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The £5 million repair of Heaton Hall is now complete – and you can book a tour

"This amazing heritage asset has been painstakingly worked on to protect and preserve its unique architectural features and restore it to its former glory."

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 8th March 2022

The latest phase of £5 million repair works to the historic Heaton Hall have now officially been completed, and tours will begin next month.

Standing as one of a very few Grade I listed buildings nationally, and designed in 1772 by esteemed architect James Wyatt, Heaton Hall is undoubtedly one of the North West’s most important heritage assets, yet despite this, has remained on Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ list for many years.

To help preserve the building, Heaton Hall received key funding support from Historic England and Manchester City Council to ensure the building is protected in the future and to complete essential maintenance works.  

It has since undergone five phases of essential maintenance works.

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The previous four phases have consisted of work including repairs to the east and west wings, replacement of the windows and shutters, and fixing the roof of the Orangery to protect the Hall, and the most-recent phase has consisted of ongoing maintenance repair works including the replacement of recently-broken windows, rendering repairs, and internal repair work on the first floor.

Maintenance and ongoing repairs were started over three years ago, and have now been completed to help protect the architectural gem for future generations, according to Manchester City Council.

The current works are now complete and further maintenance will take place in the future.

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The Grade I listed Heaton Hall dates back to the 18th century / Credit: Manchester City Council

Now that all the maintenance work has been complete for the time being, Manchester City Council has confirmed that the popular walking tours of the building and its impressive grounds will resume, so people can see the repairs in all their glory.

The Friends of Heaton Park will conduct free monthly guided tours for groups to enjoy throughout the year, with the 2022 dates being:  

  • Sunday 10 April  
  • Sunday 8 May
  • Sunday 19 June
  • Sunday 10 July
  • Sunday 14 August
  • Saturday 10 September
  • Sunday 11 September

And on top of those tours, there’s also the chance for people to book guided tours around the Hall conducted by the extremely-knowledgable Blue Badge Guide Jonathan Schofield, which take place on every second Sunday.

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Manchester City Council began repairs to Heaton Hall three years ago / Credit: Friends of Heaton Hall (via Facebook)

Heaton Hall isn’t the only thing to have received a bit of TLC either, as according to Manchester City Council, Manchester’s flagship Heaton Park has also benefited from “major improvement works” that will help maintain the much-loved green space and cultural attractions.

Over the past five years, the Council says it has been refashioning aspects of the park in a sustainable way to help ensure accessibility and to further enhance the setting of the Hall and make the Grade I building “a fitting focal point of the wider park landscape.”

Improvements include the planting of trees, the provision of new toilets in the park, creating wider entrances, the resurfacing of main paths, and installing 23 new benches.

Speaking on the £5 million repair works to Heaton Hall, Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar – Executive Member for Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council – said: “As custodians of Heaton Hall, the Council takes its responsibility to ensure it is properly looked after very seriously, and we can’t wait to give the public the chance to see all the work that has been done inside this remarkable building.”

“This amazing heritage asset has been painstakingly worked on to protect and preserve its unique architectural features and restore it to its former glory,” he added. 

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You can now book a tour of the historic Heaton Hall led by Jonathan Schofield / Credit: Friends of Heaton Hall (via Facebook)

“Heaton Hall, and its surrounding park, are really valued by people in Manchester and far beyond and these last couple of years have shown us all how valuable these spaces are to communities,” added Catherine Dewar, North West Regional Director at Historic England.

“The hall is one of a tiny proportion of buildings across England to be listed at Grade I, which is reserved for buildings of the highest significance.  

“Working closely with Manchester City Council since 2015, Historic England has provided advice and £758,000 in grants to get to this point, and we’re thrilled that locals and visitors will soon be able to get inside this North Manchester heritage gem once again.”

You can find more information on tours via Friends of Heaton Hall on Facebook, or by visiting tour guide Jonathan Schofield’s website here

Featured Image – Jonathan Schofield Tours

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The most-ordered item on Deliveroo in Manchester is absolutely not what you’re expecting

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Deliveroo has revealed the top 100 trending dishes across the entire planet, as well as the top 30 trending dishes in the UK this week.

It’s a bit of a ritual for a lot of us to turn to a takeaway after a long week at work (or a long night in the pub).

And there’s always a bit of a debate as to what to actually order from Deliveroo – pizza, curry, Chinese, Thai, burger, or just a box full of waffles?

Well now we know exactly what way people tend to sway in Manchester, and it’s probably not what you’re expecting.

Globally, the Deliveroo 100 report found that a Pita Chawarma dish in Paris took the top spot, with a Chipotle burrito in London coming second.

Edinburgh’s Ting Thai Caravan made the big list too, along with Five Guys, Clucking Oinks and Popeyes.

Super Happy. Credit: The Manc Group
Yum Cha. Credit: The Manc Group

Deliveroo said that this has been the ‘most eclectic’ top 100 in recent years with people really branching out in their eating habits.

Burritos have dominated in three markets and make up 5% of the global trending dishes, with pizza making up another 4%.

Burgers are still the top overall choice, making up nearly a quarter of the list.

Nowhere in Manchester served a dish that made the top 10 – but we did sneak in to the top 30.

We all know we’ve got some great takeaway options here in the city – just look at our Takeaway Champions series for inspiration – many of them brilliant local independent restaurants.

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So who got the top spot? Was it something cool, like Tonkotsu ramen, black daal, or a poke bowl? Not exactly…

Erm. It was bananas.

And that’s not some achingly hip new bar that’s opened in the Northern Quarter. It’s literal bananas.

Specifically, a bunch of five Fairtrade bananas Morrisons.

You stay healthy, Manchester.

  1. Burrito from Chipotle, London
  2. Pad Thai from Ting Thai Caravan, Edinburgh
  3. Cheeseburger from Five Guys, London
  4. Build Your Own Salad Bowl from atis, London
  5. Regular Fried Chicken Strips from Clucking Oinks, York
  6. The Spicy Chicken Sandwich from Popeyes, London
  7. Perfectly Ripe Avocados from Waitrose, London
  8. House Black Daal from Dishoom, London
  9. Original Frozen Yogurt from Snog, London
  10. Jerk Chicken and Chips from White Men Can’t Jerk, London
  11. Margherita from VIP Very Italian Pizza, Brighton
  12. katsu curry (chicken) from Wagamama, London
  13. Choose Any 2 Meats with Rice from Three Uncles, London
  14. Burrito from FreshMex, Aberdeen
  15. ShackBurger from Shake Shack, London
  16. Build Your Poke Bowl from The Poke Shack, London
  17. Fairtrade Bananas x5 from Morrisons, Manchester
  18. Build Your Own Poke Bowl from Honi Poke, London
  19. Harissa Chickenfrom Farmer J, London
  20. Grilled Chicken Burrito from Tortilla, London
  21. The ‘Carbonara of Dreams’ from Pasta Evangelists, London
  22. Build Your Poke Bowl from Poke Shack, London
  23. Margherita from BONA Sourdough Pizza, London
  24. St. Peter’s Burger (Cheeseburger) from The Meating Room, London
  25. Cheeseburger from Bleecker, London
  26. Tonkotsu Ramen from Tonkotsu, London
  27. Southern Fried from Chicken & Blues, Bournemouth
  28. Pita Yeeros Chicken from Meat the Greek – Guildford
  29. Double Pepperoni & Spicy Honey Pizza from Pizza Pilgrims, London
  30. Fried Rice with Egg 蛋炒饭 from Jin Jiang Chinese Restaurant, London

Featured image: Deliveroo

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The New Didsbury Dozen: the definitive list of boozers on this legendary pub crawl

Danny Jones Danny Jones Didsbury Dozen Map

Whether you’re a born and bred Manc or simply visiting, ‘The Didsbury Dozen’ is an absolute institution of the Manchester drinking scene.

However, the sad reality of going out post-pandemic is that not every watering hole survived and, unfortunately, some of the original Didsbury Dozen didn’t make it through lockdown. Rest in peace, The Stoker’s Arms (now Dockyard), The Sanctuary (now Head of Steam), The Slug and more.

That being said, while we will certainly miss them, they say every ending is a new beginning; as one door shuts, another one opens — and when we say door, we of course mean the door to a pub.

So, without further ado, we decided to formalise The NEW Didsbury Dozen. At least one drink in each, those are the rules. You can argue all you like, this is the definitive list from here on out, so you’ll just have to deal with it.

1. The Didsbury

Didsbury Dozen pub crawl
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Where else to start but the beginning? Lucky for us, the consensus has always been that a pub crawl called The Didsbury Dozen should obviously start at The Didsbury. Kicking off the crawl on the curved corner of Wilmslow Road, this traditional pub offers little surprise but signals the start of a great night.

2. Ye Olde Cock Inn

What is the Didsbury Dozen?
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The best part about the opening two pubs on this list is that not only have they remained literal cornerstones of this crawl but they are genuinely spitting distance from each other. As in you just walk five yards. Another ‘olde’ English pub that offers the same as next door plus a ping pong table. Easy.

3. The Famous Crown

The Famous Crown reopen
Credit: WhatPub

Ok, so now you’ve had a couple pints, you’re ready for the short walk down the road as you begin the first mobile part of The Dozen toward The Famous Crown. What’s it famous for? Coming back from the dead with solid beer, a cosy interior and some mint food to line your stomach for the bulk of the boozing.

