Travel & Tourism

Fans are literally FLYING to Holmes Chapel to walk in the footsteps of Harry Styles

You can go on a self-guided tour of the star's childhood, if you really want to.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 15th April 2025

Now I think we can all agree that Harry Styles is one of the North West’s finest musical exports (even if he has disappeared off the face of the planet since his Love on Tour tour) – but taking a flight just to visit his teenage haunts? It’s a lot.

But that is how dedicated the former One Direction star’s fans are, flocking across oceans to visit his first place of work, his old school, and even the house he used to live in.

Earlier this year, the village of Holmes Chapel in Cheshire released a self-guided Harry Styles tour, highlighting the village’s ‘many connections to Harry’.

They said that already, fans have flocked from all over the world to take on the tour.

The Holmes Chapel Partnership said: “Over the past year Holmes Chapel has seen an increase in visitors coming to pay homage to pop superstar Harry Styles who grew up in the village.

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“We created this map as part of our ‘Safe Walking Routes’ project which shows the safest walking route from Holmes Chapel train station to the Viaduct, then continues through the village.”

Landmarks along the route include the Twemlow Viaduct, rumoured to be the site of Harry’s first kiss; the Mandeville’s Bakery where he worked on Saturdays before joining The X Factor; and the Fortune City Restaurant, a local Chinese where he once took Taylor Swift. Which is a sentence and a half…

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The bakery in Holmes Chapel where Harry Styles used to work. Credit: Flickr, Vagueonthehow
The bakery in Holmes Chapel where Harry Styles used to work. Credit: Flickr, Vagueonthehow
The Twemlow Viaduct, rumoured to be the site of his first kiss. Credit: Unsplash, David Griffiths
The Twemlow Viaduct, rumoured to be the site of his first kiss. Credit: Unsplash, David Griffiths
Highlights of the Harry Styles tour in Holmes Chapel

Most tour journeys start at Holmes Chapel train station – now complete with a new mural of Harry Styles himself – before heading on into the village itself.

One fan recently shared their own journey to Harry’s hometown, which started with a flight (yes, actual air miles went into this day out) to get to Manchester before hopping on a train to Cheshire.

Documenting their tour on TikTok, the fan said they were ‘genuinely shaking’ as their train pulled into the village.

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They then visited attractions like the small shop on the platform that sells merch, and has a visitor’s book where you can leave a message for Harry Styles – apparently, his dad comes to collect the books when they’re full.

Once reaching the bakery, they discovered a framed photograph of the One Direction band members – including the late Liam Payne – together eating pies, and wrote: “Nearly sobbed seeing this picture alone.”

Then it was a 25 minute walk across fields to the aforementioned viaduct, where countless fans have doodled messages on the brick in a colourful display.

“Having to say bye was so hard,” they wrote.

Of course, for those of us who live a few minutes from Holmes Chapel, calling this tour a tourist attraction seems a little bizarre.

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One person said in the comments: “As someone from manchester, this is crazy. You flew to Holmes Chapel?”

Another asked: “Girl why did you go on a pilgrimage to his home town.”

All I hope is that someone scribbled in the visitor’s book ‘Where TF is new music, Harry!?’

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Travel & Tourism

Kenyon Hall Farm’s massive pumpkin festival has returned, with THOUSANDS of pumpkins to pick

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Kenyon Hall Farm pumpkin festival

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
Photo opportunities at Kenyon Hall Farm
Photo opportunities at Kenyon Hall Farm
Photo opportunities at Kenyon Hall Farm
Photo opportunities at Kenyon Hall Farm
Photo opportunities at Kenyon Hall Farm
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?

See more HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

10 rooftop bars and restaurants in Manchester with amazing views

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson YES bar has one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester

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 October
Chotto Matte opens in Manchester on 10 October
Cocktails with a view
Cocktails 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.

Read more about it HERE.

YES, Charles Street

YES bar has one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester
YES bar has one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester
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, Spinningfields

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 terrace
Spritzes on the King Street Townhouse terrace
The terrace at King Street Townhouse hotel
The 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 Group
Climat. 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.

Terrace, Thomas Street

Now this is a proper Manchester OG rooftop terrace – a surprisingly sizeable rooftop terrace jammed into the middle of the Northern Quarter.

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Grab a craft beer, a marg, or a sangria, and sit up here just away from the madness of Thomas Street buzzing along beneath you.

Then you’re in a prime spot to hit up the rest of the Northern Quarter bars straight after.

Brewdog, Fountain Street

Look, say what you want about Brewdog, these guys know how to build a rooftop terrace – and Manchester is no different.

The top floor of the Brewdog Doghouse Manchester Hotel has its very own rooftop bar, a stone’s throw from the horrors of Market Street.

You know the sort of beers on offer here – they’re mostly Brewdog’s core range.

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Atlas, Deansgate

It might be a bit of a stretch to call this one a rooftop terrace, but it is a terrace, and you can see a lot of rooftops from up here.

Atlas has been part of Manchester’s bar scene for some 25 years, with a sizeable collection of gins.

There’s also a vast draught and bottled beer range, if you don’t fancy a gin and tonic.

The Deansgate, Deansgate

The view from The Deansgate's roof terrace has been covered by a new skyscraper
How The Deansgate rooftop terrace used to look

When The Deansgate opened under new ownership, the thing that had everyone excited was its multi-storey outdoor terrace.

At the time of its refurb, the rooftop had incredible views over towards Deansgate Square and was a right sun trap.

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Sadly, that view has now been obstructed by a massive tower that literally wraps around two sides of the pub – but it’s still a fantastic outdoor drinking spot in all weathers.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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