News

All of the campsites reopening to the public in England this July

A comprehensive list of social distancing measures has also been released ahead of reopening.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 17th June 2020
Pixabay

The Camping and Caravanning Club has announced that it is planning a phased reopening of its campsites across the UK at the start of July.

The organisation is hoping to open to reopen sites in England on 4th July, in line with the government’s phase three plans of the lockdown exit roadmap, and will be releasing further information regarding sites in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in due course.

The Camping and Caravanning Club manages over 2,000 campsites in the UK.

In a statement via its website, the organisation believes that: “we are well-placed to offer you a safe, enjoyable UK holiday, providing a much-needed break away from home” due to “being in the fresh air, the physical space between pitches and with additional social distancing measures [in place]”.

A comprehensive list of social distancing measures has also been released ahead of reopening.

Measures the organisation intends to introduce include reducing the number of campers on site, a contactless check-in, a ban on group bookings, six-metre spaced pitches and markers placed on the floor to remind visitors.

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The statement continues: “It’s important that we give our members a choice as to how they would like to camp, so we’ve introduced some new measures to help keep you and our teams safe.”

“To allow us to operate our campsites in a responsible manner we have increased our cleaning regimes – this places extra demand on our teams and we have had to open some of our campsites without toilets and showers this season, these campsites are better suited to campers who can bring their own facilities.”

“We’ll only open facility blocks if we’re allowed to do so by the government, we will keep our website updated and let you know if anything changes.”

If you’re looking to plan your Great British ‘staycation’ this year, here’s the full list of The Camping and Caravanning Club campsites hoping to reopen next month:

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Open Campsites (with Facility Blocks)

Here are the Club Sites set to be open for the 2020 season with facility blocks available to use, however the reception, play areas, laundry facilities and other communal areas on the site will remain closed.

  • Alton The Star, Staffordshire
  • Ashbourne, Derbyshire
  • Blackmore, Malvern Hills
  • Cambridge, Cambridgeshire 
  • Canterbury, Kent
  • Charmouth, Dorset
  • Chertsey, Surrey
  • Culzean Castle, Ayrshire
  • Dartmouth, Devon
  • Delamere Forest, Cheshire
  • Derwentwater, Lake District
  • Devizes, Wiltshire
  • Dingwall, Highlands
  • Drayton Manor, Staffordshire
  • Dunbar, East Lothian
  • Dunstan Hill, Northumberland
  • Hertford, Herfordshire
  • Horsley, Surrey
  • Keswick, Lake District
  • Kingsbury Water Park, Midlands
  • Loch Ness Shores, Inverness
  • Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire
  • Milarrochy Bay, Loch Lomond
  • Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway
  • Moreton, Dorset
  • Normans Bay, Sussex
  • Scarborough, Yorkshire
  • Scone, Tayside
  • Sennen Cove, Cornwall
  • Slapton Sands, Devon
  • Slingsby, Yorkshire
  • St Neots, Cambridgeshire
  • Theobalds Park, Hertfordshire
  • Tregurrian, Cornwall
  • Verwood, New Forest
  • West Runton, Norfolk
  • Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
  • Windermere, Lake District
  • Wolverley, Worcestershire
  • Wyeside, Powys

You can click here more information about each campsite listed.

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Open Campsites (without Facility Blocks)

Here are the Club Sites set to be open for the 2020 season without facility blocks available to use.

If you do choose to stay on one of these sites, you will need to bring your own sanitation. Separate toilet tents can be used on your allocated pitch to accommodate your own chemical toilet. The reception, play areas, laundry facilities and other communal areas on the site will remain closed to help facilitate social distancing.

All sites will provide access to fresh drinking water, a place to dispose of toilet waste such as a Chemical Disposal Point (CDP), motorhome service points and washing-up facilities.

Pitches will be available with electric hook-ups.

  • Bakewell, Derbyshire
  • Bala, Snowdonia
  • Barnard Castle, County Durham
  • Beadnell Bay, Northumberland
  • Bellingham, Northumberland (Open with facilities from 1st August)
  • Cannock Chase, Staffordshire
  • Cardigan Bay, Ceredidion
  • Cheddar, Somerset (Open with facilities from 1st August)
  • Chichester, Sussex
  • Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
  • Clent Hills, Midlands
  • Clitheroe, Lancashire
  • Conkers, Derbyshire
  • Corfe Castle, Dorset
  • Crowborough, Sussex
  • Delamont Country Park, Northern Ireland
  • Ebury Hill, Shropshire
  • Graffham, Sussex
  • Hayfield, Derbyshire
  • Hereford, Herefordshire
  • Kendal, Lake District
  • Kessingland, Suffolk 
  • Oxford, Oxfordshire
  • Polstead, Suffolk (Open with facilities from 1st August)
  • Ravenglass, Lake District
  • Rhandirmwyn, Carmarthenshire
  • Rosemarkie, Highlands
  • Salisbury, Wiltshire
  • Sandringham, Norfolk
  • Skye, Isle of Skye
  • Tarland, Aberdeenshire
  • Tavistock, Devon
  • Teversal, Nottinghamshire
  • Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
  • Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire

You can click here more information about each campsite listed.

