Pic copyright Phil Tragen

On The Beach’s Great Northern Summer, a full season of family friendly activities in Great Northern Square – including the return of a hugely successful, giant sandpit – will launch with a Mancunian May Fair on 4th May.

The spectacular sandpit, complete with 50 tonnes of sand and wood rounds, along with a giant deckchair – perfect for photos – returns to the warehouse’s iconic amphitheatre following thousands of visits from families during summer 2018.

The transformation of the Square into a must-visit area for families over the summer months is sponsored by Manchester-based beach holiday specialists, On the Beach, who created a huge sandcastle sculpture in the play area last year.

Included in the Mancunian May Fair on 4th and 5th May are free play sessions managed by qualified play practitioners, who will help unleash young imaginations with den building, cardboard village construction and even the Japanese art of Hapa Zome (leaf printing).

Frozen treats from Cheshire Ice Cream Farm will be on sale throughout and youngsters can also continue to enjoy the Great Northern’s playhouse also housed in the amphitheatre, complete with an animal hospital for teddies, a pretend café and a mini library.

A Makers Market accompanies the event on Sunday 5th May.

All Mancunian May Fair activities run 10.30am – 4pm and are entirely free of charge, although donations to the Big Change homelessness charities will be gratefully accepted.

This event marks the start of a summer of fantastic activities on site, including monthly markets, play sessions, a ‘yogathon’ and more.

Visitors to On the Beach’s Great Northern Summer will also have the opportunity to win a £1000 On the Beach holiday voucher.

As the epicenter of the city’s world-famous industrial heritage, the Great Northern’s sandpit once again revives the city’s historic tradition of creating free and safe outdoor play areas for children. Whether it’s crafted into castles, dug into ditches, sifted or buried, sand offers countless opportunities for both fun and learning.

And when the sun goes in, the Great Northern remains the perfect evening destination for families, be it enjoying a trip to the state-of-the-art multiplex Odeon cinema, dining at any of the site’s fantastic restaurants or hitting the lanes at Manchester’s coolest bowling alley, All Star Lanes.

Mark Schofield, Centre Director for Great Northern said: “Following last year’s successful launch, which brought huge numbers of families to the Great Northern during the scorching summer, we’re delighted to bring our sand pit back for 2019 – and in time for our Mancunian May Fair. The team here is excited to once again welcome children to enjoy safe, free play any day between now and the end of the school holidays.”

For more information, please visit the Great Northern Warehouse website.

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