Seaside fun returns to Stalybridge

The much-loved pop-up beach is returning to Victoria Market Hall for five days of free family fun this summer.

Tameside Council is inviting residents and visitors to enjoy the seaside experience from Tuesday 18 to Saturday 22 August, 10am to 3pm. The hall will be transformed into a beach-themed destination featuring a giant sandpit, craft activities, discos and plenty of opportunities for sandcastle building.

Each day, visitors can enjoy a colouring table and a Museum Box Touch Tour from Portland Basin Museum, alongside face painting from 11.30am to 2.30pm. There will also be a dedicated quiet and sensory play session from 10am to 11am for families who would prefer a calmer environment.

A variety of special activities will take place throughout the week, including circus skills workshops with Circus Sensible and seaside-themed walkabout characters from 2 Boards and a Passion. Visitors can meet Jeremiah and Josephine, a delightfully eccentric pair of Victorian seaside strollers who are full of light-hearted banter, will pose for holiday snaps and bring the elegance and whimsy of a traditional seaside holiday to life.

There will also be a fabulous children's disco, back by popular demand after proving a huge hit with families last year. Visitors can enjoy a full DJ set packed with fun games, dancing and prizes.

From treasure hunts and seaside crafts to face painting and balloon modelling, there will be something new to enjoy every day at Tameside's own pop-up beach. Families can get creative with a wide range of seaside-themed arts and crafts throughout the week, including making little boats, peg mermaids, paper plate aquariums, weaving fish, sea-themed suncatchers, jellyfish mobiles and starfish necklaces.

Visitors can also stop by the ice cream van and coffee pod outside Victoria Market Hall to enjoy a sweet treat or refreshing drink while soaking up the summer atmosphere.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, Cllr Leanne Feeley said: “We are so excited to welcome the Pop-up Beach back to Stalybridge after such a fantastic response from residents last year. The event offers a range of free activities for families to enjoy and is the perfect way to keep children entertained throughout the summer holidays. We look forward to welcoming residents and visitors to join us for five days of seaside-inspired fun."

FInd the full timetable here: https://www.intameside.co.uk/whats-on/lets-go-to-the-beach-in-stalybridge