A wholesome day full of animal cuddles, tractor rides, food markets, and more is back in Cheshire next month.
While Bruntwood SciTech’s Alderley Park may be known as a unique place where world-leading science, innovation, and stylish living come all come together throughout the rest of the year, the Cheshire destination is getting taken over by a hugely-popular event for all the family for one day only this spring.
The adorable event – which was formerly known as ‘Farm Weekend’, but has been rebranded as ‘Spring Fest’ this year – has proven to be a massive success over the past few years, with families from all across Greater Manchester and the North West making their way to Macclesfield for some wholesome springtime fun.
And now, it’s back once again on Saturday 27 April.
Spring Fest returns next month with lamb cuddles, tractor rides, and more / Credit: Alderley Park
Spring Fest is set to be a chance to celebrate the magic of spring and everything that it means for wildlife, animals, and nature, and festivalgoers will be able to immerse themselves in countryside life and new beginnings right at the heart of Alderley Park’s scenic estate.
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You can expect a jam-packed day full of different outdoor family-friendly activities, performances, markets, and lots of local food and drink.
To coincide with Bruntwood SciTech’s 10 year anniversary of acquiring Alderley Park this year, the 2024 event will include live music from Cheshire-based band The Roaming Empire, plus a live DJ to get attendees into the Saturday spirit, while other new activities include a woodland trail treasure hunts for curious kids, exciting off-road adventures with mini Rovers, alongside educational and interactive farming pop-ups.
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There’ll be something for everyone to enjoy at the wholesome event / Credit: Supplied
The Alderley Park farm is home to 250 ewes and around 400 lambs, and this year, visitors will be able to admire the flock in the lambing shed, as well as pet other animals from the farm, and take tours of the whole site by tractor.
There’ll also be falconry displays, donkey rides, and spring crafts, while independent street food brands and bars will be popping up for a full festival experience.
Tickets to Spring Fest 2024 have officially gone on sale for £8 each this morning, with children under three going free and a 50p donation from each ticket going to charity.
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Tickets are on sale now for £8 each / Credit: Jody Hartley (via Alderley Park)
“We’re delighted to launch Spring Fest this April, and can’t wait to bring our most inspiring programme yet to the community,” commented Daniel Bourne, who is the Director of Asset Management at Bruntwood SciTech, as tickets went on sale today.
“As we celebrate 10 years of the transformation of Alderley Park, we thought it the perfect time to evolve our Farm Weekend event and pack in even more reasons to love spring and all that it embodies, as nature is at the heart of what we do at Alderley Park and we’re delighted to throw open our gates to the community to experience the joy of the park”.
Spring Fest 2024 is happening down at Alderley Park in Cheshire on Saturday 27 April, and you can grab your tickets for £8 each here.
Featured Image – Jody Hartley (via Alderley Park)
What's On
The UK’s biggest weekly artisan market with 100+ indie traders is landing in Manchester next weekend
Emily Sergeant
The UK’s biggest weekly artisan market with 100+ indie traders is landing in Manchester from this weekend.
After a hugely successful first six months for the historic market hall, welcoming more than 50,000 visitors through its doors since opening for the first time in 100 years last summer, Campfield Market is set to expand as part of its partnership with GRUB and St John’s to create the biggest weekly artisan market in the UK.
Launching next weekend for the first time, Campfield Market at St John’s will extend beyond the iconic Campfield building and out onto Grape Street, transforming the area into a one-kilometre loop of market stalls, street food, and independent retail.
Each week, visitors can expect more than 100 independent traders to line the hall and streets, spanning street food, local produce, artisan goods, and makers, alongside an expanded food and drink lineup.
The UK’s biggest weekly artisan market with 100+ indie traders is landing in Manchester next weekend / Credit: Supplied
Just some of the indie traders you can expect to see at the weekly market include Oi Polloi, Sticky Fingers, Suzume, Rack, Joe & Co, Divine Dumplings, Salvis, Mouse Kingdom, and many more.
The expansion marks a major milestone not just for Campfield Market, but for the wider St John’s neighbourhood.
It’s hoped that the new weekly market will bring increased footfall, new opportunities for independent businesses, and just become a regular destination to the city centre.
“This is more than just a market expansion, it’s a reimagining of what a city centre market can be,” organisers declared.
Speaking ahead of next weekend’s launch, Jason Bailey, who is the founder of GRUB, added: “It is absolutely fantastic to see the market go from strength to strength, we’re so lucky to have the best of the best when it comes to traders in this magnificent setting and that Manchester has embraced it.
“This summer, we expect St John’s to become a huge hotspot for day trippers and locals alike.”
Campfield Market at St John’s will take place every Saturday from 10am to 4pm, starting 18 April 2026.
Offering a constantly evolving mix of operators, flavours and experiences, there’ll something new to discover each week.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
AO Arena are hosting an ‘Evening 4’ Ricky Hatton in memory of the legendary Manchester boxer
Danny Jones
Manchester is set to host a night of remembrance and celebration in honour of the late, great, local boxer, Ricky Hatton.
Coming this summer, the AO Arena – where Hatton enjoyed so many of his iconic moments – will be holding the first-ever ‘Evening4Ricky’ later this year.
Held at the legendary sports and live entertainment venue just in time for summer, we still know very little about what the actual event will entail.
Sharing the news on social media, AO Arena said: “Join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment as Manchester comes together for Evening4Ricky.
“This will be a spectacular, unique celebration of the life, spirit and legacy of one of the city’s most beloved icons – Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton.”
With seats priced at £25, fans are being encouraged to join the early bird sign-up to secure access to discounted tickets.
They go on to add: “Hosted at the legendary AO Arena, home to so many of Ricky’s big fights, featuring a superstar cast of legends from the worlds of boxing, music, comedy and entertainment.”
So, we do at least know there’ll be some famous faces coming along to help make it a memorable Manc moment, just a few months on from the city and beyond uniting for his public funeral procession.
Ricky was beloved not only by the Greater Manchester community but was a popular figure and friend to many in the sporting and showbiz industries.
The homegrown ‘Pride of Hyde‘ tragically left us on 14 September 2025 at the age of just 46, but his passing has once again helped reassert the importance of having more conversations around wellbeing, suicide prevention, and most specifically, men’s mental health.
You can find more information and see how to grab tickets right HERE.
This isn’t the only charitable in memoriam event happening across the region in the coming weeks, either, as Mancs will be gathering to pay tribute to another fellow inspiring sportsman.
Emily Sergeant -
1st March 2024 
