Planning a family day out in Manchester? There’s a pizza-filled birthday weekend coming up (ad)
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As a mum to two young daughters, I know that finding something the whole family is happy to do isn't always easy, especially when you're trying to find somewhere to eat as well. Pizza is usually one of the safer options in our house, though, which is why Pizza Pilgrims' upcoming birthday celebrations in Manchester caught my attention.
The pizzeria is turning one this October, marking the occasion with a new pizza, a weekend of celebrations and free activities for kids. It’s also quickly made a name for itself as one of the spots for the best pizza in Manchester, thanks to its Neapolitan-style pizzas, proper Italian ingredients and focus on doing the basics well.
From 2 to 4 October, the celebrations include something for both pizza fans and families, with DJs, a limited-edition pizza and a day of children's activities planned across the weekend, all happening in their Manchester location at 105–107 Deansgate.
A family-friendly Sunday in Manchester
The Friday and Saturday celebrations are more of an evening affair, with DJ SIAH playing from 6pm until late. If you’re heading into Manchester with the kids, though, Sunday 4 October is the one I’d have in mind.
There are free children’s pizza-making masterclasses taking place in Pizza Pilgrims’ dedicated pizza kitchen, where they can have a go at making their own pizza, however booking is essential as places are limited.
There’s also face painting from Smudge Facepainting and more family activities planned throughout the day. My two would definitely be more interested in making and eating their own pizza than sitting through a long meal, so this sounds like the sort of thing that could work well for a family day out.
I also like the fact that the activities give the children something to actually do. Taking young children into Manchester can sometimes mean spending half the day trying to keep them entertained while you move between shops, restaurants and attractions. Having something booked that they can get involved with takes a bit of the pressure off.
If you're making a day of it, you could always combine the pizza-making with some time exploring the city afterwards. Manchester has plenty of family-friendly things to see and do, so you don't necessarily need the birthday celebrations to be the whole itinerary. Although, knowing my two, once they know pizza is involved, getting them to leave might be the difficult bit.
A new pizza made with local ingredients
The birthday celebrations start with a new pizza called the 'Crafty Grandad’’. It will be on the menu throughout October and brings together two Manchester food producers, The Crafty Cheeseman and Grandad’s Sausages.
The pizza uses Pizza Pilgrims’ signature tomato base, with sweet peppers, pork and chilli sausage from Grandad’s Sausages, and Wakebridge and Garstang Blue cheeses selected by The Crafty Cheeseman. The combination brings together sweet, spicy and salty flavours on a Neapolitan-style pizza.
The local connection is a nice touch, too. Grandad’s Sausages has been making sausages in Manchester for more than a decade, while The Crafty Cheeseman sources artisan cheeses from the UK and beyond. For a first birthday in the city, it gives the new pizza a connection to Manchester rather than making it simply another seasonal special.
The story behind Pizza Pilgrims
Pizza Pilgrims' story started with a road trip to Italy. Brothers James and Thom Elliot travelled to the country to learn more about Neapolitan pizza, buying a three-wheeled Piaggio Ape and driving around 4,500km back to London while stopping at pizza destinations along the way.
They called it the Pilgrimage, and it eventually led to their first permanent pizzeria in Soho in 2013, after starting out at Berwick Street Market.
I think the road trip is one of the more fun parts of the Pizza Pilgrims story. There’s something quite appealing about two brothers deciding they need to learn about pizza properly, buying an Italian three-wheeler and driving it thousands of kilometres back to London. It makes the name “Pizza Pilgrims” make a lot more sense, too.
More than a decade later, Pizza Pilgrims has more than 26 pizzerias across the UK, including its Manchester site, which is now celebrating its first birthday!
Pizza Pilgrims Manchester birthday: at a glance
Crafty Grandad pizza: Available throughout October from 1 October
Birthday celebrations: 2–4 October
Friday and Saturday: DJ SIAH from 6pm until late, with free entry
Sunday: Free children's pizza-making masterclasses, face painting and family activities
Masterclasses: Advance booking is required and spaces are limited
Dietary considerations: Gluten-free base available, worth knowing if anyone in the family has dietary requirements.
For families planning a Manchester day out this October, the Sunday celebrations could be an easy one to add to the itinerary, particularly if pizza is already likely to be on the menu.
