Kids & Family

A Harry Potter-themed crazy golf course is opening in the north west

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 8th April 2022

Harry Potter fans will soon be able to take on a crazy golf course inspired by all things wizardry at The Hole in Wand.

The new attraction features nine holes, all inspired by the magical world of Harry Potter.

Players will work their way past forests, castles and train stations to earn a complimentary drink at the end.

The better your score, the fancier your ‘potion’, with options including Unicorn Essence and Tears of a Wizard.

An artist impression of how The Hole in Wand Blackpool will look. Credit: Hole in Wand

The soft drinks are all made in York, where The Hole in Wand already has a site up and running.

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Its second location will transform a former Woolworths site and its neighbouring unit in Blackpool, right on the seafront promenade.

Making day trips to the north west seaside town that bit more magical, the new tourist attraction is set to open late spring.

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Ben Fry, chief enchantment officer, said: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our latest attraction in Blackpool.

Read more: Waterfront food hall and shipping container restaurants planned for Salford Quays

“Our attractions in York have proved very popular indeed with guests and have exceeded our initial expectations.”

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Phil Pinder, director of wizardry, said: “Blackpool was a natural choice on the next part of our journey; as it is the UK’s number 1 seaside resort and has a lot to offer both the many visitors and residents.

“This will be the second wizard themed golf for the Potions Cauldron following the opening of ‘Hole in Wand York’ in 2021.”

Tickets will go on sale in May 2022 – you can find out more at theholeinwand.com/blackpool.

Featured image: The Hole in Wand

Kids & Family

Thousands of FREE tickets to The Big Night of Musicals at AO Arena have been released

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

There are thousands of free tickets up for grabs to attend ‘The Big Night of Musicals’ in Manchester next year which features a variety of theatre classics.

The curtain has risen once again as returning favourite, The Big Night of Musicals, is coming to AO Arena for a fourth year.

Hosted once again by the one and only Jason Manford, this event contains segments from some of the world’s greatest theatre productions.

Fronted by The National Lottery, this showcase is a thank you to all players whose money has supported more than 20,000 theatre-related projects totalling £1.3 billion.

These funds have been used on many performing arts resources including restoring theatres and enabling hundreds of musical-related projects to commence.

This isn’t something to be missed out on as the bill is shaping up to be one of the event’s biggest to date featuring stars from the West End and some of the most notorious shows.

Attendees can expect to hear some familiar favourites in the likes of Bat Out of Hell, Here & Now: The Steps Musical, Mean Girls and more.

There’s even an exclusive preview of the upcoming theatre adaptation of a Disney superhero as snippets from ‘Hercules’ will be performed live.

Guests even have a chance to be in the same room as musical theatre legend Carrie Hope Fletcher as she takes on the role of Calamity Jane in the theatre show of the same name.

Dear Evan Hansen is also on the bill and if you aren’t free for the musical ensemble, it’s running at Palace Theatre Manchester from 18-22 February next year and tickets are available right now.

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This event has a super varied lineup too, from throwback pop bangers to Wild West heroines, this night really caters to everyone.

In true musical style, there will be big, bold performances and, of course, lots of excellent surprises all set to make a fantastic night of live music at the AO Arena.

All National Lottery players have the chance to reserve up to four tickets, the only cost is proof they’ve purchased a product from the National Lottery and a £2 booking fee per ticket.

Tickets for the ‘Big Night of Musicals’ on 25 January are already on sale you can try your luck at grabbing some free seats HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Publicity Picture (Supplied)

Kids & Family

An adorable new Jellycat store has just opened in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Inside the Jellycat General Store in Manchester

The world’s most adorable brand has launched a big new opening in Manchester just in time for Christmas – welcome to the Jellycat General Store. 

The viral stuffed toy brand has created a charming traditional corner shop experience, where every shelf is stocked with all your essentials in cuddly toy form.

From squishy toilet rolls to smiling eggs to bunches of flowers, and ranging from pint-sized keyrings to giant plushies, there’s a Jellycat for everyone here.

They’re even arranged much like a supermarket would be, with an aisle full of fruit and vegetable-shaped toys and another of sports equipment and games.

Though first famed for its soft bunny toys and its signature black cats, Jellycat has hugely diversified its range in recent years and now you can get plushies in every shape and size imaginable.

It’s created something of a cult following for the toys, which appeal to all ages.

With this new Manchester store within Selfridges, Jellycat has taking inspiration from nostalgic shopping experiences, down to building window displays of retro tins and adding a striped awning over the entrance.

There’s even a blue bench outside where you can take photos with a giant Jellycat character.

The new shop within Selfridges at the Trafford Centre follows successful openings in Birmingham and others across Europe.

Vicki Cain, store director at Selfridges Manchester Trafford, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the new Jellycat General Store to Selfridges Trafford.

“It’s a fun destination for customers to explore the Jellycat collection, with so many fabulous creations to choose from. Who could resist cuddling up to one of the giant Jellies?

“Our customers are huge fans of Jellycat, so this new opening is perfectly timed for those starting their Christmas shopping.”

The Jellycat General Store is open now at Selfridges at the Trafford Centre in Manchester.

Inside the Jellycat General Store in Manchester

The viral toilet roll Jellycat toy
The viral toilet roll Jellycat toy
Aisles at the Jellycat General Store are arranged by theme
Aisles at the Jellycat General Store are arranged by theme
Seasonal Jellycat toys at the new Manchester shop
Seasonal Jellycat toys at the new Manchester shop
Jellycat's signature black cats
Jellycat’s signature black cats
The Jellycat toys at the new Manchester shop come in all shapes and sizes
The Jellycat toys at the new Manchester shop come in all shapes and sizes
An adorable gherkin
An adorable gherkin
Jellycat flowers
Jellycat flowers
The nostalgic Jellycat General Store in Manchester
The nostalgic Jellycat General Store in Manchester
Credit: The Manc Group

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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