Travel & Tourism

The fantastic pub near Manchester Airport that’s a perfect plane-spotting site

It's just 50ft from the runway

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 31st July 2026

Forget rooftop bars and waterfront terraces – this pub comes with front-row seats to one of the busiest runways in the UK.

Just 50 feet from the end of Manchester Airport’s runway, The Airport Pub is where lunch comes with a side of jumbo jets.

If you’re an aviation enthusiast, or plane-spotting has never appealed until you factor in the idea of doing it with a pint in hand, this is the spot to check out. Bonus points if you whip out FlightRadar.

With an outdoor area for the kids too, it’s an easy win for a family day out.

Planes roar overhead every few minutes, thanks to the pub’s obvious proximity to the busy runways of Manchester Airport.

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Step inside and the aviation theme continues, with propeller-style chandeliers, jet engine booth seating and other plane-inspired touches that make the pub feel every bit as unique as its location.

But if you ask us, the best seats in the house are outside, where you can tuck into a hearty pub lunch (hello, cheese and onion pie) while watching the constant parade of arrivals.

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Cheese and onion pie
Cheese and onion pie
Inside the Airport Pub in Manchester
Inside the Airport Pub in Manchester
A pint in the Airport Pub beer garden
A pint in the Airport Pub beer garden
Propellor chandeliers inside the Airport Pub
Propellor chandeliers inside the Airport Pub
Planes land just 50ft from the beer garden
Planes land just 50ft from the beer garden
You can sit inside a booth built from an old engine
You can sit inside a booth built from an old engine
The Hangar bar outside
The Hangar bar outside
Fried chicken and waffles
Fried chicken and waffles

For an even better view, head over to The Hangar, the pub’s outdoor bar, where you can grab a pint or an ice cream before claiming one of the picnic benches just metres from the runway.

It’s surprisingly easy to lose track of time as everything from short-haul jets to giant long-haul aircraft passes right in front of you.

The Airport Pub isn’t just about the view either. Its family-friendly atmosphere, spacious beer garden and classic diner-style menu make it a great stop whether you’re waiting for a flight, entertaining the kids or simply fancying one of the most memorable pub experiences in the country.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

Rivington Brewing Co – The beautiful country walk that ends at a taproom with stunning views

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Pints at Rivington Brewery

After a long afternoon of trudging through the countryside in whatever weather conditions the North throws at you, there’s nothing quite like the reward of a crisp pint.

And on a particularly beautiful walk right on the outskirts of Greater Manchester, we stumbled upon a taproom that might just provide the best drinking background in the region.

Let’s start with the walk details.

If you haven’t yet been exploring the trails and paths around Rivington, you’re missing out on a real stunner of a hike.

There are countless loops you can do around the area, providing the best bits of all countryside settings.

You want woods? They’ve got em. A nice flat walk beside a body of water? Rivington’s got it. A decent uphill trudge ending in absolutely stunning views? Yep, that’s here too.

A highlight of this corner of the North West is the Rivington Terraced Gardens, which will try to transport you to Italy and Japan all while only just stepping outside Bolton.

These 100-year-old gardens were created by the Lord of Leverhulme and inspired by his travels, and have been carefully restored in recent years by teams of volunteers.

Walking around the footpaths and flights of steps you’ll stumble upon a hidden Japanese Garden, lakes, waterfalls, bridges, sculptures and caves, ending up at the top of Rivington Pike with panoramic views.

Rivington Pike. Credit: GetLostMCR
Rivington Pike. Credit: GetLostMCR
Rivington Pike. Credit: GetLostMCR

From here, you can keep going along to Winter Hill for arguably even more impressive views, or start to loop back down the hill to the water’s edge, passing Liverpool Castle as you go.

And here is where the beer comes in.

If you pass through the village of Rivington itself and walk along Horrobin Lane which crosses the two reservoirs, you’ll find yourself at the Rivington Brew Co Tap.

This is huge taproom is a haven for modern craft beer, with absolutely loads of brews to choose from and a can fridge if the 20-odd taps don’t have what you fancy.

There’s plenty of cosy spaces inside the fairylight-strewn converted barn building, but the beer garden is the star of the show.

Inside the bar at Rivington Brew Co Tap
Inside the bar at Rivington Brew Co Tap
So many pints to choose from
So many pints to choose from
The Rivington Brew Co Tap beer garden
The Rivington Brew Co Tap beer garden

There are views from here right across the water and all the way to Pigeon Tower and Winter Hill, with plenty of space for big groups.