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To read a full list of social distancing and health & safety measures being put in place ahead of reopening, please visit The Camping and Caravanning Club website here.

The Camping and Caravanning Club is seeing public demand increasing and asks that you book in advance to guarantee your pitch.

Bookings made whilst sites are closed are fully flexible.

For all bookings and enquiries, click here.

News

The top 13 biggest gigs in Manchester music history

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

When you think of Manchester one of the first things that comes to mind obviously after ‘best city in the world’ is one word: ‘music’.

Our capital of the North West has birthed some of the world’s greatest singers of all time and welcomed some of the planet’s biggest stars.

Manchester has many live music venues to host impressive gigs including stadiums, arenas, parks and a wide variety of performance spaces.

The real reason these artists keep coming back is because of you, everyone who shows up and shows out to every single tour and performance happening in our culturally rich city.

Ahead of one of the biggest gigs in all of Manchester music history, thanks to Oasis, here’s a rundown of the most attended shows ever recorded in 0161.

The largest live gigs in Manchester music history

13. Kylie Minogue: 75,972 – AO Arena (2008)

Kylie Minogue Manchester A rena, biggest Manchester gig to date.
Although not 2008, here is Kylie in all her grandeur at AO Arena in 2014 / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

With a tour titled ‘KylieX2008’, the Aussie sensation made our heads spin around in 2008 as she graced the AO Arena for six nights of pop perfection from 11 July to 18 July.

Minogue has a special connection to Manchester and this arena specifically, performing here over 30 times to a total of 400,000 people.

This marks the venue she’s played at most in the world and she will continue this legacy in 2025 with her ‘Tension’ tour.

12. Taylor Swift: 77,258 – Etihad Stadium (2018)

Taylor Swift Etihad Stadium 2018, her biggest Manchester gig to date.
Taylor Swift performing on the B-Stage at Etihad Stadium in 2018 / Credit: The Manc Group

‘Baby let the games begin!’ Swift opened her ‘Reputation Stadium Tour’ in 2018 while standing behind a backdrop of snakes, scales and reptile-like patterns.

The legendary pop star commanded the stage even walking through the crowd to greet fans with smiles and high fives, making sure to get up close and personal even in a venue this grand.

‘Tay-Tay’s last visit to the North West saw her playing three nights of her monumental ‘The Eras Tour’ just a stone’s throw away at Anfield Stadium and who knows, maybe once the Etihad renovation is complete, she might be keen to make another appearance.

11. Oasis: 80,000 – Maine Road (1996)

Oasis biggest manchester gig to date Maine Road.
In signature Liam style, the tambourine is in hand and ready to accompany both the brother’s vocals.
In signature Liam style, the tambourine is in hand and ready to accompany both the brother’s vocals / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Burnage boys were always destined to be on this list in one way or another due to their incredible impact in pushing Manchester music and bands to the mainstream.

Singing hits from their well-known music catalogue, Oasis attracted 80,000 to Manchester City’s former ground in the mid-90s.

Unlike the tour taking place in 2025, tickets for this gig would’ve only set you back £17.50, you’d have been silly not to grab yourself one!

10. Drake: 94,000 – Co-op Live (2025)

Drake played four non-consecutive gigs at Co-op Live with roars from the crowd each night/ Credit: The Come Up Show (via Flickr) 

Canadian rap heavyweight Drake played four huge Co-op Live dates as recent as last week and with two more on the way, with four nights of smash hits

Also referred to as Champagne Papi, the hip-hop artist has played out four impressive nights at Co-op Live on a similarly impressive 360 stage which sees Drake getting up close and personal with fans.

His 2025 visit to the music capital of the North marks his largest scale gig to date and saw him sharing the bill with fellow Canadian performer PartyNextDoor.

9. Billie Eilish – 94,000 – Co-op Live (2025)

Global superstar Billie Eilish had the crowd hooked all four nights at Co-op Live / Credit: Lars Crommelnick via Wikimedia Commons

Bedroom-pop sensation turned global megastar Billie Eilish has visited Manchester three times through her rise to stardom with her most recent being at Co-op Live.

