The Medlock, the new 401-room hotel beside the Etihad Stadium, has officially opened its doors this week.
The landmark new hotel is part of the Medlock Square entertainment hub, also home to the Brickworks market hall, a roof walk and zipline experience, and an all-new Manchester City museum experience.
Set just steps from both the Etihad Stadium and the Co-op Live, The Medlock by Radisson Blu is a modern new hotel with affordable rooms, striking design details, and state-of-the-art technology.
It’s also set to be the largest hotel in central Manchester, with a mixture of room sizes and suites.
There’s also the ‘crown jewel’ of the hotel, its penthouse suite, a two-storey, two-bedroom suite designed for high-profile stays, private dinners, and VIP celebrations.
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And still to come will be 10 bedrooms with pitch views across the Etihad Stadium.
The design of the hotel pays homage to the 19th-century gasworks, local green spaces, and historic waterways that once defined the site, and its name comes from the river that flows beneath it.
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You’ll see details like textured grey walls and cages around the pillars as a nod to the historic Bradford Colliery that once stood on this land.
Inside the two-storey suiteKitchen-diner in the suiteThe private terrace
From the lobby, guests are greeted with an overhead digital reflective feature that syncs with match days and event nights, plus digital check-in pods, low-lounge banquettes, and a statement staircase.
The 401 guest rooms start from £120 a night, decorated in soft tones, warm timber, and ambient lighting, with music-inspired design features like rug patterns inspired by retro audio equipment and bathroom tiles reminiscent of recording studio acoustic walls.
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Every room includes GRIND coffee machines and pods, Vimto bonbons, signature Medlock mattresses created in partnership with Silentnight, and bespoke artwork by local artists (Paul Crudgington, a fine art photographer; James Cochrane, a Manchester street photographer framing light, shadow, and human presence since 2016; and Steve Longbottom, a Manchester exhibiting artist exploring how people connect with place).
Elsewhere in The Medlock, there’s a 24-hour Technogym fitness centre with cutting-edge equipment and virtual personal training options.
The entrance to The Medlock hotelBlend at Medlock SquareThe hotel’s gym
There are two food and drink offerings inside The Medlock, too – Blend, a cafe by day and wine bar by night; and Three Rivers Brasserie and Bar, a sophisticated all-day dining experience focused on British produce and warm, polished service.
Richard Pearson, general manager of The Medlock, Radisson Blu Hotel, said: “We’re incredibly proud to officially open the doors to The Medlock, as it takes centre stage as the beginning of the story of Medlock Square.
“We’ve created a hotel that feels uniquely Manchester, right at the heart of one of the UK’s most exciting destinations. Whether guests are visiting for football, music, business, or to experience the city, we want The Medlock to be more than somewhere to stay – we want it to be the place where every Manchester experience begins with a brilliant welcome.
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“I’m incredibly proud of what our team has achieved. They’ve shown real grit to bring The Medlock to life, backed each other every step of the way, and poured their heart and energy into creating something special.
A bedroom at The MedlockThe entrance to The Medlock hotelThree Rivers restaurant
“This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to welcome our first guests and share the warmth, spirit, and sense of community that makes The Medlock feel like home. This is a milestone day for the evolution of Manchester as we continue to shape its next go-to destination.”
Joep Peeters, Chief Operating Officer Franchise EMEA at Radisson Hotel Group, said: “The opening of this flagship hotel represents a defining moment for both Manchester and the team behind it. Whether visitors are here for a football match, a concert, a conference, or just to explore Manchester, both the hotel and its location offer guests an experience unlike anywhere else in the UK.
“The property reflects the city’s character: welcoming, energetic and proudly authentic, and we are thrilled to welcome it into the Radisson Blu portfolio.”
The Peak District walk with amazing views, a cosy cafe, and a great pub at the end
Daisy Jackson
If you’re looking for a country walk that’s got a bit of everything – we’re talking views, lakes, history, picturesque villages and, crucially, pints – this is the one.
Step across the Greater Manchester border into High Peak, and you can take on a circular walk that’s got it all.
The walk takes in all the best bits of the English countryside, from rolling hills to proper pubs.
Park in the village of Hayfield, then head out west to join the Sett Valley Trail, which joins Hayfield and New Mills.
The trail itself is 2.5 miles and follows a former railway line – but now it’s a tree-lined trail that’s perfect for a gentle stroll, cycle or even horse ride.
You’ll pass the Birch Vale reservoir, but won’t be following the trail all the way to New Mills.
Get as far as Emma’s Sett Valley Cafe and stop for an early break – indulgent hot chocolates, great bakes, and a decent amount of brunch dishes beneath colourful festoon lighting.
Emma’s Sett Valley Cafe. Credit: The Manc Group
Once you’re fuelled, head slightly back on yourself to skirt Birch Vale Reservoir, cross the River Sett, and walk towards Sitch Lane.
The road will take you to the very edge of the Peak District ready for an uphill climb to the peak of Lantern Pike.
It’s not a giant by Peak District standards (373m compared to Kinder Scout’s 636m) but the views are 360 degrees – fields on all sides and the incredible Manchester skyline in the distance.
Walk straight over the summit and down the other side, walking along the edge of Hey Wood and across fields full of friendly cows, past Little Hayfield and back into the main village of Hayfield.
Views from the Sett Valley trailSummiting Lantern PikePretty views near Little Hayfield
Here you’ll find The Pack Horse, a country pub that’s gained some serious accolades in recent years.
Famed for its seasonal, locally-sourced menu, at this time of year you can expect hearty post-hike lunches like sharing pies, Manchester eggs, and incredible Sunday roasts.
Despite a top-notch menu, the pub is more than happy to welcome in customers (and dogs) who are covered in mud – as all good countryside boozers should.
Sharing pie at The Pack Horse in HayfieldThe Pack Horse in HayfieldTheir famous Manchester egg
You can see a map of the circular walking route at AllTrails HERE.
Huge tunnel through the Peak District linking Manchester and Sheffield moves one step closer
Clementine Hall
Ambitions plans to build a tunnel beneath the Peak District to connect Manchester and Sheffield has moved a step closer.
The proposed tunnel, which could completely transform travel between the two cities, has received a major £500,000 funding boost.
Picture the Eurostar, but plonk it going across the Pennines instead of London to Paris.
If it all goes ahead, journeys between South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester would be much quicker and easier, cutting times by up to 30 minutes, The Sheff reports.
The whopping £500,000 funding has been secured by infrastructure group Future Works, which is behind the proposed Trans-Pennine Connect scheme.
The money will be used to carry out technical and environmental feasibility studies to establish whether the project could actually go ahead.
The plans would see a 14-mile dual-carriageway tunnel built underneath the Peak District, potentially running between Langsett in South Yorkshire and Hollingworth or Tintwistle in Greater Manchester.
Michael Dnes, Future Works co-founder, said: “We’re very excited to be working with UK Dynamism Fund to unlock the next stage of our project.
“This funding will let us complete the technical and environmental feasibility studies needed to get the right outcomes for people and the Peak District as we deliver better transport connections across the Pennines.”
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has previously voiced his support for the proposals, describing them as a “really exciting opportunity”.
Speaking at a South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority meeting back in September, he said: “We all know the frustrations of travelling between two of the North’s biggest and best cities.”
He also stressed that any plans would need to take environmental considerations very seriously, particularly the impact on wildlife in the Peak District.
The project is still in very early stages, and the funding doesn’t indicate that planning has been approved. We’ll keep you updated with any updates as and when we know.
So, what do you make of this proposal? Would you be keen for a drive through the tunnel?
Daisy Jackson -
10th September 2026 
