Things To Do

How to see inside the incredible Peaky Blinders mansion just outside Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 18th March 2022

The Peaky Blinders sets have grown grander and grander over the years as the Shelby family fortunes flourish.

In recent years, we’ve seen the show’s hero Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, move into an incredible stately home of his own.

The stunning red-bricked mansion is a big upgrade from the streets of Small Heath in Birmingham, where the early action was set.

And although the Peaky Blinders gang mostly live and conduct their business in Birmingham, huge parts of the series were filmed here in Greater Manchester.

Peaky Blinders cast members on set at Arley Hall mansion in Cheshire. Credit: BBC

The lavish home that Tommy lives in is no exception – you’ll find it just across the border in Cheshire.

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Arley Hall was chosen as the grand setting for the Shelby family home, and has been back on our screens since the hit drama returned last month.

In fact, the very opening scene of the sixth and final season shows the familiar sight of Arley Hall.

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Peaky Blinders season six opening scene at Arley Hall. Credit: BBC

Tommy’s study has been created inside the library, while other scenes have taken place inside its drawing room and gallery.

Producers actually had the walls repainted to a dark green, before returning them back to their original peach colour once filming was completed.

Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy in his on-screen mansion, Arley Hall. Credit: BBC

The sweeping driveway has also hosted some dramatic action, including a stand-off between Arthur Shelby and his wife Linda in season five.

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The late, great Helen McCrory spent time on set filming, alongside other cast members including Tom Hardy, Paul Anderson and Joe Cole.

  • Credit: BBC
  • Credit: Arley Hall
Tommy’s desk at Arley Hall seen on screen (left) and in real life (right)

The Grade II-listed property sits in the village of Arley in Cheshire, surrounded by impressive grounds and gardens.

The gardens are open Monday to Sunday between 10am and 5pm, with entry priced at £11 per adult and £4.50 for children aged between 4 and 16.

Read more: Famous films and TV shows that were shot around Manchester

The hall itself is open less frequently, and is only open to the public for a few weekends a year.

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Thankfully, you won’t have long to wait – tickets are available for the next visiting hours between Saturday 26 and Tuesday 29 March.

Tickets to see Arley Hall cost £6 for adults and £2 for children and are sold as an add-on to Gardens tickets.

Featured image: Photo by david Griffiths on Unsplash

Things To Do

Manchester’s new real-life Pac-Man experience is coming soon and you can grab early bird tickets

Danny Jones Danny Jones Real-life Pac-Man experience Manchester

Manchester already boasts a whole host of interactive games bars and activity destinations to boast, but we feel pretty confident in saying that there are very places on the planet where you can find a place to play a real-life version of Pac-Man.

First announced back in October and now scheduled to debut in March 2025, the Pac-Man Live Experience is the newest addition to Manchester’s growing entertainment scene and it’s promising to be a popular one too.

This brand-new life-sized immersive experience plunges players into the nostalgic world of the iconic video game we all know and love, only instead of using joysticks on an old-school arcade machine, they’ll physically sprint, dodge, and chomp their way through a maze.

Although the launch itself is still a few months away, the team behind this ingenious idea are getting ready for the frenzy and putting early bird tickets on sale ahead of opening day.

Credit: Concept Image (supplied)

So how does it work?

Good question: participants can gear up in a PAC vest and step into the role of the instantly recognisable yellow chomper, collecting power pellets, dodging the classic ghost characters – BLINKY, PINKY, INKY, and CLYDE – and racking up points on their way to victory.

Guided through an epic 12-level adventure, players will be led by the ‘PAC-MASTER’: a lively gameshow host who serves as commentator and referee; players will also be accompanied by immersive in-game effects like sound bites, lighting, and haptic (vibration) feedback to elevate the experience. Cool, right?

The striking Arcade Arena will feature two massive PAC-MAN courts projected onto the floor, while dynamic visuals transform the walls, fully immersing participants in the retro arcade universe. There’s no need for headsets either, so players can embark on a multi-sensory adventure, seamlessly blending the real world with augmented reality.

Created by Tom Lionetti-Maguire, the CEO and Founder of Little Lion Entertainment – the same team behind The Crystal Maze Live Experience, Tomb Raider, and Chaos Karts to the likes of London and more recently Manchester –

The whole thing has been brought to life in partnership with Bandai Namco Entertainment, lending the proper licensing to make the experience feel both fun and authentic. It’s the real deal.

Credit: Supplied

Early bird tickets for Pac-Man Live Manchester

If you’re not sold on playing a human-sized, real-life game of Pac-Man in a huge augmented-reality arena right here in Manchester then we don’t know what to tell you, to be honest – all we know is that we’ll be first in line when it arrives.

The Pac-Man Live Experience comes to the Arcade Arena on 22 March next year in line with the game’s 40th anniversary, and they’re inviting players of all ages and providing engaging gameplay for younger participants while delivering a nostalgic throwback that parents and grandparents will cherish.

Better yet, if you book during the early bird window, you can access discount ticket prices from just £25 per person too.

Early bird tickets go on sale at 12 noon today (Thursday, 21 November) – you can grab yours HERE.

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Featured Images — Supplied

Things To Do

Greater Manchester cinemas are screening loads of classic Christmas films throughout December

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Cinemas across the UK will be screening loads of classic festive films in the run-up to Christmas, and you can already book tickets.

With the nights drawing in, the temperatures dropping by the day, and the most wonderful time of the year now firmly in our sights, film fans looking for some wholesome festive fun in the run-up to the big day itself will soon be able to head on down to their nearest Greater Manchester cinema to catch a classic on the big screen.

Vue, Odeon, and The Light are among the cinema chains set to screen a handful of beloved Christmas films throughout December.

Although there may already be a TV channel showing Christmas films 24/7 now on air in the UK, if you fancy seeing the festivities in full screen instead, then you can watch showings of fan-favourites like Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, and more over the next few weeks.

Greater Manchester cinemas are screening loads of classic Christmas films throughout December / Credit: 20th Century Studios | Universal Pictures

You can also see seasonal screenings of live ballet, theatre, and concert performances too.

Undoubtably one of the highlights on the lineup this year, however, has to be The Polar Express, with several cinema chains scheduled to screen the 2004 animated Christmas gem to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its release.

Starring Tom Hanks alongside a talented supporting cast of voice actors, The Polar Express is based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg and tells the story of a young boy who boards a powerful magical train to visit Santa Claus’ home on Christmas Eve, learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas along the way.

Elf, Home Alone, and Love Actually are among the films on the lineup / Credit: Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)

Looking for a more intimate festive film experience this Christmas?

Well you can also get yourself down to one of Manchester’s most popular hotels, King Street Townhouse, where a jam-packed lineup of classics will be screened in its very-own exclusive cinema over the next two months.

Here you can also complete your seasonal experience with festive-themed cocktails, popcorn, pick n mix, and a whole host of other treats too.

Read more:

Head to your local cinema’s website to check when your favourite festive flicks are being screened.

Featured Image – Warner Bros.

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