A collection of much-anticipated luxury Safari Lodges are set to open to the public at a popular UK safari park this April.
The exotic accommodations at West Midlands Safari Park in Kidderminster certainly got people all across the country talking when they were first announced – with a grand opening date originally planned for last year – but its debut was delayed on a number of occasions due to setbacks as a result of the ever-persistent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
And sadly, the opening – which was due to take place in February – has been pushed back once again to Easter.
A statement from West Midlands Safari Park on social media said: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce our Safari Lodges opening date will once again be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We very much hope to be open for Easter, and plan Friday 2nd April 2021 as our revised opening date, providing this is in line with government guidance.”
But what exactly can animal lovers expect from the new lodges once they open?
Located right on the edge of the park’s elephant and cheetah zones, the collection of luxury lodges are set to feature direct views of the animals.
With eight rooms that can sleep up to five guests, each lodge has an open plan living room, as well as outdoor seating areas and balconies, meaning you can enjoy your morning brew in the company of some of the park’s very special residents, including young male elephant Sutton, his mum Five, and his aunt Latabe.
Two of the lodges also overlook the cheetah enclosure, where you’ll find Asrael and Bappe, who were transported over from France last year.
Each lodge also has a king-size bedroom on the lower floor, with the upper floor sleeping three people,.
There’s also an option to add a cot if you’ve got a baby on board.
West Midlands Safari Park
After announcing that the lodges would be opening, the park has understandably captured the attentions of many eager fans and animal lovers up and down the country.
Replying to questions and queries about the lodges on social media to give a further insight into what to expect, West Midlands Safari Park said: “The lodges will be authentically themed and allow guests exclusive views of the animals. Guests are encouraged to make use of the outdoor terrace in the elephant lodges, to watch the magnificent creatures approach their pool, situated in front.
“The cheetah lodges include a large window, spanning one side of the building, offering panoramic views of the cheetahs in their new habitat.
“A floor-to-ceiling window offers similar, incredible views in the bedrooms.”
West Midlands Safari Park
A stay at West Midlands Safari Park’s new Safari Lodges also includes access to the park and wristbands for rides at the theme park, with prices starting at £147 per night for kids, and £171 per night for adults.
You can find more information about the lodges on the West Midlands Safari Park website here, along with more information about COVID-19 protocols.
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A new music showcase is taking place at a beautiful and historic Stockport venue
Danny Jones
A new live showcase is coming to Stockport town centre as part of a wider music, art and cultural celebration next month.
And by new, we mean the artists; if you went to the last edition, you’ll know it delivers some serious talent.
Teaming up with the likes of Manchester-based music magazine and promoters, The Rodeo, as well as ticketing platform Skiddle, Stockport is set to welcome the return of Mercury Climbing Festival.
This week-long celebration of music, art and culture around parts of the Greater Manchester borough’s historic old town, and there are some exciting names on board already.
As for Mercury Climbing 2025 itself, the multi-day festival spread across several locations boasts the best in native and Northern music, visual arts, and comedy.
Popping up across a total of eight different spaces, including the likes of the brand-new Stockroom, pubs, and headline music venue St Mary’s Church – quietly one of the coolest places we’ve ever seen a gig – you have plenty of reason to be excited about this one.
Speaking of St Mary’s, while artists such as local legends Badly Drawn Boy, Manc indie outfit The Covasettes and Riding The Low – fronted by actor Paddy Considine – are set to play the stunning ceremonial space, The Rodeo is also hosting its own dedicated stage at the church.
Highlighting emerging new talent on Saturday, 20 September, Manchester-based solo indie project Better Joy is set to headline, with Denver County Council (who featured on our Manc artists of the month round-up), Henry Webb-Jenkins, Katie & the Bad Sign, plus more to be announced in support.
The last time we saw a ‘Live at St Mary’s’ event, we can’t stress this enough: it was nothing short of an unforgettable experience.
You don’t get to enjoy a ‘religious’ gig experiences like this often…
Taking place from Friday, 19-26 September, the festival as a whole will transform Stockport’s historic Old Town into a vibrant cultural hub.
And it isn’t just music: there are local food and drink traders getting involved, artwork from the one and only Stanley Chow, as well as plenty of other entertainment.
Above all else, the event is not only steeped in SK and Greater Manchester’s rich heritage, but it’s a great way of supporting new art coming out of the region.
The Rodeo’s St Mary’s stage gets underway from 4pm and is scheduled to finish at 10:30pm, but the wider Mercury Climbing programme is an all-day festival that won’t end until late. You can grab your tickets right HERE.
Manchester’s very own Jamie Hutchinson announces new stand-up tour dates
Danny Jones
Manchester comedian Jamie Hutchinson has just announced arguably his biggest domestic tour yet, and despite plenty of gigs around the North, he’s playing just one hometown headline slot.
So you’d best be quick about grabbing tickets.
The local stand-up has seen a huge rise in popularity over the last few years, not only thanks to his regular gigging on the live circuit, but numerous standout podcast performances and, in short, by being one of the most amusing comic storytellers around – at least as far as we’re concerned.
Now set to embark on an extensive run of UK shows early next year, Jamie Hutchinson is getting back on the road with his latest material very soon.
Taking his new hour, Can My Mate Come, He’s Sound (see, even his titles are low-key genuinely funny) on tour, the crown prince of Gorton, a.k.a. ‘Mash’ himself, is playing venues up and down the country, including plenty here in the North West.
After all, he can’t drive, so best keep the long train journeys to a minimum, eh?
To quote Broadway Baby, who shared their positive words only recently, their newest project promises a “brand-new hour of unfiltered mayhem, questionable logic and emotional chaos held together by takeaway boxes and blind optimism.”
If that isn’t a glowing review, then we don’t know what is..
The Hot Water’s Green Room host and regular Have A Word podcast favourite delighted his crowds and newcomers alike with his record-breaking Waterslide tour, which ran from 2023 all the way into last year, and now he’s looking to repeat that same success. As it happens, multiple dates have sold out already.
With more than 700 tickets sold within the first hour of presale alone, it’s no surprise that the likes of Chorley, Chester (already gone) and soon both of his Liverpool shows are soon to be sold out.
As for his Academy One show on Sunday, 24 May 2026 – which is just about the biggest Manc venue he’s played to date – we expect it won’t be long before that one books up too.
We can always hope he tacks on extra dates on the UK tour, but if you’re a Jamie Hutchinson fan, you’re still best just making sure you secure your seat while you can. Grab yours HERE.
Let’s just pray he makes it home in time for his appointment with ‘Dr Catford’…
He’s yet to record a live taping of a special, but this is the kind of charming nonsense you can expect.
Emily Sergeant -
20th January 2021 
