Things To Do

There’s a Love Island-style glamping experience less than an hour from Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 13th May 2022

In just a few weeks, the next batch of young and beautiful Love Island contestants will be moving into the villa – but you can get your own taste of the hit reality show right here in the north west.

The Secret Garden glamping experience in Lancashire has a series of pods, lodges and yurts, each one kitted out with luxury touches inspired by the ITV series.

The spaces are decorated with flowers, fairy lights and neon signs, with extra details like outdoor TVs, underfloor heating and en suite bathrooms.

Guests can gather around the fire pit – real Love Island style – lounge in hammocks or perch on swings in their own decked area.

swings.
The Secret Garden glamping experience in Lancashire, just outside Manchester. Image: The Secret Garden

There are even outdoor bars and al fresco kitchens, just like the real deal, except all set in 2.5 acres of woodland.

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Five-star glamping enterprise The Secret Garden has featured on Celebs Go Dating, Hot Tub Brits and Four in a Bed since launching.

bathroom with flower wall.
Image: The Secret Garden

The hospitality business has just unveiled its latest accommodation, The Glade, which they say is perfect for the ‘ultimate girls night away’.

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You can watch Netflix nestled between the trees or help yourself to chilled drinks aplenty from the outdoor bar area where amenities include an ice machine and huge cooking area.

outside bar.
The glamping experience is less than an hour from Manchester. Image: The Secret Garden

Complete with a bright pink rope swing and hammock, this is glamping like you’ve never seen it before.

Each private tent has a luxe-cosy atmosphere with velvet pastel sofas, floral headboards and plants everywhere, from the ceiling to the floor, all proudly parading the pink colour scheme.

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Read more: Brand new gig venue, late-night bar and restaurant to open in new Manchester neighbourhood

There’s a marble floor with underfloor heating and floor-to-ceiling flower walls in the bathroom.

For more information, including how to bag yourself a night at The Glade, visit The Secret Garden website.

Featured Image – The Secret Garden

Things To Do

Michael Bisping announces second ‘Tales From The Octagon’ talk with Manc MMA star Tom Aspinall

Danny Jones Danny Jones Michael Bisping Tom Aspinall talk Manchester

UFC legend Michael Bisping is bringing back his hugely popular Tales From The Octagon conversation series and he’s bringing Manc MMA star Tom Aspinall as well as Scottish fighter Paul Craig along for the latest Manchester talk.

Following the success of his first trio of live shows back in 2021 — then marketed simply as ‘An Evening with Michael Bisping’ — the Lancashire-raised fighter has invited along the two fellow Northerners to make this latest event more of a discussion surrounding MMA’s past, present and future.

Despite being born in Cyrpus, Bisping spent most of his life not too far down the road in Clitheroe and has spent a lot of time in Manchester, including winning multiple fights at the AO Arena and even meeting his wife, so there was never any question he’d be bringing the tour back to his second home.

Hosting just two shows this time, one at London’s Indigo at the O2 and the other at the Manchester Apollo, the talk promises stories spanning years inside the Octagon as well as the 44-year-old’s time commentating cage-side since retiring back in 2018.

The second Tales From The Octagon live show will also see the special guests chipping in with plenty of their own “wonderful, hilarious” and exclusive “behind-the-scenes stories” and they provide their own take on the MMA scene at large of today.

Craig, a former light heavyweight champion and Aspinall, a Salford-born heavyweight currently ranked fourth overall in the UFC, will both be joining the expert panel across the two dates this winter, bringing their own funny anecdotes, personal stories and unique takes on their careers and the sport as a whole.
 
Best of all, like sitting down to watch with a mate who also happens to be a vastly knowledgeable fight fan, Bisping style on stage draws both casual and new fans with the open, informal style, whilst still making sure to entertain the hardcore followers of the sport.  

With Aspinall being not only a local lad but one of the UFC rising stars and next in line for a heavyweight, we’re also looking forward to hearing his thoughts on how fast-growing career. Here is Bisping speaking on just how excited he is by the 30-year-old fighter:

This won’t be the last time you hear Bisping talk up Manchester’s best new fighter.

