Top seven free things to do in Manchester

We are officially nearing the end of the longest pay month of the year and everyone in our office is most certainly feeling the pull of those purse strings. As a response to the distinct lack of cash flow in the office, I have compiled the following list to keep people cheaply entertained over the coming weekends.

Top Seven Free things to do in Manchester (or almost free!)

*Manchester's best kept secret is the Craft & Design Centre, located in the Northern Quarter. A number of studios spread over two floors within the unique surroundings of an old Victorian market building provide a great place for some window-shopping, and it's always better to support the local businesses in the heart of the centre. Buy something handmade, personal and bespoke at the centre. Choose from jewellery, bags, ceramics, interior accessories, furniture, paintings, baby wear and much more.

* Get the wear out of those lovely knitted Christmas jumpers. Wrap up warm, pack some ham and mustard butties in a bag and head out to one of the many parks on the outskirts of the city. There are parks with ponds with ducks to feed, parks with cycle and running tracks, parks with huge open spaces and parks with community gardens. We are having the mildest winter for a very long time so we should be making the most of it. And that pint in a warm pub at the end of the day will feel all the more satisfying after a bit of fresh air!

* Why not visit one of the free museums Manchester city centre has to offer? Manchester Art Gallery is free to the public and has a great interactive room for the kids. If you have a fiver to spend they also do a great line in soup and nibbles in the café. Whitworth Art Gallery houses a great collection and organises weekly family and activity afternoons for next to nothing.

* Southern Cemetry is a fabulous place to have a wander around and lose the stresses of everyday life. Located in Chorlton, the cemetery is home to many a star, including Ian Curtis of Joy Division, Sir Matt Busby, John Rylands, the artist L.S. Lowry, and Tony Wilson of Factory Records fame. There are also three gorgeous chapel buildings to wander round and the grounds are peaceful and quiet. It's also the best place to take the kids conker picking!!!

* There are a number of wonderful old buildings which are free to visit. Most will have a café area so you can grab a cuppa and sit down for five minutes. The Legal Team's favourites include Manchester Town Hall, John Ryland's Library, Manchester Cathedral and Chetham's School of Music.

* Manchester United Museum offers free entry and is open to the public every day of the year bar Christmas day. Marvel at the awards and tributes and take in 130 years of football history. Whether you are a Manchester United fan or not, this is a great free outing and a day to remember!

*Take a walk down Deansgate to the Castlefield area of town. This area used to be a Roman Fort and settlement and is a wonderful green space in the city centre. Home to a number of bars and eateries, it has a lively atmosphere and is a great place to go and people watch. Dukes 92 do a cracking cheese and pate platter on a Sunday for next to nothing - and it would feed a group of 4! Various gates and defensive ditches have been reconstructed, along with a Roman garden. It is a great place to be on a Saturday or Sunday.

Enjoy exploring!