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Bloomtown – the beautiful blossom walking trail through Manchester city centre

Just beyond stunning out there.

Daisy Jackson - 28th March 2024

Manchester never looks better than it does in the spring, when all the blossom trees burst back to life – and now there’s a walking trail through town that shows off the best bits.

From the iconic purple blooms outside the Central Library to the surprising sprays that pop up in the middle of Ancoats, there are pretty colours appearing all over town.

The National Trust is once again shining a spotlight on Manchester and bringing back its new-and-improved Bloomtown Map.

There are 39 spots all over the city centre (and slightly beyond) included along the route, each one showcasing one of the city’s most picturesque locations.

The digital Bloomtown Map will tell you a little something about each hotspot as you arrive, whether you’re interested in the history of the place or just want to know what particular flower you’re looking at.

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This year’s trail again starts up at Castlefield Viaduct, the incredible industrial structure that’s been brought back to life by the National Trust and turned into an urban sky park.

It then weaves through landmarks in the city centre like the Rochdale canal, Parsonage Gardens, and Manchester Cathedral.

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Blossom trees in Ancoats

Purple blossom flowers on St Peter's Square in Manchester — Blossom trees in Ancoats

And there are five branches of the trail to check out this year too, covering Hulme and South Manchester, East Manchester, Salford and Trafford.

Because this is Manchester, and our weather is famously all over the place, not all of the blossom trees have kicked into action yet (and some of the ones that bloomed early are dropping their petals like confetti already).

But April is usually the best time to see the blossom in full bloom – which makes the Easter weekend perfectly placed to get out for a stroll.

See the full Bloomtown Map below, or click here for the blossom trail around Manchester

All the places on the Bloomtown Map 2024 around Manchester

Blossom on Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester — Blossom on Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

The Bloomtown Map is a blossom trail walk around Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group — Blossom on Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Pick up a recyclable paper copy of the Bloomtown map at

Manchester Central Library
Manchester Art Gallery
NOMA
Platt Fields Visitors Centre
Local parks across Greater Manchester
Mayfield Park
Waterside Arts
RHS Bridgewater
Hulme Community Garden Centre
Castlefield Viaduct
Quarry Bank
Dunham Massey
Lyme

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Things To Do

The UK’s much-loved ‘day rave’ with Vicky and Jon McClure returns to Manchester for New Year’s Eve

One of the UK’s most popular new club events and pioneering ‘day rave’ is returning to Manchester this New Year’s, featuring founders Jon and Vicky McClure, as well as some very special guests.

The Line of Duty star and Reverend and the Makers frontman started the parent-friendly event back in January of this year as an alternative day out for those looking to have a party and still manage an early bedtime. Since then it’s gone on to become a real phenomenon and is only getting bigger.

With Vicky swapping UK dramas and crime thrillers for the discotheque and ‘Big Jon’ switching lanes from his usual rock, indie and alternative roots to favour timeless dance tracks to still get people up on their feet, Day Fever has gone down a storm all over the country.

With their first year coming towards a close, they now look set for arguably their biggest day rave to date as Day Fever will be hosting a special New Year’s Eve for their final hurrah of 2024 right here in Manchester city centre – and no, you don’t need to be able to stay up until midnight.

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A post shared by Day Fever (@dayfeveruk)

The two McClures – unrelated, by the way, they just share a name and a fantastic taste in music – and the rest of their crew will be partying between 3-8pm for a much more tame and friendlier night (day) out, commanding the decks alongside some other special guests.

Not only does this alternative way to party promise a more responsible curfew, meaning clubbers don’t have to worry about missing the last train home but it’s also geared towards over 30s whilst still being super inclusive.

This day-time clubbing event is designed to reminisce on the old days and all those dance-filled memories of evenings spent out on the tiles, just minus the late-night finish – and hopefully the hangover but that’s down to you really, isn’t it?

In their words: ‘There’s no dress code, no egos—just pure positivity’; there’s nothing we love to hear more than the sweet relief of not having to get dolled up for a big night when we just can’t be bothered.

With New Century Hall hosting the Day Fever once again for their first-ever NYE party here in Manchester, along with two other events being held simultaneously in Edinburgh and Birmingham, you can get all your partying done way with plenty of time to get cosy in bed before the calendar turns over.

Just in time to watch Jools Holland’s famous Annual Hootenanny, as they put it.

Jon McClure and Vicky’s co-star, Martin Compston

Jon McClure and Vicky’s co-star, Martin Compston

This is guaranteed to be an evening to remember for everyone in attendance, especially when you’re joined by stars of stage and screen who will be powering you through with some proper dance bangers as they have done all year long.

The New Year’s Eve party isn’t just the last dance of the year either, it’s also effectively the prequel to next year’s raft of shows as Day Fever has already announced more than a dozen big dates in January and February.

This batch of 2025 dates sees the gang taking on lots of other cities, including North West neighbours Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds and Hull over in Yorkshire, two Newcastle shows and plenty more.

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So, if you’re feeling those clubbing blues, that pesky seasonal affective disorder or just still not booked up for NYE 2024, why not make the most of this day-time opportunity?

Tickets for both the New Year’s Eve and the rest of their 2025 events are available on the official Day Fever website HERE.

Oh yeah, and help get Rev to Christmas number one – it’s for a good cause and they deserve it!

OK HERE WE GO https://t.co/xierN1ulh2

I’ve always wanted to do the Jon Lewis ad but no one asked me so I kinda made my own 3 minute one in Sheffield

More importantly it’s to raise awareness and money for @samaritanscharity who are there for people 365 days a year .

Nobody… pic.twitter.com/niUwmBB3d4
— Reverend&TheMakers (@Reverend_Makers) November 15, 2024

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Featured Images — Publicity Picture via Supplied

Things To Do

An adorable new Jellycat store has just opened in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Inside the Jellycat General Store in Manchester

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.

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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

Aisles at the Jellycat General Store are arranged by theme — The viral toilet roll Jellycat toy

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Featured image: The Manc Group