Family Days Out: Touchstones

Catherine Aspinall, a local mum of two lively children and an equally energetic pug, shares her top family day out ideas. With a love for exploring and the outdoors, Catherine and her family are always out and about, having fun adventures in Rochdale & the North West. Follow on Facebook & Instagram @wherewegoingmummy

TOUCHSTONES

• Rochdale, OL16 1AQ

• Currently the nearest car park is probably the multi-storey at Rochdale Riverside (OL16 1TR) or the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre. Or you could arrive by tram or bus.

• The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday… and it is FREE (with donations being very welcome)!

• Slice Café is on-site serving a delicious choice of cakes, hot food and drinks

• Baby changing facilities & an accessible toilet

If you want your kids to learn about the history of our wonderful town (or even if you just want to expand your own knowledge) then Touchstones is just the place!

Touchstones is a FREE museum that tells the story of Rochdale and its people through family-friendly displays and interactive exhibits.

Obviously my kids - not wowed by the Industrial Revolution or as enamoured by Gracie Fields as me - particularly enjoyed the smelly barrels where you have to sniff and then guess what is inside! They also liked looking at the antique toys and oldfashioned sweets, and loved drawing on the chalk board.

When we visited there were also arts and crafts to do… and their creativity went wild - colouring, cutting and sticking! Alongside this there is lots of fantastic art (by more established artists) to admire.

Touchstones is such an interesting place to visit at any time, but also keep your eyes open for new and exciting exhibitions, workshops, talks and special events.

For the latest information visit: yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/venues/touchstones-rochdale