Travel & Tourism

A massive Batman experience, featuring original props, costumes and vehicles, is coming to Manchester

A journey through the Caped Crusader’s legendary history - yes please

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 6th June 2024

A huge Batman experience is swooping into Manchester this summer, offering fans a chance to see real props and costumes from the Warner Bros. archives.

The exclusive event will bring the cinematic world of Batman to life, through a series of themed rooms, exhibitions and a comic book and gaming area.

Batman Unmasked will be packed full of items from this iconic character’s film history, including (to name just a few) The Dark Knight, Joker, and The Batman.

Visitors will wander through a series of themed rooms that will bring Gotham City to life here in Manchester, with the massive Batman experience taking over Depot Mayfield this summer.

Batsuits worn by actors Robert Pattinson, Christian Bale and Michael Keaton will be displayed, alongside an extensive collection of original props and memorabilia.

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Fans will even be able to see original vehicles from the hit franchise, including Tumbler and Batpod from The Dark Knight (2008), and the Batmobile and Batcycle from The Batman.

Then after passing through a series of walkways inspired by the various criminals of Gotham, you’ll arrive at The Rogue’s Gallery, a space devoted to DC Super-Villains.

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The Batbike
The Batbike
Batman Unmasked, which is coming to Manchester this summer
Batman Unmasked, which is coming to Manchester this summer
The free-roam comic zone at Batman Unmasked
The free-roam comic zone at Batman Unmasked
The Batcave at Batman Unmasked, which is coming to Manchester this summer
The Batcave at Batman Unmasked, which is coming to Manchester this summer

Here there’ll be suits, props and weapons, like Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy ensemble, Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn costume, Jim Carrey’s Riddler outfit and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze suit. 

Heath Ledger’s infamous nurse uniform from The Dark Night, and Joaquin Phoenix’s red suit from Joker, will also be on display.

And as for younger Batman fans, there’ll be hidden facts to seek out, photo opportunities, and a free-flow comic book and gaming area.

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The Batcave at Batman Unmasked in Manchester
The Batcave at Batman Unmasked in Manchester

Exclusive Batman Unmasked merchandise will be on sale at the retail store, including special Batman 85th Anniversary items alongside classic Batman items.

Batman Unmasked is coming to Manchester to mark the 85th anniversary of DC’s Caped Crusader, and will take place from 16 July until 26 August.

It will then head down to London’s Covent Garden, where it will be in residence through Batman Day on 21 September.

Ticket prices include discounted concession rates as well as savings for small groups of four, or larger groups of 10.

Sign up to the waitlist on 6 June and get priority access to ticket sales on 12 June before general on sale, 13 June. 

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Featured image: Supplied

Travel & Tourism

Inside the luxury hotel suite inspired by a Christmas light trail

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Located right next to Piccadilly Station, Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly have curated a new hotel stay which is inspired by one of the region’s biggest light trails.

The new Christmas-themed room has been created as a continuation of Freight Island’s ‘Twilight Trail’, so you don’t need to leave the magic of the event behind in Mayfield Park.

This huge hotel, which recently underwent a £33m refurb, has been setting out to provide guests with incredible experiences and this new Christmas themed room is certainly no different.

As well as a stunning room decked out with festive decor, you can also see immaculate views of the city centre, and even the neighbouring Twilight Trail, thanks to the room being situated on the top floor of the eight storey building.

Initially launching last year, the festive-themed Twilight Trail attraction by Freight Island is only a short three-minute walk away from the all-new Christmas room at Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly.

The converted ‘Deluxe Family Room’ is sure to put you in the festive spirit with everything from mood lighting to a real Christmas tree frocked in red and gold baubles.

Comfy beds in Manchester
How many reindeers could you count before you fall asleep effortlessly?
Christmas room in Manchester
It’s Christmas central at Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly.
Hotel rooms in Manchester
The Deluxe Family Room has had a festive makeover.
Credit: The Manc Group

Once you’ve unpacked your matching PJ’s and chosen where you’ll be sleeping for the night, you can head out the door knowing you get to come back to your own personal winter wonderland.

Next on your itinerary is a trip to the Twilight Trail itself, 6.5 acres of illuminations, interesting structures and fascinating displays.

If you’re not walking round this outdoor venue with a boozy hot chocolate fixed firmly in one hand then you’re definitely doing it wrong.

As you walk through the first tentacle-like tunnel, you’ll be greeted by an on-site refreshments truck serving generous helpings of hot chocolate.

After picking up your sweet drink, you’ll be plunged into a glittering world with a dramatic Christmas tree at the centrepiece of the illuminated park.

