The Oldham Local Studies archives is located just up from the old library and art gallery…read morebuildings, and within 5 minutes walk from Mumps train stations, that has regularly connections to Manchester Victoria, so it's incredibly convenient for visitors coming to examine their historical connections to Oldham. There is actually a push at the moment to drum up interest in the local archive occasional events being held and organised, which are especially welcoming to beginners in local history, and include guided presentations and informative talks. It's a lot more interesting and helpful than it sounds, honest! There's a special focus on Family History once a week too, with local experts giving up their time to help amateurs find what they need to know.

From the outside this little police station looks just as a police station should - just like one…read moredid, before the invasion of the gargantuan criminal justice centres. I promise you, we're not a bad bunch, but my housemates have had fairly frequent contact with the local cops from this station. First of all my housemate had to visit this police station to report the violent conduct of an acquaintance. Then our house was burgled. Then my housemate witnessed a car being broken into. Standard stuff, but each and every time the reports were taken seriously by the local police who visited our house on every occasion. They were always quick to respond and seemed keen to record as many details as possible, unlike police I have encountered in other (probably more crime-ridden) areas of the city and country. The local police have also been known to knock on every door down our street to give residents the chance to raise any issues they have, they frequently post us letters telling us be careful as our area has been targeted by burglars and they put up signs alerting people that their cars are likely to be broken into if they leave them on the street. And M21 is supposed to be one of the 'good' Manchester postcodes! All in all, top marks to the cops of Chorlton!

We all have councils and the majority of us can't live without them! Tameside Council is ok,…read moreeveryone has complaints I guess but you cannot pinpoint it as it is recognised as one big company. I am not naming names or departments but customer service can be a bit ermmmm weak?!? I don't know whether its the situation that this country is in at the moment but no one seems happy with their councils and their antics. The staff work hard to get the job done but there are areas that are problematic. Letters being posted wrongly (are these automated systems?) and unemployed people getting no help when they have paid into the tax system. These concerns are everywhere not just in Tameside but to be honest I can't think of anything else to say.

Glossop Town Hall, a listed landmark in the middle of the town by Norfolk Square, is still…read moreimpressive despite wear and tear. I particularly love the clock tower. It focuses on providing local residents with info on council services for High Peak and Derbyshire. Adjoining is the Market Hall (in addition to the outdoor market) with over twenty stalls. Also grand with Doric columns, it opens on Thursdays to Saturdays and is good for a rummage. There is such a variety of goods to buy its hard to pin this one down. The nearby heritage centre will tell you that the coat of arms you see on the Market Hall is that of the family of Norfolk, as in the Square.

The Huddersfield Railway Station looks amazing form the outside - build in the middle of the 19th…read morecentury in a neo-classical style, with columns in a Corinthian order. After you enter the building there is a ticket office on your left, and two ticket machines on your right. There is also a small shop with drinks, snacks and newspapers (or you can just grab a free copy of Metro, if you fancy). There is an underground passage to platforms from 4 to 8. There are also two pubs in the same building as the station. I really like this station - it's small, but has a very nice feel.

This is a small but very well run station. The staff here have always been nothing less than…read morehelpful, even at one point offering to help carry my bags when I was having a particulary stressful day. There are pubs close by, with one even attached to the station, and a small (and expensive) shop. Trains generally run quite well from here, with routes from Liverpool to Leeds usually running on time. The underground walk between tracks is a little scary though, and could do with being made a little less so - maybe by more of a presence of security cameras or staff under there. I have very positive memories of this station as it always has a nice feel - whether leaving or staying the station has never left me with a bad impression.

If you have any interest at all in the history of early industry and its impact on society as a…read morewhole, this is a must-see. The learning opportunity is tremendous in scope. The displays are fabulous and the chance to see working vintage machinery, as well as live demonstrations of various pieces of equipment, provides a unique experience. The £12 price of admission includes a guided tour of the Apprentice House and a self-guided walk through the Mill. You also can wander the grounds independent of admission and these are impressive themselves. Touring the Apprentice House is definitely worthwhile. The guides are excellent and provide multiple tidbits of captivating information. Walking through the Mill is equally fascinating. The quality of the restoration of the facility is impressive and provides a great atmosphere in which to enjoy the tour. The real highlight, however, is the display of working machinery. The Mill was skillfully restored to its mid-1800s condition and the live exhibitions of working equipment give a real sense of how the factory must have operated. Overall, this is without question a worthwhile place to visit if you have any interest in 19th century history, particularly the impact of industrialization on English life. The staff are wonderfully helpful and interactive. It is a great choice for a day out as there are many enjoyable dimensions to the visit. It is a don't-miss attraction if you are in the area.

There's nothing more I love than a Sunday walk in an atmospheric, cold and misty National Trust…read morepark. There's nothing quite like getting the blood pumping by walking through the muddy trails, enjoying the soothing sound of the rivers and taking a break from the city. With this in mind, we went to the Quarry Bank Mill which is situated just outside Wilmslow and close to Alderley Edge (just in case you're after potential lunch options after walking). Being an old cotton mill from the 1830's, it's incredibly striking upon arrival and it's amazingly well set in woodland of the highest order. We actually didn't make it into the house as we really just wanted to stretch our legs and get a bit of fresh air but we did go on one of the trails which took maybe half an hour of moderate walking, while we also had the option to go on a much longer harder walk but thought we'd leave that for another day. It was £4.50 to park the car and this gives you full access to all of the grounds. There's 2 cafes on site which serve everything from main meals to cakes, snacks and of course tea and coffee. This place probably isn't one for hardcore walkers but it is a nice little option to nip to for a couple of hours if you've been stuck inside for a while or want to see lots of nice greenery.

Fun boxing day out with the kids at heywood civic center for jack and the beanstalk pantomime…read morefantastic show.

Lancaster House is an impressive multistory edifice that occupies the corner of Whitworth St and…read morePrincess St. The intricately structured tower is a fine piece of design. Lancaster House dates back to the early 20th c. when it was a warehouse. Since then it was converted into apartments, not unlike many other commercial buildings in Manchester. The ground floor is occupied by O'Sheas Irish pub, and there are a few Eastern eateries around, from Shang Hai to the Grand Buffet. Some beautiful views open on Lancaster House from Canal Street, especially in summer.