One of the Peak District’s most impressive landmarks is being turned into a pop-up cinema this spring.
The dramatic Peak Cavern will be kitted out with a full cinema set-up, plus cosy blankets and hot water bottles, for an unmissable film experience.
The next series of Village Screen events will begin later this month, with films on the bill including Dune, The Lost Boys, and Back to the Future.
Lovers of a horror film will also be able to watch The Descent – a critically-acclaimed thriller flick that’s actually set in a cave system – in the most eerily immersive setting possible.
The Village Screen at Peak Cavern in the Peak District. Credit: Nathan Dainty at It’s Nate (@itsnate.uk / www.itsnate.uk)
Visitors are greeted by live music, street food stalls, and pop-up bars before heading through to the cinema area, surrounded on all sides by stunning natural limestone walls.
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The Peak Cavern itself is one of the gems of the Peak District, with a fascinating history.
The rock formation used to be known as the ‘Devil’s arse’, because of the fart-like noises created by the water that flowed through it.
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The Village Screen at Peak Cavern in the Peak District. Credit: Nathan Dainty at It’s Nate (@itsnate.uk / www.itsnate.uk)
The Village Screen at Peak Cavern in the Peak District. Credit: Nathan Dainty at It’s Nate (@itsnate.uk / www.itsnate.uk)
The Village Screen at Peak Cavern in the Peak District. Credit: Nathan Dainty at It’s Nate (@itsnate.uk / www.itsnate.uk)
It also has the largest cave entrance in the British Isles, at 20m in height, 35m in width, and 100m in length.
Inside are the remains of a rope maker’s village – and in more modern times, it’s the Village Screen that keeps visitors flocking back here.
The full line-up of films will all be projected onto a 21ft screen, with state-of-the-art sound and lighting.
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Movie-goers can get drinks and snacks delivered to their seats during the film, and add on ‘Snuggle Packages’, which include blankets, hot water bottles, cushions, and a selection of sweets and chocolate.
The Village Screen is a small, independent events team that has been running cinema experiences at the Peak Cavern since 2017, with 60 cave events so far.
The company is also behind similar events at the Victoria Baths former swimming pool in Manchester itself.
The Village Screen was set up in 2015 to create a stunning cinema experience, showing classic films in unexpected locations – they’ve also made use of venues like Kenwood Hall in Sheffield and Hathersage Swimming Pool, plus a range of drive-in experiences.
The Village Screen’s Peak Cavern line-up for spring 2022.
Thursday 28 April – The Lost Boys, doors at 6pm, film at 8pm
Friday 29 April – The Goonies, doors at 6pm, film at 8pm
Saturday 30 April – The Descent, doors at 5.30pm, film at 7.30pm
Sunday 1 May – Back to the Future, doors at 5.30pm, film at 7.30pm
Thursday 5 May – Pulp Fiction, doors at 6pm, film at 8pm
Friday 6 May – The Lost Boys, doors at 6pm, film at 8pm
Saturday 7 May – The Rocky Horror Picture Show, doors at 5.30pm, film at 7.30pm
Sunday 8 May – Dune, doors at 5.30pm, film at 7.30pm
Friday 13 May – Alien, doors at 6pm, film at 8pm
Saturday 14 May – Princess Bride, doors at 5.30pm, film at 7.30pm
Sunday 15 May – The Goonies, doors at 5.30pm, film at 7.30pm
Featured image: Nathan Dainty at It’s Nate (@itsnate.uk / www.itsnate.uk)
Art & Culture
Richard Ashcroft announces all-North West lineup of support acts for Alexandra Palace headliner
Danny Jones
Wigan’s finest, Richard Ashcroft, has announced an all-North-Western lineup for his upcoming headline show at ‘Ally Pally’.
The former Verve frontman is not only riding a fresh wave of popularity thanks to supporting Oasis on their incredible Live ’25 world tour, but also recently released his long-awaited new album, Lovin’ You.
