Things To Do

The jaw-dropping country walk that passes a tower taller than The Shard

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 27th February 2022

When we think of tall structures, we tend to think of landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, The Shard, maybe even Deansgate Square if we’re thinking a little closer to home.

But there’s a structure across the border in West Yorkshire that towers over them all.

The Emley Moor Mast is a broadcasting facility between Huddersfield and Wakefield with some impressive credentials.

It’s the tallest freestanding structure in the entire UK, and the 25th tallest self-supported tower in the world.

ADVERTISEMENT
Emley Moor Mast seen in West Yorkshire. Credit: Instagram @susannehughes1

It’s taller than the Eiffel Tower and only 38 metres shorter than the iconic Berliner Fernsehturm, Germany’s tallest tower.

The Grade II-listed Emley Moor Mast is so massive, you can see it dominating the horizon from right across Yorkshire.

It’s not the first transmission tower to stand here – one of its predecessors famously collapsed in 1969 due to a combination of strong winds and heavy ice that had formed around the top of the tower.

ADVERTISEMENT
Emley Moor Mast in West Yorkshire. Credit: Instagram, simon_martin_photography

The size of the tower is something to behold, both from a distance and when you get right up close to it.

You can drive right up to the Emley Moor Mast, officially named The Arqiva Tower, with some limited parking near the foot of the tower.

Read more: Peaky Blinders season six – release date, where to watch, and what happened last time

ADVERTISEMENT

Or you can take on a country walk in the rolling hills that surround it, like this 14.8km loop (pack sandwiches) that weaves through several West Yorkshire villages.

It can get muddy in places after wet weather – which we’ve had a lot of – and there are a few stiles to clear, but it’s well worth the effort.

Featured image: Instagram susannehughes1

Things To Do

A retro arcade gaming bar is opening in Stockport ready for Christmas

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

Stockport is set to get its first retro gaming bar this winter as the former Mama Sanctuary spa on Princess Street is transformed into an arcade haven.

Spreading across two floors, it comes from partners Joseph Patten and Amy Fletcher and will.

Already established in the local hospitality scene. Joseph has already made a name for himself in Stockport with venues including Cracked Actor, The Glass Spider and Dr Feelgood.

Now, he and Amy are workig together on a new venture that will celebrate some iconic arcade games from their childhoo,d including Super Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Donkey Kong – all playable using tokens that can be collected from the bar.

Called Glitch, in an interview with the Manchester Evening News the pair described the new gaming bar as an “interactive museum for vintage arcade lovers”.

However, they also revealed that it won’t just be about retro games here.

The modern crowd of gamers will be equally well catered to, with 11 different high-tech gaming booths – all bookable by the hour – kitted out with 40 inch screens, Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, SEGA Mega, and Nintendo 64.

Elsewhere, the team is working on creating an experiential Star Wars ‘duelling room’ with light sabers available to rent. Although it doesn’t sound like this will be ready before its pre-Christmas opening, it’s something we’re happy to wait for.

Drinks-wise, gamers can expect to find a wide array of themed cocktails that nod to Glitch’s playful theme alongside a selection of local beers from Siren Brewery.

The pair also said that they hope the bar will “change the lay of the land massively for more bars of this type to invest in Stockport Town centre.

Read more: A bar in Manchester is throwing a 2000s-themed Myspace party

They continued: “It’s certainly the first of its kind in Stockport but it’s where the bar world is heading.

“We believe it’s the next big push needed to bring immersive interactive bars to Stockport, in the same way they do in the cities. It’s a chance to provide more than just a sit down with a beer, people want more of an experience when they hit the town now. GLITCH provides that.

Read more: This Indian takeaway in Prestwich has just been named the best in the UK

“It’s a hit of nostalgia like a interactive museum for vintage arcade lovers, whilst also offering the look into the future with all the latest consoles for groups to book out. I think it’s the perfect time of year to be opening with Christmas around the corner.”

Feature image – Google maps / Slackers

Things To Do

You can visit National Trust sites for free this autumn

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

The National Trust is celebrating the arrival of a new season by offering free visits to the sites it cares for this autumn.

Families will be able to visit the many stately homes, grand gardens, beaches and countryside locations that are looked after by the charity.

The limited-time offer will allow people to book an autumn trip to a National Trust site of their choosing.

Each free ticket will admit two adults and up to four children, with hundreds of sites taking part in the campaign.

The National Trust says: “Everyone needs nature and autumn is when it really glows.

“As the scenes change around us escape into the season with a free visit to the places we care for.”

Quarry Bank. Credit: National Trust

Around Greater Manchester, those include Dunham Massey with its ancient deer park, the incredible Lyme Park (famous for its role in Pride and Prejudice), and the historic Quarry Bank.

Not to mention those just across the borders into neighbouring counties, like Marsden Moor, Hare Hill, and Hardcastle Crags.

You can also use the free National Trust pass to visit Castlefield Viaduct, the sky-high urban park that opened here in Manchester this year.

The 330-metre Grade II-listed steel viaduct was transformed with plants and landscaping into a heritage park, which is technically only a temporary installation while the National Trust works on a permanent vision for the landmark’s future.

Read more

Some sites won’t be taking part in the Guest Pass promotion, and visitors are urged to check their chosen destination isn’t on this list before visiting.

Alderley Edge and Tatton Park, for example, are both excluded from the deal.

The free National Trust guest pass promotion will be available to use at sites on or before 30 November 2022.

You can find out more here.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter here.

Featured image: Wikimedia Commons

More Things To Do

City Centre

A Polish vodka and dumpling festival is coming to Manchester

Audio

A bar in Manchester is throwing a 2000s-themed Myspace party

Eats

City-wide celebration of beer – including a beer festival in an old swimming pool – to take over Manchester this weekend

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches