One of the Peak District’s most iconic beauty spots has been overrun with visitors over the weekend, despite snowy and icy conditions.
Mam Tor was surrounded by gridlock on Sunday morning, with videos also showing visitors sliding back down the hill on their bums, unable to walk down the icy terrain.
Scenes at the summit show crowds of people jostling to soak in the views surrounded by snow.
In recent weeks the already-popular destination has gotten even more busy, going viral on social media for its sunrises.
It’s seen people rising before dawn to hike the short distance to the Mam Tor summit, where you can see the sun rise over the beautiful Peak District.
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Hundreds of people flocked to watch the sunrise despite the Mam Tor car park being closed because of ‘a lot of snow and ice on the ground’.
It led to lengthy queues of traffic, with one person saying ‘cars were just sat not moving for at least 30 minutes’.
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Crowds at the top of Mam Tor in the Peak District for sunriseTraffic around Mam TorCredit: TikTok, mum.life.travels
In the video shared of the traffic, they wrote: “If you can find the time and energy, it’s honestly worth the extra effort to park up at one of the surrounding village car parks and hike over. The views on the way over are unreal and very quiet. I’d expect some of those people missed most of the sunrise.”
Peak Travel Watch also shared photos of the gridlock near Mam Tor, writing: “The top of Winnats pass to Mam Tor car park is single file due to parked cars.
“The person parked on the Blue John cavern corner was my favourite, absolutely ridiculous and so dangerous.”
The Hope Valley Police Safer Neighbourhood Team attended and slapped 21 drivers with a Notice of Intended Prosecution for parking on a Clearway.
They wrote: “Upon our arrival, we were met with chaos as traffic was at a standstill in both directions. In order to clear the traffic, we had to temporarily close the top of Winnats Pass for approximately 20 minutes.
“This was necessary due to nearly 30 vehicles being parked illegally at the top of Winnats Pass, all the way to the junction at the top.”
Buxton Mountain Rescue also reported difficulties attending a nearby incident due to ‘the number of visitors cars parked on the road around Mam Tor’.
While Mam Tor is considered one of the easier walks in the national park, walkers have been arriving completely unprepared for the icy weather conditions.
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One person commented on a video of people sliding down the hill: “Uggs and trainers. No walking boots, spikes or poles in sight. Just what mountain rescue love to see… Well done TikTok for spoiling a beautiful place.”
Someone else wrote: “Bunch of idiots. Just being taken over by a load who just want an Insta photo.”
If you’re heading out on a walk or hike in the countryside, make sure you’re being respectful of local communities and environments, and that you’re suitable dressed and equipped for the weather conditions, which can change quickly in the hills.
You can see the latest Mountain Rescue safety advice HERE.
Travel chaos at Mam Tor this weekend, cars were just just sat not moving for at least 30 minutes. If you can find the time and energy, it’s honestly worth the extra effort to park up at one of the surrounding village car parks and hike over – the views on the way over are unreal and very quiet. I’d expect some of those people missed most of the sunrise 😭 #mamtorsunrise#mamtor
Mollie’s Motel announces opening date in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Mollie’s Motel, the hotel and diner brand initially founded by Soho House, has announced its opening date.
The brand, which promises value-luxe, design-led accommodation, will be opening in the Old Granada Studios next month.
This will be the most ambitious Mollie’s Motel to date, and its first city centre hotel and diner (the first were roadside sites in Oxfordshire and Bristol).
Inside, there’ll be 128 rooms across five floors, ranging from doubles to twins to bunk rooms, with prices starting at an incredibly reasonable £139.
There’ll also be studios and a selection of luxe suites featuring freestanding bathtubs, walk-in wardrobes and Peloton bikes – a new chapter for Mollie’s.
Its arrival into Manchester coincides with the Soho House opening, with the members’ club taking over the top three floors of the iconic former TV studio.
Soho House Design has worked on the build of Mollie’s Motel to preserve the modernist facade of Old Granada Studios and make playful nods to the building’s vibrant history.
