Travel & Tourism

There’s a farm in the Peak District where you can go on a Highland Cow safari and even cuddle them

They are so cuuuuuttteeeeee.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 10th August 2025

There’s a farm up in the Peak District where you can get hands-on with Highland cows, even brushing out their fluffy fringes.

Highland Cows of the Peak Experiences at Whirlow Hall Farm has loads of activities for all ages, from Highland Cow safaris to cow cuddling.

This working farm is home to a herd of fluffy cows, who graze in beautiful pastures in the hills above Sheffield.

On a visit to the farm, you can learn more about this hardy (and very cute) breed, including their hierarchies, their family bonds, and plenty more.

Visitors have the chance to get hands-on with the Highland Cows, grooming the younger cattle and feeling their magnificent horns.

The Highland Cow Safari sees visitors towed around the farm in an open-top trailer towed by a vintage tractor, observing both Peak District views and the Highland coos.

Then you can jump into the pastures with the cattle on a Meadow Moo-ch, wandering amongst the beautiful animals with their long shaggy coats and flowing fringes (dossens).

It’s over to the barn next, where you can meet, pet, and groom some of the younger highland coos during the Highland Calf Hands-On Experience.

Highland Cows of the Peak Experiences
The Highland Cow safari in the Peak District
Highland Cows of the Peak Experiences
The Highland Cow safari in the Peak District
Highland Cow meet and greet
Highland Cow meet and greet
A Meadow Moo-ch, meeting Highland Cows in the Peak District
A Meadow Moo-ch
See the farm animals up close
See the farm animals up close
See the Highland Cows in the Peak District
See the Highland Cows in the Peak District
Grooming the Highland Cows
Grooming the Highland Cows

And, cows permitting, there’s a chance to do some Highland Cow Cuddling.

Once you’ve had enough of the Highland Cows (as if that could ever happen), there’s a vineyard up here in the Peak District, and wine produced from the grapes is sold in the farm shop.

You can even get married here, in a huge barn on site.

You can find out more about the Highland Cows of the Peak Experiences HERE.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

You can stay in an aircraft, old school bus, or even a helicopter 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