The popular Farm Weekend full of food markets, lamb cuddles, tractor rides, and more is once again returning to Cheshire next month.
While Bruntwood SciTech’s Alderley Park may be known as a unique place where world-leading science, innovation, and stylish living come all come together 363 days of the year, for one weekend each spring, the Cheshire destination gets taken over by the hugely-popular Farm Weekend event.
Although it had to be called-off a couple of times due to the pandemic, Farm Weekend returned to massive success back in 2022, with families from all across Greater Manchester and the North West making their way to Macclesfield for a two days of wholesome springtime fun – and now, it’s back once again on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 April.
You can expect a weekend of different outdoor family-friendly activities, performances, markets, and lots of local food and drink.
From tractor rides, falconry flying displays, and lamb cuddles, to bushcraft demonstrations, archery lessons, obstacle courses, interactive animal petting sessions, Easter-themed crafts, and artisan markets, there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy at the two-day event.
Farm Weekend returns next month with ‘wholesome’ lamb cuddles, tractor rides, and more / Credit: Alderley Park
Headlining the event is fan-favourite CBeebies nature show, Teeny Tiny Creatures.
Performing four 30-minute shows over the weekend, animal experts from the show, Chantelle and Rory, will help children understand the vital role that the tiniest insects play in the wonderful web of life, so fans should get themselves ready for an “interactive, educational, and super-energetic” set from the CBeebies favourites.
People are also being encouraged to explore the scenic woodland paths at Alderley Park while they’re there, as there’s more than 400 acres of green space and nature to make the most of.
Organisers promise a “wholesome and inspiring weekend filled with nature and enjoyment”.
There’ll be something for everyone to enjoy at the two-day event / Credit: Jody Hartley (via Alderley Park)
Speaking ahead of the event next month, Daniel Bourne – Head of Asset Management at Bruntwood SciTech – said: “We are delighted that Farm Weekend is returning to Alderley Park for 2023 as it has proved a fantastic opportunity to welcome the wider Cheshire community and bring our customers and residents together to experience the joy of the Park, enjoying the vast woodland and amenities there is on offer.
“With the number of exciting activities taking place over the two days, it’s set to be another weekend to remember.”
Tickets to Farm Weekend 2023 on Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 April are already on sale, setting you back £8 per person and including access to all activities – with 50p from each ticket donated to the Cheshire Community Foundation.
Little Mancs can meet the star of one of their favourite TV shows at the Science and Industry Museum this summer.
In case you hadn’t heard, Operation Ouch! is back in Manchester again with a fresh new experience for 2025, and this time around, visitors can journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.
Thousands of families from across Greater Manchester and beyond have already visited the city centre museum make the most of the new exhibition, and get stuck into the wide range of immersive and interactive activities it has on offer.
But for those who haven’t been able to pay a visit yet, this summer couldn’t be a more ideal opportunity to do so.
That’s because Dr Xand Van Tulleken – who is one of the presenters of the BBC showOperation Ouch! – will be at the museum in a couple of weeks time to meet visitors as part of his myth-busting mission to answer some of the public’s deepest questions about our senses.
The Science and Industry Museum has unveiled its ‘summer of senses’ programme / Credit: Science Museum Group
Dr Xand Van Tulleken will be at the Science and Industry Museum for one day only, and will not only join mini medics on their voyage through the senses, but will also be on-hand to answer brain teasers from the audience during a series of live Q&As.
Whether it’s banging on a super-sized eardrum, venturing into a massive eyeball, or even taking a whiff of a ‘smell library’, this world-premiere exhibition dives into the science behind hearing, sight, touch, taste, and smell – and Dr Xand will be there every step of the way.
Dr Xand’s visit comes amid a senses-themed summer programme at the city centre museum, where visitors can enjoy everything from silent discos and science shows, to a ‘bogie lab’, brain-boggling challenges, and loads more during six weeks of activities inspired by its latest exhibition.
Book your tickets to visit Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You on Tuesday 12 August, for any of the time slots between 11:30am – 1pm, and 2:45 – 4:15pm for the opportunity to grab a selfie with Dr Xand from inside the exhibition.
Tickets will cost visitors £10 each, with those under three going free, and a range of family discounts available.
England are in another final, and you know what that means: Road to Victory is returning to Manchester for another massive screening at the AO Arena as England’s women’s team prepare to defend their Euros trophy.
Sarina Weigman’s side made it to their second consecutive European final on Tuesday night following more late drama for the Lionesses against Italy.
The squad, which has seen a number of personnel changes since Euro 2022, managed to make it through to the final in the eleventh hour thanks to another stoppage-time equaliser from Michelle Agyemang and even more tense follow-up from a scuffed spot-kick by Chloe Kelly.
Will they ever stop giving us heart palpitations at major tournaments? Probably not, but the big watchalong party inside the AO Arena, which will see thousands turn up to watch the Euro 2025 final, is sure to deliver plenty of excitement either way.
For anyone unfamiliar with the massive fan zone – one of THE biggest in all Europe, in fact – Road to Victory is the unparalleled supporter party by AIX (Amplified Immersive Xperiences) Live, who specialise in the top-end of audio-visual matchday viewing vibes.
Having hosted huge screenings for the previous men’s Euros and the Qatar World Cup, and even inspiring a massive watchalong of last season’s Europa League final at the venue, Road to Victory (RtV) is just about as big and bold as it gets.
Think BOXPARK in London only bigger, more interactive and, dare we say it… better?
Yes, we do dare say it; having attended RtV on multiple occasions since it landed here back in 2022, we can confirm you won’t find an atmosphere quite like it anywhere else. At least not in Greater Manchester, anyway.
Case and point:
With doors to the women’s Euros screening opening at 4pm, there’ll be plenty of time for pre-match build-up before the game gets underway, and there’ll be plenty of entertainment, light displays, food, drinks and more – it’s just up to Manchester fans to be in full voice.
The Women’s European Championships certainly have a more all-ages, family-friendly feel to them, but Road to Victory and the AO Arena are still ensuring they deliver a palpable match-day energy.
Tickets are already live following England’s place in the last two of the Women’s Euros now confirmed, it’s merely a matter of securing yours and finding out who, out of Germany and Spain, will meet them in the final this weekend.
Once again, the 2025 Women’s Euros final kicks off at 5pm on Sunday, 27 July, and you can grab your tickets for the Road to Victory screening at the AO Arena in Manchester right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
7th March 2023 
