Travel & Tourism

Kenyon Hall Farm’s massive pumpkin festival has returned, with THOUSANDS of pumpkins to pick

See ya later, summer.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 2nd October 2025

Did you know that there’s a massive pumpkin festival just outside Greater Manchester, where you can pick from tens of thousands of pumpkins?

Kenyon Hall Farm’s popular Pumpkin Festival is back up and running for another year, with fields full of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.

You can grab yourself a wheelbarrow, then get exploring the fields for your perfect gourd, whether it’s a classic round orange one, a dinky white one, or a weird and wonderful wonky one.

This is an ideal autumnal activity for when the leaves start turning, and is always popular with families every year.

As well as the pumpkin picking itself, Kenyon Hall Farm also has loads of photo opportunities dotted around, like a house built of pumpkins, a giant throne, a vintage tractor, and a love heart frame.

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There’s even a Hollywood sign-style sign screaming PUMPKINS as you enter.

At Kenyon Hall Farm, you can also browse a pop-up market packed with autumnal treats, including more pumpkins, novelty homewares, seasonal goodies and plenty more.

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Photo opportunities at Kenyon Hall Farm
Photo opportunities at Kenyon Hall Farm
Photo opportunities at Kenyon Hall Farm
Photo opportunities at Kenyon Hall Farm
Photo opportunities at Kenyon Hall Farm
Photo opportunities at Kenyon Hall Farm
Photo opportunities at Kenyon Hall Farm pumpkin festival. Credit: The Manc Group

There are even tattoo transfers you can buy to give your pumpkin more of an edge than a regular carving.

And after you’ve had your fill on the farm, you can refuel in the gorgeous on-site cafe, newly extended for this year and now serving a menu of pumpkin-inspired specials including spiced lattes, scones and soup.

There are loads of seasonal items in the award-winning farm shop too (alongside masses of fresh produce), like gonks, candles and keyrings.

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What could be more cute and autumnal than rummaging around in a field in the late September sunshine, hunting for your perfect pumpkin?

See more HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

Police warn off ‘Instagram tourists’ from irresponsible parking at beauty hotspot

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Police warn off 'Instagram tourists' from irresponsible parking at beauty hotspot

Police have issued stern advice regarding visiting a beauty hotspot, after a weekend of ‘ridiculous’ parking earlier this month.

North Wales Police said there was ‘really disappointing’ and ‘irresponsible’ behaviour from visitors last week, when Storm Goretti left Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park covered in a beautiful blanket of snow.

The impressive scenery has drawn a lot of walkers up into the hills – but the winter weather has also created difficult conditions for travelling.

It’s let to the police clamping down on vehicles that are left at the sides of the road, with enforcement officers patrolling looking out for illegally parked vehicles.

Their statement also stressed that ‘irresponsible behaviour for the benefit of some Instagram photos’ can put strain on the emergency services and volunteer mountain rescue groups, pulling them away from real emergencies.

The advice has come after a weekend that saw ‘significant disruption’ due to poor parking at Pen y Pass within the Eryri National Park, which acts as an access point to climb to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon).

Police have slammed 'irresponsible' drivers visiting Eryri
Police have slammed ‘irresponsible’ drivers visiting Eryri. Credit: Unsplash, Neil Mark Thomas

T/Inspector Jason Diamond, North Wales Police said: “It was really disappointing to see such irresponsible behaviour last weekend with people leaving vehicles in ridiculous parking locations, causing the ‘if they do it, I’ll do it’ effect and massively increasing risk to themselves and others.

“We understand that the area is outstandingly beautiful – even more so with a blanket of snow, but common sense must still prevail.

“Leaving vehicles at edges of snow lined carriageways and pushing others into the paths of oncoming vehicles at best increases the risk of coming back to a damaged vehicle, but at worst, hugely increases the risk of serious personal injury.

“We seldom get snow flurries like we have seen in recent days, so our general motoring public are not used to driving on snow and ice, so irresponsible behaviour for the benefit of a walk or some Instagram photos increases the demand on our emergency and volunteer services who could be focusing on dealing with real emergencies.

“Pre-empting the social media responses, seizing vehicles left in dangerous situations, whilst always an option, needs to be risk managed in such conditions, whilst some may not be, we are always working with safety in mind. And building car parks in a national park is far more complicated than it sounds!

There will be extra parking patrols at Eryri
There will be extra parking patrols at Eryri/Snowdonia. Credit: Unsplash, Benjamin Blyth

“If you are planning on visiting Eryri please familiarise yourself with the weather forecast and keep up to date information relating to Storm Goretti by following the Met Office and news bulletins.

“If you do intend on visiting the area please make sure you park responsibly and sensibly. Local authorities will be sending their enforcement officers out and will be issuing notices to any vehicles illegally parked.”

Councillor Craig ab Iago, Cyngor Gwynedd Cabinet member for the Environment said: “The recent snow and ice have created some beautiful scenes and a wonderful atmosphere here in Gwynedd, and we want everyone to be able to enjoy it safely. If you are coming to areas such as Pen y Pass to walk or to enjoy the views, please plan your visit carefully and respect others and our communities.

“We are asking people to park responsibly and not block the road for others. Our officers will be working with partners from other authorities with the aim of keeping the road clear.

“We are also encouraging people to use public transport where possible, and bear in mind that the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service is running on the winter timetable, which means that buses are running less frequently.

“Because of the mountainous and rural nature of the area, visitors should also remember that the weather can affect the roads, which has a knock-on effect on public transport. Please check the weather forecast and road information before setting off.”

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Featured image: North Wales Police

Travel & Tourism

The Tour de France is coming to Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tour de France coming to Manchester in 2027

It’s official: both the male and female Tour de France are coming to Greater Manchester and nine other destinations across the UK in 2027.

As one of the biggest locations on the list, it’s another big sporting landmark for us Mancs.

Confirmed on Thursday, 15 January, the men’s race and the Tour de France Femmes (TdFF) will be passing through our region next summer.

Revealing the news in an exciting announcement video on social media, you can see the other cities and towns that the world-famous endurance event will be hitting here:

Exciting times, right?

With Greater Manchester boasting not only the National Cycling Centre, but having already hosted the Tour of Britain – which has passed through Altrincham on multiple ocassions – we’re well-versed when it comes to the sport.

It’s been more than a decade since the Tour de France last took place in the UK, with London and Yorkshire hosting three stages of the biggest date on the annual cycling calendar back in 2014.

Fast forward a dozen years, and not only will they both be participating again, but Great Britain will see dual Grand Départs for men and women for the very first time.

Not only are we buzzing that the racing will be returning to our friends in Leeds and Sheffield, but also nice to see other Northern regions lending their roads and stunning landscapes, such as the Lake District and wider parts of Cumbria.

You can see the full route map broken down below.

Speaking in an official press release, race director Christian Prudhomme said: “The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain.”

“Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”

TdFF counterpart, Marion Rousse, added: “The UK has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Deignan.

“Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour. These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”

‘Allez Tour de France!’

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Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)

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