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Speaking ahead of the two new shows, Bisping said: “The last tour in the UK was epic, I was overwhelmed by the turnout and reaction of my fans old and new. I can’t wait to come back later this year with a new show and with Tom and Paul in tow.”

Given the popularity of these three and the fact the previous tour went down a treat, it’s fair to say seats to sit in on this conversation are going to go fast.

Now branching into acting, running a successful podcast and YouTube channel, not to mention a Sunday Times and Amazon Best Seller thanks to his 2019 autobiography, Quitters Never Wins, you’re getting a real value-for-money showing.

The Tales From The Octagon 2 talk in Manchester takes place on 16 December; tickets start from just £28.50 and you can secure yours HERE.

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

Featured Image — Supplied/Michael Bisping/Tom Aspinall/Paul Craig (via Instagram)

Things To Do

The top nerdy places in Manchester to get your geek on

Dean Hadcock Dean Hadcock Arcade games at NQ64's new site in Manchester.

There are so many different types of nerds. From comic and manga readers, to the tabletop players, to lovers of video and arcade games.

So even if you’re DC or Marvel, in Manchester there’s a bit of something for everyone.

We’ve rounded up everything from board game cafes to comic book shops to arcade bars.

Whether you’re looking to buy or play, here are some of the nerdiest places you NEED to check out in Manchester.

Forbidden Planet

Forbidden Planet in the Northern Quarter, Manchester
Forbidden Planet in the Northern Quarter, Manchester

This place is like the Big Tescos for nerds. It’s your one-stop shop for everything geeky.

Upstairs has everything like pop funks, figurines, collectables and fun merch from your favourite shows and games.

Downstairs is where the magic happens, and if you’re looking to get into comics or manga, this is the place to be. It’s got all the classics you’d expect with, of course, the brand-new comic releases.

Travelling Man

Travelling Man in Manchester is one of the city's best havens for nerds
Travelling Man in Manchester is one of the city’s best havens for nerds

This Dale Street shop is like the previous but with a smaller, independent feel and is always a lovely shop to browse in.

It’s our personal favourite and it’s got all you need including comics, manga and loads of tabletop games to browse and purchase.

Fan Boy Three

Looking for people to play board games with? This is the place to go. It was voted the UK’s favourite board game store in 2019.

You can join D&D and Warhammer games or just nip in for a browse, just try not to end up spending copious amounts of money on a new Warhammer army.

Afflecks

You can now get married at Afflecks in Manchester
You can now get married at Afflecks in Manchester

This gigantic shopping emporium is the home of all things alt, but there are also plenty of shops inside to get your geek on.

Here are just a few standouts. There’s Card Empire specialising in Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokemon Cards. The Animaid Cafe for lovers of all things kawaii. And we couldn’t forget Star Wars Man on the third floor with his huge collection of nostalgic TV and film collectables.

NQ64

Arcade games at NQ64's new site in Manchester.
Arcade games at NQ64’s new site in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Now if you’re looking to play instead of buy, the next three will be right up your street. Starting with NQ64, specifically the massive new site in the Northern Quarter.

They’ve got loads of classic arcade machines, themed cocktails and grub for when you get the mid-gaming munchies. We highly recommend playing Ice Cold Beer and beating our high score of 7 (trust us it’s hard).

Pixel Bar

Pixel Bar in Manchester
Pixel Bar in Manchester
Pixel Bar in Manchester
Pixel Bar in Manchester

Fancy something less retro and more modern? Try Pixel Bar, which is open past midnight every day.

If you want to grab some mates and have a couple of drinks while you crush them on games like Smash, Fifa or Tony Hawk, this is the place to be.

Bury Arcade Club

This place is the Mecca of all things arcade. It’s a multi-level video arcade featuring classic and modern games.

The best thing about it is you pay one standard fee (under £20) and you get to play everything inside for free and as much as you want.

The downside is Bury is a bit of a trek from the city centre and you’ll probably have to drive to get there. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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