The world-famous Museum of Illusions is ready to open its doors in Manchester city centre, filled with optical illusions and interactive exhibits.
Inside the new attraction, which opens this week on Market Street, visitors will be able to dangle upside down on a Metrolink tram, have their minds blown in the Vortex Tunnel, and probably learn a thing or two while they’re at it.
This is the Museum of Illusions location in the entire UK, promising mind-bending illusions and curious games around every corner.
Taking over what was formerly the Sports Direct unit on Market Street, and set to open its doors this week, there are dozens of installations to explore.
There’ll be signature Museum of Illusions exhibits like the Walk-in Kaleidoscope, the Vortex Tunnel (where it feels like you’re spinning upside-down) and the Infinity Room (where clever mirrors make it look like there are hundreds of you).
ADVERTISEMENT
But also some brand-new, Manchester-exclusive installations, like The Reversed Room, which makes visitors look like they’re hanging upside-down from a Metrolink carriage; and The Building Illusion, where you can dangle, Spider-man-style, from a classic city brick terraced building.
Guests are even welcomed by an Alan Turing illusion, whose eyes follow you around the room as you pass by.
ADVERTISEMENT
Museum of Illusions Manchester has loads of different mind-bending installations. Credit: The Manc Group
And every illusion is explained as you make your way around the fully-accessible museum, explaining the intriguing science behind things that play tricks on our brains.
The Museum of Illusions has locations across 25 countries and draws in more than 15 million visitors every year across the globe, but this is its first UK location.
Steven Buchan, general ,anager at Museum of Illusions, commented: “We are delighted to have Manchester chosen as the first UK location for the Museum of Illusions, as it’s known for its vibrant cultural scene, rich history, and reputation as a hub for innovation and creativity.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Market Street, with its bustling atmosphere and central location, perfectly complements our mission to make interactive, educational experiences accessible to everyone.
“The Manchester location will offer a unique experience that blends our globally recognised exhibits with specially curated installations inspired by the city’s iconic landmarks and cultural heritage, making it distinct from our other locations around the world.”
The Museum of Illusions opens on Market Street in Manchester city centre on Friday 27 September – you can book your tickets here.
In pictures: Museum of Illusions Manchester
You can put your head into a kaleidoscope. Credit: The Manc GroupYou can put your head into a kaleidoscope. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Vortex Tunnel. Credit: The Manc GroupMerging faces at Museum of Illusions Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupYou can make yourself look giant or tiny in one room. Credit: The Manc GroupThere are loads of interactive exhibitions. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Infinity Room. Credit: The Manc Group
How much are tickets for Museum of Illusions Manchester?
Online / walk-in
Adult (15+) – £21.00 / £23.00
Child (5-14) – £17.50 / £19.50
4 and under – Free
Senior (+65) – £17.50 / £19.50
Student – £17.50 / £19.50
Blue light card holders – £17.50 / £19.50 (Police, Hospital, Firefighters – all service providers with blue lights)
The Northern Belle, ‘Britain’s poshest train’, is coming to Manchester, with a seven-course banquet on board
Thomas Melia
A luxury train that’s been dubbed the poshest in Britain is steaming into Manchester this year, offering passengers a chance to sit in the same seats as royalty.
The Northern Belle will set off for its first trip of 2025 from Manchester Victoria, whisking people on a breathtaking journey through the Yorkshire Dales.
Whilst on board the Settle-Carlisle railway line, guests will tuck into a a show-stopping seven course banquet with bottles of champagne and wine.
The steam locomotive is a 1930’s Pullman-style train and used to form part of the iconic Orient Express experience, and takes on its journeys with an on-board live band.
Self-proclaimed as ‘Britain’s poshest train’, this vintage travel vehicle has been known to host a famous face or two, including acting legend Billy Nighy, who described the locomotive as ‘the Grand Dame of luxury travel’.
It’s not just Hollywood A Listers travelling in style – the royals have been known to frequent these four carriage walls.
On board The Northern Belle, which will visit Manchester in March. Credit: Supplied
One of the seven carriages which will be making the journey used to be party of Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Train, and is home to the Queen Mum’s favourite seat, where she would sit and wave through the window while sipping a gin and tonic.
A red carpet will be rolled out at Manchester Victoria to welcome everyone hopping on board this high-class rail service, with tickets from £365.
The Northern Belle departs Manchester city centre around 10am, collecting more passengers from Bolton before cruising some of the UK’s finest countryside.
Dust off your glad rags and get ready to be the ‘Belle’ of the ball as you travel on vintage locomotive The Northern Belle.
This isn’t the only Northern Belle trip running this year as you can make your big and bold entrance to both Royal Ascot and Chelsea Flower Show via this comfortable and certainly not modest rail liner.
Just like its epic decorum, the prices follow the same bold style with tickets varying from £365 upwards depending on which event you’d like to attend.
Arriving on 1 March 2025, this luxury train is making a special stop in Greater Manchester with tickets available to purchase HERE.
Macclesfield Forest – The picture-perfect country walk that looks like a postcard in winter weather
Daisy Jackson
It is absolutely baltic out there – but also pretty beautiful, and we’ve found you a winter walk that looks better than ever at this time of year.
The weather in the UK has well and truly turned wintery, with temperatures dropped below zero and the big coats permanently glued to our backs.
That comes with a lot of bad bits, like being really bloody cold all the time, having to scrape the car every time you use it, and energy bills going through the roof if you want to put your heating on for five seconds.
But also, when you stop and look around on a good day, brilliant blue skies, frost-tipped landscapes, perfect sunsets and crunchy leaves.
This sort of winter weather is actually perfect for a big walk, with no risk of sunburn or sweaty backs, so we say let’s all get wrapped up warm and head on out to the beautiful countryside around our home city.
One of the most stunning sites in the north west is just across the border into Cheshire. We are of course talking about Macclesfield Forest.
Here, huge conifers dominate the landscape like giant Christmas trees – it’s about as close to an alpine wonderland you can get without travelling all the way to actual mountains.
When it snows, the whole forest is muffled. The only sounds you’ll hear is the soft thump of snow falling off the branches.
And if you don’t fancy killing an entire afternoon wandering through the woodland, there are also two reservoirs – Trentabank and Ridgegate to explore.
There are a number of walking trails to follow, from a gently green route all the way to a more challenging red route that takes you deeper into the forest.
If you brave the uphill climbs, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views over the Cat and Fiddle Moors and the Cheshire Plains.
And then you can defrost from your walk in the cosy Leather’s Smithy pub, which dates back to the 18th century and serves proper pub grub and real ales.
Leather’s Smithy, a cosy 18th century pub serving real ales, locally-distilled Forest Gin made from botanicals foraged nearby, and comforting pub grub.
Daisy Jackson -
24th September 2024 
