14 lost places where Greater Manchester families loved taking kids in the summer holidays

The summer holidays were exciting times for kids in the '80s and '90s, considering the many amazing places there were to visit.

We know how hard it is to stop kids from getting bored during the summer holidays. The rise in the cost of living, as well as the recent wet weather, has left parents wondering how they're going to keep their children entertained.

Thankfully for cheap and free things to do with the kids, here the Manchester Evening News has got you covered if you're currently stuck for ideas.

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But looking back to the 1980s and '90s, it seems families were spoilt-for-choice when it came it to attractions in Greater Manchester, or just a short trip out. From classic theme parks to play centres and places to eat, we've listed 14 things you used to be able to do with the kids in the summer holidays you can't anymore.

Of course this isn't a comprehensive list, so if you can think of any others that should have made the list, let us know in the comments below.

Gorton Tub was Manchester's own inner-city indoor water park. It opened in 1988 and was the place every kid wanted to go and where scores of memories were made.

Thousands of kids spent hours in its chlorinated water before heading for a Slush Puppy and a chocolate bar, or a burger and chips. It later underwent a re-brand and became known as Neptune's Kingdom after the Roman god of the sea. It closed in the early 2000s.

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Opening in a blaze of publicity in 1988 and envisioned as a ‘Hollywood on the Irwell’, the tour of the Quay Street studios attracted more than 5million fans in its