NATIONAL FAMILY LEARNING WEEKEND special event. 100 years of family life -- a fascinating talk for all the family including the opportunity to look at lots of artefacts. Free admission. Tickets available from Central Junior Library. Saturday October 13 11am-12noon in Central library lecture theatre. Details 332180.

UNDER FIVE'S DAYS for parents or carers of children under five. Find out more about what the library has to offer you and your child. Farnworth Library Monday October 1, Central Junior Library Tuesday October 2, Heaton Library Thursday October 4, Astley Bridge Library Firday October 5. Stories and activities from 9.30am-3.30pm.

HALL I' TH' WOOD, Green Way, Off Crompton Way, Bolton. Saturday October 13, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm families can learn to hand spin wool and weave a work of art, as part of National Family Learning Weekend. Details 01204 332370.

EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY. Tel 0161 764 7790.

SALFORD MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford. Tel 0161 736 2649.

Smithills HALL AND PARK, Smithills, Bolton. You do not have to travel far to visit one of the country's finest historic homes, right here in Bolton. Smithills Hall and Park is a grade one listed building with some of the best examples of Medieval, Tudor and Victorian architecture. The hall and gardens have been lovingly restored, managing to keep the best of traditions in tact. Find out about the legends and traditions through the centuries by joining a guided-tour with a well-qualified and enthusiastic guide. Open Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sundays 2pm to 5pm. Closed Mondays. Entrance £3, concessions £1.75. Tel Bolton 332377.

THACKRAY MEDICAL MUSEUM, Beckett Street, Leeds. Experience the drama of life and medicine through the ages with interactive galleries and exhibitions. Travel through a reconstruction of the slums of Victorian Leeds, learn how Blossom the cow was the source of the first vaccine against smallpox, how the dramatic story of surgery is told through pain, pus and blood and how babies where delivered in 1890. Open Tuesday to Sunday and holiday Mondays 10am-5pm. Last admission 3pm. Admission £4.40 for adults, children aged 5 to 16 £3.30, concessions. £3.60 and family tickets £14. Tel 0113 244 4343.

HACK GREEN SECRET NUCLEAR BUNKER, off the A530 Whitchurch road, Nantwich. Discover the secret world of nuclear government by entering the massive blast doors into the 35,000 sq ft complex where you will be transported into the chilling world of the Cold War. The tour includes many audio visuals and children can explore the Soviet Spy Mouse Trail. Open daily all year round from 11am. Tel 01270 629219.

MARTIN MERE WILDFOWL AND WETLANDS TRUST, Burscough. Special price throughout September, weekdays only. Booking essential £1 deposit per person required. £6 admission includes tea and scone. Tel 01704 895181.

DOCK ROAD EDWARDIAN PUMPING STATION, Weir St, off London Road, Northwich. Tel 01257 260157. Northwich Water Heritage Trail guided walks every Sun at 3pm from the Edwardian Pumping Station. Industrial heritage of the River Weaver and Northwich. Guided trail walk. Dock Road Edwardian Pumping Station visitor facility open from 2pm to 5pm Sundays and Bank Holidays. Wardens demonstrate gas-fired engines and pumps in attractive grade two listed building. On-site parking and disabled access. Adm adults 50p, children and conc 25p.

THE LOWRY, Salford Quays. Family activities for children aged five to 11 and adults led by professional artists. Every Saturday. Starts 11am to 1pm. Admission £2 for children £1.50 for Salford residents. Also, Family Corner on the Deck. A special area for families with books Building in a Box and drawing activities for children under seven available during gallery opening times. Admission free. For details of gallery opening times phone 0161 876 2000.

TATTONDALE HOME FARM, Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire. For more details phone 01625 534431.

CLIFTON COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE, Clifton house Road, Swinton. Creatures of the Night - a great chance for kids to explore the park at dusk, bring a torch, admission free. Tel 0161 793 4219.

PORTLAND BASIN, Portland Place, Ashton-under-Lyne. Tel 0161 343 2878.

NORTON PRIORY MUSEUM AND GARDENS, Runcorn. Tel 01928 569895.

CATALYST, The Museum of the Chemical Industry, Widnes. Tel 0151 420 1121.

CADBURY WORLD, Linden Road, Bournville, Birmingham. Visitor information Tel 0121 451 4180.

ROYTON ASSEMBLY HALL, Market Square, Royton, Oldham. Tel 0161 911 4072.

DUNHAM MASSEY HALL, Altrincham, Cheshire. Free quizzes for children, guides tours of the house and family tours, music and croquet in the garden. Open daily except Thursday and Friday. Tel 0161 941 1025.

BLAKEMERE CRAFT CENTRE, Cheshire Road, Sandiway, Northwich. A village of crafts offering individual hand-crafted items, demonstrations and craft fayres, a large Quatic and Falconry Centre and a children's Playbarn called Playstacks. Open Tuesday to Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5.30pm.

MOULDSWORTH MOTOR MUSEUM, Smithy Lane, Mouldsworth, Cheshire. A unique collection of over 60 vintage, classic, sports cars, motorcycles and early bicycles housed in an a 1930s Art-Deco building. Also a quiz for children with special prizes. Open Sundays noon-5pm and all bank holiday weekends. Tel 01928 731781.