And dotted all around the outdoor area are a rotating selection of street food traders, serving everything from pizza to burgers to cakes.

In situ currently, you’ll find Bun Chicken Bun, who are serving up a menu of 24-hour-brined crispy chicken, as burgers, tenders, Caesar salads, and loads more.

They’ve also got pots of mac and cheese that will give you such a long mozzarella cheese pull, you’ll have to stand up to snap it.

Chicken burger and loaded fries from Bun Chicken Bun
Chicken burger and loaded fries from Bun Chicken Bun
Pots of macaroni cheese
Pots of macaroni cheese
Margo's pizzas
Margo’s pizzas
Bun Chicken Bun's homemade chicken gravy
Bun Chicken Bun’s homemade chicken gravy
A spread of food from the traders at Rivington Brew Co Tap
A spread of food from the traders at Rivington Brew Co Tap

AND they’re doing loads of loaded fries, other sides like corn ribs, and incredible chicken gravy.

Across the courtyard you’ll find Margo’s, serving New York-style pizzas on charming checkerboard plates.

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These brilliant thin and crispy slices come topped with everything from fried chicken (a collab with Bun Chicken Bun), blue cheese and buffalo sauce; to parma ham, fresh rocket and balsamic.

And completing the trifecta of street food traders is Meld (devastatingly, not open the day we visited), which is bringing great burgers and tacos to Rivington Taproom.

They’re also serving what I think might be Greater Manchester’s first beer garden small plates, like king prawns in gochujang butter, burrata and peach toast, and padron peppers.

If you’re looking for a belting Saturday afternoon activity, this is absolutely the one.

You can look a walk in the area that suits your ability here.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

The old cotton mill in Stockport that’s home to the largest vintage lifestyle centre in the North West

Lydia Mastrolonardo Lydia Mastrolonardo The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill in Stockport

Who would’ve known the largest vintage lifestyle centre in the North West, is tucked away here in Stockport?

Nestled inside a former Edwardian red-brick cotton spinning mill is where you can find The Vintage Emporium, supplying a unique shopping experience that is sure to fulfil all of your antique desires.

Pear New Mill is a Grade II listed building, set on the northern bank of the River Goyt in Bredbury, which is now home to a range of different businesses from an Adidas outlet store, to a climbing wall and of course The Vintage Emporium.

The Vintage Emporium hosts a maze of over 65 independent traders, selling everything from vintage clothes, furniture, jewellery, kitchenware, retro vinyl, and antiques, mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries. 

Every section has something different to quench all of your vintage needs, with lots of quirky items including a huge Flake 99 statue, Japanese parasols and taxidermy – perfect interior decor for your new home if you ask me.

Not to mention it has the sweetest on-site tea room equipped with antique furniture, ornate teacups and crockery, serving up some delicious toasties and sweet treats to pair with your brew. Name a better way to spend your Saturday? I’ll wait.

Pear Mill is located just off of the M60, with free parking and it is in relatively close proximity to Stockport Train station making it easily accessible from across Greater Manchester and a great addition to your next trip to Stockport. 

Vintage finds at Pear Mill, Stockport
Vintage finds at Pear Mill, Stockport
Vinyls are for sale here too
Vinyls are for sale here too
Another corner at The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill, Stockport
Another corner at The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill, Stockport
Vintage teddy bears
Vintage teddy bears
A corner of vintage fashion
A corner of vintage fashion
Just one of many corners filled with treasures
Just one of many corners filled with treasures
Leather jackets and other fashion pieces
Leather jackets and other fashion pieces
The Vintage Tea Room
The Vintage Tea Room
Pear Mill in Stockport is home to The Vintage Emporium
Pear Mill in Stockport is home to The Vintage Emporium
The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill in Stockport
The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill in Stockport
An adorable find
An adorable find

It’s open seven days a week, with the cafe open until 3pm everyday except Wednesdays. Oh, and nobody has to miss out as four-legged friends are welcome to have a browse too.

Go on grab your mates and enjoy a wholesome morning soaking up all of the history or take your nan for a little trip down memory lane.

Unit B1, Pear Mill Industrial Estate, Stockport Rd W, Lower Bredbury, Stockport, SK6 2BP

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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