We all know that the Peak District is full of stunning walks, but if you’re looking for something a little different to do, a bike ride down the Monsal Trail is a must.
This traffic-free trail near Bakewell follows an old railway line, including through former tunnels and over viaducts.
The views along the walk are stunning, taking in the limestone dales and heritage left behind from the days of the Midland Railway.
The simple out-and-back trail passes massive concrete lime kilns and the old Millers Dale train station (where you can normally now grab an ice cream).
Along the Monsal Trail. Credit: The Manc Group
From the Headstone Viaduct, there are amazing views of the River Wye far below.
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The route opened to the public way back in 1981 but four of the old railway tunnels weren’t safe enough to open.
But since 2011’s £2.25m repair job, all four tunnels – Headstone, Cressbrook, Litton and Chee Tor – which are around 400m in length, are open, and lit with spotlights.
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The Monsal Trail in the Peak District. Credit: Photo by Paul Bryan on Unsplash
While many people do walk sections of the Monsal Trail, the best way to see as much of the 8.5mile route as possible is to do it on two wheels.
You don’t need to worry about taking your own bicycle with you though – there are bike hire shops at both Hassop Station and Blackwell Mill.
For a more leisurely experience, you can even rent yourself an electric bike and cruise through the Peaks.
Our pick for cycle hire would be Hassop Station, where you can grab one of the best fish fingers sandwiches of all time to refuel after your advernture.
Featured image: Pixabay / Flickr
Things To Do
You can get 50% off tickets at Manchester’s new £2.5m indoor activity park this half term
Emily Sergeant
Families have the chance to visit Greater Manchester’s newly-opened indoor activity park for half price this half term.
In case you hadn’t already heard, Salford was chosen by Oxygen Activeplay as the location for its next venture, and officially opened the doors to its newest state-of-the-art equipment facility above bustling food hall Kargo MKT, inside the former site of I’m a Celebrity Jungle Challenge down at Quayside MediaCity, in mid February.
Since opening to the public, Oxygen MediaCity has already been helping lots of local families stay active while having fun at the same time.
Following a £2.5 million investment, the new park features more than 30 trampolines, a mega-air bag, a high ropes course, a ‘Rollglider’ aerial ride which flies over the facility, and Oxygen’s signature illuminated sensory experience ‘Excite Tunnel’, along with even more epic activities.
A series of optional games and dance parties are also on offer during each play session, and the new Manchester park also hosts ‘Peaceful Play’ sessions designed for neurodivergent guests, who prefer a calmer and quieter playing environment, as well as there being a ‘Toddler Venture Zone’.
A cafe serving drinks, snacks, and meals also overlooks the park, so once you’re all bounced out, you can recharge with a full feast from the new menu before heading home.
And thankfully, once schools are out again for half term next week, families can get themselves one of Oxygen at MediaCity’s Half Term Passes, which gives pass holders the chance to visit the park on any five days of the two-week break – including on weekends and the bank holiday – for 60 minutes of ‘Open Play’ between 26 May – 1 June.
Manchester’s new £2.5m indoor activity park is offering 50% off tickets over half term / Credit: Jamie McPhilimey
What’s more is that when pre-booking online, jumpers can add VIP Meal Deals to their order, which include a kid’s meal, slushie, and an ice cream or fruit bag for children for just £6, a toddler meal for just £4, or an adult meal, along with a bottled drink and ice cream for just £10.
Alternatively, guests can add a ‘Feed The Family’ bundle to their order when pre-booking tickets to secure a 20% saving.
For a limited time only, you can save some pennies and take advantage of the half-price offer by getting your hands on a Half Term Pass for only £30.
Tyler, The Creator at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for CHROMAKOPIA tour
Thomas Melia
Tyler, The Creator is returning to Manchester and playing in the city’s newest live entertainment venue, Co-op Live.
The last time Tyler – or Mr Creator, if you will – found himself in our gorgeous city was just over two years ago when he headlined Parklife, sharing the bill with 50 Cent and Megan Thee Stallion as well as many more.
Now, he is playing his magnificent ‘CHROMAKOPIA’ album live as part of his world tour of the same name at none other than Co-op Live.
Tyler, The Creator gig guide
Tyler, The Creator is playing Co-op Live, Manchester, on 27 and 28 May.Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Tyler, The Creator UK tour dates
Sat 17 May – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Mon 19 May – London, UK – The O2
Wed 21 May – London, UK – The O2
Thu 22 May – London, UK – The O2
Tue 27 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Wed 28 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Fri 30 May – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Sat 31 May – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Tyler, The Creator tickets for Co-op Live gig
If you’re after catching Mr Creator live in the flesh, this one might be tricky as there’s a hefty amount of people wanting to do the same thing, tickets for his 27 May show can be found HERE.
It’s a good thing he’s playing two dates otherwise getting your hands on tickets might’ve been sticky, you can browse all the options for 28 May date HERE.
Tyler, The Creator set list
St. Chroma
Rah Tah Tah
Noid
Darling, I
I Killed You
Judge Judy
Sticky
Take Your Mask Off
Tomorrow
EARFQUAKE
I THINK
Yonkers
Tron Cat
She
Tamale
Rusty
IFHY
LUMBERJACK
I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE
DOGTOOTH
SORRY NOT SORRY
Who Dat Boy
WUSYANAME
Thought I Was Dead
Like Him
See You Again
NEW MAGIC WAND
I Hope You Find Your Way Home
There are three tracks that act as interludes throughout the show too: ‘IGOR’S THEME’, ‘A BOY IS A GUN’ and ‘THANK YOU’.
What are the stage times for Tyler, The Creator in Manchester?
Tyler, The Creator is coming to Manchester and we’re sure he’ll be wearing something equally snazzy.
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm meaning the ‘Flower Boy’ has enough time to sing ‘I Hope You Find Your Way Home’ while you get under the covers before midnight.
Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6pm with a kick-off time of 8pm and support from local Manchester talent Just Yaz hyping the crowd up beforehand.
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Daisy Jackson -
13th May 2022 
