An enormous 300km walking trail around Greater Manchester has got the go-ahead and is set to be fully operational within two years.
The GM Ringway has been awarded a £250,000 National Lottery grant, which will allow a new long-distance trail to be established right on our doorsteps.
The route will make use of existing footpaths and parks, and will connect the beautiful countryside in the north west with tourist attractions and heritage landmarks.
It all splits down into 20 stages, and every section is designed to be accessed by public transport.
Spanning all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs, the GM Ringway will pass more than 40 Grade I and Grade II*-listed buildings, 13 museums, 57 conservation areas, 18 local nature reserves, 14 ancient monuments and parts of the Peak District.
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Attractions along the route include Bramall Hall in Stockport, Haigh Hall in Wigan; the Imperial War Museum in Trafford and Blackstone Edge Roman Road in Rochdale.
Peel Monument in Bury. Credit: Supplied
The GM Ringway will split into four broad sections, each one made up of five one-day stages.
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They’ll be the Southern Start-up (almost totally traffic-free route from the city centre to the Peak District, along waterways and green spaces), the Exhilarating East (the hills above Stockport, Tameside and Oldham), the Noble North (challenging stages connecting the peaks and valleys of the Pennines with Rochdale, Bury and Bolton) and the Western Wind-Down (the wetlands, mosslands and canals of Wigan, Trafford and Salford).
The Heritage Fund grant will pay for signposting and an improved app and website so that everyone can enjoy the trail.
There are plans to launch a trail passport, which could offer discounts to visitor attractions, pubs and cafes along the route.
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It’s estimated that 30,000 people will walk part of the route every year.
The groups working on the GM Ringway are countryside charity CPRE and walking charity The Ramblers.
A network of 200 volunteer ‘footpath guardians’ will also be recruited and trained to look after the trail and get involved in community events.
Debbie McConnell, chair of CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester said: “The GM Ringway project is truly innovative and could act as a blueprint for other city-regions. Here in the north west, we’re fortunate to have a wealth of heritage and natural beauty on our doorstep and we want more people to get out and discover it.”
Margaret Manning, chair of Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Ramblers said: “The grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is just fantastic as it will enable us to make the GM Ringway project a reality, which is so exciting. The GM Ringway will open up opportunities to collaborate with local community groups, charities and partners in the health, heritage and environmental sectors on trail-related events and activities.
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The map of the GM Ringway
“We also hope heritage sites and hospitality businesses will benefit as visitors discover them on foot. The grant will allow us to establish this wonderful trail as a long-term asset for the region.”
Andrew Read, GM Ringway Project Lead, said: “Our core aim is to connect even more people with our local nature and heritage. We know there are proven health benefits that come from moving more and from spending time in nature.
“We’re particularly keen to enable those currently under-represented in the walking community to enjoy Greater Manchester’s incredible landscapes and heritage sites, especially those living in deprived areas, young people, those with disabilities or long-term health conditions, and different ethnic and faith groups.
“We believe that, as people explore Greater Manchester’s rich landscapes and history, it will increase their appreciation of and pride in their local area.”
For more information and news on the GM Ringway, including route maps, visit GMRingway.org.
Featured image: Supplied
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Beloved sitcom Dinnerladies to return after 25 years with new stage show in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
One of the most beloved sitcoms of all time is set to return after 25 years, but this time it’s coming to the stage in Manchester.
More than a quarter of a century after it was first screened on BBC One, a brand-new stage adaptation of Dinnerladies is planned for 2027, and it’ll feature a storyline inspired by the episodes and characters from the iconic original TV sitcom.
Making its premiere at Manchester Opera House in January, the new show is the first piece of the late Victoria Wood’s work to be commissioned by her Estate.
Adapted by Beth and Emma Kilcoyne, and directed by double Olivier-award winner Sean Foley, after debuting here Manchester, the production will then tour major theatres across the UK until August – with star Les Dennis as maintenance man Stan, and further casting to be announced soon.
Originally created, written by, and starring Bury comedy legend Victoria Wood, Dinnerladies ran for two acclaimed series and 16 episodes between 1998 and 2000, winning widespread critical plaudits and a devoted audience thanks to its warmth, wit, and brilliantly observed characters.
Dinnerladies is returning after 25 years with a new stage show in Manchester / Credit: BBC
Set in the canteen of fictional Manchester factory, HWD Components, the show followed the lives, friendships, and workplace dramas of the staff and regulars who gathered there every day.
Now, audiences will be reunited with the dinnerladies once again, as all the much-loved characters that made the show such a huge British comedy classic will feature in the play – including Bren, Tony, Dolly, Anita, Jean, Twinkle, and Philippa.
No matter whether you’re revisiting an old favourite or discovering it for the first time, the new Dinnerladies show is set to serve up a hilarious night out packed with heart, nostalgia, and plenty of surprises.
Dinnerladies will take to the stage at Manchester Opera House on 29 January 2027 and run right through to 6 February 2027 – with tickets going on sale this Friday (3 July).
Rochdale’s popular Feel Good Festival is set to return this summer
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Worried you might have missed your chance to attend a festival this year? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival is one of the longest-running and best-value festivals in Greater Manchester, and luckily for us, it’s returning again with a star-studded main stage line-up this August.
On Saturday 8 August, you’ll have the chance to see some big names bringing sing-along anthems to Rochdale, like two-time BRIT Award winner and pop/soul legend, Gabrielle, who has recently gained a whole host of younger fans during performances on ITV’s The Masked Singer eagerly awaiting this performance.
Other headliners include Northern Irish rock band, Ash, and Wigan-formed alternative rock band Starsailor, attracting fans from far and wide.
You can also expect sets from soul and funk pioneers, The Allergies, and Manchester indie artist, Alex Spencer – who first gained attention busking on the streets and has gone on to support One Direction star Louis Tomlinson across European arenas earlier this year.
This festival also proudly showcases upcoming artists too, and this year, two new Rochdale bands will play the biggest gig of their careers – K-ESTATE, who will be adding some house-pop, funk, and indie disco to the mix, alongside brand new rock band, Metro.
Rochdale’s popular Feel Good Festival is set to return later this summer / Credit: Supplied
Festival gates open at 12pm, so be sure to get down early as there’s plenty going on, including live music across indoor venues, a food and drink village with delicious street food, pop-ups, bars, and much more.
The bi-annual festival is organised by Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council with sponsorship from local businesses, including Premier Kia, The Royal Toby Hotel, Hopwood Hall College, and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
This is a climate-conscious festival, so to minimise waste on the day, tickets include a reusable drink cup to be collected upon arrival at the festival site.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival 2026 takes place on Saturday 8 August, and tickets are available online for £35 each.
If you’re feeling like treating yourself, there’s a choice of two luxury VIP upgrade packages from only £90, which grants access to a private indoor bar, hot street food table service, indoor and outdoor seating, a viewing terrace, as well as toilets and rest areas.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd November 2022 
