Zoo theatre show, the exhibition aims to promote shared reading, creativity and play, and has already attracted strong visitor interest since opening on July 18.