Alton Towers has confirmed that a new ride is opening this year, and it’s apparently quite the “dark and haunting” experience.
After upsetting fans by announcing in back in September of last year that one of its most-popular rides, Nemesis, was to close to the public until at least 2024 so that “major maintenance” work can be carried out – including the replacement of large sections of the track – Alton Towers has now teased the opening of a brand new ride.
The new attraction, which is named The Curse at Alton Manor, is set to be the theme park’s most immersive dark ride to date.
Although no official opening date has been announced as of yet, and ride details are still being kept under wraps for now, bosses at the theme park say The Curse at Alton Manor will be a “haunting ride which will frighten and excite both brave youngsters and adults”.
The theme park says the ride-through haunted house experience will take those brave enough to hop on board on a “hair-raising journey through the spectacular twists and turns of the cursed manor”.
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Announcing that the ride is on its way in 2023 on its website and social media platforms this morning, Alton Towers said: “The Curse at Alton Manor. A haunting dark ride, taking you on a hair-raising journey through the spectacular twist and turns of the cursed Manor.
“Coming, ready or not! The abandoned Alton Manor, repossessed under mysterious circumstances, will be inviting you inside.
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“Have your wits about you as you ride deeper into the historic Manor.”
According to reports, The Curse at Alton Manor will take shape at the spooky site that was once home to the attraction Duel – The Haunted House, which opened in 1992, and was the largest ghost train in Europe at the time, before it abruptly closed back in September 2022 after the building was repossessed due to unnatural activity in the area.
Alton Towers confirms a new ‘dark and haunting’ ride is opening this year / Credit: Alton Towers
Speaking ahead of the ride’s opening this year, Kate McBirnie – Head of Product Excellence at Alton Towers Resort – said: “Let the countdown begin!
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“The Curse at Alton Manor is no ordinary dark ride. It has all the components of a supernatural tale – it’s dark, compelling, and promises something thrilling and scary moments along the way. Fans of eerie rides will certainly appreciate this one.
“More details on The Curse at Alton Manor will be revealed next month, so stay tuned for what’s to come.”
You can find out more about The Curse at Alton Manor on the Alton Towers website here.
featured Image – Newstream (via Alton Towers)
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Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off
Emily Sergeant
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off.
Okay, so it’s not technically closing down per se, but the current LOFT premises off Hyde Road near Piccadilly will officially close doors on 30 September, as the business consolidates its operations and relocates to its newly completed headquarters over at Trafford Park.
Unlike a typical closing-down sale, the stock isn’t old or unwanted. Instead, it’s a live snapshot of LOFT’s day-to-day business, and everything must go.
LOFT is known for furnishing properties across the build-to-rent, student accommodation, co-living, private rented, and social housing sectors, and that constant turnover naturally generates surplus – whether it be project overstock, end-of-line pieces or discontinued items making way for new collections.
The move over to Trafford Park is said to be a moment to clear the warehouse ‘completely’ and start the new chapter with a clean slate.
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off / Credit: Supplied
This means that everything, from sofas and beds, to dining sets, armchairs, and home accessories, must go before the move, with prices already reduced by 50 to 70% below RRP.
Benjamin Hall, who is the Founder and CEO of LOFT, says this is the ‘biggest and best value’ sale the company has ever offered.
He explained: “As we settle into our new home at Trafford Park, we want a completely clean slate. Whether you’re a homeowner after a one-off bargain, or a landlord, agent or developer furnishing multiple units on a budget, there has never been a better time to visit.”
So homeowners, landlords, letting agents, property developers, interior designers, and home-staging businesses, this one’s for you.
LOFT Manchester is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays only, and no appointment is needed, so you can just turn up whenever and bag a bargain.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Tickets go on sale for massively popular pumpkin festival near Greater Manchester this autumn
Emily Sergeant
Tickets for one of the North West’s most popular pumpkin festivals with thousands of pumpkins to pick have now officially gone on sale.
We know it’s still technically summer and the sun is still shining, but in just over a month’s time, Kenyon Hall Farm’s popular Pumpkin Festival will be back up and running for 2026.
This is an ideal autumnal activity for when the leaves start turning golden, and is always popular with families every year.
Think fields full of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, where you can grab yourself a wheelbarrow and get searching for your perfect gourd – whether it’s a classic round orange one, or a weird and wonderful wonky one.
Kenyon Hall Farm’s popular Pumpkin Festival will be back from next month / Credit: The Manc Group | Concetta Huffa (via Unsplash)
As well as the pumpkin picking itself, Kenyon Hall Farm also has loads of photo opportunities dotted around, like a house built of pumpkins, a giant throne, a vintage tractor, a love heart frame, and even a Hollywood sign-style sign screaming ‘PUMPKINS’ as you enter.
This year, the owners are also teasing some brand-new displays for 2026, so stay tuned for what’s in store.
While you’re at the farm, you can also browse a pop-up market packed with autumnal treats, including more pumpkins, novelty homewares, and seasonal goodies, and then head on into the gorgeous on-site cafe for some pumpkin-inspired specials like spiced lattes, scones, and soup.
What could be more a perfect autumn activity than rummaging around in a field picking your perfect pumpkin with your pals?
Kenyon Hall Farm’s Pumpkin Festival officially returns from Saturday 26 September, and tickets are now on sale at £3.95 each, so make sure to book yours soon as they’re already selling fast.
Emily Sergeant -
24th January 2023 