The American singer-songwriter played four non-consecutive nights of her current ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’ tour, where she commanded 23,500 fans.

Eilish has a soft spot for Manchester as she debuted her single ‘TV’ at AO Arena in 2022 and brought out her brother and fellow musician Finneas as a special guest at her most recent city centre dates.

8. Harry Styles: 99,526 – Old Trafford Cricket Ground (2022)

The former One Direction star Harry Styles spent two nights in June spreading the love with his mega ‘Love On Tour’ and the feeling was definitely mutual.

On 15 and 16 June the ‘Watermelon Sugar’ singer had nearly 100,000 devotees in the palm of his hand as he belted out some of his best solo numbers.

The Cheshire-born superstar even paused his show to find his primary school teacher who he’d been informed was in the crowd, thanking her for all her help and hard work while he was in education. Adorable.

@the.manc So wholesome #harrystyles #manchester #oldtrafford ♬ original sound – The Manc

7. Foo Fighters: 100,000 – Old Trafford Cricket Ground (2024)

The Washington-formed band put on two impressive nights where Mancs witnessed ‘music royalty’ on their ‘Everything or Nothing at All Tour’ in June.

As well as ‘The Pretender’ hitmakers, the sold-out shows were spoilt with not one but four support acts split across the two dates, including Wet Leg.

On 13 June the rock champions even previewed an unreleased track ‘Unconditional’ for the first time, adding it to the setlist for the 15 June show too!

Foo Fighters tickets Manchester Old Trafford cricket ground
Foo Fighters tickets Manchester Old Trafford cricket ground
Foo Fighters played out to 100,000 people at Old Trafford Cricket Ground / Credit: The Manc Group / Publicity Picture (Supplied)

6. Spice Girls: 150,955 – Etihad Stadium (2019)

Etihad Stadium and Spice Girls spiced up our lives three times in 2019 with three non-consecutive performances from 29 May to 1 June.

This tour was missing one key ingredient, ‘Posh Spice’, who missed out on this string of shows for the first time in her career.

In addition to these four fierce ladies, another UK household act Jess Glynne joined them on the bill as a support act. The girls were met with raptures as they made their entrance to Manchester after 11 years since their last visit.

Spice Girls biggest Manchester show at Etihad Stadium in 2019.
Just look at those iconic fits! Spice Girls performing at Wembley Stadium on the same tour that visited Manchester / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

5. Coldplay: 195,874 – Etihad Stadium (2023)

Chris Martin and co. have a lot of love for the North West with their ‘Fix You’ music video even filmed at Bolton Wanderers football club, Toughsheet Community Stadium.

In 2023 they brought their Music Of The Spheres world tour to Manchester from 31 May to 4 June for four nights of dazzling lights, wowed fans and of course incredible live arrangements.

Altogether, these shows brought together almost 200,000 attendees who had the opportunity to get involved with the show’s production themselves by cycling electric bikes and kinetic dancefloor which both helped power the stage.

Coldplay biggest Manchester gig Etihad Stadium.
The Coldplay lads in all their glory.
Coldplay biggest Manchester gig Etihad Stadium.
An awe-inspiring crowd lighting up the already phenomenal Etihad Stadium.
Coldplay performed four nights at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium in 2023 / Credit: Wikicommons / The Manc Group

4. Ed Sheeran: 218,639 – Etihad Stadium (2022)

Starting his musical career just over the hill busking in Hebden Bridge before becoming one of the UK’s most prominent and successful artists of all time.

In 2022, the ‘Galway Girl’ singer took to Manchester City‘s awesome stadium to play hits from his full discography titled ‘The Mathematics Tour’ in honour of his equation-themed album titles.

The one-man, one-guitar show attracted almost 55,000 people across four nights who watched the singing red-head belt out his bangers on a 360 circular stage.

Ed Sheeran biggest Manchester concert ever.
Ed Sheeran at V Festival in 2014, already a star in his own right / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

3. The Stone Roses: 225,000 – Heaton Park (2012)

The Manchester rock pioneers played a three-night hometown residency as part of their reunion tour following a 17-year concert hiatus.

Fans came in abundance to pack out to Heaton Park, a notorious music-hosting site which has hosted a plethora of acts as well as this formidable band.

Spanning from 29 June to 1 July, The Stone Roses played to a whopping 75,000 fans every night across the three sold-out Manchester shows at Heaton Park in 2012.

