A former military helicopter has now been turned into an Airbnb, and it’s parked up an hour outside Manchester.
The specially converted Lynx helicopter once flew in the Gulf War and was used by the British Army in places like Kosovo too.
But now it’s found its resting place in the idyllic Lancashire countryside, where its previous military interior has been turned into cosy overnight accommodation.
Although it’s far from roomy inside, the 1982 Westland Lynx XZ676 comfortably has space for up to two adults and two children.
A specially-designed double bunk has been installed in the tail of the chopper, while the sofa bed pulls out into a bed for kids.
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It may be small in stature but it’s also well-equipped, with a kettle, microwave, mini fridge and LED TV.
This Lynx helicopter has been converted into an Airbnb. Credit: Ream Hills / Airbnb
If you choose to stay overnight, you also have access to your own private decking area with outdoor seating, and can make use of the nearby toilet and shower block.
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The glamping experience is located at the Ream Hills holiday park near Blackpool, which also has Geodesic Domes that sit on the lake, glamping pods, and luxury lodges.
The listing says: “If you fancy something completely unusual why not arrange to stay in our specially converted Lynx helicopter for the night – every child’s dream from six to sixty!”
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 28 April – 4 May 2025
Daisy Jackson
Manchester is set for a week of utterly glorious sunshine as we head into May, so most of us will be wanting to escape our houses and get out and about over the coming week.
As always, there’s plenty happening around town to keep you busy, from family-friendly museum events to full-blown 10-hour-long raves.
This week will also see the return of the much-loved Sounds From The Other City festival in Salford, and more dates for two huge musicals that are in town.
There are some very fancy new openings to check out with your spare time too.
Have a look at our guide to the best things to do in Manchester this week below.
Sensory-friendly day at Museum of Illusions
58-66 Market Street, M1 1PW
Tuesday 29 April
There are loads of interactive exhibitions. Credit: The Manc Group
The mind-bending new attraction to Manchester, the Museum of Illusions, is going to be holding a full day sensory-friendly session this week dedicated to neurodivergent guests.
This will involve dimmed lights, lower sound levels and even complimentary sensory kits which include ear defenders and fidget toys.
There are more than 50 interactive exhibits to explore, from gravity-defying rooms to optical illusions, and with this new event to mark World Autism Month it’s become accessible to more people than ever.
Sounds From The Other City
Across Salford
Sunday 4 May
Always a highlight of Greater Manchester’s music calendar, Sounds From The Other City is a multi-venue festival that’s celebrating its 20th edition this year.
The festival lineup once again champions the best emerging artists and genres from across the UK, features Du Blonde, Gwenno, Grove, Astrid Sonne, Big Joanie, The Orielles, Tristwch Y Fenywod, and over 100 more acts.
As the grassroots music sector faces increasing challenges, SFTOC stands as one of the UK’s longest running independent festivals.
Ready to try something new this weekend? Whether it’s space travel, flying on a magic carpet or joining Alice in Wonderland, there’s a new VR experience at Trafford Palazzo bringing you whole new worlds through the power of XR – ‘extended reality’.
Immersia XR has brought walking theatre to life, an interactive experience that lets you step beyond reality.
And when you’re done, you can grab a milkshake, iced tea or matcha from the lovely @ai.tea.drinks and join the Mad Hatter’s tea party.
Opening to the public this week for the first time is The Cut & Craft, a lavish new steak and seafood restaurant.
Here you’ll find seriously grand interiors including chandeliers and a ‘gossip room’, and a wine and champagne list as long as your arm.
There’s also a bottomless champagne brunch taking place over the upcoming bank holiday weekend – you can book your spot HERE.
Torvill & Dean
AO Arena
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2-4 May
Torvill & Dean have announced a show in Manchester on their farewell tour
The legendary Torvill & Dean will be skating into Manchester on their final-ever tour this year, performing at the AO Arena as part of their ‘Torvill & Dean: Our Last Dance’ farewell tour – a poignant moment, as the duo were the arena’s first ever show back in 1995.
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are record-breaking figure skaters, perhaps best-known for their gold medal winning performance at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics 1984.
Although the pair will continue to work together off the ice – they are the head judges on ITV’s Dancing on Ice – their 2025 tour marks the end of their 50-year skating partnership.
An event that will whisk you back to the glory days of the Madchester era is happening this weekend, bringing all the rave atmosphere of the 90s to 2025.
This event is going big or going home with a runtime of 10 hours, with four different ‘arenas’ at this rave all catering to different soundscapes of the 90s rave scene, from hardcore to classic DnB.
A Knight’s Tale has been turned into a comedy musical.
A Knight’s Tale may be one of Chaucer’s most well-known Canterbury Tales, but for most of us, we tend to be more familiar with Brian Helgeland’s iconic 2001 medieval action comedy film of the same name instead, which of course starred the late great Heath Ledger, alongside Paul Bettany, Rufus Sewell, Mark Addy, and more.
And its the latter that has now been reimagined for the modern day and turned into a brand-new comedy stage musical that’s charging into Manchester this month.
Mary Poppins / Credit: ATG Tickets | Daniel Boud (via Unsplash)
Mary Poppins is now back on stage in Manchester as part of its UK tour.
Two decades after the world premiere in Bristol, and subsequent record-breaking run of productions around the world ever since, one of the best-loved musicals of all time has flown back into our city and landed on the iconic Palace Theatre stage.
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Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, the story of the world’s favourite nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane is even more magical than ever before, featuring dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs.
Australian stars, Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers, are both reprising their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert.
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You / Credit: Science Museum Group
You can plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses at a new immersive museum exhibition that’s now arrived at the Science and Industry Museum.
Back by popular demand after a successful run over these past two years, but with a fresh new adventure lined up for 2025, Operation Ouch! is giving you the chance to journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.
Tickets to Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You are now on sale, and visitors are being told to prepare themselves for an “epic exploration of the senses”.
Mix-up leaves tourists bound for Peak District on a day trip to… Rochdale
Daisy Jackson
Who needs rolling hills and country pubs when you could have *checks notes* roadworks and charity shops?
Well, that’s the situation two people ended up in recently after a mix-up rerouted their trip to the Peak District to Rochdale, of all places.
Thankfully seeing the funny side, Canadian TikTok creator Mackenzie shared a video of the day trip they got stuck with.
The pair of mates had been planning a trip to the honeypot town of Castleton in the Peak District, but accidentally ended up heading over to Castleton in Rochdale instead.
In the light-hearted clip, she says: “This is just a reminder to read the small print when you want to do a spontaneous trip. Because Margarita and I thought we were going to the Peaks, and this is where we are…” while panning to the sight of some roadworks.
She continued: “We thought we were going to see gorgeous green hills. Nope.
“Anyways, come with us on our Castleton Manchester, not Peak District adventure.”
They visited Springfield Park, went to a pub to eat onion rings (with a random giant dog staring at them), erm… went to a charity shop, and looked at some houses.
Okay so not quite the Peak District paradise they were picturing.
One person commented: “Absolutely howling. Come all the way from America to end up in Rochdale” (Mackenzie stressed in her reply that she lives in Manchester and also, is Canadian).
Another said: “It’s the Springfield park for me”
Someone else suggested: “Rochdale should rename all of its areas to encourage more tourists. Hahah”
Dying to know if these girls ever made it to Castleton, Derbyshire.
Daisy Jackson -
11th April 2024 
