Travel & Tourism

Inside Dakota, the luxurious new hotel at Manchester Airport

Going from this to a Ryanair flight must be quite jarring

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 9th July 2026

There’s a new hotel at Manchester Airport, and this one is all about luxury.

If the Dakota name sounds familiar, it’ll probably be from its city centre hotel, which has become a favourite with A-list celebrities and discerning travellers alike.

Now, the luxury hotel brand has opened its second Manchester location, this time just moments from the airport.

Designed to be ‘the destination before the destination’, Dakota Manchester Airport is aiming to redefine what an airport hotel can be.

The £54 million development features 154 elegant bedrooms and suites, all finished with the brand’s signature dark, sophisticated interiors and premium design details.

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Just like its city centre counterpart, guests can expect a stylish bar and restaurant at the heart of the hotel. The Grill serves premium steaks, indulgent sides and an extensive wine list in an art deco-inspired setting complete with leather booths and a striking central bar.

And just like in town, there are plenty of luxury touches and details at Dakota Manchester Airport for guests to take advantage of.

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The beautiful bar area at Dakota Manchester Airport
The beautiful bar area at Dakota Manchester Airport
The Grill restaurant
The Grill restaurant
The Grill restaurant
The Grill restaurant
A dedicated chauffere service to take you to your terminal
A dedicated chauffere service to take you to your terminal
An example of the bedrooms at Dakota Manchester Airport
An example of the bedrooms at Dakota Manchester Airport

That includes the UK’s only hotel-operated valet parking service at an airport hotel, with the Dakota team looking after your car while you’re away.

There’s also a chauffeur service running 24 hours a day to take guests directly to their terminal, as well as private dining rooms, a cigar terrace and humidor, making it feel more like a luxury city hotel than somewhere to stay before an early flight.

Matt Townley, Group Operations Director, said: “I’m over the moon to see the doors of Dakota Manchester Airport finally open after all the hard work, dedication and passion the team has put into bringing it to life.

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“We wanted to create something that goes beyond the traditional airport hotel – a place where guests can relax, unwind and enjoy exceptional hospitality before or after their journey. We’re looking forward to welcoming people from around the world and giving them the experience Dakota is known for.”

Dakota Manchester Airport is officially open now.

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Featured image: Supplied

Travel & Tourism

Kids can now travel on Greater Manchester buses for FREE all summer long

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Young people across Greater Manchester will benefit from unlimited free bus travel this summer.

As part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings campaign – which was announced back in May – Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has revealed that all children aged five to 15 can travel for free in England, including on Bee Network bus services, during the school summer holidays throughout August.

Not only that, but 16-year-olds will be able to activate their ‘Our Pass’ one month earlier (from 1 August instead of 1 September), giving them an extra month of free bus and cheaper tram travel.

The move means that all young people in Greater Manchester will be entitled to free bus travel for the whole month.

Children under five already get to travel for free on the Bee Network all year round.

The Great British Summer Savings scheme has introduced a temporary reduced rate of VAT – down from 20% to 5% – on things like travel, children’s meals in restaurants, and family leisure activities over the summer period.

The Government says the aim of the initiative is to make family days out more affordable, while also supporting businesses through increased footfall.  

No registration or sign-up is required to benefit from the Summer Savings scheme on the Bee Network, TfGM confirmed, with anyone aged between five and 15 instructed to just ask the driver for a free ticket as they board the bus.

“We’re pleased to be taking part in the Greater British Summer Savings scheme which will mean free bus travel on the Bee Network for everyone aged five to 15 in August,” commented Fran Wilkinson, who is the Customer and Growth Director at TfGM.

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“This will help make days out more affordable for families this summer.

“The Bee Network is all about making it easier and more affordable to get around Greater Manchester and this national scheme will help us do just that.”

Featured Image – TfGM


Travel & Tourism

The beautiful woodland walk and tearoom with a magical past

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The Wizard Tea Room

There are few places in Cheshire where history, folklore and good food come together quite as perfectly as Alderley Edge.

Best known for its dramatic sandstone escarpment, sweeping countryside views and ancient copper mines, the National Trust beauty spot has inspired myths for centuries.

And at the heart of it all, after a beautiful woodland walk, sits a charming tearoom whose name is woven into one of the area’s most famous legends.

The Wizard Tearoom is the perfect place to begin – or end – the National Trust’s popular Wizard’s Wander, an easy circular route that explores woodland paths, old mining remains and the legendary sites that gave Alderley Edge its magical reputation.

According to local folklore, first published in 1805, a mysterious wizard guards an army of sleeping knights hidden beneath the Edge, waiting to awaken when England needs them most.

Steeped in character, the tearoom itself occupies a building dating back to the 16th century and has become something of a destination in its own right.

Today it’s run by aunt-and-niece team Rachel and Harriet, who have created a welcoming spot for walkers, families and anyone looking to slow down and enjoy the surroundings.

You reach the tea room via a beautiful walk through Alderley Edge
You reach the tea room via a beautiful walk through Alderley Edge
Ice cream from the hatch at the Wizard Tea Room
Ice cream from the hatch at the Wizard Tea Room
Outside the tea room
Outside the tea room
The Alderley Edge Wizard's Wander walk
The Alderley Edge Wizard’s Wander walk
Pimms and a slice of cake
Pimms and a slice of cake
A huge tray of pastries
A huge tray of pastries

With outdoor seating overlooking one of Cheshire’s most scenic beauty spots, the menu stretches from hearty breakfast baps and relaxed lunches to traditional scones with clotted cream and jam. During the warmer months, a refreshing Pimms is just as tempting as a cup of tea after a woodland stroll.

There’s also an ice cream hatch at the front, making it easy for visitors to grab a cone before setting off on the trails or while enjoying the picnic area nearby.

The owners are passionate about supporting local producers. Ingredients are sourced from nearby suppliers wherever possible, from locally produced honey to cakes baked by Baked by Bean, giving visitors a genuine taste of Cheshire alongside the spectacular scenery.

The tea room has also grown into a community hub, hosting regular events including pottery painting sessions and open mic nights.

Outside the gates, the Wizard’s Wander offers a gentle one-mile adventure through some of Alderley Edge’s most intriguing landmarks. Along the way walkers pass old mine workings, dramatic viewpoints including Stormy Point, the mysterious Devil’s Grave and the famous Golden Stone.

Whether you’re visiting for the legends, the countryside or simply a slice of homemade cake after a walk, it’s easy to see why this corner of Cheshire continues to cast its spell on visitors.

Combining centuries of history, enchanting folklore and warm hospitality, the Wizard Tearoom proves that sometimes the best adventures end with tea and cake.

You can see the full walking route on the National Trust website HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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