Not just a Manc music icon but one of the biggest names to have come out of his borough, specifically, the legendary lyricist is finally getting more like the kind of recognition he deserves, and is making sure to pay that exposure forward in the best way possible.
He could have picked from all manner of big British acts as supports at Alexandra Palace, but Richard Ashcroft has chosen to keep flying the regional flag by picking a group he’s spent the last few months with, as well as a fellow Greater Manchester act.
That’s right: as well as signing up Liverpool’s very own Oasis Live ’25 openers, Cast, as one of the warm-up acts, the 54-year-old has also chosen another native Wigan artist in the form of The Lathums to join him for the momentous headline show.
Much-loved not only in their hometown but across Manchester and beyond, the indie favourites – who also released their latest studio LP, Matter Does Not Define, back in February – the young band are only getting better and becoming more established as time goes on.
Having already played the likes of the AO Arena here in Manchester and booked numerous big festival slots of the past few years, we reckon you can pretty much bank on them headlining this historic and bucket list venue for themselves in the future.
In terms of Cast, the scousers continue one of the busiest years for touring in their career by supporting ‘King Richard’, having followed up supporting ‘LG’ in 2024 to both Gallagher brothers over the summer.
As for Ashcroft himself, we’re glad to see him back releasing new music, and can confirm his seventh record is a great listen.
By no means our favourite, but just a taste of his latest sound.
Now, if you were wondering why we’re talking about this show over any of the other gigs (namely the Northern ones) on his upcoming UK run, it’s because most of the tour has now sold out.
His Co-op Live date was obviously the first to go, with Cardiff’s Principality Stadium going shortly after, and extra dates being added in the likes of London, Liverpool and over in Leeds.
If you do happen to be in the capital already or are willing to make a trip to London for the show, there are still some tickets left for Richard Ashcroft at Ally Pally in July 2026.
Cannot wait to hear how this sounds in that storied room:
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)/Audio North
Art & Culture
Wu-Tang Clan announce final farewell shows in UK, including a massive Manc arena gig
Danny Jones
The one and only Wu-Tang Clan and their music may be ‘forever’, but they’re coming together for one more global run with their final live gigs here in the UK, including one huge Manchester arena gigthat is sure to sell out.
Arguably the most legendary and influential hip-hop groups ever, Wu-Tang saw their farewell tour across America wrap up this past summer, and now, after having gone from state to state, the Clan will be heading to mainland Europe and beyond for one last ride.
The scenes from the aptly-titled ‘Final Chamber’ have been nothing short of incredible in their home nation, but with a truly worldwide following, you can expect us Mancs and the overseas crowds to provide the same energy.
Narrated by British comedian and renowned lover of rap music, Romesh Ranganathan, the Wu-Tang Clan have announced a handful of additional dates, giving fans one last chance to see them live.
If you haven’t heard about the Final Chamber tour up until now, it’s seen all 10 members of the iconic collective – yes, including Cappadonna – get the show back on the road for what are undoubtedly Wu-Tang‘s biggest shows to date.
After all, if you’re going to call it a day, you might as well go out on the biggest high possible and play to the largest audiences ever.
Following three decades’ worth of music, these farewell shows broke ticket-sale records for the band, selling out 36 shows across North America with Killer Mike and producer El-P’s duo Run The Jewels as the main support act.
Now THAT is some lineup.
Confirmed to play their final ever Manchester show early next year, Wu-Tang Clan will be saying goodbye to their Northern following with a Co-op Live debut.
What makes this even more special is that this is just one of two shows they are currently scheduled to play in the UK – the only other being The O2 in London.
You could keep your fingers crossed for extra dates being added for what we can only imagine will be huge demand, but this could very well be the only other chance you get to see Wu-Tang Clan live in Manchester before they hang up the mic.
Co-op Member presale access for their March 2026 show will be available from 10am on Wednesday, 22 October, with general admission tickets going live at the same time this coming Friday (24 Oct). You can get ready to grab ours HERE.
Until then, you can see more from Wu-Tang’s ‘Final Chamber’ tour so far down below.
Daisy Jackson -
10th April 2022 