Studio IV at Mollie’s Motel in ManchesterStudio IV at Mollie’s Motel in ManchesterA VIP room at Mollie’s Motel ManchesterA VIP room at Mollie’s Motel Manchester
It’s part of St John’s, the neighbourhood that is also home to venues like Caravan, Fenix, The Trading Route and Courts Club, and will have cultural institutions like the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester Opera House and Aviva Studios on the doorstep.
Mollie’s Motel rooms in Manchester will nod to the building’s heritage with dark wood panelling, terrazzo and aged brass finishes, plus rainshowers, super king bed, Dyson Airwraps, GHD straighteners and Cowshed toiletries.
The sixth floor will be home to 23 bedrooms specifically for Soho House members, plus an 80sqm private apartment with two bedrooms and an open plan living room with kitchenette.
On the first floor, guests will find a state-of-the-art Soho House gym, with a free weights area, studio space, steam and sauna, plus a balcony with casual seating.
Mollie’s DinerThe green room at Mollie’s Motel ManchesterMollie’s Motel Manchester now has an opening date
As for the diner aspect, Mollie’s Diner will have 110 seats plus private dining for 30, all designed in a mid-century style with classic counter seating and luxe leather banquettes inspired by the interior of a vintage Cadillac.
It continues with Studio IV, an open-plan cocktail bar with live music and entertainment, VIP bar and snug, and an outdoor heated terrace.
Mollie’s Motel will work with local artists to create bespoke artworks for the rooms and public spaces.
Bookings for Mollie’s Motel Manchester are now open HERE.
Manchester Airport announces six traders moving into new Terminal 2 food hall
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Airport has announced the six food and drink traders that will be moving into a new food hall that’s part of the new-look Terminal 2.
The terminal has been going through a major £1.3bn transformation, the next phase of which will include a first-of-its-kind market hall-style food and drink offering.
There’ll be six street food kitchens positioned around a central dining area in the Great Northern Market – and Manchester Airport bosses have now announced what will be on the menu.
The new Terminal 2 market hall will include a Nashville Hot House serving buttermilk chicken and other Southern comfort food; The Black Iron Grill with smash burgers and loaded fries; and Kouzina, with Greek and Mediterranean-inspired street food.
There’ll also be Mexican food from La Casita, pan-Asian dishes from Palms Cafe, and Napoli Street Pizza.
Those kitchens are all inspired by some of our city’s finest street eats, but there’ll be a proper local face too – Gooey will be selling sweet treats including their legendary cookies and doughnuts here.
The new announcement comes from Manchester Airport’s Retail Director, Richard Jackson, speaking on the airport’s official podcast Manchester: Your Airport, MAN.
Richard said: “The Great Northern Market will be Manchester Airport’s own market hall – six kitchens in one, more than 1,000 square metres and 500 seats.
Manchester Airport has announced the six food traders moving into its new food hall. Credit: Supplied
“It’s going to be a real hit with the Manchester crowd. Whatever you want, there’s something for everyone – and there will be a takeaway option as well, so you can eat in this huge 500-seat market hall area with plenty of seating, or you can just grab something to take on your flight.
“As you can imagine, it’s a very complicated build because we’re not just doing the one kitchen, we’re doing six, but it’s coming along well and we’re really excited to share it with our passengers.”
Jake Ansbro, co-founder of Gooey, added: “Gooey was born in Manchester, and the city has supported us from day one. Opening at Manchester Airport feels like a dream next step — a chance to share a little bit of what we do with people travelling across the world.
“We’re so excited to be part of The Great Northern Market celebrating Manchester next to some other amazing operators.”
The Great Northern Market will be one of more than 20 new shops and restaurants opening in T2 as part of the second phase of the transformation programme.
Once complete, the project will more than double the size of Terminal 2 and turn it into Manchester Airport’s main hub, with Terminal 1 set to close.
Daisy Jackson -
13th January 2025 
