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’.

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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!”

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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Featured image: TikTok, @sturgelucy

Travel & Tourism

Manchester Piccadilly to close for NINE days for ‘once-in-a-generation’ upgrade

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Manchester Piccadilly to close for NINE days for 'once-in-a-generation' upgrade

Manchester Piccadilly is set to close for nine days for a major ‘once-in-a-generation’ £7.9m upgrade.

The busiest train station in the North West will be almost entirely shut for more than a week next February, to enable improvements to take place to both track and signalling systems on the southern approach.

The work will span all main lines, which means passengers will find no trains from the south or east of the city will run into Manchester Piccadilly.

The main train shed – which is platforms one to 12 – will be closed completely, but the concourse will remain open and so will platforms 13 and 14 for limited westbound services.

Teams will be replacing 11 sets of points, renewing 9,000m of cabling, upgrading timber sleepers with modern concrete equivalents, and bringing lineside equipment bang up to date across six lines – some of which dates back to the 1980s.

Network Rail has said that this investment has been ‘long-awaited’, with the ageing infrastructure capable of disrupting all trains in and out of Manchester.

There will be no trains from the south and east of the city into Manchester Piccadilly for nine days over February half term (Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 February 2026).

Some trains from across the north will also be impacted during the essential upgrades as well as direct connections to Manchester Airport station.

These services will terminate at other stations, including Stockport, with staff on hand across the network to coordinate bus and Metrolink Bee Network journeys.

Manchester Piccadilly to close for NINE days for 'once-in-a-generation' upgrade
Manchester Piccadilly to close for NINE days for ‘once-in-a-generation’ upgrade. Credit: Network Rail

Alternative travel plans will be released in the coming months by Network Rail, train operators, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Manchester City Council.

Julien Dehornoy, Network Rail’s North West & Central deputy regional managing director, said: “We’re investing £7.9m in renewing the Piccadilly corridor, a stretch of track critical to the journeys of around 400,000 trains into Manchester every year.

“This work is going to significantly reduce disruption for the many passengers who regularly use this route. Once the job is done, we will have a better, more reliable railway.

“The major overhaul over six railway lines can only take place during a full railway closure and we are working closely with train operators, TfGM and Manchester City Council on alternative travel plans to keep people on the move, the full details on which will be published in mid-November.”

Simon Elliott, Network Director Rail at TfGM, said: “This investment in Manchester Piccadilly’s rail infrastructure is a crucial step forward in delivering a reliable and resilient railway for passengers, freight and supporting the city-region’s continued economic growth.

“While unfortunately there will be some short-term disruption due to the nature of the works, through the Bee Network we’re committed to working with rail industry colleagues to ensure people can still move easily across Greater Manchester while these essential upgrades take place.”

A spokesperson for train operators said: “This work will improve the reliability of trains running into the region’s busiest station.

“In the coming months, passengers can expect more detailed information about their specific journeys and any potential disruption.

“We would urge people to check with their operator or with National Rail Enquiries to plan their travel in advance.”

Featured image: The Manc Group

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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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 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.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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