Travel & Tourism

Winnats Pass – Popular Peak District beauty spot rammed with traffic and ‘bonkers’ parking

'Should have gone to the off-peak district'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 1st April 2024

One of the Peak District’s most popular destinations was left completely gridlocked over the Easter weekend.

Winnats Pass is beautiful limestone gorge near Castleton village, which makes for one of the UK’s best drives – usually.

But videos and photos from the bank holiday weekend show this pretty corner of the Peaks brought to a standstill by ‘bonkers’ parking.

Visitors reported seeing cars parked in grass verges, blocking so much of Winnats Pass that it became only passable in one direction.

The area quickly became completely gridlocked due to the ‘idiot parking’.

ADVERTISEMENT

One person even joked that it should be renamed ‘Winnats shall not Pass’ instead.

Peak Travel Watch shared on Saturday evening: “Winnats Pass gridlocked at the top due to parked cars and queues almost the way down. Avoid!”

ADVERTISEMENT

Another video shared with The Manc showed ‘crazy Peak District traffic’ with cars filling the narrow country lanes.

@sturgelucy

Cars everywhere in the peak district today! #peakdistrict #winnattspass #cars #bloodycyclists #carpark #toomanypeople

♬ Oh No – Kreepa

One person remarked: “Drove by earlier with cars parked everywhere on the verges with dozens and dozens slapped with parking tickets. Bonkers behaviour.”

Another said: “It was completely nuts here today. Wish I took a photo of winnats pass. Idiot parking brought the whole area to a standstill. Fair Holmes and all the car parks were full by 9.15 at Ladybower. I’m getting out early tomorrow morning. Hopefully they forget to change their clock.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Someone else joked: “Should have gone to the off-peak district.”

And one person shared: “This is why I don’t go anywhere on bank hol weekends. Buxton was rammed today; I missed an appt because I couldn’t get parking. Still, it’s good for local business which makes me happy.”

One person who got stuck in the traffic chaos near Winnats Pass said: “I visited for the duck race today with my 2 boys and I was so shocked at the place people were using to park, the road just before winnats pass was gridlocked both sides.

“It truly is a beautiful place to visit on any day but why can’t people park responsibly. The grass verges were been torn up by people parking. On leaving winnats was a no go zone had to go home via Bradwell, I feel for the residents if it’s like that every weekend.”

And one local said: “Just a normal weekend then! Preach about how good it is, they will come! Cant blame them really its a beautiful place and lots of people want to see it.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Elsewhere in the Peak District, the A57 Snake Pass was closed following a horror crash between a motorbike and a car that left a man dead.

Officers are still appealing for witnesses to that crash to come forward, particularly with dashcam footage.

Read more

Featured image: TikTok, @sturgelucy

Travel & Tourism

10 reasons to visit Manchester’s most beautiful boutique hotel this Christmas

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson 10 reasons to visit Manchester’s most beautiful boutique hotel this Christmas

King Street Townhouse, one of Manchester’s most celebrated hotels, turns 10 years old this year. 

And to celebrate, the team at this award-winning hotel have planned a bumper season of events and reasons to visit over the winter season. 

From festive feasts to spa days to sparkling city views, there’s absolutely masses going on as the hotel celebrates a decade of magic. 

Tucked away just off Albert Square, King Street Townhouse is home to some of the city’s finest bedrooms, its legendary infinity pool with views of the Manchester Town Hall, its cosy Tavern restaurant, its hidden cinema, and its serene spa.

Add to that festive afternoon teas, live music, festive film screenings, and loads of prize giveaways and you’ve got your new favourite winter hangout sorted. 

So here are 10 reasons to visit King Street Townhouse hotel this winter as it celebrates its 10 year anniversary in Manchester. 

Festive Afternoon Tea

One of Manchester’s top afternoon teas now has a festive twist – and you’ll be eating it in the cosy lounge filled with twinkling lights. 

On each afternoon tea tower you’ll find tiers of handmade treats like a dainty tart in the shape of a wreath, a baby gingerbread man, and an eggnog and clementine macaron.

There are also loads of savoury bites, featuring finger sandwiches filled roast turkey, brie and mulled wine marmalade, and smoked salmon. 

