Balmoral Castle will open its doors to the public for the very first time this summer – but despite charging a hefty £100 per head, demand has tipped the landmark’s website over the edge.
Those hoping to book a guided tour of the Royal Family’s Highland retreat have found themselves stuck in virtual queues as people rushed to buy tickets.
The incredible castle has long allowed visitors to walk its grounds and huge estate, but visitors have never been able to see inside its beautiful rooms.
For the first time since it was completed in 1855, experienced guides will be leading private tours through Balmoral Castle’s historic halls and rooms.
The tour includes access to the ballroom, where a collection of King Charles’s watercolours are displayed, capturing Balmoral, Highgrove and Sandringham.
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There also outfits worn by Charles, Camilla, the late Queen Elizabeth II (who passed away at Balmoral in 2022) and the Queen Mother.
The tours will teach people about the origins of the castle, from the purchase of it by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert all the way through to the present day, and how the rooms are used by members of the Royal Family.
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But Balmoral Castle is a historically important and therefore expensive estate to maintain, and the ticket prices reflect that – much to many people’s horror.
Balmoral Castle’s website crashed after releasing £100 tickets to go on a tour of the building. Credit: Unsplash, Martin Bennie
Prices for the tours start from £100, or go up to £150 if you want to chuck in afternoon tea.
Despite the pricey admission fee, tickets for Balmoral Castle tours appear to have already sold out.
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There were a limited number put on sale today – only 40 issued each day for tours between a trial period of 1 July to 4 August.
Balmoral Castle announced the limited run of dates to test how the building copes with increased footfall.
And then the doors will close again ahead of King Charles’ annual break to the Scottish estate in the summer.
Kenyon Hall Farm’s massive pumpkin festival has returned, with THOUSANDS of pumpkins to pick
Daisy Jackson
Did you know that there’s a massive pumpkin festival just outside Greater Manchester, where you can pick from tens of thousands of pumpkins?
Kenyon Hall Farm’s popular Pumpkin Festival is back up and running for another year, with fields full of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.
You can grab yourself a wheelbarrow, then get exploring the fields for your perfect gourd, whether it’s a classic round orange one, a dinky white one, or a weird and wonderful wonky one.
This is an ideal autumnal activity for when the leaves start turning, and is always popular with families every year.
As well as the pumpkin picking itself, Kenyon Hall Farm also has loads of photo opportunities dotted around, like a house built of pumpkins, a giant throne, a vintage tractor, and a love heart frame.
There’s even a Hollywood sign-style sign screaming PUMPKINS as you enter.
At Kenyon Hall Farm, you can also browse a pop-up market packed with autumnal treats, including more pumpkins, novelty homewares, seasonal goodies and plenty more.
Photo opportunities at Kenyon Hall Farm pumpkin festival. Credit: The Manc Group
There are even tattoo transfers you can buy to give your pumpkin more of an edge than a regular carving.
And after you’ve had your fill on the farm, you can refuel in the gorgeous on-site cafe, newly extended for this year and now serving a menu of pumpkin-inspired specials including spiced lattes, scones and soup.
There are loads of seasonal items in the award-winning farm shop too (alongside masses of fresh produce), like gonks, candles and keyrings.
What could be more cute and autumnal than rummaging around in a field in the late September sunshine, hunting for your perfect pumpkin?
10 rooftop bars and restaurants in Manchester with amazing views
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester skyline is ever-changing, and there’s nowhere better to soak in the views of our city than up high in a rooftop bar or restaurant.
Our city used to be pretty terrible for outdoor drinking space full stop, and even worse for sky-high terraces, but there’s been a real switch in recent years.
Now, there are glamorous restaurants perched way above our heads, cosy pubs spilling onto their rooftops, and even hotels with secret terraces and gorgeous views.
Manchester recently gained a brand-new rooftop terrace in the form of Chotto Matte, which had us thinking about where else to head for a sky-high cocktail or three.
Have a read of the best rooftop bars, restaurants and terraces in Manchester.
Chotto Matte, St Michael’s
Chotto Matte opens in Manchester on 10 OctoberCocktails with a view
The newest, shiniest addition to the city centre is Chotto Matte, a glamorous restaurant serving a Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei menu that includes sushi, robata, and plenty more.
This stunning new restaurant at Gary Neville’s St Michael’s development has 360º views of Manchester, and from its 348-capacity rooftop terrace, one of the best outlooks in town.
The all-weather rooftop terrace overlooks Albert Square and the Manchester Town Hall, which is slowly but surely emerging from behind its scaffolding.
YES bar has one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester
YES has not one, but two amazing outside spaces – one a ground-floor terrace that’s weirdly just across the road, the other a gigantic rooftop terrace.
There are cocktails on tap, great happy hour deals, and a few different food spots to order from like Pepperoni Playboy and the Trippy Chippy.
And back downstairs, YES hosts regular gigs and club nights in its iconic Pink Room.
20 Stories is Manchester’s highest rooftop terrace, and probably our city’s best-known spot for a sky-high dinner.
Perched way up above Spinningfields, you can see most of the city centre from up here, in a swanky setting.
Dining here at any time is a special event, with breathtaking panoramic views adding an extra bit of oomph to the equally top-tier food and drink offering.
King Street Townhouse, off Albert Square
Spritzes on the King Street Townhouse terraceThe terrace at King Street Townhouse hotel
Tucked up on the sixth floor of the award-winning boutique hotel King Street Townhouse, you’ll find a rooftop terrace with beautiful views of the city’s skyline.
As Manchester buzzes along beneath you, you can tuck in to everything from full charcuterie grazing boards to seasonal snacks and small plates, all served alongside an impressive wine and cocktail list.
This often-overlooked local spot is a firm favourite of those in the know, thanks to its sheltered location that basks in the sun all afternoon, and when the Town Hall refurbishment is complete it’ll have the best view in town.
Big Hands, Oxford Road
Miles away from the glitz and glamour of the city centre rooftops is Big Hands, a cool, weird and wonderful bar that’s seriously popular with students and gig-goers, thanks to its proximity to the Manchester Academy venues.
With decent prices catering to those gigging on a budget along the busy university strip of Oxford Road, a lovely dimly-lit aesthetic complete with gig posters galore; a rooftop garden terrace adorned with twinkly lights and plenty of plants, it’s a pure vibe in here.
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The views might not be the best, but the vibes are right up there, and you can grab some amazing Italian street food from Rizzo’s – formerly T’arricrii) while you’re here.
Climat, Blackfriars House
Climat. Credit: The Manc GroupClimat. Credit: The Manc Group
Most of Climat is long and narrow, following the expanse of the open kitchen – and that happily means that almost every table gets a front-row seat to the views from this rooftop restaurant and wine bar.
Popped up high on Blackfriars House (but not so high up that everyone feels like an ant beneath you), it’s got a spectacular outlook over historic landmarks like the Barton Arcade, St Ann’s Church, and the Royal Exchange.
There are more than 250 different wines on the menu as well as a menu of ‘food you want to eat’, as if you needed any more temptation.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd April 2024 
