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You can meet Santa on a festive ferris wheel at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas

The big red guy is taking to the skies once again.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 7th November 2023

Santa is taking to the skies once again this Christmas, and families will get the chance to meet him in one of the most unique locations in the region.

With the festive season fast approaching, and now just 48 days to go until the big day is here, there’s arguably no better place in the North West to get cracking on your Christmas shopping than at Cheshire Oaks.

Just less than an hour’s drive from Manchester city centre, Cheshire Oaks is the largest Designer Outlet in the UK, and is home to over 400,000 square feet of retail space – with more than 150 boutiques, restaurants, and cafes to choose from.

But no festive visit to the shopping village is complete without meeting Santa, right?

You can meet Santa on a festive ferris wheel at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas / Credit: Cheshire Oaks

Although this year, Cheshire Oaks’ beloved grotto will look a little different to usual, as after what was the smash-hit success of the first ever ‘Santa in the Sky’ experience last year, the big man in red and his trusty elves are taking to the skies once again in 2023, and inviting you on a fantastical festive adventure on the outlet’s ‘Big Wheel’.

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Taking pride of place next to the iconic Cheshire Oaks Christmas tree – which stands at whopping a 90ft tall, and is in the heart of all the action – the Big Wheel offers shoppers breathtaking views of the Cheshire skyline all lit up brighter than ever before, so it’s not hard to see why Santa is pulling up a pew on there for another year.

The ‘Santa in the Sky’ experience is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas as a family this winter, and make memories to last a lifetime.

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The outlet’s Big Wheel offers shoppers breathtaking views of the Cheshire skyline / Credit: Cheshire Oaks

Open every weekend and on selected weekday dates throughout December, with 10-minutes flights taking place from 2pm-7:30pm on Fridays, and 9am-4pm on all other days, included in the ticket price is a place on the Big Wheel flight with Santa and his elves, as well as a complimentary hot chocolate, festive cookie, and a personalised lanyard.

Little ones will also get a free bag of reindeer food to take home with them too.

Also new for this year are ‘Sensory Sessions’ inside the iconic Christmas tree – which will be running for the first hour of every open day, and will accommodate anyone with sensory or access needs.

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While ‘Santa in the Sky’ and ‘Sensory Sessions’ are bound to be the stand-out events, that’s not all that’s on offer at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas, as the outlet’s much-loved Winter Village is also back for another year, so you can take a break from shopping and snuggle up to enjoy a festive drink and bite to eat in one of the bookable Christmas huts.

Cheshire Oaks’ much-loved Winter Village is also back for another year / Credit: Cheshire Oaks

Whether you’re in the mood for a bratwurst straight from the swing grill, a cup of hot mulled wine, or a delicious hot chocolate, the German Christmas market-inspired Alpine Lodge is the perfect place unwind and soak in the festive spirit after a long day of grabbing gifts.

Cheshire Oaks’ General Manger, Kenny Murray, says the outlet wants to give visitors an “unforgettable experience” this Christmas.

“By bringing back our much-loved Winter Village and the return of last year’s Santa in the Sky experience, we have made sure our guests will have an unforgettable experience visiting our centre this festive season,” he explained.

The Winter Village is the perfect place to take a break from shopping and grab festive food and drink / Credit: Cheshire Oaks

“We’re confident our unbeatable prices across a selection of our much-loved premium brands to explore will allow our guests to shop for the best festive gifts, whilst also enjoying the holiday cheer through the many activities scheduled this winter”.

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Tickets for ‘Santa in the Sky’ are going on sale next Monday (13 November) from 10am, and are likely to sell out, so you’ll need to be quick if you’re looking to secure your spot.

Read more:

You can find out more about what’s on at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas here.

Featured Image – Cheshire Oaks

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Namaste Nepal – West Didsbury favourite reveals new look and even more phenomenal curry

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Namaste Nepal, one of the best restaurants in West Didsbury – if not all of south Manchester – has undergone a big refurbishment, with new menu dishes to boot.

The family-run business has become a local institution over the last 15 or so years, famed for its comforting, authentic Nepalese food. 

For the first time since it opened, Namaste Nepal has had a full-scale cosmetic transformation to become a modern – but still cosy and welcoming – neighbourhood restaurant. 

You’ll now find green suede, gold, and marble, in amongst the Nepalese artefacts on the shelves. 

Namaste Nepal is known for its menu of curries and street food which takes influences from India and China.

One of its hero dishes is its handmade Momocha dumplings, which are stuffed with lamb mince and topped with a classic peppery, spicy sauce.