The Stone Roses played three nights at Heaton Park.
The Stone Roses performing at Fuji Rock Festival in 2012, the same year as their Heaton Park residency / Credit: Wikicommons Media

2. Oasis – 400,000 – Heaton Park (2025)

This year has seen some cracking live music events but none will ever be as monumental as the five nights the two Burnage boys and their troupe hosted this summer.

Liam and Noel Gallagher decided to get the band back together for a series of groundbreaking shows titled ‘Oasis Live ’25’.

Each night drew in 80,000 avid bucket-hat wearing Oasis fans and the support acts were just as legendary with The Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft and Liverpool lads Cast helping make history.

Oasis was one of the biggest dates in Manchester’s music calendar ever/ Credit: The Manc Group

1. Take That: 443,223 – Etihad Stadium (2011)

Boyband and pop music giants Take That took on the Etihad Stadium in full force with all members present including everyone’s favourite entertainer, Robbie Williams, who’s returning to the city next year for two huge tour dates.

In 2011, ‘The Flood’ boys put on a remarkable eight nights for nearly half a million lucky Mancs from 3 June till 12 June, making for a summer everyone could ‘Never Forget’.

However, they weren’t the only boyband gracing the Manchester City stadium as dance duo Pet Shop Boys supported them on their ‘Progress Live’ tour across the UK.

Take That - Manchester's biggest attendance ever across eight nights at Etihad Stadium.
A fan-captured moment of Take That reunited amidst their eight show run at Etihad Stadium in Manchester/ Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Honourable mention:

One Love Manchester, 55,000 – Old Trafford Cricket Ground (2017)

Even though this event may not be topping the attendance records, this concert was a special and remarkable moment in Manchester’s history.

Fronted by Ariana Grande, just two weeks after the Manchester Arena attack, Old Trafford Cricket Ground saw a multitude of artists coming together to celebrate the importance of music while paying respect to those affected by the events in the month prior.

BBC reported the ‘One Love Manchester’ live show had 14.5 million viewers at its peak with an average of 10.9 million worldwide and this benefit concert has since raised more than £10 million for the ‘We Love Manchester Emergency Fund’.

Grande may be reaching height after unthinkable height as a musical artist, but she has always had a special place for Manchester in her heart, donating toys to children in Manchester hospitals at Christmastime.

Read more:

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Featured Image – Eva Rinaldi (via Wikicommons)/The Manc Group/Lily Redman (via Wikicommons)

News

Hundreds of new homes in Mayfield Park given green light

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Hundreds of new homes in Mayfield Park given green light

The chance to live in Manchester city centre’s newest park (and one of its only green spaces) has taken a step closer, with plans for new Mayfield Park homes given the green light.

879 apartments have been approved this week, which will have ‘the ultimate front garden’.

The Mayfield district has been undergoing major changes in the last few years, including the redevelopment of Depot Mayfield (into Freight Island, plus a music venue for events like Warehouse Project) and the opening of the beautiful Mayfield Park.

And now hundreds of new one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes will be added to the area, as well as a 40% increase in the size of the park.

The plans for the first homes at Mayfield Park were met with unanimous approval by the City Council’s Planning Committee.

The residences will span across four buildings, with low-rise elements peppered in amongst the taller blocks, and will also be home to restaurants, cafes, and health and wellness facilities.

A new tree-lined road through the development will enhance walking and cycling connectivity from east Manchester into the city centre.

More than 880 jobs will be generated during the construction phase, plus 120 full-time jobs when operational.

Hundreds of new homes in Mayfield Park given green light. Credit: Assembly Studios
Hundreds of new homes in Mayfield Park given green light. Credit: Assembly Studios

The proposals suggest that the apartments will contribute £2 million annually in Council Tax and a major £10 million boost to local businesses through increased spending.

The high-quality homes are designed by Studio Egret West and shedkm, designed to reflect the industrial heritage of the area, including distinctive arches.

20% of the first phase of homes are intended to be classed as affordable housing and will be prioritised for key workers in Manchester.

Henrietta Nowne, Development Director at Landsec, representing The Mayfield Partnership, said: “For the first time, Mancunians will have the ultimate back garden within the award-winning Mayfield Park.

“An opportunity like this hasn’t existed before in Manchester. Since starting on site earlier this month, there’s real momentum building as we continue to grow a green, healthy and connected district in the heart of Manchester.”

The approval marks the next chapter of the continued transformation of the Mayfield district near Piccadilly Station, led by Manchester City Council, TfGM, London Continental Railways (LCR), and Landsec.

Read more

Featured image: Assembly Studios

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