PLACES TO GO

BOTANY BAY, Canal Mill, Botany Brow, Chorley. A shopping arcade of specialist shops providing hand crafted and antique gifts. Art exhibitions, an antique amusement arcade, automobilia museums and a themed indoor playcentre for children aged 12 and under. Open daily from 10am to 6pm. Phone 01257 261220.

STOCKLEYS SWEETS VISITOR CENTRE, Oswaldtwistle Mills, Collier Street, Accrington. See cinder toffee, sweets and caramels being made and walk down Treacle Row stocking up on all your favourite sweets. Open daily 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Phone 01257 232807.

DAVENHAM ANTIQUES CENTRE AND TEA ROOM, London Road, Davenham, Northwich, Cheshire. An array of antique dealers specialising in quality furniture, collectables, pictures and silver. Open Monday to Saturday (closed Wednesday) 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Phone 01606 44350.

THE SALT MUSEUM, London Road, Northwich, Cheshire. Discover the tale of Cheshire's oldest industry with a tour around the Museum. Open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday 2-5pm. Phone 01606 41331.

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE MUSEUM, Newton Street, Manchester. A Victorian police station built in 1879. Features include the development of policing from Peel to the present day and a collection of police uniforms from around the world. Open Tuesday and other days by appointment, 10.30 to 3.30pm. Phone 0161 856 3287.

CORGI HERITAGE CENTRE, York Street, Heywood, Rochdale. A collection of Corgi model vehicles. Open Monday to Friday (closed Tuesday) 9am to 5.30pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm. Phone 01706 365812.

GREATER MANCHESTER FIRE SERVICE MUSEUM, Maclure Road, Rochdale. Explore the history of fire fighting while viewing settings such as a Victorian street, fire station and 1940 Blitz scene. Contact venue for opening times (by arrangement only). Phone 01706 900155.

PANKHURST CENTRE, Nelson Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. Two Georgian houses where the Women's Social and Political Union was formed in 1903, craft workshops, exhibition space and meeting rooms all part of the Suffrage Movement. Open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. Phone 0161 273 5673.

LOUIS TUSSAUDS WAXWORKS, Central Promenade, Blackpool. Optional Anatomy Exhibition and the chilling Chamber of Horrors for adults. Open daily from 10am. Phone 01253 625953.

CHESHIRE WORKSHOPS, Burwardsley, near Chester. Watch skilled craftsmen and women carving candles by hand and let the children try their hand at making their own candles. Candle dipping ferris wheel, farmhouse kitchen and other crafts on display. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm (closed Mondays to Easter). Phone 01829 770401.

LITTLE MORETON HALL, A34, four miles South of Congleton. A National Trust property, the Hall is the most outstanding timber framed moated house in Britain. Discover a secret room behind a sliding panel and enjoy a tour of the Great Hall and Parlour with its rare wall paintings. Recognise scenes from Moll Flanders which was filmed here and visit the gift shop. Contact venue for details of opening times and admission prices. Phone 01260 272018.

LANCASHIRE AERO CLUB, Liverpool Road, Eccles. A busy aerodrome with flying facilities including lessons for light aircraft and helicopters. Joyrides are usually available at weekends with monthly special weekend events highlighting different aspects of aviation sports. Open all year from 9am to dusk. Phone 0161 787 7326.

BYGONE TIMES, Grove Mill, The Green, Eccleston, Lancashire. A converted mill housing three distinct warehouses of fine furniture with objects from yesteryear including antiques, collectables, curios, porcelain and crystal. Open daily 10am to 6pm and Wednesday 10am to 8pm. Admission £1.50 for adults and 50p for children during the week and £2 for adults and 75p for children at weekends.

REEBOK STADIUM AND TOUR CENTRE, Middlebrook Leisure and Retail Park, Bolton.

Take a look behind the scenes at the home of Bolton Wanderers. The tour includes a visit to the players' dressing and warm-up rooms, the officials' changing rooms, the manager's dug-out and the media interview room. Open Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm, Thursday, 9.30am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Admission for the museum £3.50 for adults and £2.50 for children and OAPs, family tickets (up to three children ) £10. Admission for the museum and tour £7.50 for adults and £5 for children and OAPs, family tickets (up to three children) £19. Tel 673670.

WARBURTON'S BAKERY, Hereford Street, Bolton. Britain's largest independent bakery offers free tours for pre-booked groups followed by tea and bread tasting. Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday by appointment only. Tel 556600.

THE AIRPORT TOUR CENTRE, Terminal One, Manchester Airport, Manchester. The airport tour lasts approximately two hours for groups and individuals (minimum age four). Open all year (except December 25, 26 and January 1) 10am to 8pm. Tel 0161 489 2442.

SPODE MUSEUM VISITOR CENTRE, Church Street, Stoke On Trent. An opportunity to view engraving, lithography, hand painting and clay casting. Factory tours giving details of the company's 200 years history of fine bone china plate, pots and cups and a chance to purchase pieces in the factory shop. Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to pm. Admission £2.75 for adults and £2.25 for children. Tel 01782 744011.

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB MUSEUM AND TOUR CENTRE, Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford. Memorabilia from the club's history and tours around the stadium. Open 9.30am to 5.30pm every day except match days from 9.30am to 5pm. Admission to museum adults £5, children and OAPs £3.50, family ticket £14.00. Admission for museum and tour adults £8, children and OAPs £5.50. Tel 0161 868 8631.