Travel & Tourism

Travel warning issued as more than 100,000 people head to Parklife 2025 this weekend

Festivalgoers are urged to 'plan their journeys'.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 10th June 2025

Parklife 2025 kicks of a thrilling summer of musical events in Manchester this weekend, but attendees should expect disruption.

Manchester‘s major music festival will once again be taking over Heaton Park this weekend (15 and 16 June), with headliners Charli XCX and 50 Cent, alongside other huge names and festival favourites like Jorja Smith, Bicep, Peggy Gou, Rudimental, Confidence Man, and countless others.

But with all the action, of course, comes the annual travel warning.

That’s right, just as we’ve come to expect every year, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is urging anyone attending Parklife, or anyone travelling around the Heaton Park area, to ‘plan their journeys’ by public transport ahead of time, and allow plenty of time for travel too.

Not only are around 110,000 people expected to make the journey Parklife this weekend, but there’s also events on at Co-op Live and Old Trafford too, so it’s all making for a busy weekend on the transport network.

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TfGM wants festivalgoers to use trams and dedicated shuttle bus services to get to and from Heaton Park as much as possible to avoid disruption, and it’s also advised to pre-purchase travel tickets on the Bee Network app to make the process smoother too.

Anyone planning to get the tram to Heaton Park should travel from Victoria station, according to TfGM, as this will help safely manage the demand for transport and allow trams to run every six minutes.

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Both Heaton Park and Bowker Vale stops are just minutes from the festival gates.

A travel warning has been issued as more than 100,000 people head to Parklife 2025 this weekend / Credit: TfGM / Parklife

Parklife shuttle buses will run from Lever Street in the Northern Quarter from mid-morning to the last bus at 4:30pm – with drop-off being right inside the festival site.

After the event, returning trams will run from Bowker Vale to the city centre until 1:30am, but the Heaton Park stop will close at 9pm. The last services from Bowker Vale to Bury will run at 12:46am on Saturday and 12:44pm on Sunday.

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Return shuttle buses to Manchester city centre will run from inside the park in a temporary bus station, until the site is clear.

Anyone travelling at the weekend, but not to Parklife, can expect roads and public transport be ‘busier than usual’, TfGM admits, especially with the other events at Co-op Live and Old Trafford.

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Extra staff and TravelSafe Support Officers will be ‘out and about’ across the transport network to help passengers throughout the weekend.

Key travel and ticket advice for getting to Parklife, as well as general travel advice for the busy weekend ahead, is available now at on the Bee Network website here.

Featured Image – TfGM

Travel & Tourism

No trains are set to run through Stockport station for three weeks this summer – here’s why

Danny Jones Danny Jones No trains through Stockport station for 3 weeks in August

Commuters can expect some significant disruption to a major rail link this summer, as no trains are set to pass through Stockport train station for the best part of a month due to fairly sizeable maintenance works nearby.

As a result, those catching the trains in and around the North West will have to make do with alternative services, diversions and rail replacement buses for at least three weeks.

With the Stockport station ‘Masterplan‘ officially announced in 2024, the key Greater Manchester connection is set for a major overhaul in the coming years, with the aim of turning it into a “modern facility” fitting of the town’s ongoing resurgence.

First up, it seems, is the long overdue replacement of the Greek Street roundabout bridge, which was built back in 1958 and has been in need of updating for some time.

More details surrounding specific travel arrangements are set to be distributed to the public in the coming weeks, but Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have confirmed they will be accepting train tickets on Bee Network buses in the meantime.

While the ticket office and underpass between Edgeley and the recently regenerated Stockport Exchange will remain open, the station itself will be virtually out of operation for three weeks in August.

At present, the works are scheduled to last from Saturday, 2-23 August, so many of those travelling through the town during this time may need to make alternative arrangements.

Issuing an update late last month, Network Rail’s project manager William Brandon said: “The work to strengthen Stockport is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make train journeys on the Manchester spur of the West Coast Main Line safer and more reliable.

“I understand that closing the railway through Stockport for 21 days will be inconvenient to our passengers, and I am sorry about this […] I’d advise passengers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time for their journey.”

The area in question. (Credit: Network Rail)

Network Rail clarified that while the Greek Street bridge is being demolished and the new one (which is set to last all the way up until 2145) is reinstalled, engineers have already been working closely with utility companies in the locale to safely divert gas, water, electricity and so on.

As for Avanti West Coast themselves, Stockport Station Manager, Lisa Magee, went on to add: “While there’ll be no trains to or from Stockport for 21 days […] Avanti West Coast teams will be on hand to support those making journeys via rail replacement bus.

“Together with Network Rail and other train operators, we’re finalising the timetable and will share more details in the coming weeks, so customers can plan their journeys in advance.”

“We’d like to thank customers for their patience and understanding, and as always, we strongly encourage them to check the National Rail website, as well as with their train operators, for the latest updates.”

This isn’t the only major travel update for SK announced as of late, either – something much bigger is coming to the borough as part of the Bee Network expansion.

Trams are officially coming to Stockport as part of £2.5bn investment package
It’s a huge deal.

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Featured Images — Stockport Council/Smabs Sputzer (via Flickr)

Travel & Tourism

The New Didsbury Dozen: the definitive list of boozers on this legendary pub crawl

Danny Jones Danny Jones Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - The Didsbury

Whether you’re a born and bred Manc or simply visiting, ‘The Didsbury Dozen’ is an absolute institution of the Manchester drinking scene.

However, the sad reality of going out post-pandemic is that not every watering hole survived, and unfortunately, some of the original Didsbury Dozen didn’t make it through lockdown. Rest in peace, The Stoker’s Arms (now Dockyard), The Sanctuary (now Head of Steam), The Slug and more.

