Things To Do

The jaw-dropping country walk that passes a tower taller than The Shard

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 27th February 2022

When we think of tall structures, we tend to think of landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, The Shard, maybe even Deansgate Square if we’re thinking a little closer to home.

But there’s a structure across the border in West Yorkshire that towers over them all.

The Emley Moor Mast is a broadcasting facility between Huddersfield and Wakefield with some impressive credentials.

It’s the tallest freestanding structure in the entire UK, and the 25th tallest self-supported tower in the world.

Emley Moor Mast seen in West Yorkshire. Credit: Instagram @susannehughes1

It’s taller than the Eiffel Tower and only 38 metres shorter than the iconic Berliner Fernsehturm, Germany’s tallest tower.

The Grade II-listed Emley Moor Mast is so massive, you can see it dominating the horizon from right across Yorkshire.

It’s not the first transmission tower to stand here – one of its predecessors famously collapsed in 1969 due to a combination of strong winds and heavy ice that had formed around the top of the tower.

Emley Moor Mast in West Yorkshire. Credit: Instagram, simon_martin_photography

The size of the tower is something to behold, both from a distance and when you get right up close to it.

You can drive right up to the Emley Moor Mast, officially named The Arqiva Tower, with some limited parking near the foot of the tower.

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Or you can take on a country walk in the rolling hills that surround it, like this 14.8km loop (pack sandwiches) that weaves through several West Yorkshire villages.

It can get muddy in places after wet weather – which we’ve had a lot of – and there are a few stiles to clear, but it’s well worth the effort.

Featured image: Instagram susannehughes1

Things To Do

The England Netball team are returning to Manchester for a key international fixture

Danny Jones Danny Jones England netball Manchester AO Arena tickets 2025

The England Netball team are returning to Manchester city centre for another big international tie at the AO Arena.

With two more tournaments on the horizon, the Vitality Roses will be hitting the road once again to play a trio of matches between two old Imperial nations ahead of the 23rd edition Commonwealth Games getting underway next summer.

As part of the 2025 Vitality International Test Series, England will be facing back-to-back face-offs with New Zealand over the course of less than a week at two different venues, and one of them is our very own AO Arena.

While the final details and timings are still subject to change, the Roses will face NZ – currently the second best rated team on the planet – later this year.

Taking place this winter and spread across the span of four days, England are set for a weekend double-header at the Copperbox Arena in London (15-16 November), before heading up North to 0161 on Wednesday, 19 November for the closer in Manchester.

Currently ranked fourth themselves in the World Netball world rankings, England enter these series following a successful international season last term, which saw them lift their inaugural Vitality Netball Nations Cup, beating current world number ones Australia for just the third time in history.

A second-ever Taini Jamison Trophy win over their other Anzac cousins in 24/25 should hopefully mean nothing but good omens too.

The games against the ‘Silver Ferns’ will also serve as a rigorous rehearsal for the second annual Vitality Netball Horizon Series, where they’ll play four more games with Jamaica; a pair will be held at the Coppebox and the final two will be played away in Kingston.

Last year’s tournament came to the AO as well, with England losing to the Jamaicans by 61-53 in the decisive match. Safe to say there are scores to be settled, and they will be even more prepared for the multiple rematches.

A Nations Cup to their name will certainly help boost confidence.

Jess Thirlby, head coach of the Vitality Roses, is already getting hyped up ahead of the competition.

“Securing high-level, high-intensity series against the world’s best teams is always top of the agenda, not least as we build towards a back-to-back major tournament year with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026 and the Netball World Cup in Sydney in 2027 just around the corner.

“We have both a long-standing rivalry with Jamaica, which we saw the renewal of last year in the hotly contested Vitality Netball Horizon Series, and a more recent competitive rivalry between ourselves and the Silver Ferns, serving up many tight contests.

“Both series will help test us and enhance our preparations for 2026, whilst also allowing our athletes to make their mark in front of our incredible fans.”

Read more:

Presale tickets will be available to Three+ mobile members from 10am on Tuesday, 5 August, via the venue’s own early access window from the same time on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, general admission goes live from Thursday, 7 August, with tickets once again for what is set to be an exciting day of family-friendly sporting action available from 10am.

You can get ready to grab yours HERE.

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Featured Images — Press images/AO Arena (supplied)

Things To Do

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is offering FREE returns if it’s raining when you visit

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort has introduced a new ‘rainy day return’ policy.

If there’s one thing we can all be certain of, here in the North West, rain will fall, even if it’s summer, and despite the fact us northerners are used to it, it does tend to dampen the fun a bit – pun intended – which is why Blackpool Pleasure Beach has introduced a new policy aimed at ensuring guests are getting the best out of their visit throughout August. 

If you’re visiting Blackpool Pleasure Beach this summer, and it rains for more than three hours on the day of your trip, then you’ll be entitled to return for free within seven days of your original visit.

This means you’ll get a second go at experiencing the Pleasure Beach’s lineup of rides and attractions, like the 235ft Big One, the award-winning Valhalla, and the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land, all when they sun is shining… or just when it’s not chucking it down, at the very least.

“It’s important to us that guests have the best time when visiting,” commented Amanda Thompson OBE, who is the CEO of the Pleasure Beach Resort.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is offering free returns if it’s raining when you visit / Credit: Supplied

“While, technically speaking, the rain doesn’t affect our rides, we wouldn’t want the wet weather to dampen anyone’s day.

“We truly believe that you can have a great time at Pleasure Beach come rain or shine, but we know that everything is extra special when the weather is on side.”

To use the rainy day return scheme, guests should arrive at the ticket centre on the day of their return visit, and display their eTickets, paper tickets, or confirmation email to staff.

The new return option can be used any day of the week, within seven days of the original visit.

Read more:

The launch of the Pleasure Beach’s ‘rainy day returns’ policy comes just days after the resort last week unveiled a first glimpse of what its new £8.72 million ride, Aviktas – that’s set to be the ‘tallest of its kind’ in the UK – will look like once it’s finished.

Aviktas will spin riders 120 degrees, facing outwards with legs dangling as you soar along the coastline.

Featured Image – Supplied

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