Travel & Tourism

You’ll soon be able to say overnight in a historic home at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum

It's one of the city’s oldest surviving Georgian houses.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 27th April 2023

A historic corner of the Science and Industry Museum is set to be turned into holiday accommodation, with overnight stays starting from next year.

The Grade I-listed Station Agent’s House, which dates from 1808, will be able to sleep eight people thanks to a partnership between the beloved museum and The Landmark Trust.

The beautiful building on the corner of Liverpool Road and Water Street is one of the city’s oldest surviving Georgian houses.

Following a sensitive repair programme, the house will be made available to all through self-catering stays and free public open days.

Over the years, it’s been used as a home, then as a shop, but hasn’t been suitable for museum gallery use because of its size and layout.

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The Station Agent’s House is considered one of the UK’s most significant heritage buildings, pre-dating even the Science and Industry Museum‘s Grade I-listed 1830 station, which is the oldest surviving passenger railway station in the world.

The Station Agent's House at Science and Industry Museum
The Station Agent’s House at Science and Industry Museum. Credit: David Oates

This corner of Manchester was home of the world’s first steam-powered, inter-city railways designed to carry both passengers and goods.

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The adjacent 1830 Station is currently being repaired ahead of re-opening to the public in future years as part of the museum’s major conservation and redevelopment plans.

The house’s redevelopment is the latest milestone in the museum’s multi-million pound redevelopment, which has included the opening of the beautiful Special Exhibitions Gallery.

Soon, there’ll be a new experience in the 1830 station, a Wonderlab gallery for children, a new entrance route through to Factory International, significant new outdoor landscaping and public realm provision and opportunities for outdoor play.

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The Station Agent’s House will be the Landmark Trust’s first property in the region. The charity is seeking to fundraise a final £118,000 to cover the restoration, following early support from donors and previous legacy income.

The Station Agent’s House. Credit: David Oates
Credit: David Oates
Historic platform and the Science and Industry Museum’s 1830 Station. Credit: David Oates

Sally MacDonald, director of the Science and Industry Museum says: “We are delighted that the Landmark Trust will be bringing their expertise in sensitively restoring incredible heritage buildings to enable Station Agent’s House to be experienced by the public for the first time.”

Anna Keay, director of The Landmark Trust says: “The Landmark Trust is delighted to be working with the Science and Industry Museum at historic Liverpool Road, site of the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station.

“The Station Agent’s House, around which the pioneering station was created, is an outstanding piece of industrial heritage. The building will be sensitively repaired and made available to all through self-catering stays and free public open days. As a charity, the Landmark Trust is committed to saving and sustaining outstanding heritage, and is thrilled to be playing a role in Manchester.”

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Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council says: “We welcome this exciting partnership and the Landmark Trust to Manchester as part of the Science and Industry Museum’s pioneering improvement plans. This scheme will enable people to enjoy an important aspect of our city’s heritage for the first time as part of a thriving and rejuvenated destination.”

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Sheona Southern, managing director of Marketing Manchester says: “Manchester’s rich history is woven into the fabric of Station Agent’s House, and we are thrilled to see the Landmark Trust’s redevelopment plans that will preserve its incredible heritage while opening up a new chapter for the building.

“Located in the historic Castlefield neighbourhood, Station Agent’s House will join local residents such as the Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield Viaduct, and Factory International, undoubtedly adding to the city’s already vibrant cultural scene and will also serve as a truly unique addition to the city-region’s growing accommodation offer.”

Calum McGowan, chair, Castlefield Forum says: “We are absolutely thrilled at these proposals, and what great news to see more of the museum’s estate come to life. Part of our mission at the Forum is to ensure that we celebrate and cherish the heritage assets in our neighbourhood so this is another great contribution towards that. The building looks set to be a wonderful place to stay, on iconic site, in an iconic neighbourhood!”

Featured image: David Oates

Travel & Tourism

Social media beauty spots and selfies blamed for record rise in mountain rescue callouts

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Mountain Rescue call-outs have risen for young people - and social media may be to blame

There’s been a record rise in the number of young people needing help from mountain rescue teams – and social media has been blamed for luring unprepared people into potentially dangerous situations.

As well as these viral beauty spots – such as Mam Tor – the rise in call-outs has also been attributed to ‘poor-quality map apps’ which can stop functioning when in areas with poor phone service.

According to an exclusive report in The Guardian, it’s now tourists under the age of 24 who are most likely to need mountain rescue’s assistance while out walking.

The data provided by Ordnance Survey said that the number of call-outs from this age group has almost doubled between 2019 and 2024.

Overall rescues increased by 24% over a similar period.

A spokesman for Mountain Rescue said that young people are drawn to places like the Lake District after seeing images on social media, but are often not dressed or equipped properly for the conditions.

Nick Giles said people are often ‘too reliant on mobile phones’ and unprepared for the changes in weather and terrain that come with hiking.

Mike Park, chief executive of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, told The Guardian: “We know from incident reports that more and more people are tempted into risky locations by Instagram posts and the navigation apps being used aren’t always suitable for an outdoor environment.

“Add to that a tendency to follow popular routes online without knowing the hazards and context, and it’s not surprising that those likely to be relying most on their phones are the ones getting into difficulties.”

Before you head out on any hike or walk, you should make sure you’re prepared and equipped – see Mountain Rescue’s tips HERE.

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Featured image: Keswick Mountain Rescue

Travel & Tourism

You can rent your own ski chalet-style lodge – with an Irish pub in the garden

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Chalet du Lac comes with its own Irish pub. Credit: Airbnb

Nothing screams Alpine Lodge quite like a game of darts in an Irish pub, eh? And at this staycation you can have that apres-ski combo for yourself.

Oh, and your own Irish pub in the garden is just the beginning – if you rent this lodge you also get your own Tiki Bar too.

Chalet du Lac is a boutique home themed around the ski chalets of Val D’Isere in the French Alps, including oak-clad walls, sheepskin throws, and retro ski paraphernalia on the walls.

With five bedrooms for up to 10 guests, and a beautiful kitchen-living room area complete with log burning fireplace, the insides are impressive in their own right.

But the outside will really knock your socks off… even without those snowy Alpine views.

Chalet du Lac overlooks Rudyard Lake on the edge of the Peak District National Park, from a sunny south-facing terrace.

That terrace is also home to a private sunken hot tub so you can soak in those views while having a soak of your own.

Chalet du Lac comes with its own Irish pub. Credit: Airbnb
Chalet du Lac comes with its own Irish pub. Credit: Airbnb
It also has a Tiki bar
It also has a Tiki bar
It also has a Tiki bar
It also has a Tiki bar
Hot tub at Chalet du Lac
Hot tub at Chalet du Lac

And to the rear of the property you’ve got your own Tiki Bar, decorated with multicoloured festoon lighting, bright flowers and both indoor and outdoor seating.

As if one novelty themed bar wasn’t enough, there’s also an Irish bar inspired by Dublin’s legendary Temple Bar.

The sizeable space is kitted out with everything from Guinness barrels to a huge TV screen, plus a pool table, dartboard and log burner.

You’ll also have access to your own wood-fired pizza oven.

Guests can make the most of their position near the lake – the property also has a kayak for exploring the water, with direct access to the lake.

You can find out more about Chalet du Lac and book a stay HERE.

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Featured image: Airbnb

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