Travel & Tourism

You can visit some of the UK’s best tourist attractions for the price of a scratch card this week

Here are the places around Greater Manchester taking part...

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 17th March 2023

Some of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK will be opening up their doors with hugely reduced ticket prices this week, as part of the National Lottery Open Week.

Hundreds of country parks, museums, galleries, historic houses, National Trust parks and other visitor attractions will be granting entry free of charge – all you need to do is show a lottery ticket or scratch card.

The scheme, which runs between 18 and 26 March 2023, has been created to say thank you to National Lottery players for the ‘£30million raised for Good Causes every week’.

And it means that us up north can visit some of the country’s best tourist hotspots for the price of a scratch card.

Taking part around Greater Manchester are National Trust sites like Dunham Massey, Lyme Park, and Quarry Bank, famed for their historical buildings and their lush gardens, as well as the deer that roam around.

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There’ll be free guided walks around Dovestone Reservoir thanks to the RSPB, where you can see mountain hares and even have a go at planting some new wildlife as part of the area’s conservation efforts.

Dovestone reservoir. Credit: Unsplash @stravekc
Bluedot Festival at Jodrell Bank. Credit: Lucas Sinclair
Quarry Bank

Jodrell Bank, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s home to the mighty Lovell Telescope, is offering two-for-one entry, which includes access to the new £21.5 First Light Pavilion.

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Head a bit further afield, and you can pop in to Biddulph Grange, the ‘horticultural Disneyland’ and unusual garden where you can see spaces inspired by ancient Egypt, Italy and China in a single stroll.

Loads of venues around the Lake District and Peak District will be offering half price or free entry all week too.

And if you’re really up for taking advantage of the National Lottery Open Week deals and are willing to travel, the list around England includes iconic landmarks like the Eden Project, the Tower of London, and the SS Great Britain.

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Darren Henley OBE, Chief Executive of Arts Council England and Chair of the National Lottery Forum, said: “The National Lottery Open Week offers players a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a low-cost day out at venues across the UK – from castles to nature reserves, museums to sports venues.

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“It’s our way of saying thank you to National Lottery players who raise an incredible £30million each week for Good Causes.

“That funding makes a huge difference to venues and projects across the arts, sports, community and heritage sectors, funding many iconic venues, historical landmarks and other amazing days out across the UK.”

You can see all the venues taking part and what offers are available, as well as how to claim your free/discounted entry, at lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/near-you/national-lottery-open-week.

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Travel & Tourism

Great Manchester Run guide 2025 – everything you need to know

Danny Jones Danny Jones Great Manchester Run guide 2025

The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run returns this month, and with more spectators and people taking part than ever, we thought it’d be handy to put together another little event guide for you.

Whether you’re running it or cheering your friends, family and complete strangers from the sidelines, it’s set to be a massive day that involves a lot of planning and logistics, so we’ll help however we can.

You only have to see the months of time and effort that went into making this year’s Manchester Marathon the incredible success that it was, and the Great Run Company are no different.

So, without further ado, here’s all the important information you need to know ahead of the 2025 Great Manchester Run.

2025 Great Manchester Run guide – all the key info

What is the Great Manchester Run route this year?

Where else better to start than with this year’s Great Manchester Run? Anyone who’s coming back for more will be glad to hear that it remains pretty much unchanged from the 2024 edition and years prior.

Starting once again along the busy Portland Street strip before the half-marathon runners head towards Mancunian Way, participants will pass along Chester Road and on towards Manchester United’s legendary stadium, Old Trafford, before heading back into the city for a grandstand finish on Deansgate.

The 10k route essentially takes out the section heading towards East Manchester and the loop in front of Man City’s equally iconic Etihad Stadium, but still capitalises on all the best and biggest spots for atmosphere. Here you can see the maps in more detail HERE.

The 2025 AJ Bell Great Manchester Run half-marathon route (Credit: Supplied)

Great Manchester Run waves and start times

In terms of when the action will be getting underway, as ever, the hordes of runners will be broken up into various coloured waves depending on their estimated finish time; these colours are clearly visible on your race bib.

You can see a full breakdown below:

  • 8:10am – 10k Elite Wheelchair start
  • 8:15am – Half Marathon Orange Wave start
  • 8:40am – Half Marathon Green Wave start
  • 11:30am – 10k Elite Women start
  • 11:45am – 10k Elite Men start
  • 11:45am – 10k Fast Paced and Orange Wave start
  • 12:05am – 10k Green Wave start
  • 12:50pm – 10k Purple Wave start
  • 13:10pm – 10k Pink Wave start

Runners should have received said bibs in their race packs via the post by now, but if you need to pick up in person or source a replacement for whatever reason, they can be collected during race week.

You can find out where to do so, including other common FAQs, right HERE.

Great MCR Run travel info and road closures

Now, naturally, when such a huge event with more than 30,000 runners is set to take over the city, not to mention the 100k+ spectators that are expected to line the streets on the day, it’s always going to have an impact on travel.

