Cheshire

Tatton Park is still partly closed following Storm Arwen ‘trail of destruction’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 30th November 2021

National Trust site Tatton Park is still unable to fully reopen following a night of ‘chaos’ when Storm Arwen ripped through the region.

The popular attraction has been left without external power, forcing it to close its restaurants and shops, and scale back its One Snowy Night festive event.

Tatton Park in Knutsford was fully closed on Saturday and had to cancel its first day of Father Christmas meets.

The park has been able to gradually reopen some areas since then.

Storm Arwen hit Greater Manchester on Friday night and into Saturday, temporarily closing the M62 when more than 100 lorries were stuck in the snow.

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Winds in the UK hit up to 98mph, and three people were tragically killed.

Tatton Park said Arwen left a ‘trail of destruction’, dumping debris across the site.

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In an update posted today, they said that Scottish Power and site staff are busy trying to restore power and tidy up from the huge storm.

The post reads: “Unfortunately, despite our best efforts we are still badly affected by Storm Arwen.

Read more: The Coca-Cola Christmas Truck is coming back to Manchester

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“Teams have been busy clearing up and repairing damage but an external power cut means we still have no mains power. Our electrical supplier, Scottish Power, are working on this, but it’s a changing situation by the hour and sadly out of our control.”

The parkland is now open again, as are the toilet facilities in the Stableyard, though the restaurants and shops remain closed.

Visitors are advised to book their parking in advance online or bring cash, as the power outage has left Tatton Park without tills.

One Snowy Night is going ahead but with no food and drink on offer – refunds are available.

Featured image: Facebook – Tatton Park

Cheshire

The incredible new lantern trail around a northern theme park with Yorkshire pudding wraps, boozy hot chocolates, and more

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Land of Lights Gulliver's World

Yorkshire pudding wraps and boozy hot chocolates are just some of the festive treats on offer at an incredible new lantern trail.

In case you haven’t heard, Land of Lights has now opened at Gulliver’s World in Warrington, and it’s transformed the much-loved North West theme park into an immersive winter wonderland for the Christmas season – with 12 “vivid dreamworlds” full of dozens of gigantic lanterns inspired by animals, mega monuments, and wonders of the natural world to marvel at.

As the sun goes down and the nights draw in, visitors are now able to explore an amazing array of light installations as they walk all around the park.

More than 7,000 individual lanterns and hundreds of thousands of LED lights create the spectacle.

Having been already enchanting families since it opened at few weeks back now, Land of Lights is a first-of-its-kind attraction for the area, and it’s arrived in Warrington after it was held for the first time ever at Gulliver’s Land down in Milton Keynes last year, and proved to be a smash-hit success that was visited by thousands.

The award-winning work of the Zigong Lantern Group – with more than 100 people involved in the production process, and it taking six months to design, manufacture, and artistically finish – Land of Lights seems to already be garnering rave reviews.

But those aren’t just down to all the show-stopping lanterns and light installations.

That’s because visitors also have the chance to tuck into a feast of festive-themed street food and drinks all throughout the festival too.

Yorkshire Pudding Wraps at Land of Lights at Gulliver's World
Yorkshire Pudding Wraps at Land of Lights at Gulliver’s World. Credit: The Manc Group
Toasted marshmallows at Land of Lights at Gulliver's World
Toasted marshmallows at Land of Lights at Gulliver’s World

As you make your way around the illuminated park, you can grab everything from freshly-made and generously-filled Yorkshire pudding wraps, and an impressive selection of handmade churros, to authentic German sausages and bratwursts, and a winter-warming lineup of tipples and soft drinks like mulled wine, beer, and boozy hot chocolates.

Not only that, but there’s also Lagado’s Restaurant & Grill located on site too, which offers up a wide range of sit-down meal options inside its warm restaurant on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays of the festival.

As we mentioned, the event looks to have been proving pretty popular in the short time since it’s opened, with positive reviews coming in thick and fast.

One glowing review reads: “We visited Land of Lights at Gulliver’s world, I have to say it’s breathtaking, much more than what I imagined, well worth the money, definitely recommended.

“Like stepping into a fairy tale, it’s an amazing experience. You have hot food and drink, different gadget shops during the trail, it’s an instant stress relief after a bad day. Parking is free.”

Read more:

Land of Lights is now open at Gulliver’s World in Warrington, and is running right through to 25 February 2024 – with tickets already on sale and prices starting from only £12.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

Featured image – The Manc Group

Cheshire

Inside Piccolino Grande, the £2m Wilmslow eatery set to transport you straight to the streets of Tuscany

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

The highly anticipated new Piccolino Grande opened its doors this week, showcasing the very best of Italian hospitality.

The Piccolino brand is well-known for its decadent food, opulent interiors and outstanding service, and their newest venture in Wilmslow is no exception.

Following a £2m transformation, Piccolino Grande on Swan Street is a real feast for all the senses.

Elegant marble and brass interiors, a show stopping traditional copper clad pizza oven taking centre stage and a beautiful Winterised Tuscan terrace complete with terracotta flooring – this is Piccolino’s most stylish dining experience to date.

Inside the new Piccolino Grande in Wilmslow
Image: Supplied

And it doesn’t stop at the interiors, guests at Piccolino Grande in Wilmslow can dine on an exclusive menu created especially for the restaurant.

We were lucky enough to sample dishes from their bespoke menu, and it certainly did not disappoint.

From wafer thin Carpaccio Di Salmon topped with a zingy apple salsa to perfectly pink Bistecca Alla Fiorentina (steak to you and I), this is fresh Italian cooking at its finest.

Food at Piccolino Grande in Wilmslow
Food at Piccolino Grande in Wilmslow
Food at Piccolino Grande in Wilmslow. Image: The Manc Eats

A standout dish was the Tortellini Di Manzo, an indulgent slow cooked beef shin filled pasta, tossed in savoury sage butter and topped with lashings of parmesan of course.

Paired with a glass of Italian red wine from their specialist wine cabinet, this truly was a match made in heaven.

But what sets this restaurant apart from the rest is the proper Italian hospitality, from the minute you walk through the door to the moment your last glass of wine is poured you’ll be treated to faultless service.

So if you fancy escaping the city centre for an evening to experience the Italian way of dining, then Piccolino Grande is the place for you.

Whether it be to enjoy a cocktail at their elegant bar or to enjoy a meal with friends, you can rest assured you will be welcomed with open arms. To find out more and to book your table, take a look at Piccolino’s website.

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Featured image – Supplied

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