The Gaskell Society and its partners host a year-round programme of meetings and special events, most of which are open to everyone. We’re very friendly – and we’d love to meet you, whether or not you choose to join the Society.
January 2020
Reading the Nineteenth Century 1 – Ruth
A new, five-part evening reading course at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House - enter the world of fallen women in the Victorian novel. When a women’s virtue is compromised, what choices lie open to her? Whose fault is it that she falls in the first place? And what will happen to the children born as a result? To answer these questions, Sherry Ashworth, Visiting Teaching fellow at Manchester Writing School, will lead you into the turbulent fictional lives of these Nineteenth-Century women,…
Find out more »February 2020
The Old Nurse’s Story – a dramatic reading
Elizabeth Gaskell's House hosts a spine-tingling dramatic reading of Gaskell's Gothic ghost story. Join us in the Drawing Room - entry includes a glass of wine. Advance booking essential. Read Diane Duffy's blog about the Old Nurse's Story.
Find out more »February Second-hand Book Sale
On the second Sunday of each month, Elizabeth Gaskell's House hosts a fantastic second-hand book sale, downstairs in the Servants Hall. All proceeds go towards supporting operations and events in the House. The tearoom always has a fine selection of new and second-hand books for sale, but this is the big one! It's a chance to browse a much wider selection – two rooms filled with second-hand books, donated by book-lovers! The selection includes a variety of fiction, art, gardening,…
Find out more »Lunchtime Reading: International Mother Language Day
It’s International Mother Language day! Join the fabulous team of Elizabeth Gaskell House volunteers from across the globe, as they read extracts from Elizabeth Gaskell’s writings in their own languages. Lunch-time talks and readings are included in usual House entry No booking required, but please make sure you arrive in good time to get a seat.
Find out more »Lunchtime Talk: Ruskin in Manchester
John Ruskin had a lot to say about Manchester. Find out just what he thought of our great city in this lunch-time lecture with the Gaskell Society's Anthony Burton. Stay to explore some of the correspondence between Ruskin and Elizabeth Gaskell in the Ruskin exhibition too. Lunch-time talks are included in usual House entry No booking required, but please make sure you arrive in good time to get a seat.
Find out more »Reading the Nineteenth Century 2 – Adam Bede
A new, five-part evening reading course at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House - enter the world of fallen women in the Victorian novel. When a women’s virtue is compromised, what choices lie open to her? Whose fault is it that she falls in the first place? And what will happen to the children born as a result? To answer these questions, Sherry Ashworth, Visiting Teaching fellow at Manchester Writing School, will lead you into the turbulent fictional lives of these Nineteenth-Century women,…
Find out more »March 2020
March Second-hand Book Sale
On the second Sunday of each month, Elizabeth Gaskell's House hosts a fantastic second-hand book sale, downstairs in the Servants Hall. All proceeds go towards supporting operations and events in the House. The tearoom always has a fine selection of new and second-hand books for sale, but this is the big one! It's a chance to browse a much wider selection – two rooms filled with second-hand books, donated by book-lovers! The selection includes a variety of fiction, art, gardening,…
Find out more »Lunchtime Talk: International Women’s Day
Celebrate International Women’s Day with Dr Diane Duffy, as she explores the writing of Elizabeth Gaskell’s fellow female authors. Were Elizabeth Gaskell’s women writer friends female scribblers or literary lions? Find out in this talk on Victorian women writers. And it’s our famous second-hand book sale today too! Enjoy a leisurely browse of our huge selection of books, and treat yourself to delicious tea and cake in our tea room! Lunch-time talks and readings are included in usual House entry…
Find out more »Reading the Nineteenth Century 3 – Tess of the D’Urbevilles
A new, five-part evening reading course at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House - enter the world of fallen women in the Victorian novel. When a women’s virtue is compromised, what choices lie open to her? Whose fault is it that she falls in the first place? And what will happen to the children born as a result? To answer these questions, Sherry Ashworth, Visiting Teaching fellow at Manchester Writing School, will lead you into the turbulent fictional lives of these Nineteenth-Century women,…
Find out more »April 2020
April Second-hand Book Sale
