Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in West Didsbury

"Set amid the remnants of a the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station, this is a true museum for all the family, with a walk-through replica sewer and exhibits illustrating Manchester's industrial and scientific history. All the museum's permanent exhibitions are free. Other highlights include a display on the life and work of the chemist John Dalton, and a rebuild of the world's first computer.Contact:mosi.org.uk"

"This museum will be unveiling its new £5m Special Exhibitions Gallery when it reopens, launching the new space with a Top Secret exhibition curated with GCHQ. The Science and Industry museum will open its New Warehouse, Upper Yard, Revolution Manchester, Textiles and Experiment galleries, plus new gardens, from May 19. Other parts of the site remain closed for a restoration project."

"Housed in an iconic aluminium-clad building designed by Daniel Libeskind, the IWM North houses several fascinating exhibitions which tell the story of how a century of wars have affected people’s lives in Britain. The main exhibition space shows a timeline of the wars that Britain has been involved with since the First World War. The Big Picture Show uses the latest HD projection technology to tell people’s stories of war in a vivid and captivating way."

"The Imperial War Museum, the huge silver structure across the water from MediaCityUK, will be back open from May 19. The main exhibition space, along with the Big Picture Show - which projects documentary-style footage and stories onto the walls of the gallery - will both return. The exhibition Aid Workers: Ethics Under Fire is also open, free to visit and extended until September 24."

"The northern branch of the Imperial War Museum (obviously), this fascinating spot overlooks the Manchester Ship Canal, an apt spot if ever there was one."

"People’s History Museum is an interactive history museum documenting workers, politics and living conditions from the past 200 years. There is plenty for the kids to enjoy with lots of hands-on activities for all ages, from dressing up to playing shop in the Co-Op. With family-friendly trials, regular family events and for 3-6 years there are busy bee explorer packs."

"People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3ER - Visit now. The national museum of democracy, couldn’t have a better home than Manchester, the birthplace of the British Labour Party and universal suffrage."

"The Manchester Museum which is looked after the famed University of Manchester is the perfect introduction to this lovely city. The place is home to some amazing displays that include natural historical ones as well as live animals in the newly introduced “Vivarium”. It is certainly an awesome place to take the children."

"Renowned as the best example of neo-Gothic architecture in Europe, The University of Manchester’s John Rylands Library has an enthralling history. Today the library offers visitors a glimpse at one of the world’s richest collections of rare books and manuscripts, as well as hosting a range of events and exhibition, from historic art displays to international cultural celebrations. The John Rylands Library, 0161 306 0555, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH"

"Our son had been looking forward to some foot rest with a good book!. If you wish to study any of the 1.4 million rare books, manuscripts or maps in the library collections you can do so by prior appointment and pre-arranged membership. As the museum is a short visit, it may not be worth a special trip with kids in tow."

"From tallest to smallest with a modest outpost on Oxford Road. Big Hands is an important part of the roof terrace ecosystem providing a rough and ready alternative to all that shiny metal and glass. Perhaps more known for providing the backdrop to messy, ill-remembered afterparties with whichever indie band has recently rolled into town, if you want to get drunk in the sun, with a spot of up-cycled wood and plastic sheeting for when it buckets down, there are worse places to be."

"Big Hands, 296 Oxford Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M13 9NS. You’ll probably spot Big Hands’ roof terrace a few minutes before arrival, with a huge advertising billboard on its back wall, and tall leafy plants camouflaging the seating area. This is shabby chic at its finest – white plastic seating with eclectic plant pots at every step."

"You won't have far-reaching views from Big Hands, nor will you have any award-winning interior design, but you will find bags of charm and character. You can go around the world in lagers and pilsners and sit up on the rooftop on this Oxford Road original. It's always a favourite for a pre- or post-gig pint, if you remember those."

"Manchester Opera House is the Palace Theatre’s little sister. It’s located on Quay Street, near Spinningfields. It is smaller than the Palace theatre however, there are still some amazing productions to see here."

"Shakedown make some ridiculously good milkshakes – even have one tailor-made for Mancunians; the Manchester Bee Shake with Honeycomb Pieces, Honey Comb Syrup & Whipped Cream. There’s also an Oreo-infused shake packed with cookies and cream, and a tantalising menu chocked full of waffle creations from a classic flavour of fresh strawberries and chocolate sauce. The pick of the bunch is perhaps the Road Block: Which is stuffed with Oreos, Crispy M&Ms, White Kinder Bueno, White Chocolate Drizzle and Nutella Drizzle."

"Everyone has those days where nothing but a gigantic portion of burger and chips will do. And not many places do that better than Five Guys. Get a hefty burger stacked with personalised fillings with fries and a milkshake, American style, delivered to your door in as little as 15 minutes."

"Praised for its “guilty pleasure” food, Good Food clearly love a good old dirty burger at Manchester’s Almost Famous. They say: “Love or loathe its loud and lairy, ‘in-yer-face additood’, there is no denying that Almost Famous is Manchester’s foremost exponent of Frazzle-dusted fries, hot ‘pho-king’ wings and other gut-busting ‘dude food’."

"Located in the Deansgate area of Manchester inside a beautiful Victorian courthouse building, Hawksmoor Steak and Seafood restaurant is not to be overlooked if steak is your food of choice. A wide range of steak cuts are on offer here, and you'll want to bring your appetite - steaks don’t generally come any smaller than 500g. Although Hawksmoor can be a fine dining experience, it doesn’t have to break the bank, and offers a steak lunch special for under £16."

"There is something about Hawksmoor that taps into a primal part of your being that is so unbelievably satisfying, and that thing is unadulterated beef. The Manchester Hawksmoor is the first of its kind outside of London and is housed in a late-Victorian courthouse which is full of traditional charm. Do not let the stunning interior distract you from the fantastic food, however."