Greater Manchester residents will soon be able to hop onboard a new train service and explore the Yorkshire Dales in all their glory.
Fancy an adventure this summer? Well, Northern could have exactly what you’re looking for, as the train company has decided to bring back the ‘Yorkshire Dales Explorer’ train after it proved to be so popular with passengers the last time it was out on its travels, and the new service is all set to depart for the first time this Saturday (8 June).
Departing from Rochdale and making its way to Ribblehead, the newly-launched service will call at a wide range of local stations on its way – including Manchester Victoria, Salford Crescent, Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe, Hellifield, and Settle.
Adult return tickets from Manchester Victoria to Ribblehead will set you back just £25, which means that ramblers and nature lovers will be able to enjoy a day out in the Dales at a pretty-affordable price.
Mancs can discover the Yorkshire Dales on a new ‘explorer’ train this summer / @altymore1 (via Northern on Facebook) | Credit: Northern
Anyone who buys a ticket for the ‘Yorkshire Dales Explorer’ service this summer will be able to make the journey between the two stations in around two hours, and travel along a route that features some seriously stunning scenery in the process.
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Trains will depart from Rochdale at 7:52am and 2:52pm on Saturdays, calling at 18 stops before reaching Ribblehead, while the return trains will depart from Ribblehead at 11:08am and 6:05pm.
Northern’s Regional Director, Craig Harrop, has praised the “spectacular” new train service.
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The first service will depart this Saturday and run all throughout the summer / Credit: Northern
“We’re excited to introduce this brand-new service that will allow customers to travel into the heart of the Dales at a reasonable price this summer,” he commented.
Lizzie Bushby, who works within the Recreation Management team at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, also added that the new Northern service will not only provide opportunities for North West residents to visit the National Park this summer, but the journey itself will also be a “great experience” and there’ll be “lots to do” when people arrive.
You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum is now offering one lucky family the chance to have a sleepover with Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex.
For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.
This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.
The Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery is one of the most iconic spaces within Manchester Museum.
Having opened to the public all the way back in 1888, it’s part of the museum’s original building designed by celebrated Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.
Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.
You can now have a private sleepover inside Manchester Museum / Credit: The Manc Group
“We can’t be completely sure what happens when the sun goes down in our Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, because nobody has ever spent the night in there before, but we can only imagine the kind of fun that can be had with Stan the T. rex and his friends,” said Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“This is a chance to be a part of museum history and enjoy the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t usually buy.
“At the same time, Manchester Museum is a charity so, by getting behind this initiative, you’ll be helping to support vital work that impacts the lives of people across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Fancy it then? You can enter the prize draw by buying a ticket for £5 from the Manchester Museum Shop, with each ticket counting as one entry and the winner set to be chosen at random from all valid entries.
The prize draw is now open and closes on Monday 28 September 2026.
Featured Image – Supplied
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A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester with DJs blasting 2000s indie and emo anthems
Emily Sergeant
A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester this spooky season.
It’s been nearly 20 years since the release of the titular first film in the Twilight Saga, based on author Stephanie Meyer’s bestselling book series of the same name, but despite two decades having passed, the films remain as beloved as ever.
Twilight went on to become a global phenomenon when it first hit cinemas back in November 2008, not just with its target audience of teens and young adults, but with people of all ages – making stars out of its lead actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the process, and generating millions at the box office.
With the impact it had on the culture at the time, it’s no wonder Twilight remained among fans’ favourites all these years later.
And this success is why events company Throwback Events is hosting a series of Twilight Raves across the UK and Europe this autumn, making a stop off here in Manchester in late November with tickets now on sale.
The event description reads: “Bella, where the hell you been loca? Join us as we celebrate Twilight at the club, where every day is Hoa Hoa Hoa season.
“Step into the shadows and relive the magic, mystery, and eternal romance of Twilight. Get ready for a night of anthems, nostalgia, and glittering darkness as we transform the dancefloor into Forks’ most iconic vampire coven.”
DJs will be spinning Twilight soundtracks on the night, alongside dark pop, emo, indie, and 2000s bangers, as well as playing fan edits from the films on big screens.
Oh, and to make it all the better, dressing up as vampires and werewolves is ‘highly encouraged’.
Fancy it then? The Twilight Rave is coming to the Deaf Institute in Manchester on Saturday 21 November, and tickets will set you back upwards of £7 each.
Emily Sergeant -
6th June 2024 
