The Victoria Baths complex was designed by Manchester's first City Architect Henry Price, and opened in 1906. No expense was spared — the façade has multicoloured brickwork and terracotta decoration, the interior spaces are clad in glazed tiles and most of the windows have decorative stained glass. At the opening ceremony, the Lord Mayor described Victoria Baths as “a water palace of which every citizen of Manchester is proud”. For 86 years the baths provided both essential and leisure facilities. Private baths and a laundry were housed there alongside three swimming pools and Turkish Baths. In 1952 the first public Aeratone (Jacuzzi) was installed. Even though the baths were closed in 1993, the Grade II listed building is remarkably intact with most of the stained glass and original tiling remaining. Victoria Baths opens from March/April to October/November each year for weekly guided tours, public open days and special events.

Portland’s Japanese Garden spans 5.5 acres and is often considered the finest of its kind outside Japan. This serene oasis features tranquil waterfalls, koi ponds, and lush greenery, providing a peaceful retreat year-round. The garden also hosts a charming café that offers traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, with tea and snacks imported directly from Japan.

With a storied history stretching back to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the East Lancashire Railway is the steam-powered heart of the Irwell Valley, pumping goods and people around the region for nearly 200 years! The line runs for 12 miles through scenic Lancastrian Landscapes, from beautiful rural panoramas and postcard pretty villages to bustling Victorian towns and cotton mill dotted horizons. Each station offers something unique, from historical Heywood to relaxing Rawtenstall, scenic Summerseat and bustling Bury. Make the trip from Grandparent to Grandchild on a journey that spans generations on this heritage railway.