One of the most incredible settings for Netflix’s recent thriller series Stay Close was an enormous sculpture of a head.
It’s where a huge chunk of the action takes place, with the interior of the statue used as a secret meeting place.
Ever since the addictive series dropped on New Year’s Eve, visitors have been desperate to go and see the 20 metre-tall attraction in the flesh.
The good news for us is that the striking monument isn’t far from Greater Manchester.
Dream in St Helen’s. Credit: Visit Liverpool
In fact, depending on which part of the region you live in, you could be there in less than half an hour.
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The sculpture, called Dream, stands just off the M62 in St Helen’s, and you can actually see its massive head peeping out above the tree line.
Dream was commissioned by St Helen’s Council and a community of former miners, who wanted something that marked the area’s coal-mining history but looked forward to the area’s future.
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Dream in Stay Close on Netflix. Credit: Netflix UK
The end result was a 500-tonne figure of a young girl, whose eyes appear to be closed in a meditative state.
The sculpture is coated in brilliant white dolomite, chosen to contrast with the coal that was once mined from this very plot.
Dream stands on the site of the former Sutton Manor Colliery, a huge coal pit that closed down in 1991.
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We're not sure what we thought was inside #Dream's head but it wasn't this 🤯🤣
Anyone else watching Stay Close on Netflix? #StHelens' world-renowned sculpture makes plenty of appearances.
If you're inspired to go up to visit her, please take your litter home with you 👍 pic.twitter.com/EYfv2nmNt2
The public art piece by Jaume Plensa cost around £1.8m to build.
It’s had a resurgence in popularity since Stay Close aired though – Bold Parish Councillor Chris Hughes told the Manchester Evening News: “We have had a massive increase in numbers since The Dream has been on Stay Close.
“We don’t normally see this amount of visitors at this time of year, since the start of January it’s been so busy.
“We knew there had been filming up there but I don’t think any of us expected it to have quite this impact.”
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You can visit by parking up at the Dream car park just off Jubits Lane – though it is a small parking area.
You can then walk a circular route around the park that’s around a mile long. Perfect for an easy mid-winter stroll.
Featured image: Netflix UK
Things To Do
LEGO-loving little Mancs can now compete against the world to become a ‘Mini Master Model Builder’
Emily Sergeant
Little Mancs who love LEGO can now enter a worldwide competition and battle it out to become a ‘Mini Master Model Builder’.
Is your child a LEGO super fan? Do they reckon they could build impressive LEGO creations in their sleep? Well, if they’re feeling brave enough and are ready to put their skills to the test, then you’ll want to take them down to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester, as the hunt is one for a talented youngster to be crowned the UK’s newest ‘Mini Master Model Builder’.
Young LEGO fans will have the chance to let their imaginations run wild in a “bricktastic” competition, by building the most epic creation entirely out of LEGO bricks in an attempt to take home the coveted title.
Participants are invited to “demonstrate their imagination and creativity” by constructing something extraordinary that will leave the judges in awe – with the judges particularly interested in an array of building techniques and a strong creative flare, so entrants should “think outside the box” and let their personality and interests shine through.
Little Mancs who love LEGO can now compete to become a ‘Mini Master Model Builder’ / Credit: Supplied
Finalists will be chosen by the LEGOLAND Master Model Builders and Playmakers.
Each Discovery Centre in Manchester and Birmingham will then crown its own ‘Mini Master Model Builder’, and the winners will work with the local Master Model Builder to create their final models, which will then compete in the global final.
Winners will be given the unique opportunity of having their creation displayed at the iconic LEGO House in Denmark, plus a prize of £100 to spend in the LEGOLAND store, and a Local Annual Pass for them and their family too.
Up to the challenge then? All hopeful Mini Master Model Builders will need to get themselves down to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester at Trafford Palazzo – which is next to the Trafford Centre – any weekend up until the start of February.
Entry into the competition is included in the price of one standard admission ticket to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester.
All entries must be made by those under the age of 18, and only one entry per person can be made.
To find out more about the competition and how to enter, check out the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Things To Do
The Northern Belle, ‘Britain’s poshest train’, is coming to Manchester, with a seven-course banquet on board
Thomas Melia
A luxury train that’s been dubbed the poshest in Britain is steaming into Manchester this year, offering passengers a chance to sit in the same seats as royalty.
The Northern Belle will set off for its first trip of 2025 from Manchester Victoria, whisking people on a breathtaking journey through the Yorkshire Dales.
Whilst on board the Settle-Carlisle railway line, guests will tuck into a a show-stopping seven course banquet with bottles of champagne and wine.
The steam locomotive is a 1930’s Pullman-style train and used to form part of the iconic Orient Express experience, and takes on its journeys with an on-board live band.
Self-proclaimed as ‘Britain’s poshest train’, this vintage travel vehicle has been known to host a famous face or two, including acting legend Billy Nighy, who described the locomotive as ‘the Grand Dame of luxury travel’.
It’s not just Hollywood A Listers travelling in style – the royals have been known to frequent these four carriage walls.
On board The Northern Belle, which will visit Manchester in March. Credit: Supplied
One of the seven carriages which will be making the journey used to be party of Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Train, and is home to the Queen Mum’s favourite seat, where she would sit and wave through the window while sipping a gin and tonic.
A red carpet will be rolled out at Manchester Victoria to welcome everyone hopping on board this high-class rail service, with tickets from £365.
The Northern Belle departs Manchester city centre around 10am, collecting more passengers from Bolton before cruising some of the UK’s finest countryside.
Dust off your glad rags and get ready to be the ‘Belle’ of the ball as you travel on vintage locomotive The Northern Belle.
This isn’t the only Northern Belle trip running this year as you can make your big and bold entrance to both Royal Ascot and Chelsea Flower Show via this comfortable and certainly not modest rail liner.
Just like its epic decorum, the prices follow the same bold style with tickets varying from £365 upwards depending on which event you’d like to attend.
Arriving on 1 March 2025, this luxury train is making a special stop in Greater Manchester with tickets available to purchase HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
14th January 2022 