That being said, while we will certainly miss them, they say every ending is a new beginning; as one door shuts, another one opens — and when we say door, we of course mean the door to a pub.

So, without further ado, we decided to formalise The NEW Didsbury Dozen. At least one drink in each, those are the rules. You can argue all you like, this is the definitive list from here on out, so you’ll just have to deal with it.

1. The Didsbury

Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - The Didsbury
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Didsbury
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - The Didsbury
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Didsbury

Where else to start but the beginning? Lucky for us, the consensus has always been that a pub crawl called The Didsbury Dozen should obviously start at The Didsbury. Kicking off the crawl on the curved corner of Wilmslow Road, this traditional pub offers little surprise but signals the start of a great night.

2. Ye Olde Cock Inn

Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - Ye Olde Cocke Inn
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – Ye Olde Cocke Inn
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - Ye Olde Cocke Inn
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – Ye Olde Cocke Inn

The best part about the opening two pubs on this list is that not only have they remained literal cornerstones of this crawl, but they are genuinely spitting distance from each other – i.e. just five yards, there’s another old English pub that offers the same as next door, plus a ping pong table. Easy.

3. The Famous Crown

Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - The Famous Crown
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Famous Crown
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - The Famous Crown
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Famous Crown

Ok, so now you’ve had a couple of pints, you’re ready for the short walk down the road as you begin the first mobile part of The Dozen toward The Famous Crown. What’s it famous for? Coming back from the dead with solid beer, a cosy interior and some mint food to line your stomach for the bulk of the boozing.

4. The Royal Oak

Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - The Royal Oak
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Royal Oak

Had some pub grub or at least a butty from the Co-op up the road? Good. Sod that ‘eating is cheating’ nonsense, this is a long old night and we don’t need any heroes — you’ll all be heroes at the end. Next up, another non-nonsense boozer: The Royal Oak. Small and cosy; beer, wine and the rest of it. Simple.

5. Fletcher Moss

Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - Fletcher Moss
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – Fletcher Moss
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - Fletcher Moss
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – Fletcher Moss

Now we move on to one of our favourites and arguably one of the best bars in Didsbury, let alone on The Dozen, Fletcher Moss. Just 75 yards off the Village high street and offering up live sports, craft beers, plus the beloved beer garden, this hidden gem is just as pretty in the winter as it is in the summer. Iconic.

6. The Nelson

Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - The Nelson
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Nelson

Back toward the high street now; just on the corner of Barlow Moor Road, you’ll find The Nelson. Yes, named after the Admiral and yes, another no-frills boozer owned by Craft Union Pubs. Often serving up Moorhouse beer as its guest and playing host to the local darts league, it’s everything you’d expect.

7. The Dog and Partridge

Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - The Dog and Partridge
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Dog and Partridge
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - The Dog and Partridge
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Dog and Partridge

Ok, halfway there and we’re definitely into the busy section now: pubs every couple of yards and, before you ask, yes, we’re skipping The Botanist (formerly Pitcher & Piano), there are loads of ’em. We’re moving on to The Dog and Partridge for some classic ale, Pieminister pies, cheese plates and more.

8. The Salmon of Knowledge

Now, this one has changed hands more than the Dozen has changed barrels, but the latest iteration of number eight is Manchester’s second Salmon of Knowledge site, which replaced The Dockyard back in March; it’s been a hit in the Northern Quarter, and it’s proved no different in Didsbury. Try it for yourself.

9. The Station

Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - The Station
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Station
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - The Station
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Station

Hopefully, you’ve soaked up the alcohol with some well-earned carbs as we’re now at a crucial juncture where many bow out. Make sure you’ve got all your belongings as we pull into The Station. This popular Irish pub has sports, live music three nights a week and a serious love of Guinness. Say no more.

10. The Woodstock Arms

Woodstock Didsbury
Woodstock Arms
Didsbury Dozen route
Credit: The Woodstock Arms

Still standing? Good, because we’re entering the final third of this drunken journey and you’ve gotta walk again. The fresh air might do you good. When you do stop, you’ll arrive at The Woodstock: a beautiful establishment with lots of room and lots of booze. If anything, it’s too nice for your raucous rabble.

11. The Metropolitan

The Met Didsbury
The Metropolitan Didsbury Dozen map
The Metropolitan Didsbury
Credit: The Metropolitan (via Instagram)

The penultimate stop on our alcohol-fuelled trip through Didsbury is The Metropolitan, or as it’s commonly known, ‘The Met’. Once a grand Victorian railway hotel, it’s now a massive bar and restaurant plating up banging Sunday Roasts and hangover-curing breakfasts. But you’re on a mission, concentrate.

12. The Railway

You’ve made it. One more drink and you’ve smashed The Didsbury Dozen. Starting in the Village and ending the night in East Dids, head over the road to The Railway, a simple, British, cask ale tavern, much loved by locals. We don’t need to sell it, you’ll love it too — that’s if you can remember it, of course.

Didsbury Dozen pub crawl - The Railway
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Railway

Better still, you’re only stumbling distance from the Burton Road tram stop. You’re welcome. Now get yourself home, you absolute mess.

And just like that, you’re done. The only question is, did you make it to the end of the new and improved Didsbury Dozen in one piece? We sincerely hope you did and that there was no man left behind.

It goes without saying that you should always drink responsibly and luckily, the idea of The Dozen is you can pace yourself by spreading it out over the day and grab plenty of food on the way — we don’t need any heroes, only good vibes.

We’ll leave you to squabble among yourselves as to what locations we may or may not be missed off and how exactly you’re going to phrase your strongly-worded letters. If we don’t catch you in the comments, we’ll see you in the pub!

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Featured Image — Wikimedia Commons/The Station (via IG)/The Metropolitan (via IG)

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