Sundays with Live Music

King Street Townhouse at Christmas
King Street Townhouse at Christmas
King Street Townhouse at Christmas

Every Sunday from 30 November, you can enjoy live music in the Tavern every week until 21 December. 

Taking place in the cosy surrounds of the Tavern, beneath a gigantic sparkling Christmas tree, you can relax with a live violin while you tuck into your afternoon tea or the wider seasonal menu. 

The live music takes place between 1pm and 5pm each week.

The Decad’ent Ritual

The spa at King Street Townhouse
The spa at King Street Townhouse

To celebrate a decade of King Street Townhouse, its serene spa is offering a limited-edition experience designed to soothe, restore and leave you glowing. 

Kick off with two hours in the thermal suite, before heading into a 60-minute Comfort & Glow treatment (a restorative back ritual with hot towels and ESPA’s signature Restorative Oil, followed by a nurturing massage, a gentle facial cleanse, exfoliation and hydrating mask, then a slow, therapeutic scalp massage).

Then you’re treated to a seasonal sweet treat, with the option to add on a glass of champagne or extra treatments, and £10 off ESPA products in the spa boutique.

Find out more and book yours here.

Festive Set Menu in The Tavern

Christmas menu at King Street Townhouse
Christmas menu at King Street Townhouse
Christmas menu at King Street Townhouse

The Tavern at King Street Townhouse is leaning into the festive spirit with a special seasonal menu, packed with comforting classics with a special touch. 

Expect ox cheek and cheddar croquettes, golden crisp turkey schnitzel burgers with port relish and a pig in blanket, and perfectly melty camembert. 

There’s also festive desserts like gingerbread sticky toffee pudding and spiced winter berry cheesecake. 

It’s all available daily between 12pm and 5.30pm, with two courses for £24 or three for £28.

ADVERTISEMENT

Signature 10-Year Cocktails

10 year anniversary cocktails
10 year anniversary cocktails
10 year anniversary cocktails

As well as seasonal drinks like mulled wine and festive cocktails, King Street Townhouse’s brilliant bar team have whipped up a special 10 year anniversary menu of drinks too. 

That includes The Account Statement (rum, St Germain, lime, honey and champagne) to reflect 10 years of success, The Vault Key (pisco, gin, lime, agave and chocolate bitters), and The Ledger (whiskey, mulled spice, maple, walnut bitters). 

Christmas Cinema Screenings

The hidden cinema at King Street Townhouse will be getting in the Christmas spirit with a programme of festive film favourites. 

This year’s bill includes timeless classics like It’s A Wonderful Life, Home Alone, and Die Hard, plus modern favourites like Elf, The Holiday, and Bad Santa. 

All enjoyed in the hotel’s plush cinema seats, with popcorn and drinks available to be delivered to your seat.

ADVERTISEMENT

Screenings are all on sale now and you can grab your tickets here.

Hotel Packages

Want to make the absolute most out of your visit to King Street Townhouse? You may as well turn it into a proper escape with one of the hotel’s amazing seasonal packages. 

Whether you pick a package that includes a night in the beautiful hotel and makes use of the spa, or choose a package that’s geared around the brilliant food offering with dinner, bed, and breakfast, there’s a package for you.

Have a look at them all here. 

Wellness at King Street Townhouse

Wellness is at the heart of the King Street Townhouse offering all year round, which makes this the perfect place to unwind during the festive season. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Obviously, there’s the spa’s amazing thermal suite, with its Himalayan Salt Cave, eucalyptus steam room, rainfall shower and ice fountain, heated loungers, and sauna. 

But there’s also that amazing infinity pool (only for hotel guests) with views of the Manchester Town Hall as its iconic clock tower reemerges from its restoration. 

The hotel also has a state-of-the-art gym downstairs. 

January Afternoon Tea: Best of 10 Years

Why should the fun stop when the year ends? King Street Townhouse will kick off the new year with a special afternoon tea that celebrates their best creations over the last decade. 

The pastry team have always innovated and reimagined afternoon tea classics, and are now preparing to revisit some of their favourites. 

ADVERTISEMENT

 Expect a menu that’s both nostalgic and refreshing – where contrasts of colour, texture, and taste come together in perfect harmony.

