A new drive-in cinema screening some cult-classic films is set to take over the abandoned Camelot Theme Park this summer.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Chorley-based theme park, it made a name for itself entertaining the North West masses for nearly 30 years before it closed to the public for good back in 2012, and had sadly remained out-of-use and largely derelict ever since.
That was, until events company Park N Party – the team also behind sell-out seasonal drive-in events SecretCity, ScareCity, and ChristmasCity – brought the attraction’s abandoned rides and empty footpaths back to life earlier this year for the hugely-popular Camelot Rises, which saw visitors get to experience all the “sensations” that put them right in the middle of an apocalyptic event, with live actors, scene-setting lights and sounds, and so much more.
But now, Northern kids of the 80s, 90s, and 00s will truly be able to revisit their youth, as the abandoned park goes back to its days of Arthurian legend for the new Summer Knights drive-in cinema and entertainment attraction.
Event organisers are saying to expect a “sun-soaked bonanza of fun”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Summer Knights arrives at Camelot Theme Park this month / Credit: Park N Party
Arriving within the grounds of Camelot from the end of this month, visitors will get to watch a wide selection of great films at what Park N Party is calling its “brightest drive-in cinema yet”.
There’ll be themed nights dedicated to cult movies, chilling horror, joyful singalongs, romance, and family-friendly fun, so there’s definitely something for everyone.
ADVERTISEMENT
Kicking off on Friday 20 May with the absolute 70s classic that is Grease, some of the other film highlights in the genre-diverse lineup include Insidious, Superbad, The Greatest Showman, Anchorman, Dirty Dancing, and Disney’s newest smash-hit, Encanto, just to name a few.
Pitch Perfect, Mamma Mia, Fight Club, and more will also be screened over the summer.
Summer Knights is set to be a “sun-soaked bonanza of fun” / Credit: Park N Party
While the movies may be the main event, this isn’t your typical drive-in cinema experience, as you can expect everything from singing and dancing opportunities throughout, to classic cinema snacks, sweet treats, a beer garden, and plenty of outdoor seating too.
ADVERTISEMENT
Just like all other Park N Party’s previous events, there will be a fully-licensed bar and a number of street food vendors on site to choose from to make it a truly magical night.
Summer Knights will officially take over Camelot Theme Park from Friday 20 May, and is set to run right through to Saturday 25 June, with tickets currently on sale and setting you back just £25 per vehicle.
MediaCity’s massive Vue cinema has had a comfort upgrade with new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats
Emily Sergeant
Manchester cinephiles are now able to enjoy the latest movie releases in ultimate comfort.
That’s because, over at the popular MediaCity Vue cinema complex, 75 brand-new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats have been installed across seven screens, offering film fans what is, quite literally, the chance to sit in the best seats in the house.
Each seat provides the very-best view of the big screen and comes with a host of premium features.
Some of these exciting premium features include extra-wide armrests and a personal table for snacks and drinks, your very-own beverage cooler, which is ideal for films with a particularly long run-time, and even a back and legs that recline independently, so you can find the most relaxing viewing position possible.
Vue currently has 93 state-of-the-art cinemas throughout the UK and Ireland, totalling more than 850 screens – and the Quayside cinema is the latest to benefit from upgraded seating.
Ultra Lux seats have arrived at Vue Quayside Manchester / Credit: Vue Gallery / Supplied
This means that anyone heading to the cinema to see some of the latest and upcoming releases like Avatar: Fire and Ash, Marty Supreme, The Housemaid, Fackham Hall, Wicked: For Good, and so many more, can experience comfort like never before.
“We have invested in bringing Vue’s best seating option to our venue and are excited for our customers to enhance their experience on their next visit,” commented Darren Tinsley, who is the General Manager at Vue Manchester Quayside.
“It is truly the best way to immerse yourself in a film and to have the most comfortable experience.”
Tickets for Vue Manchester Quayside start from £6.49, with upgrades to Ultra Lux from £3 on selected tickets.
January is a month where the temperatures are colder, the days darker, and the social batteries a little lower, so it couldn’t be a better time to lose yourself in the power of cinema – and treat yourself to an Ultra Lux experience.
You can book tickets to upcoming films online by visiting myvue.com.
Featured Image – Supplied
Sponsored
A massive home and furniture store just outside of Manchester is holding its biggest ever winter sale
Danny Jones
You heard: a huge home, furniture and accessories store just outside Greater Manchester is holding its biggest ever winter sale, making the festive period and the New Year the perfect time to pop in.
Rather annoyed we got mum those nice cushions for Christmas before we saw this, now, but ah well – there’s always her birthday…
Anyone who’s been to Macclesfield or on a train heading in or out of the North West will have most likely been past this place on the train, but the multi-storey emporium that is Arighi Bianchi really is a must-visit for anyone looking to upgrade their interior on a budget.
The Macclesfield home furnishings store has something for everyone, from high-end luxuries to decorative accessories, with pretty much every price range taken into account – which is why landing some seasonal discounts is such a big win for the region.
A fairly iconic sight as you pass through the Cheshire town, Macclesfield‘s Arighi Bianchi was founded way back in 1854 by two Italian immigrants – both called Antonio – whose surnames give the long-standing retail destination its title.
Well over 170 years later, and it’s more popular than ever, so the bonus of them bringing never-before-seen in-store deductions and special seasonal promotions across all departments is an even bigger win.
It doesn’t matter whether you want to shop online or visit in-store (though we would highly recommend the latter), you can get up to 30% off items in what is their biggest event of 2025.
As well as discounts on everything from sofas, sideboards and dining tables to floors, mattresses and much more, they’re doing cut-price offers on top designer brands from around Europe, including Cattelan Italia, Calligaris, Ercol, Hypnos, Tempur, Vispring and Stressless, just to name a few.
Subject to the usual terms and conditions, customers can even get early flexible finance deals (24 months 0% APR*) on their purchases; after all, they know as well as we do how tight money can be around this time of year.
Better still, their early bird offers, which are on top of the standard winter sale, will see even more cost cuttings on the likes of the Britannia Sofa, Freja Dining Bundle, the Heritage Bed Collection and other premium accessories from 27 December until 18 January.
For instance, if you spend £1,200 in-store, you will receive an extra £50 voucher for the CASA Accessories Lounge; or, beyond that, spend £2.5k and earn yourself a £100 voucher.
So, if you’re looking to get a fresh living room suite for 2026, make the most of 10% off wallpaper and fabrics or 20% off mirrors, or even get four new dining chairs for the price of three, there’s a cheeky deal to suit just about everyone.
You can see the full extent of what’s on offer during the Arighi Bianchi winter sale right HERE, or go and peruse the four floors for yourself in the flesh on the famous Silk Road.
Happy holiday season shopping, folks – maybe bump into you around Caffè AB.
Emily Sergeant -
11th May 2022 