4. The Royal Oak

The Royal Oak Didsbury
Credit: WhatPub

Had some pub grub or at least a butty from the Co-op up the road? Good. Sod that ‘eating is cheating’ nonsense, this is a long old night and we don’t need any heroes — you’ll all be heroes at the end. Next up, another non-nonsense boozer: The Royal Oak. Small and cosy; beer, wine and the rest of it. Simple.

5. Fletcher Moss

Fletcher Moss pub
Fletcher Moss Didsbury Dozen list
Didsbury Dozen route
Credit: Hydes Brewery

Now we move on to one of our favourites and arguably one of the best bars in Didsbury, let alone on The Dozen, Fletcher Moss. Just 75 yards off the Village high street and offering up live sports, craft beers, plus the beloved beer garden, this hidden gem is just as pretty in the winter as it is in the summer. Iconic.

6. The Nelson

The Nelson pub Didsbury
Credit: The Nelson (via Facebook)

Back toward the high street now; just on the corner of Barlow Moor Road, you’ll find The Nelson. Yes, named after the Admiral and yes, another no-frills boozer owned by Craft Union Pubs. Often serving up Moorhouse beer as its guest and playing host to the local darts league, it’s everything you’d expect.

7. The Dog and Partridge

The Dog and Partridge pub Didsbury
Dog and Partridge cheese boards Didsbury
Credit: The Dog and Partridge (via Facebook)

Ok, halfway there and we’re definitely into the busy section now: pubs every couple of yards and, before you ask, yes we’re skipping The Botanist (formerly Pitcher & Piano) there’s loads of ’em. We’re moving on to The Dog and Partridge for some classic ale, Pieminister pies, cheese plates and more. Oh yes.

8. The Dockyard (formerly O’Neills, The Stoker’s Arms)

Dockyard Didsbury
Dockyard menu Manchester
Dockyard Dids
Credit: The Dockyard (via Instagram)

If you’ve been around Spinningfields or Media City in the last decade, you’ll recognise the name The Dockyard and if you’ve been in one, you’ll know you won’t be disappointed. Serving up pizza, burgers, wings, great beer, live sport and a

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dockyard Didsbury (@dockyard_didsbury)

” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>wonderful back patio complete with wooden huts, it’s a winner.

9. The Station

The Station pub Didsbury
Where does baby Guinness in Manchester?
Credit: The Station (via Instagram)

Hopefully, you’ve soaked up the alcohol with some well-earned carbs as we’re now at a crucial juncture where many bow out. Make sure you’ve got all your belongings as we pull into The Station. This popular Irish pub has sport, live music three nights a week and a serious love of Guinness. Say no more.

10. The Woodstock Arms

Woodstock Didsbury
Woodstock Arms
Didsbury Dozen route
Credit: The Woodstock Arms

Still standing? Good, cos we’re entering the final third of this drunken journey and you’ve gotta walk again. The fresh air might do you good. When you do stop you’ll arrive at The Woodstock: a beautiful establishment with lots of room and lots of booze. If anything, it’s too nice for your raucous rabble.

11. The Metropolitan

The Met Didsbury
The Metropolitan Didsbury Dozen map
The Metropolitan Didsbury
Credit: The Metropolitan (via Instagram)

The penultimate stop on our alcohol-fuelled trip through Didsbury is The Metropolitan, or as it’s commonly known, ‘The Met’. Once a grand Victorian railway hotel, it’s now a massive bar and restaurant plating up banging Sunday Roasts and hangover-curing breakfasts. But you’re on a mission, concentrate.

12. The Railway

The Railway West Didsbury
pubs West Didsbury
Credit: Steven Robertson (via Flickr)/Joseph Holt (via Twitter)

You’ve made it. One more drink and you’ve smashed The Didsbury Dozen. Starting in the Village and ending the night in East Dids, head over the road to The Railway, a simple, British, cask ale tavern, much loved by locals. We don’t need to sell it, you’ll love it too — that’s if you can remember it, of course.

Better still, you’re only stumbling distance from Burton Road tram stop. You’re welcome.

Now get yourself home, you mess.

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And just like that, you’re done. Only question is, did you make it to the end of the new and improved Didsbury Dozen in one piece? We sincerely hope you did and that there was no man left behind.

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It goes without saying that you should always drink responsibly and luckily, the idea of The Dozen is you can pace yourself by spreading it out over the day and grab plenty of food on the way

We’ll leave you to squabble among yourselves as to what locations we’ve may or may not missed off and how exactly you’re going to phrase your strongly-worded letters.

If we don’t catch you in the comments, we’ll see you in the pub!

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

Featured Image — Wikimedia Commons/The Station (via Instagram)/

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