Seven things to do with your elderly parents in Manchester

Manchester has an easy mix of gardens, museums and open parkland within a short drive or tram ride of the city centre. There’s no shortage of choice for a day out that doesn’t demand much walking, including plenty of free things to do in Manchester if you’re on a budget.

If your parents are receiving live-in care in Manchester and fancy a change of scene, it's worth having a few options ready.

Here are seven ideas for a day out with your parents in Manchester, plus practical tips on accessibility and planning ahead.

1. RHS Garden Bridgewater

RHS's newest garden opened in 2021 on the site of the former Worsley New Hall estate. Its centrepiece Weston Walled Garden had lain derelict for over a century before restoration brought it back. Across 154 acres there's a Kitchen Garden, a Learning Garden and open parkland, so it suits both a slow amble and a longer visit.

A carer or companion accompanying a loved one who needs support because of a disability is admitted free. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be hired on site (Bridgewater's own booking page lists scooter sessions to reserve ahead of a visit).

See accessibility at RHS Garden Bridgewater before you go, or call 0161 503 6100.

2. Dunham Massey

Dunham Massey is a historic National Trust deer park spanning more than 300 acres. At its heart is a Georgian house that has held the Stamford family’s collection for centuries. It’s one of the easiest big estates near Manchester for a relaxed afternoon, with deer roaming the grounds.

Free wheelchair and personal mobility scooter hire is available daily (call ahead on 0161 941 1025 to check availability), and a volunteer-operated shuttle buggy runs between the car park and the garden entrance. The ground floor of the house is reached by a staff-operated lift, though there's a chance of a short wait. The upper floors are stairs-only, so the Trust provides a tablet with virtual tours and films of those rooms instead. There are two accessible toilets, one with a ceiling track hoist, shower and changing bench at the Visitor Centre, plus hearing loops at the tills and on guided tours. Picnicking is welcome across the estate, just not in the deer park itself.

See an accessible visit to Dunham Massey before you go, or call 0161 941 1025.

3. IWM North

Imperial War Museum North tells the story of how war has shaped lives over the last century. Its striking building, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, is formed of three interlocking steel “shards”. The exhibition floor slopes gently rather than using steps, so it's an easier building to move around than its striking exterior might suggest.

Three manual wheelchairs are free to borrow on a first come, first served basis, and every gallery is reachable by lift or ramp. There are 14 Blue Badge parking bays (card payment only), ground-floor accessible toilets, and a quiet room for anyone who needs to step away from the galleries. Sensory backpacks and ear defenders are free from the Admissions Desk. Induction loops cover the admissions desk, shop and café, and trained assistance dogs are welcome. Entry to the museum itself is free for everyone.

See accessibility at IWM North before you go, or call 020 7091 3067.

4. National Football Museum

This popular museum tells the story of English football and is well set up for accessible days out: wheelchairs are available on site, all public areas are reachable by lift, there's plenty of accessible seating. Disabled parking is also available nearby at Manchester Victoria station with level or ramped access. Hearing loop facilities and BSL interpretation are available for key exhibits, and assistance dogs are welcome throughout.

See the National Football Museum's access policy before you go.

5. Free swimming for over-60s and dementia-friendly sessions

Manchester residents aged 60 and over can swim for free during general swim sessions at eight council-run pools: Abraham Moss, North City, Manchester Aquatics Centre, East Manchester, Arcadia, Moss Side, Hough End and Wythenshawe Forum. To register, take proof of age (such as a driving licence or passport) and proof of address (such as a council tax or utility bill) to a participating pool.

The city also runs dedicated dementia-friendly swimming sessions at Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre, East Manchester Leisure Centre and Moss Side Leisure Centre. It also has broader disability swimming sessions at seven leisure centres, including Abraham Moss, Broadway and Wythenshawe Forum. These are designed to give a calm, supportive environment for people living with dementia and the people caring for them.

Contact your nearest centre directly for current days and times, since none of the venues publish a fixed timetable online.

6. Pennington Flash Country Park

This nature reserve has a one-mile circular route along the bed of a disused railway line, linking eight bird hides around the flash's open water. It's flat, well away from traffic, and free to enter.

Wigan Council, which manages the park, confirms all eight bird hides have wheelchair access. The wetlands walk is fully accessible to wheelchair users, with prams and bicycles also welcome. There's pay-and-display parking next to the Flash, a disabled toilet and hygiene suite at the Information Centre, and fishing pegs designed for disabled anglers. Leigh bus station is a short journey away if driving isn't an option.

See Wigan Council's accessible places guide before you go, or call the Visitor Information Point on 01942 489848.

7. Walking with the Ramblers

Walking is sociable, free and easy to adapt to different fitness levels, whether your parents are active or receiving home care. Ramblers runs over 500 local groups and 50,000 group walks a year across the UK, including the Manchester and Salford Ramblers group, which organises around six walks a month in and around the city.

Check current walk listings, and confirm whether a specific walk suits your parent's mobility, before you go.

Did you know?

• IWM North’s three interlocking "shards" – the AirShard, EarthShard and WaterShard – represent how conflict fractures the earth, water and air.
• Once registered, your parents can be accompanied by their live-in carer at Manchester’s free and dementia-friendly swimming sessions.
• Pennington Flash features a nature-themed, inclusive adventure playground. Families can enjoy the place together, with wheelchair-accessible equipment such as a specialised seesaw and roundabout.

Staying active together: Jan's story

Jan's mum Jean has always been independent, with an active social life and a love of sport. Live-in care meant that didn't have to change: her carers make a point of sharing what she loves, including Betty, who's just as sporty. Together, they watch Wimbledon and football with Jean’s husband, Fred.

"My mum has always been really independent, with an active social life and into sports," Jan says. "I wanted her to be able to keep as much of that as possible."

Read Jan's full story

Arranging care for a day out in Manchester

Whether you're looking for fun things to do in Manchester for adults or simply want to spend some quality time together, having the right support can make a day out much easier to plan. If your parents normally have live-in care in Manchester or another home care arrangement, it's often worth bringing their regular carer along, since they already know your loved one's needs and routine.

Alternatively, a day out could be a good moment for your usual carer to take a short break, with temporary respite care arranged to cover the gap.

RHS Garden Bridgewater and the National Football Museum tend to be busiest at weekends and during school holidays, so a weekday visit often makes for a calmer day if your loved one prefers to avoid crowds.

If your loved one needs specialist dementia care, it's worth booking ahead where you can (particularly for Dunham Massey's mobility scooters). Also, keep the day unhurried, so there's less pressure if plans need to change.

Exploring beyond Manchester?

We’ve put together similar guides for other days out with your parents closer to home:

• Things to do with your older loved ones in Nottingham
• Things to do with your older loved ones in Ashbourne, Derbyshire
• Things to do with your older loved ones in Richmond, North Yorkshire
• Things to do with your older loved ones in Ruthin, Wales

If you have a loved one who needs 24/7 support, get in touch with our care advisors to talk through your situation and arrange a free care appraisal. Elder can help you find live-in care in Manchester and the rest of Great Britain.

Looking for more Manchester-specific ideas? Our guides to social groups and activities for older people in Manchester and travel tips for older people in Manchester cover more ground.