10 Days of Magic

Every day between 14 December and 24 December, to celebrate 10 years together, King Street Townhouse will run a competition across their social media platforms, plus a grand prize draw.

Prizes in the daily competitions will include complimentary experiences to complimentary overnight stays. 

Plus, one lucky hotel guest each day will be given a reward to say thank you for staying with King Street Townhouse as it celebrates its Decade of Magic. 

See more and book your experience at King Street Townhouse this Christmas HERE.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

Pop-up park and rides announced to manage ‘sheer volume’ of people travelling to Manchester city centre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Pop-up park and rides announced to manage 'sheer volume' of people travelling to Manchester city centre

Four new pop-up park and rides will open in Greater Manchester from this week, to help people travelling into the city centre over the Christmas period.

Transport for Greater Manchester has announced the scheme will kick in to handle the ‘sheer volume’ of people heading into town for festive events and Christmas shopping, with around 80,000 extra trips made in one weekend alone last year.

The news comes after a weekend that saw car parks congested and the city streets gridlocked with traffic.

TfGM is now encouraging people to use public transport – including the new park and ride services – instead of driving this winter.

The four park and rides will provide an extra 1000 free parking spaces, with frequent bus shuttles then completing journeys into Manchester city centre.

Millions of people are expected to visit this year for events including the Manchester Christmas Markets, shopping, football matches, concerts and nights out.

The Bee Network is hoping to help all those people save cash, beat traffic, and keep the city centre moving.

Other measures being introduced this year, as part of a joint approach by TfGM, Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP), include later-running trams at weekends, temporary parking restrictions and traffic measures, and round-the-clock CCTV monitoring.

Trams will run until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays over the Christmas period, with extra double trams running at busy times.

Temporary weekend parking restrictions are being introduced on Swan Street and Liverpool Street, with weekend closures inbound on Corporation Street to reduce congestion around Shudehill, and a no right turn from the Arndale car park to ease congestion on Withy Grove.

The four new park and rides, with 1,000 extra parking spaces, will be open every Saturday and Sunday from this Saturday (22 November) until 21 December.

They’ll be located at Booth Street West, Central Park, Belle Vue and Irwell Place.

People are urged to plan their journeys carefully this Christmas.

Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM said: “Christmas is one of the best times to enjoy Manchester – so much is going on and there’s such a buzz to the city centre. Our message is clear … the Bee Network is the best way to get there and home again. Board the bus, jump on the tram and plan your journey in advance.

@jstaffcycles

When you know its Christmas in Manchester.

♬ original sound – James S

“With plenty of frequent buses and trams to and from the city centre, single bus fares from just £2 and trams from just £1.40, the Bee Network is the easiest, quickest and most affordable way to travel this Christmas.

“Our pop-up park and rides mean you don’t need to struggle for parking in the city centre, but can park for free and finish the journey on a dedicated bus for just £2 single or £4 return and completely free for under 16s.

“As well as the new pop-up park and rides, there’s also 24 park and ride sites across Greater Manchester where you can park for free and jump on the tram – with all the locations and latest tram times available in the Bee Network app.

“We know roads and the network are going to be really busy, especially at weekends. That’s why we’re working closely with Manchester City Council and GMP on a joined-up approach to keep people moving safely around the city as they experience the brilliant things it has to offer.”

Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport, said: “Christmas is always a hectic period on our roads and this year we are redoubling our collective efforts to keep the transport network moving across Greater Manchester.

“With millions of people set to visit Manchester City Centre we are urging people to plan their journeys ahead of time and where possible, leave the car at home. There are a huge number of ways to get to town, be that a bus, tram or train, and these will often be a quicker and cheaper alternative.”

Read more

Featured image: TfGM

More Travel & Tourism

Mollie's Motel Manchester now has an opening date

Manchester

Mollie’s Motel announces opening date in Manchester

Manchester Airport has announced the six food traders moving into its new food hall. Credit: Supplied

Food & Drink

Manchester Airport announces six traders moving into new Terminal 2 food hall

Train tickets

Boroughs

Greater Manchester among first to get ‘confusing’ rail fares replaced by two simpler options

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches