All About Theatre | All About Fun: Reviews

All About Fun: Reviews

Welcome to All About Fun, where we explore exciting experiences, family days out, exhibitions and places to visit across Manchester, the North West and beyond.

From immersive exhibitions and interactive museums to themed cafés and family attractions, our reviews share what you can expect, what makes each experience special and whether we think it's worth a visit.

Whether you're planning a family adventure or looking for something a little different to do, explore our reviews to find inspiration for your next day out.

Official Wild Things exhibition artwork featuring Paper-cut jungle scene with WILD THINGS text, colorful animals, and a snake saying Hisss on a purple background.

REVIEW: WILD THINGS EXHIBITION | LOWRY, SALFORD

Discover our family review of the Wild Things exhibition at The Lowry. From original children's book artwork and interactive activities to storytelling, the Animal Safari and helpful visitor information, here's everything you need to know before your visit.

Cartoon alien, a startled man, and text "Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos." Colorful cosmic background with planets and a meteor.

REVIEW - HORRIBLE SCIENCE: COSMIC CHAOS EXHIBITION | SCIENCE & INDUSTRY MUSEUM, MANCHESTER

Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos Exhibition Manchester is a five-star family experience at the Science and Industry Museum, packed with interactive activities, real space artefacts and fun science learning.

Cartoon girl with magnifying glass casts shadow of detective. Text: "Spies, Lies & Deception." Exhibition: 29 Nov 2025 - 31 Aug 2026.

REVIEW -SPIES, LIES AND DECEPTION EXHIBITION | IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH | 18/02/2026

Spies, Lies and Deception Imperial War Museum North is a free, family-friendly exhibition packed with spy stories, gadgets and interactive missions. Here’s our full review.

REVIEW - TRICERATOPS: EAT, ROAM, REPEAT | MANCHESTER MUSEUM

A free, hands-on dinosaur exhibition at Manchester Museum, Triceratops: Eat, Roam, Repeat Manchester Museum combines an awe-inspiring fossil skull with interactive family activities.

Santa waves from a train window, wearing a red and white suit. The setting is festive with blurred lights. Text reads "Santa Specials, East Lancs Railway."

REVIEW - SANTA SPECIAL TRAIN RIDE | THE EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY | 23/11/2025

THE EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY SANTA SPECIAL TRAIN RIDE – A TRULY MAGICAL FAMILY CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE The East Lancashire Railway Santa Special Train Ride is one of those Christmas experiences that instantly becomes part of your family’s festive tradition. On Sunday 23rd November, I boarded this much-loved seasonal adventure with my husband, our two children, my parents and my brother — and from start to finish, it felt wonderfully magical, beautifully organised and packed with

Text reads "Primark Café with Stranger Things" and "Netflix" on a dark backdrop with red accents, creating a mysterious atmosphere.

REVIEW – STRANGER THINGS CAFÉ MANCHESTER PRIMARK

Step Into the Upside Down – A Fun Experience for Stranger Things Fans 👾⭐ On Wednesday 5th November, my husband Lawrence and I visited the newly opened Stranger Things Café inside The Manchester Primark on Market Street, and it was like stepping straight into Hawkins! From Scoops Ahoy to Benny’s Burgers, the café’s eerie red-and-black theming made it a must-see for any fan of the hit Netflix series. While the atmosphere was spot-on and full of photo opportunities, we did find

Colorful abstract waves with a white cat outline on a black background. Text reads "the cat that slept for a thousand years."

REVIEW - THE CAT THAT SLEPT FOR A THOUSAND YEARS | MANCHESTER MUSEUM | 30/08/2025

Purring into Dreams: Our Review of The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years at Manchester Museum” 🐾 Step Into the Story This summer,...

REVIEW - DINO TAKEOVER | LIVERPOOL WORLD MUSEUM | 13/08/2025

🦖✨ Dino Takeover at Liverpool World Museum – A Roarsome Family Day Out! 🚂 Getting There Having seen some exciting footage of the Dino...

REVIEW - BEES: A STORY OF SURVIVAL EXHIBITION | WORLD MUSEUM, LIVERPOOL | 13/08/2025

Review – Bees: A Story of Survival at World Museum Liverpool – A Stunning, Immersive Journey Through the World of Bees On Wednesday 13th...

Titanic Exhibition ad for Manchester, 31st July–24th Aug 2025. Child points at a lit, blue shipwreck model, evoking curiosity and wonder.

REVIEW - TITANIC EXHIBITION | MANCHESTER CENTRAL CONVENTION COMPLEX | 11/08/2025

The Titanic Exhibition at Manchester Central Is A Fascinating Voyage Through History On Monday 11th August, my husband Lawrence and I...

REVIEW - QUENTIN BLAKE AND ME EXHIBITION | THE LOWRY | 19/07/2025

Quentin Blake and Me at The Lowry – A Whimsical, Wonder-Filled Celebration of Stories 📚 From Page to Gallery – A Magical New Exhibition...

Museum exhibit with vibrant images of maps, an ostrich, a portrait, and an insect. Text: "STORIES" and "NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY UNFRAMED."

REVIEW - NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY UNFRAMED: STORIES BROUGHT TO LIFE | MEDIA CITY, SALFORD | 13/05/2025

National Portrait Gallery Unframed: Stories Brought To Life – A Lively, Immersive Celebration of Iconic Lives It’s not every day you get...

Stitch with a plush toy on head, set against a blue background with waves. Text reads: "Primark Café with Disney Stitch." Mood is playful

REVIEW - STITCH POP-UP CAFE MANCHESTER PRIMARK 05/05/2025

Aloha Fun at the Primark Stitch Cafe – A Wholesome 4-Star Family Outing in Manchester Primark 🌺⭐ On Saturday 5th May, my husband and I...

the Lowry 360 - People stand observing a wall projection of artwork depicting crowds. The scene is colorful, evoking a contemplative mood.