On the second Sunday of each month, Elizabeth Gaskell's House hosts a fantastic second-hand book sale, downstairs in the Servants Hall. All proceeds go towards supporting operations and events in the House. The tearoom always has a fine selection of new and second-hand books for sale, but this is the big one! It's a chance to browse a much wider selection – two rooms filled with second-hand books, donated by book-lovers! The selection includes a variety of fiction, art, gardening,…
Find out more »Reading the Nineteenth Century 4 – The Unclassed
A new, five-part evening reading course at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House - enter the world of fallen women in the Victorian novel. When a women’s virtue is compromised, what choices lie open to her? Whose fault is it that she falls in the first place? And what will happen to the children born as a result? To answer these questions, Sherry Ashworth, Visiting Teaching fellow at Manchester Writing School, will lead you into the turbulent fictional lives of these Nineteenth-Century women,…
Find out more »Lunchtime Talk: Forgotten Female Novelists
Discover the work of women authors whose fiction has been forgotten. Join our Chair, the wonderfully engaging Libby Tempest, as she uncovers the work of these unsung writers. Lunch-time talks and readings are included in usual House entry No booking required, but please make sure you arrive in good time to get a seat.
Find out more »May 2020
May Second-hand Book Sale
On the second Sunday of each month, Elizabeth Gaskell's House hosts a fantastic second-hand book sale, downstairs in the Servants Hall. All proceeds go towards supporting operations and events in the House. The tearoom always has a fine selection of new and second-hand books for sale, but this is the big one! It's a chance to browse a much wider selection – two rooms filled with second-hand books, donated by book-lovers! The selection includes a variety of fiction, art, gardening,…
Find out more »Reading the Nineteenth Century 5 – Esther Waters
A new, five-part evening reading course at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House - enter the world of fallen women in the Victorian novel. When a women’s virtue is compromised, what choices lie open to her? Whose fault is it that she falls in the first place? And what will happen to the children born as a result? To answer these questions, Sherry Ashworth, Visiting Teaching fellow at Manchester Writing School, will lead you into the turbulent fictional lives of these Nineteenth-Century women,…
Find out more »June 2020
June Second-hand Book Sale
On the second Sunday of each month, Elizabeth Gaskell's House hosts a fantastic second-hand book sale, downstairs in the Servants Hall. All proceeds go towards supporting operations and events in the House. The tearoom always has a fine selection of new and second-hand books for sale, but this is the big one! It's a chance to browse a much wider selection – two rooms filled with second-hand books, donated by book-lovers! The selection includes a variety of fiction, art, gardening,…
Find out more »July 2020
July Second-hand Book Sale
On the second Sunday of each month, Elizabeth Gaskell's House hosts a fantastic second-hand book sale, downstairs in the Servants Hall. All proceeds go towards supporting operations and events in the House. The tearoom always has a fine selection of new and second-hand books for sale, but this is the big one! It's a chance to browse a much wider selection – two rooms filled with second-hand books, donated by book-lovers! The selection includes a variety of fiction, art, gardening,…
Find out more »August 2020
August Second-hand Book Sale
On the second Sunday of each month, Elizabeth Gaskell's House hosts a fantastic second-hand book sale, downstairs in the Servants Hall. All proceeds go towards supporting operations and events in the House. The tearoom always has a fine selection of new and second-hand books for sale, but this is the big one! It's a chance to browse a much wider selection – two rooms filled with second-hand books, donated by book-lovers! The selection includes a variety of fiction, art, gardening,…
Find out more »September 2020
September Second-hand Book Sale
On the second Sunday of each month, Elizabeth Gaskell's House hosts a fantastic second-hand book sale, downstairs in the Servants Hall. All proceeds go towards supporting operations and events in the House. The tearoom always has a fine selection of new and second-hand books for sale, but this is the big one! It's a chance to browse a much wider selection – two rooms filled with second-hand books, donated by book-lovers! The selection includes a variety of fiction, art, gardening,…
Find out more »As you’ll appreciate, arrangements can change, so please be sure to check details before you leave home.