Entrepreneurial Prestwich residents are now renting out their back gardens as ‘luxury camping’ ahead of next year’s Oasis gigs.
The suburb is home to Heaton Park, which is set to host five of the band’s massive reunion gigs as well as the annual Parklife festival.
But the beautiful park is a strictly no-camping zone, with thousands of music fans having to make the trek back into Manchester after each gig.
There are often long queues for shuttle buses and trams between Heaton Park and the city centre, and many just brave the three-plus-mile walk instead.
Accommodation options around Prestwich are pretty limited, too.
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Enter this smart cookie, who’s cashing in on the music events and offering up their own land as a ‘luxury campsite’.
You can pitch up your own tent in their walled garden, which is right by the side of Heaton Park itself.
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And although you’re basically kipping in someone’s back garden, they do add in a fair few lovely trimmings.
You’ll have access to ‘posh loos’ with hot water, which are cleaned three times a day.
There are charging points, free bottled water, and a communal tent with seating so you can relax with any other Oasis fans who are camping out.
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The hosts will even chuck in a hot breakfast with tea, coffee and juice to set you back up the next day.
The Airbnb listing says: “Luxury Secure Campsite in a walled garden by the side of HEATON PARK.
“The campsite is within the grounds of an 18th century Old Vicarage accessed through an electric gate.”
And now for the bit you’re actually interested in – the price.
The Oasis camping Airbnb listing comes with posh loos! Credit: AirbnbThis patch of ground could be yours as people start renting out their gardens as Oasis camping. Credit: Airbnb
This clever sausage is charging a whopping £450 per night, for the privilege of lying on the ground just metres away from the Oasis gig.
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It’s a bit cheaper to stay over Parklife weekend, at £300 a night.
And when there isn’t a big gig like Oasis on, you can go camping here for just £250 a night.
Inside the luxury hotel suite inspired by a Christmas light trail
Thomas Melia
Located right next to Piccadilly Station, Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly have curated a new hotel stay which is inspired by one of the region’s biggest light trails.
The new Christmas-themed room has been created as a continuation of Freight Island’s ‘Twilight Trail’, so you don’t need to leave the magic of the event behind in Mayfield Park.
This huge hotel, which recently underwent a £33m refurb, has been setting out to provide guests with incredible experiences and this new Christmas themed room is certainly no different.
As well as a stunning room decked out with festive decor, you can also see immaculate views of the city centre, and even the neighbouring Twilight Trail, thanks to the room being situated on the top floor of the eight storey building.
Initially launching last year, the festive-themed Twilight Trail attraction by Freight Island is only a short three-minute walk away from the all-new Christmas room at Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly.
The converted ‘Deluxe Family Room’ is sure to put you in the festive spirit with everything from mood lighting to a real Christmas tree frocked in red and gold baubles.
How many reindeers could you count before you fall asleep effortlessly?It’s Christmas central at Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly.The Deluxe Family Room has had a festive makeover.Credit: The Manc Group
Once you’ve unpacked your matching PJ’s and chosen where you’ll be sleeping for the night, you can head out the door knowing you get to come back to your own personal winter wonderland.
Next on your itinerary is a trip to the Twilight Trail itself, 6.5 acres of illuminations, interesting structures and fascinating displays.
If you’re not walking round this outdoor venue with a boozy hot chocolate fixed firmly in one hand then you’re definitely doing it wrong.
As you walk through the first tentacle-like tunnel, you’ll be greeted by an on-site refreshments truck serving generous helpings of hot chocolate.
After picking up your sweet drink, you’ll be plunged into a glittering world with a dramatic Christmas tree at the centrepiece of the illuminated park.
The opening tentacle-like tunnel which spans out across the floor.You can never go wrong with a hot chocolate.The grand Christmas tree towering over the various light features.Credit: The Manc Group
You can walk over a brightly lit bridge that constantly changes colours and makes you feel like you’re walking on a rainbow, literally.
This makes for a great sensory experience for all ages as you feel as though you’re a part of the trail, walking over the light displays instead of just seeing them from a distance. Class!
The twinkling tunnel lit with fairy lights makes for the perfect Instagrammable moment and is honestly core-memory worthy.
Lighting up the city centre with the Mayfield Depot sign adding some character.Look at those lights! The fairy light tunnel which are part of the Twilight Trail.Take a walk over the rainbow bridge as you soak up all this light trail has to offer.Credit: The Manc Group
Whether walking makes you hungry or you can just smell the delicious flavours of the street food vendors from next-door neighbours Freight Island, it would be rude not to pay them a visit.
It’ll probably take you just as long to decide what food you want as it did to complete the light trail thanks to the wide variety of cuisines on offer.
From 22 inch pizzas at Voodoo Ray’s to desserts on a stick at Oh My Cheesecake, you can grasp how exciting and mind-boggling the meals here are.
Burgers were the craving of the night and we left our foodie fate in the hands of the trusty Burgerism with their ‘Veggied’ and Pattersons ‘Salt ‘n’ Pepa’ single stack chicken burger.
This is one of three plant-based options from their menu and its packed with a selection of topping greats like pickles, tomatoes and a cheese slice.
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Burgerism’s veggie offering was absolutely gorgeous.Pattersons flavoursome single stack chicken burger.The veggie has officially been ‘Veggied’.Credit: The Manc Group
This little Christmas themed adventure and stay is in the heart of Manchester city centre meaning it’s close to all amenities like trains, trams, bars, pubs and those all important Manchester Christmas Markets.
However when you’re sleeping in a room that has pillows galore, a built-in TV and Christmas decorations, a quiet night in was next on the agenda and you really do feel right at home.
Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly may just be one of Santa’s many little helpers and you can create your own priceless memory by staying in this gorgeous Christmas suite.
The bathroom in the Marriott Christmas room.Waking up out of bed to those stunning lights and cute tree.After your activity-filled day, fill up the tub and relax.Credit: The Manc Group
Manchester’s major Jurassic World exhibition launches 50% off ticket sale
Emily Sergeant
You can now get yourself some tickets to the major Jurassic World exhibition that’s been mesmerising Mancs for half the price.
It’s fair to say that Jurassic World: The Exhibition has become a global success.
After initially launching in Melbourne, the immersive experience then went on excite dinosaur fans in numerous other cities globally, such as Tornonto, Chicago, Paris, Shanghai and Berlin, all before opening up in Greater Manchester down at the Trafford Centre back in August and welcoming tens of thousands of visitors since.
Because of this popularity, it was then announced last month that the award-winning experience based on the beloved blockbuster film franchise would be sticking around until the new year.
Manchester’s major Jurassic World exhibition is doing a half-price ticket sale for Black Friday / Credit: Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment (via Supplied)
This means that visitors now have even longer than initially anticipated to get to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore some richly-themed environments, and encounter a life-sized Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, and the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.
And if the exhibition‘s extension into 2025 wasn’t exciting enough as it is, a huge sale running for a limited time only means you can now get 50% off on tickets to visit over these next two months.
Anyone who takes advantage of the limited-time offer – which has been launched in honour of Black Friday – can imagine what it would’ve been like to roam amongst these breathtaking creatures, and even interact with baby dinosaurs like Bumpy from the popular animated series, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous – which is currently streaming on Netflix.
The Manchester event even features some additional fan-favourite dinosaurs from Jurassic World that haven’t been at the previous exhibitions too, so it really is worth a visit.
This exclusive half-price deal – which is eligible on selected dates in December 2024 and January 2025 – just launched this morning at 9am (28 November), and will be live for the next 27 hours before ending at 11:59pm this Sunday 1 December.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd September 2024 