REVIEW - THE LOWRY 360 | THE LOWRY | 22/05/2025

Step into L.S. Lowry’s world with LOWRY 360 – a stunning free immersive experience at The Lowry in Salford. This short but powerful digital journey brings Going to the Match to life with vibrant visuals, narration by Sophie Willan, and a moving tribute to Northern community spirit.

REVIEW - OPERATION OUCH! BRAINS, BOGIES AND YOU | MANCHESTER MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY | 22/03 /2025

👋 Let’s Get Gross (and Brilliant)! Before visiting, we hadn’t watched a single episode of Operation Ouch! —but the exhibition’s title...

REVIEW - WILD EXHIBITION | MANCHESTER MUSEUM | 17/05/2025

🦫 WILD at Manchester Museum: An Inspiring Exhibition for Curious Minds of All Ages What does it mean to be wild ? Is it something remote...

REVIEW - ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND | Z-ARTS | 11/04/2025

“We’re all mad here… mad about this magical immersive experience!” After falling in love with Z-arts' previous immersive hit The 100...

REVIEW - HOT WHEELS MONSTER TRUCKS LIVE GLOW-N-FIRE | AO ARENA MANCHESTER | 18/01/2025

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow & Fire – A Roaring, Rolling Family Spectacle at the AO Arena When my two Hot Wheels-obsessed...

REVIEW - SHREK FAR FAR AWAY CAFE | MANCHESTER PRIMARK | 10/09/2024

Stepping into the Shrek Far Far Away Cafe at Manchester Primark feels like being transported straight into Shrek’s swamp, with quirky...

REVIEW-HOT WHEELS CITY EXPERIENCE AT BEC ARENA MANCHESTER: A FUN-FILLED ADVENTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

The Hot Wheels City Experience has made its European debut at the BEC Arena in Manchester, bringing a thrilling, hands-on adventure for...

REVIEW - JURASSIC WORLD EXHIBITION | THE TRAFFORD CENTRE MANCHESTER | 12/08/2024

Jurassic World: The Exhibition at Trafford Centre – A Dino-Mite Adventure for the Whole Family! If you're a fan of dinosaurs or just...

REVIEW - QUEENS THE EXHIBITION | THE LOWRY | 25/07/2024

Last month my husband and I ventured to Salford to visit the Queens exhibition at The Lowry, and what a royal treat it was! The...

REVIEW - SPONGEBOB POP-UP CAFE | TRAFFORD PALAZZO PRIMARK | 02/07/2024

If you've ever dreamed of exploring the quirky world of Bikini Bottom, the SpongeBob Cafe at Primark in Trafford Palazzo, Manchester, is...

REVIEW - THE LION KING POP-UP CAFE | MANCHESTER PRIMARK | 11/06/2024

If you're a Lion King fan in Manchester, the new Lion King Café inside Primark's Market Street store is an experience you won't want to...

REVIEW- THE 100 STORY HOTEL | Z-ARTS MANCHESTER | 28/05/2024

A Magical Adventure at the 100 Story Hotel! Our family had the most enchanting experience at the 100 Story Hotel at Z-arts in Manchester!...

REVIEW - HELLO KITTY POP-UP CAFE | MANCHESTER PRIMARK | 26/04/2024

The Hello Kitty Cafe at Manchester Primark is a delightful homage to the beloved pop culture icon, celebrating 50 years of Hello Kitty in...

REVIEW - THE GRINCH-THEMED POP-UP CAFE | TRAFFORD PALAZZO PRIMARK | 23/11/2023

The Grinch-themed pop-up café at Primark's Trafford Palazzo store is the latest festive sensation to hit the city, following in the...

REVIEW - JULIA AND AXEL - THIRTY YEARS OF FAVOURITE STORIES EXHIBITION | 24/09/2023

As devoted fans of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, owning nearly all their books and reading one every night before bed, our family...

REVIEW - THE THEATRE CAFE DINER | SHAFTESBURY LANE LONDON | 28/07/2023

Our visit to The Theatre Cafe Diner during my birthday trip to London was an absolute highlight! Nestled in the heart of Theatreland,...

Review -The Golden Mummies of Egypt Exhibition | Manchester Museum | 13/06/2023

Discover our four-star review of The Golden Mummies of Egypt at Manchester Museum – a stunning, spiritually rich exhibition that redefines what we think we know about mummification

REVIEW - DOCTOR WHO: WORLDS OF WONDER | LIVERPOOL WORLD MUSEUM | 25/08/2022

The Doctor Who: Worlds of Wonder exhibition at the Liverpool World Museum is an enthralling journey through the universe of one of the...

REVIEW - PICTURE THIS EXHIBITION | THE LOWRY | 06/08/2022

I recently took my two young children, aged 4 and 3, to the free "Picture This" exhibition at The Lowry in Salford. We visited on a...

REVIEW - THE THEATRE CAFE | ST. MARTIN'S LANE LONDON | 01/07/2022

On our recent trip to London for a West End theatre marathon, we made sure to stop by the Theatre Cafe on St. Martin's Lane, conveniently...

REVIEW - VAN GOGH ALIVE: THE EXPERIENCE | MEDIA CITY | 3/12/2021

Van Gogh Alive: The Experience bills itself as the “most visited multi-sensory experience in the world,” promising to transform how...

REVIEW - AI: MORE THAN HUMAN EXHIBITION | LIVERPOOL WORLD MUSEUM | 1/07/2021

Our visit to the "AI: More Than Human" exhibition at Liverpool's World Museum was an extraordinary experience that we highly recommend....