Johnny Vegas is opening his own glamping experience, where accommodation is housed in lovingly-restored and converted vehicles, including a helicopter.
The Lancashire born-comedian and actor has chosen the grounds of stately home Melbourne Hall to be the permanent home of his The Field of Dreams campsite.
Guests will stay in converted vehicles including a German fire truck, Patricia the bus, an American School Bus and a classic Citroen Camper, with three new additions adding to the unique fleet for 2023.
The new options will include a boat, a stylish glamping pied-a-terre beside the lake, and even a helicopter, The Hoot reports.
The news of his new campsite follows the roaring success of the first season of the Channel 4 series, Johnny Vegas: Carry On Glamping, which saw him follow his dream to create a glamping spot with a difference.
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Johnny Vegas’s new glamping location. Credit: Supplied
This time, the glamping location has changed and we will watch as Jonny navigates the the challenges of expanding the site and developing the business.
The 2021 Yorkshire-based campsite was jam packed with bookings and received rave reviews, however ambitions for a bigger site meant Vegas had to move on from God’s own country (much to our dismay).
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The new site will be based at Melbourne Hall in Derbyshire, home of Lord & Lady Kerr.
Johnny Vegas in the helicopter that will be converted. Image: Supplied
The glamping site will officially open in April 2023 with bookings being taken now.
The iconic vehicles will be situated across two sites, both within a short walk from the pool for those wanting to take a dip and admire the breathtaking views.
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If you’d like to stay at Johnny’s brand new site, then you can book via the Melbourne Hall website.
24-hour bus services are now running across all Greater Manchester boroughs
Emily Sergeant
24-hour bus services are now running across all boroughs in Greater Manchester.
You may remember that back in March, it was announced that every borough of Greater Manchester was set to get a night bus service in what is hoped to be a ‘boost’ to the night-time economy… and now it’s official, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched those 24-hour buses this month, along with a series of other measures.
Oldham, Stockport, Tameside, and Trafford now join the rest of Greater Manchester in having 24-hour bus services, meaning every part of the region will have a night bus operating Thursday through to Sunday.
It’s expected that these new services will help around 625,400 people working in the night-time economy across Greater Manchester, as well as those out enjoying the region’s nightlife, TfGM has said.
The routes which will run around the clock from Thursday until Sunday are:
50 (Salford – Manchester)
216 (Tameside – Manchester)
263 (Trafford – Manchester)
192 (Stockport – Manchester)
83 (Oldham – Manchester)
All Greater Manchester boroughs now have 24-hour bus services / Credit: TfGM
They launch alongside the most significant service changes to the Bee Network since the completion of bus franchising last year – including other new bus routes, and more frequent services across Greater Manchester.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy everything Greater Manchester offers, without the worry of how to get there and get home,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“By growing the Bee Network, we’re making it easier than ever for people to use the bus, day and night.
“Our night buses are already providing a lifeline to some of the hundreds of thousands of people who are growing our night-time economy and working in essential public services.”
“Whether people are heading home from a night at the theatre or starting the early shift at a hospital, they can now get on board the night bus as a safe and affordable way to travel.”
Further improvements will delivered from January 2027, and a full breakdown by borough can be found on the Bee Network website here.
Featured Image – Aleksandr Popov (via Unsplash)
Travel & Tourism
You can visit hundreds of historic sites across Greater Manchester for FREE this month
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Heritage Open Day is back in Greater Manchester this September, with its biggest festival ever and more than 6,200 free day trips to choose from.
Organised by the National Trust and Postcode Lottery, these events allow millions of people across the country come together each autumn, to celebrate community, history and you guessed it – heritage.
Thousands of organisations and amazing volunteers across England will be taking part, to deliver outings between the 11 – 20 September, allowing the public to experience new opportunities that they may not otherwise have access to.
What’s more is it’s all completely free.
The festival focuses on celebrating differences and heritage both past and present, encouraging discussion on what it represents today, with 83% of attendees last year saying that their visit increased their pride in their local area.
Annie Reilly, the National Trust’s Audience & Engagement Director, said: “Heritage Open Days opens the door to thousands of extraordinary stories, places and experiences on your doorstep.
“By inspiring curiosity today, the festival helps build a stronger sense of connection, care and action for the future.”
But with so many events to choose from, it can get a little overwhelming to plan your day out – so in no particular order, here are 10 brilliant free experiences in the Heritage Open Days list in Greater Manchester.
1. Pankhurst Museum (AKA The Pankhurst Centre), Ardwick
The Pankhurst Museum will open its doors for free over the Heritage Open Days. Credit: Supplied
Pictured The Pankhurst Centre building in the NHS grounds
This September, you can enter the very home of Emmeline Pankhurst, and explore the parlour where she began the Women’s Social & Political Union (the Suffragette Movement).
This iconic building, central to feminist activism where history was made, is located inside the hospital grounds of our very own Manchester Royal Infirmary. Here you can learn of Pankhurst’s family, the movement itself, experiment with chalk graffiti in the garden and even have a drink in the tearoom.
The museum will be free to the public from 11-4pm on Sunday 13 September and Sunday 20 September to celebrate, as part of this year’s festival.
