There’s another bank holiday looming and then the long, glorious stretch of summer – and helpfully, there’s a new tool in Greater Manchester to help you plan brilliant days out around the region.
You can now use a Metrolink Destination Generator which will design you your perfect day out.
You just give it an idea of what you fancy doing – like something foodie, or cultural, or musical, or sporting – and a rough borough you want to travel to, and away it goes.
You can choose free things, family-friendly things, outdoor things, to do on a weekday or weekend.
Transport for Greater Manchester’s aim is that it will help travellers stuck for ideas to get out and discover some fun days out around their local area, without needing to jump in the car or travel far.
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The Destination Generator will even tell you which stop to aim for and which tickets are the best value.
Renowned travel experts Lonely Planet named Manchester as one of its best ‘accessibility-friendly’ destinations to visit in 2023, with the city being the only UK location to make the guidebook’s annual Best in Travel list.
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Some of Lonely Planet’s recommendations, such as the Manchester Museum and Castlefield Viaduct, can be reached using Metrolink, but there are so many more hidden gems to be found across Greater Manchester.
National Trust gardeners – Castlefield Viaduct Planting – 10 June 2022
Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said: “Whether travelling a few stops or across the network, Metrolink is a convenient, value-for money and accessible way of getting around Greater Manchester.
“There are flexible and affordable ticketing options for all travellers, whether it’s paying as you go with contactless – never paying more than the daily cap, or making use of a one-day family travelcard which covers travel for two adults and up to three children.
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“Whatever the weather this summer, Metrolink can get you where you want to go, and if you’re stuck for ideas our Destination Generator will help you plan your trip.”
Sheona Southern, Managing Director at Marketing Manchester, said: “There are a variety of attractions across Greater Manchester for visitors to explore on Metrolink, from East Lancashire Railway in Bury, IWM North in Trafford, The Lowry in Salford, and fantastic green space in places like Sale Water Park.
“We’re delighted to work in partnership with TfGM to highlight just how accessible the region is, and we hope the Destination Generator is a fun way for visitors to uncover more of the unexpected in Greater Manchester.”
Some of the days out in Greater Manchester to be discovered:
Oldham Way Walks
Spanning a whopping 40 miles, the Oldham Way is a popular challenge for keen walkers – but if you break it down into sections there’s something for everyone, even total novices.
There are seven recommended routes, some of which you can easily get to using the tram network.
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If you get the tram to Failsworth, you’ll find yourself along a gentle section of the Oldham Way that follows the Rochdale Canal towpath.
Nearest stop: Failsworth
Pottery Corner
Tucked in in the beautiful Chorlton is Pottery Corner, a creative studio and gallery where you can paint your own pottery.
Designed to let your creative streak run wild, the studio space also offers baby imprints, clay classes, parties, and special occasions.
It’s been under its current ownership for seven years and is well worth the journey across to Chorlton.
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Nearest stop: Chorlton
The East Lancashire Railway
Train fanatic or not, the East Lancashire Railway is always a popular day out.
Slicing its way through picturesque towns like Ramsbottom and Summerseat, plus miles and miles of stunning Lancashire scenery, there are loads of different days out on offer.
Along the way you can discover real ale bars, quaint tea rooms, quirky boutiques, markets, restaurants, cafés and more.
Nearest stop: Bury
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Museum of Transport
This hugely underrated museum just outside the city centre seems like an appropriate place to visit on public transport – it’s an absolute goldmine of public transport going all the way back to 1824.
There’s an 1890s horse-drawn bus, a full-size prototype Metrolink tram, and an old Beverley’s Beers van.
It’s a bargain too – adult tickets are £5 while under 16s can go free with any paying adult.
Nearest stop: Queens Road
Portland Basin Museum
Another hidden gem, this time over in Tameside, is the Portland Basin Museum, housed within a restored 19th-century Ashton Canal Warehouse.
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The waterside, newly-refurbished heritage centre celebrates the people, events and industries, which have shaped the history of Tameside over the past two hundred years.
You can even step back in time on a 1920s street, with the sights and sounds of bygone Tameside brought back to life.
Nearest stop: Ashton-Under-Lyne
Featured image: East Lancashire Railway
Things To Do
Trafford Centre reveals Halloween events lineup with ‘nerve-shredding’ rides, creepy crafts, and more
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is nearly upon us, and the Trafford Centre has now announced its lineup of Halloween activities to get stuck into.
With not long to go until schools across Greater Manchester break up for half term, and with Halloween within touching distance, the major shopping centre has revealed an exciting collection of events that’ll be happening over the next couple of weeks – and there’s activities for people of all ages.
From creepy crafts, to hair-raising rides and eerie evening entertainment, there’s something for every brave soul.
Back by popular demand from 25 October is the Halloween Fair, which will pop up outside The Great Hall featuring nerve-shredding rides, a spine-tingling atmosphere, carnival vibes, and loads more, right through until 2 November.
Brand new for 2025 is Fright Night at the fair, which is a truly immersive scare experience for daring teens and adults.
The Trafford Centre has revealed its Halloween events lineup for 2025 / Credit: Supplied
Fright Night will bring three evenings of pure horror from 30 October – 1 November, as creepy characters roam the fairground once the sun’s gone down.
For families wanting half term fun but looking for a gentler kind of magic, there’s a chance to join characters Wanda Web and Jack O’Lantern for some creepy crafts like relaxing pumpkin decorating, eerie face painting, and making your own witches and wizards hats to take home.
The legendary Big Wheel will also be returning for the festive season so you can ascend into the misty night sky high above the Trafford Centre for eerie nighttime views.
And to top it all off, Gandeys will be bringing back the fan-favourite ‘Spooktacular’ for 2025.
There’ll be ‘nerve-shredding’ rides, creepy crafts, and loads more to get involved with / Credit: Trafford Centre
“Halloween is one of the most exciting times of year for us at Trafford Centre, and this year’s lineup is bigger and better than ever,” commented Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at Trafford Centre.
“From spine-chilling rides and late-night scares to pumpkin painting for the little ones, we’ve created an experience that everyone can enjoy. We can’t wait to welcome families, friends and thrill-seekers alike for a Halloween celebration like no other.”
Tickets for each of the events on Trafford Centre’s Halloween lineup for 2025 are now on sale and you can book them in advance online here.
More information and dates for each of the events can be found here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Things To Do
A groundbreaking new multi-use entertainment and leisure venue is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
A new multi-purpose food, drink, entertainment and leisure destination is coming to Manchester city centre and the Salford border this autumn, and you won’t find many places that roll so much into one spot.
Mancs, get ready to welcome ‘Tangerine’.
Conceived by an impressive collective of local creatives, indies and those with plenty of experience catering to the Northern masses, Tangerine is promising everything from multiple resident kitchens, a live music hall, an arthouse stage, a specialist martini bar and more.
Better yet, after a year in the making and quietly chipping away at the striking space, it opens later this month, so you don’t have to wait long to try it for yourselves.
Located on New Bailey Street, just on the edge of Spinningfields and Salford Central, this groundbreaking new venue features two main platforms (utilising the integrated charm of the historic railway arches), each boasting its own selection of attractions.
While platform one will offer a bakery, coffee roastery, wine store and bottle ship, the ‘Canteen Club’ and even a florist, number two will contain the music hall, arthouse stage and the stylish ‘Grand Departures’ bar – serving seven espresso martini alone – Tangerine will deliver a seamless day to night transition.
Arguably, however, the centrepiece is the ‘Cantina Collective’. The food and drink hall promises seven in-house kitchens, showcasing a variety of cuisines.
The opening line-up already confirmed includes Vanda: a family-run Parisian-inspired Ukrainian bakery; Mexican taqueria, PANTERA, burger joint Juicy, as well as Yo Dutchie (a unique fusion of Dutch-Japanese food) and a new Korean/ramen concept from local sushi favourites, Unagi.
Our stomachs are already grumbling just thinking about it.
CGI renders of the completed space. (Credit: Supplied)
Designed not only by the brains behind Northern Quarter’s beloved Mala hidden garden but WANT STUDIOS, who will be ensuring local artists, independents, and traders will be regularly spotlighted, the site will boast a capacity of well over 300 people.
Artyom Dmitrijev, owner of Tangerine and Mala, said in a statement: “Over a year in the making, we’ve used all our experience in design, interiors, architecture and hospitality to create our dream project. A place for all the independents to come together and thrive.”
Andy Windsor, Director of WANT STUDIOS, added: “Tangerine unites the city’s independent kitchens, bar tenders, bakeries and entertainment specialists. It is a unique showcase of what we do in the city. This is a new space for creativity, food, and culture, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
Debuting to the public with a big Halloween weekender on the evening of Friday, 31 October, with another launch event the following Saturday, you can sign up for exclusive early access for free, which could see you score a few freebies to boot.
Daisy Jackson -
26th May 2023 