There are platters of mixed shashlik, the meat slow-cooked in the tandoor oven; fiery traditional Chwela; and Kantipur Methi, where Tandoori chicken and minced lamb are mixed together. 

Namaste Nepal is a much-loved Nepalese curry house in West Didsbury. Credit: The Manc Group
Namaste Nepal is a much-loved Nepalese curry house in West Didsbury. Credit: The Manc Group
Namaste Nepal is a much-loved Nepalese curry house in West Didsbury. Credit: The Manc Group
Namaste Nepal is a much-loved Nepalese curry house in West Didsbury. Credit: The Manc Group

Curries range from the mouth-numbingly spicy (looking at you, vegetable naaga) to a crowd-pleasing Makhan Chara (aka butter chicken).

There’s plenty to keep vegetarians well-fed, from saag paneer to aloo gobi. 

Namaste Nepal has been spicing up our lives since 2005 and is well and truly standing the test of time. 

The restaurant is taking bookings for Christmas now. 

You can find Namaste Nepal at 164-166 Burton Road, West Didsbury.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Manchester’s ‘sky park’ Castlefield Viaduct to become sparkling grotto as night falls

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Castlefield Viaduct has a series of night time events including a Lantern Lates light trail

Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester, the lush National Trust site built up on a disused railway viaduct, has announced plans of night time activity this winter.

The beautiful park in the sky will be inviting visitors to see the urban green space by nightfall.

There’ll be a free Lantern Lates series where the park will transform into a ‘magical, sparkling grotto’.

Visitors can climb up to Castlefield Viaduct, the huge industrial landmark that has views right across Manchester city centre, and savour the winter wonderland created for the coming season.

It’s before the National Trust project closes for a few weeks in the new year for work to refresh the gardens for spring and summer.

The viaduct itself has been abandoned since 1969, until the charity revealed plans to turn it into a sky park similar to New York’s High Line.

The temporary urban garden has attracted thousands of visitors and the National Trust is now fundraising to secure a permanent future for the project, which is currently closing in September 2024.

Along with the Lantern Lates series, Castlefield Viaduct’s other night time events will include a Winter Garden Tour, where guides will explain the stories behind winter plants like holly, ivy and mistletoe.

Castlefield Viaduct has a series of night time events including a Lantern Lates light trail. Credit: David Bewick/National Trust.
Castlefield Viaduct has a series of night time events including a Lantern Lates light trail. Credit: David Bewick/National Trust.

And at the end of it all there’ll be a Cosy Corner, a relaxing spot with books, boardgames and crafts.

The Cosy Corner will be built at the far end of the Castlefield Viaduct park, where huge windows look across the overgrown and untouched section of the old railway bridge.

Castlefield Viaduct is the ideal spot to escape all the madness of the silly season and non-stop parties going on in the city below.

It’s open all the way through winter until Saturday 2 January (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day), with free entry. You can book morning tours on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, or take a wander after 12.30pm on those days or any time on Wednesdays, weekends and bank holidays.

Lantern Lates at Castlefield Viaduct

17 November 2023 – 1 January 2024, 3.30pm – 5pm | Free – Drop-in 

As the nights draw in Castlefield Viaduct transforms into a magical, sparkling grotto. 

From 3.30pm to 5pm every day, drop in to wander along the light trail and visit the garden in  the sky in a different way. It’s the perfect time for a moment of rest above the busy city, take  in Greater Manchester’s 21st century skyline and maybe even spot a bat or two. 

The Winter Garden Tour 

Wednesday 13 Dec, Friday 15 Dec, Thursday 28 Dec, Friday 29 Dec – 2pm | Free – booking essential 

Get out of the busy city streets and join Castlefield Viaduct for a tour around some festive flora.  

Nature has long associations with this time of the year from holly and ivy to mistletoe and  chestnuts. Your guide will tell you the stories behind some of the winter plants on the viaduct  and introduce the beauty of winter in the garden. 

Book a spot at the website and take a festive look at nature on the viaduct and beyond.

Cosy Corner 

11 December 2023 – 1 January 2024, daily | Free – Drop-in 

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Warm up and chill out… After a walk through the winter garden take some time out in the  Castlefield Viaduct Cosy Corner. 

This December the visitor building will be transformed into a relaxing spot with books, board  games and easy crafts plus the spectacular views of the wild viaduct and Castlefield below.  Take a break from the rush, settle in with a good read or simply watch nature go by.

The viaduct is a temporary project from the National Trust and due to permanently close after summer 2024. To help secure a future for the project and help the garden grow, you can make a donation or give one as a gift? Click here to give direct to Castlefield Viaduct. 

Featured image: David Bewick/National Trust

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