Light trail in manchester
The opening tentacle-like tunnel which spans out across the floor.
Hot chocolate in Manchester
You can never go wrong with a hot chocolate.
Christmas tree in Manchester
The grand Christmas tree towering over the various light features.
Credit: The Manc Group

You can walk over a brightly lit bridge that constantly changes colours and makes you feel like you’re walking on a rainbow, literally.

This makes for a great sensory experience for all ages as you feel as though you’re a part of the trail, walking over the light displays instead of just seeing them from a distance. Class!

The twinkling tunnel lit with fairy lights makes for the perfect Instagrammable moment and is honestly core-memory worthy.

Whether you’re celebrating the occasion with your family or your loved one, really take a second to admire these LEDs.

Twilight Trail at Mayfield Park
Lighting up the city centre with the Mayfield Depot sign adding some character.
Fairy lights in Manchester
Look at those lights! The fairy light tunnel which are part of the Twilight Trail.
One of the best light trails in Manchester
Take a walk over the rainbow bridge as you soak up all this light trail has to offer.
Credit: The Manc Group

Whether walking makes you hungry or you can just smell the delicious flavours of the street food vendors from next-door neighbours Freight Island, it would be rude not to pay them a visit.

It’ll probably take you just as long to decide what food you want as it did to complete the light trail thanks to the wide variety of cuisines on offer.

From 22 inch pizzas at Voodoo Ray’s to desserts on a stick at Oh My Cheesecake, you can grasp how exciting and mind-boggling the meals here are.

Burgers were the craving of the night and we left our foodie fate in the hands of the trusty Burgerism with their ‘Veggied’ and Pattersons ‘Salt ‘n’ Pepa’ single stack chicken burger.

This is one of three plant-based options from their menu and its packed with a selection of topping greats like pickles, tomatoes and a cheese slice.

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Best veggie burgers in Manchester
Burgerism’s veggie offering was absolutely gorgeous.
Pattersons chicken burger in Freight Island
Pattersons flavoursome single stack chicken burger.
Burgerism Freight Island
The veggie has officially been ‘Veggied’.
Credit: The Manc Group

This little Christmas themed adventure and stay is in the heart of Manchester city centre meaning it’s close to all amenities like trains, trams, bars, pubs and those all important Manchester Christmas Markets.

However when you’re sleeping in a room that has pillows galore, a built-in TV and Christmas decorations, a quiet night in was next on the agenda and you really do feel right at home.

Read more:

Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly may just be one of Santa’s many little helpers and you can create your own priceless memory by staying in this gorgeous Christmas suite.

Cleanest hotel bathrooms in Manchester
The bathroom in the Marriott Christmas room.
Beautiful hotel views Manchester
Waking up out of bed to those stunning lights and cute tree.
Relaxing things to do in Manchester
After your activity-filled day, fill up the tub and relax.
Credit: The Manc Group

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Featured Image: The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

Manchester’s major Jurassic World exhibition launches 50% off ticket sale

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

You can now get yourself some tickets to the major Jurassic World exhibition that’s been mesmerising Mancs for half the price.

It’s fair to say that Jurassic World: The Exhibition has become a global success.

After initially launching in Melbourne, the immersive experience then went on excite dinosaur fans in numerous other cities globally, such as Tornonto, Chicago, Paris, Shanghai and Berlin, all before opening up in Greater Manchester down at the Trafford Centre back in August and welcoming tens of thousands of visitors since.

Because of this popularity, it was then announced last month that the award-winning experience based on the beloved blockbuster film franchise would be sticking around until the new year.

Manchester’s major Jurassic World exhibition is doing a half-price ticket sale for Black Friday / Credit: Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment (via Supplied)

This means that visitors now have even longer than initially anticipated to get to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore some richly-themed environments, and encounter a life-sized Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, and the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.

And if the exhibition‘s extension into 2025 wasn’t exciting enough as it is, a huge sale running for a limited time only means you can now get 50% off on tickets to visit over these next two months.

Anyone who takes advantage of the limited-time offer – which has been launched in honour of Black Friday – can imagine what it would’ve been like to roam amongst these breathtaking creatures, and even interact with baby dinosaurs like Bumpy from the popular animated series, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous – which is currently streaming on Netflix.

The Manchester event even features some additional fan-favourite dinosaurs from Jurassic World that haven’t been at the previous exhibitions too, so it really is worth a visit.

This exclusive half-price deal – which is eligible on selected dates in December 2024 and January 2025 – just launched this morning at 9am (28 November), and will be live for the next 27 hours before ending at 11:59pm this Sunday 1 December.

Read more:

The discount applies to all adult and child prices, and you can find out more and get tickets here.

Featured Image – Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment (via Supplied)

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