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Oasis’ long-lost song is somehow the perfect soundtrack for today

The Manc - 30th April 2020

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The countryside Airbnb where you can have a sleepover with a Shetland pony

Daisy Jackson

Basil the Shetland Pony looking into the bedroom of the Basils Barn Airbnb

Do you like your animals pint-sized and ideally sporting an excellent, tousled hairstyle? Then allow us to introduce you to Basil.

This adorable little Shetland pony lives inside an Airbnb rental, which means he’s ready and waiting for you to join him for a sleepover.

At the cosy accommodation, the bedroom is directly attached to wee Basil’s stable, so you could roll over in bed and give him a little fuss.

Then just outside your door, you’ll find paddocks that are home to Highland cows, Hebridean sheep, horses, pigs, chickens and Norwegian Forrest cats.

Honestly, this place might be paradise for animal lovers.

Known as ‘Basils Barn’, the Airbnb is located in the grounds of a 17th century manor, surrounded by a 60 acre estate.

The owners have mostly rescued the animals, who are strictly kept as pets – so it’s safe to form an emotional attachment to Basil and his farmyard pals knowing they’re in safe hands.

So back to your overnight accommodation. This cosy barn still has gorgeous original features like a flagstone floor, covered in colourful rugs, and traditional stone walls.

Basils Barn also includes a cosy living area. Credit: Airbnb

The outside space at Basils Barn has a firepit and seating area. Credit: Airbnb — Basils Barn also includes a cosy living area. Credit: Airbnb

There’s enough space for four people to sleep between the double bed and a bunk bed, as well as a separate living room/kitchen/diner.

Outside, you can have access to an open outdoor log fire with barbecue grill, and an outdoor tiki hut seating area.

Other amenities include toiletries, toys, books and board games for families, a well-equipped kitchen and free parking.

Some things to bear in mind? There is a literal horse next door, so you might experience some sights, sounds and smells.

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And your alarm clock may not be needed, with a cockerel on the estate who will soon let you know when dawn arrives with his crowing.

Basil the pony is usually in his stable – adorable head poking over the low wall that separates him from the Airbnb – from the time you arrive, and he stays there overnight, before he heads back to his field in the morning.

You also have to turn his light out for him when it’s time for bed. Aww.

Stays at Basils Barn start from £160 a night and are available to book through Airbnb here.

Featured image: Airbnb

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Inside Great Northern Market, the huge new food hall at Manchester Airport T2

Daisy Jackson

Inside Great Northern Market, the huge new food hall at Manchester Airport T2

There’s a brand-new food hall in Manchester, and you won’t believe where this beauty is… it’s only at Manchester Airport (!).

The food hall craze has travelled all the way to Terminal 2, bringing a whole host of kitchens for you to enjoy before your flight.

You can tuck in to everything from full breakfasts and brunches (with the obligatory 7am pint, because time isn’t real in an airport), to burgers and street food.

Essentially, you can travel around the world before you’ve even boarded the plane.

It’s all part of the terminal’s wider £1.3bn transformation, which now includes a first-of-its-kind market hall-style food and drink offering, with six kitchens around a central dining area, plus a Gooey kiosk and a takeaway hatch.

Behind the scenes, Great Northern Market is powered by a community of Northern talent. All menus have been crafted by Manchester-born executive chef Amy Tomkinson.

Here are all the new traders who have moved in to the Great Northern Market.

Gooey

This one surely needs no introduction – Gooey is one of Manchester’s top (and most popular) bakeries, famed for its chunky cookies, fluffy doughnuts, and cinnamon buns.

It’s the first thing you’ll see as you enter the Great Northern Market, a pretty tiled kiosk with its signature neon sign overhead.

As well as fresh bakes and their limited-edition specials, this is the spot to grab a pre-flight coffee too.

La Casita

This Mexican street food spot has been created with the help of Madre’s Sam Grainger, and is serving a menu of burritos, loaded nachos, and salads.

A highlight is the beef birria nachos – authentic Mexican corn tacos loaded up with refried beans, pink pickled onions, guacamole, cheese sauce, salsa norteña and jalapeños.

Nashville Hot House

There’s another local name involved with Nashville Hot House – Yard & Coop have brought their fried chicken prowess to Manchester Airport.

At the Great Northern Market, you’ll find classic buttermilk chicken burgers, a spicy little K-pop thigh burger, and chicken tenders.

There’s also salt and pepper loaded fries and absolutely loads of different dips.

Napoli Street Pizza

There’s been a real lack of pre-holiday pizza at Manchester Airport until now.

Napoli Street Pizza makes its Neapolitan pizzas using a a 55% hydration method, and a biga dough that is fermented and used to create the dough daily.

There are loads of different flavours to choose from, like a hot honey and pepperoni, plus flatbreads, Caesar salads, and more.

Kouzina

Kouzina is importing flatbreads from Greece for the most authentic possible souvlaki experience, like a lamb kofta souvlaki with chopped tomatoes, pink pickled onions, cucumber, zhoug, tahini, garlic mayo, and coriander.

You can also order big salads here, mezze platters, halloumi fries, and flatbreads with dips.

You’ll feel like your in Santorini before you’ve even stepped on the plane (… okay, that might be a stretch).

Black Iron Grill

Smash burgers and skin-on fries are up for grabs at this next Great Northern Market trader, Black Iron Grill.

These burgers are served in glazed brioche buns, with melt-in-your-mouth beef patties topped with a number of different options.

You can also order a side of mac and cheese or some filthy fries loaded with crispy bacon bits, crispy shallots, and garlic mayonnaise.

Palms Cafe

Last but not least – and definitely not something we thought we’d ever see in Manchester Airport – is Palms Cafe.

They’re whipping up big bowls of ramen, and other noodle dishes, with toppings like satay chicken, sweet chilli king prawn, crispy tofu, pulled Korean beef, crispy fried chicken, and miso roasted sweet potato.

Noodles include hearty ramens, katsu curries, Pad Thai, and sides like prawn crackers.

Featured image: The Manc Group