Now’s your chance to have a nosey behind the scenes, inside that super old theatre on the A6, which has probably gone fairly unnoticed until its recent exciting, VERY orange makeover.
As part of Heritage Open Days, the theatre is celebrating its 125th birthday by opening its doors and offering a rare guided backstage tour to visitors, along with a historical presentation and the opportunity for photos.
This tour is available on Saturday 12 September, on the half hour, between 10.30am-12pm and 1.30pm-3pm.
It’s important to note that due to the theatre being inside an old mill, with many stairs across multiple levels, it is sadly not wheelchair or pushchair accessible.
Pre-booking is not required.
3. Museum of Transport, Cheetham Hill
Fancy a ride on a retro bus? Look no further.
Head on over to this historic Grade II-listed garage, where you can find a collection of more than 80 vintage vehicles including buses, coaches, trams and fire engines
Not only is it home to every kind of bus and tram you could imagine, along with copious amounts of transport related memorabilia but they also have a traditional tea room and museum shop that completely transport you back in time.
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As part of the festival, the museum will be organising rides for visitors to travel in style, on some of the historic vehicles from their collection.
Visit on Saturday 12, Sunday 13, Saturday 19 or Sunday 20 September, between 10am-4.30pm, to get in for free.
4. The Station Agent’s House, Castlefield
Calling all train and interior design enthusiasts.
Forget stalking Rightmove for posh houses – for one weekend only, you can nosey around for free, inside this restored globally historic 19th century house.
This isn’t just any magnificent looking house – no, the site itself is in fact the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station, where Liverpool Road Station was first developed.
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This very building became home to the first Station Agent, as well as being where the introduction of railway waiting rooms, signals, and tickets began.
Visit across Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 September, between 10-4pm.
While not essential, priority will be given to those that have prebooked, to manage capacity.
5. Rochdale Town Centre: A Heritage Photo Walk, with Ellie Waters
Rochdale Town HallRochdale Town Hall
Think you know your local area? I bet you missed some of these.
You may have once considered yourself observant but think again – test your knowledge and go for a trip down memory lane with Ellie Waters.
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Ellie is set to lead a guided tour, through visual storytelling, amongst the various landmarks within Rochdale town centre.
This experience allows you to see your local history materialise through photographs of the exact areas you visit – some of which you may have walked past a million times without noting their significance.
You must book a slot for this free experience taking place on Saturday 12 September, 11am-1pm. Click HERE for tickets.
6. Wigan Athletic Heritage Museum – with free match tickets
Head on over to Wigan Athletic Heritage Museum to celebrate the beautiful game, swat up on your local team’s history, and be in with a chance of winning some exclusive prizes.
Not only is the museum bursting with memorabilia and steeped in rich football history, but by attending you also gain access to free tickets to the League One fixture, to see Wigan Athletic host visitors Wycombe Wanderers.
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You’re in for an afternoon full of footy – the museum is open 1-2.30pm, followed by kick off at 3pm, Saturday 19 September.
You must register HEREto gain your free digital tickets.
7. Rubbish to Resource – see your recycling in action, Sharston
I think we could all do with learning how to be a bit more green, following this past summer of extreme heatwaves and crazy storms.
Over at the Longley Lane recycling facility, you’re able to gain behind the scenes access to find out what actually happens when we recycle here in Greater Manchester.
The tour will include some indoor interactive activities debunking any recycling myths, along with plenty of time to ask questions to properly understand the importance of looking after our planet.
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Tours are available Wednesday 16 September 2.15-4.30pm and 6-8.30pm, as well as Saturday 19 September 10-12.30pm.
You must book tickets HERE and all children must be 7+ to enter, with all under 18s accompanied by an adult.
Go and have a gander behind the scenes at Manchester’s last working Edwardian heritage pool.
This community-run building dating back to 1911, is bursting with history, from the stunning roof to the stained-glass windows – this isn’t your regular swimming baths.
Head on down Saturday 12 or Sunday 13 September – the tour will run from 2-3pm.
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This experience is for ages 12+ and all under 16s must be joined by an adult.
Over in Northernden is St Wilfred’s church, some 18th century church bells have been in use for the past 275 years – and now’s your chance to hear them too.
During the Heritage Open Days festival, you are invited to celebrate the area’s milestones by attending one of many events including a bell-ringing performance and a cheese and wine event, as well as talks run by local historians on Northenden’s history.
Between Saturday 12 and Saturday 19 September, there are a range of sessions available.
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No booking needed, except for the bell ringing demonstrations on Saturday 12 September.
10. East Lancashire Railway, Bury
Don’t miss your chance to explore unseen areas of the Castlecroft Sheds, where historic locomotives are stored and cared for by a team of volunteers.
This action-packed tour allows visitors to gain an insight into the craftsmanship, care and skill needed to successfully restore these wonderful vehicles.
Each immersive tour also grants you access to a full-line return train journey, starting at Bury Bolton Street Station and will include a two mile walk, so ensure you are wearing suitable footwear.
This is a 16+ event, with tours running, Sunday 13 and Sunday 20 September between 1-2pm.
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Final call for all remaining passengers – tickets must be prebooked HERE, butdon’t hang about – tickets are limited.
Clementine Hall -
14th January 2023 