Those watching on the sidelines are being urged to use public transport wherever possible, with extra trams being put on throughout the day and various other arms of the Bee Network helping people get around the event.

If you do end up driving into the region for the action, we would recommend you use one of Greater Manchester’s many park and ride sites and then use one of our many Metrolink services to travel into the city centre itself.

You can also use Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) journey planner online and see a full list of the confirmed road closures HERE.

Meanwhile, the Bee Network also have an interactive traffic map for the event:

Cheer zones and support hubs: best spots to watch the Great Manchester Run

For those of you set to line the streets and provide your much-needed support on race day, there are some key sections where the atmosphere from the crowd will be injected into the runners.

As well as a Heart Radio pop-up station, drummers, local choirs and plenty more surprises to keep your energy pumping throughout, there’ll be some big corners to look out for your loved ones.

You can find some of the main supporter hotspots and where they are along the route down below, but we’d personally recommend the roundabout coming heading towards Chester Road, the small grassy mounts and central reservation either side of Cornbrook, and the corner of Deansgate-Castlefield.

  • St Peter’s Square – for the start line
  • Manchester Piccadilly – 2-mile marker
  • Etihad Campus/Velopark – 4/5-mile marker
  • Wharfside/Imperial War Museum – 10/11-mile marker
  • Cornbrook – 12-mile marker
  • Deansgate-Castlefield exchange – for the finish line

10k

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  • St Peter’s Square – for the start line
  • Cornbrook – 2km marker
  • Old Trafford – 4km marker
  • Wharfside/Imperial War Museum – 6km marker
  • Cornbrook – 9km marker
  • Deansgate-Castlefield corner – for the finish line

Wherever you decide to watch, just make sure you bring the same kind of wholesome energy that these queens did…

Bag drop and key facilities

Following the success of a new bag drop system at the Manchester Marathon, similar baggage buses will be available at Deansgate from 7am for half marathon runners and around Hardman Street and Jackson’s Row from 10am for those doing the 10k.

Once your tear-off label is fastened to your stuff, you will be able be collect after crossing the finish line.

As for toilets, there will be plenty of facilities to use before the starting run, as well as six locations throughout both distances. You’ll find multiple stations along both too.

One final message

Now, we’re not going to waste too much time reminding you to wash your race kit, stock up on safety pins and get all your other gear ready, but what we will do is remind you to go out there and have fun.

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Make sure you fuel right in the morning and enjoy plenty of carbs and water in the week leading up; also, be sure to keep an eye out on the weather – we want you to be safe out there.

Whatever/whoever you’re doing the 2025 Great Manchester Run for, just know that we’re unbelievably proud of you all and no matter how the day goes, we want you to soak up every single cheer, bell and scream. We’ll see you at the finish line.

Now go put the great in Greater Manchester, we know you’re going to smash it!

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Phlip Oldham/Press Shots (supplied)

Travel & Tourism

Manchester Airport reveals multi-million-pound plans for much-maligned Terminal 3

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport’s Terminal 3 has become a bit of a meme of itself in recent years, with Mancs dreading a holiday that starts in the travel hub’s smallest terminal.

But now Manchester Airport has unveiled a multi-million pound project to totally revamp the space with a new entrance, more seats, new shops, new food and drink outlets, and state-of-the-art security equipment.

Set to complete next year, it’s part of the airport’s wider decade-long £1.3bn transformation programme, which has already seen Terminal 2 extended and redeveloped.

And now Manchester Airport has announced that Terminal 3 and Terminal 1 will merge into a much bigger travel hub to improve the passenger experience.

Visitors will first come across a remodelled entrance, as well as new security halls and departure lounges, with loads more space.

There’ll be brand-new security equipment to speed up passenger journeys, and 40% more seating capacity in the departures lounge.

A new 500-seat bar area with airfield views will be included in the revamped Terminal 3, plus an expanded 200-extra-seat dining area.

As for Terminal 2, phase one completed in 2021, winning the prestigious UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles award for architecture and design, with phase two set for completion later this year – that’ll bring the existing building up to the standard of the new extension and will include more than 20 new retailers, bars and restaurants.

CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport
CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport
CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport
CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport

Terminal 2 will host more than 70% of Manchester Airport’s total passengers, with the rest travelling through this new and improved Terminal 3 building that will include some of the existing Terminal 1 footprint.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said: “We are proud to connect the people of the North to the world – and our transformation programme means that our passengers will be able to enjoy an airport experience that rivals that of any European capital city.

“The work we’ve done in Terminal 2 is there for all to see – and we’ve already won the prestigious Prix Versailles award for its architecture and design. But until now we haven’t talked about our plans for Terminal 3. 

“Moving to a two-terminal airport is giving us a great opportunity to use some of the existing Terminal 1 space to increase the footprint of Terminal 3. We’re doing that as well as making some all round improvements to Terminal 3 – so passengers will enjoy new security technology, more space, more seats, new retail and food and drink, and more. 

“It’s another exciting step towards delivering an even better experience for our passengers and I can’t wait to see it progress.”

Featured image: Manchester Airport Group

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