Travel & Tourism

The lesser-known trick to save cash on trains from Manchester to London

£20 to London is unheard of these days.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 16th May 2025

We all know that trains between Manchester and London can be prohibitviely expensive.

Even Andy Burnham went pretty viral for pointing out you could fly to Jamaica for less than the price of an on-peak train ticket.

But there’s a little website – totally legit – that can get you down to the big smoke for just £20.

If you’re not keen on the usual trick to save cash, which involves changing at Crewe and sitting for an hour in the world’s most boring train station, let us introduce you to Avanti’s secret site.

Avanti Super Fare is a service where train tickets only cost £20 between Manchester and London (with other fares to a number of other destinations too).

The only catch is that you don’t know when you’re travelling – so you pay the price for your own flexibility.

How it works is that you choose your day and rough time slot of travel, be it morning, afternoon or evening.

Then, 24 hours before departure day, Avanti will send you your actual ticket, confirming when you can actually complete your journey.

The time windows are 7am-midday for morning journeys, midday-5pm for afternoons, and 5pm-9pm for evenings – and you could be allocated any available train within those time frames.

You can also only book these between seven and 56 days in advance.

Avanti says: “We match you to an empty seat, you get a bargain Superfare ticket on a fast and comfy Avanti West Coast train. Book at least 7 days in advance and up to 56 days before travel.

“Choose a morning, afternoon or evening departure window. Get your ticket 24 hours before you depart.”

Feel like an absolute mug for paying £150 one-way now, don’t we…

Find out more about Avanti Superfare HERE.

Read more

Featured image: Avanti

Travel & Tourism

You can stay in an aircraft, helicopter or old school bus at this glamping pod near Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Cool glamping spots near Greater Manchester

There’s a glamping retreat near Manchester offering extraordinary stays in an aircraft, helicopter, old school bus and more.

Over in Blackpool at Manor House Glamping, there is a range of static vehicles that you can have an overnight stay or two in, and according to the pictures on its website, there’s even a resident emu.

You can stay in various modes of transport, such as an aircraft, an iconic yellow school bus, a campervan or a military green truck.

Each has its own perks ranging from a hot tub, outdoor bath, fire pit, sandpit and more. Whatever type of getaway or retreat you’re looking for, you’ll find everything you need right here.

glamping blackpool
sleep in a school bus north west
Credit: Manor House Glamping

The most eye-catching of the company’s stays is certainly the aircraft, which has kept its original cockpit features, although it’s safe to say the interior has definitely had a makeover.

There’s no such thing as a bad in-flight experience with this guest house, as you can get cocktails delivered to the cockpit after taking a dip in your own personal hot tub – not too shabby, eh?

With the bright and unmissable yellow school bus, there are plenty of decorations that help continue this theme in the form of various American road signs, one of which acts as your headboard for the night.

If you’re after a more toned-down chance to unwind, you can step into a pale-white camper van with cosy cushions and a snug haystack-turned-sofa adorned with some gorgeous blankets.

Say less.

staycation in an aircraft
glamping north west
You can see the full gallery HERE.

And if you’re looking at going all out, then your Manor House Glamping accommodation of choice has to be the chopper, which was once used by the Royal Navy.

Worried this option might be a tad nippy? Fear not, because this helicopter is fully kitted out to suit your glamping needs with two fluffy-lined cushions on each seat of this vintage heli.

This glamping company has even been recommended by one of the most trusted hotel review sites around, Tripadvisor, which awarded the increasingly popular site with their coveted Travellers’ Choice Award earlier this year.

Besides a big screen and lawnchairs, you could argue there’s also some other alternative entertainment.

Read more:

Anyone who experiences cabin fever, fear not, because all the aircraft and vehicles are static and aren’t planning on making a long-haul journey anytime soon, you’ll still be able to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

Manor House Glamping has a variety of vehicle-themed guest houses, both old and new, for you to stay in overnight and if you’re interested or after any further information.

You can find everything you need HERE.

If you fancy staying within the boundaries of Greater Manchester but still fancy getting the feel for a cockpit, though, there’s a very fun day out over at Barton’s City Airport.

You can now feel what it’s like to pilot a 747 at Barton Aerodrome’s incredible flight simulator
You could always consider this a test flight of sorts before potential glamping near Manchester.

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

Featured Images – Supplied via Manor House Glamping

Travel & Tourism

A young BMX star from Trafford finished on the podium in the 2025 World Championships

Danny Jones Danny Jones Leo Rowlands from Timperley Manchester 3rd World BMX Championships

A Greater Manchester native placed on the podium at the 2025 BMX World Championships in yet another display of our region’s sporting excellence.

12-year-old Leo Rowlands from Timperley in Trafford was one of the several promising BMX riders representing Team GB at the World Championships in Copenhagen, which kicked off at the end of July.

Back in 2023, Geordie-born Kieran Reilly became the UK’s first champion at the UCI BMX Freestyle Worlds in Glasgow, and this year, London’s Beth Shriever claimed a trio of world titles.

Combine that with the incredible achievement of the talented young lad coming third overall in his own category, and it really was another brilliant performance from Great Britain.

Credit: Supplied

Penning a proud statement online, local outlet Altrincham Today wrote: “HUGE congratulations to Leo Rowlands, who has just claimed WORLD No. 3 at the BMX World Championships in Copenhagen.

“The Year 7 [aged 11-12] Altrincham College student, who’s been racing since age 6 and trains at Bruntwood Park BMX Club in Cheadle, came through a field of over 140 of the world’s best riders to reach the final and secure his spot on the podium.

“Already North Champion and UK National No. 2, Leo will be going for the British Championship title in Kent this month.”

Joining in sharing their pride and praise on social media, his home college in Alty, along with Rowlands’ fellow students, simply added: “Incredible performance, Leo!”

The comments underneath both posts are filled with other parents and fellow locals passing on their congrats. You love to see it.

great britain world bmx championships 2025
leo rowlands bmx
Credit: Family Handout (supplied)

As for his regular cycling haunt, Bruntwood Park BMX Club also went on to add: “Yesterday, two riders reached the top of the sport for their age, and it is with great pride that they bring home the club’s first W plates from a World Championships.

“First up, Leo Rowlands, who put down a stunning lap in the Male 12s final, working his way back from dead last out of the gate to make a brilliant podium and take home W3.”

They went on to credit all of their rising talents, including another promising young and already multi-title-winning champion in Lexi Waite, who fought her way back from a slipped gate to finish in fifth.

Bruntwood signed off by adding: “What an incredible achievement from both of these outstanding riders, and we cannot wait to have these guys back with their W plates!”

There’s plenty of cycling history being made here in Greater Manchester, and we’ve no doubt there’s more to come.

BMX history made in Manchester at inaugural Red Bull event

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Family handout/Supplied

More Travel & Tourism

Two people hugging

Travel & Tourism

Popular airline to give long-distance friends ‘well deserved’ reunions with FREE flights

Kendal Calling guide 2025 important info

Audio

Kendal Calling 2025 festival guide – everything you need to know ahead of a milestone year

Boroughs

Northern is offering Greater Manchester students half-price train tickets for the entire academic year

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches