An ‘immersive’ 1940s-themed weekend is all set to take over Greater Manchester’s heritage railway later this month.
Fancy stepping back in time?
After delighting little Mancs and families throughout the region during countless successful events over the past couple of years, the Greater Manchester public is now being invited to “dig out your gladrags” and head on down to East Lancashire Railway (ELR) this late May bank holiday, as the Vintage 1940s Weekend is returning by popular demand.
The Vintage 1940s Weekend been an absolute hit in previous years, and has been one of the heritage railway’s most popular events, so it’s no surprise that it’s making a return in a couple of weeks time.
Tickets are now on sale, and there’s still plenty of time to grab some for yourself.
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This year, the event will “focus on the musical backdrop of 1940s Britain”, which means there’s an exciting collection of live music performances lined up across the three-day weekend – including vintage vocal harmony trio ‘Blue Bird Belles’, and vintage DJ ‘A Train Swing’ too, so you’ll want to make sure to “bring your dancing shoes”.
An ‘immersive’ 1940s-themed weekend is taking over Greater Manchester’s heritage railway this month / Credit: ELR
But the music scene won’t be the only highlight of the weekend, as food, fashion, and memorabilia of the 1940s will also be brought to life too.
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ELR says it’s hoping to recreate “an atmosphere of hope and celebration” for all the family to enjoy, as well as “capturing the most positive aspects of this unique period in British history”.
To keep spirits soaring, the famous Avro Lancaster 1 is also scheduled to fly over Rawtenstall on Saturday (25 May) and Monday (27 May).
When the Vintage 1940s Weekend takes over ELR later this month from Saturday 24 – Monday 27 May, all attendees are encouraged to “get stuck in and dress up in period costume” to make the whole event feel like you’re really stepping back in time, and the uniform policy is now available to view on the ELR website here.
Speaking ahead of the event later this month, Mike Kelly – who is the Chairman of East Lancashire Railway – commented: “The 1940s Weekend is one of our best attended days out in the annual calendar, and we’re delighted to see its return in 2024, as it’s great to see the community, both young and old, come together to celebrate this incredible time period, and to remember those who sacrificed so much for the country.
“This weekend is one you won’t want to miss, so make sure to book a ticket while you still can.”
Tickets are now on sale from as little as £25 for adults and £16.50 for children, but there’s also three-day rover tickets and a range of discounts and family ticket packages available too.
And, if all of that wasn’t exciting enough as it is, the ticket price also includes a ride across the Irwell Valley on a genuine steam-powered train too.
Find out more, and grab tickets to the popular event here.
Featured Image – ELR
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 29 June – 5 July 2026
Emily Sergeant
Our final few days of June are here this week before we welcome July and the ‘proper’ British summertime.
Although, I’m not pretty sure we can say June has been a ‘proper’ summer month too considering the heatwave we’ve had last week.
Because it’s summer, there are, of course, loads of things happening across Greater Manchester this week, but if you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do, no worries, as we’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
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Looking for somewhere to watch the World Cup in Greater Manchester?
We couldn’t really start this list off with anything else, could we?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is currently well underway, but if you didn’t grab tickets to catch a game in person over in North America or Mexico, and you don’t fancy sitting at home watching on your own, then thankfully, our region is filled with places where you can catch all the action surrounded by hundreds of other football fans.
FIFA World Cup 2026 / Credit: Road to Victory
You’re absolutely spoiled for choice this year, as there’s plenty of places in Manchester city centre and beyond screening all the games.
Will England bring football home though? Only time will tell.
Check out our round-up list of all the best places to watch the World Cup in Greater Manchester here👇
World Cup Playground / Credit: Sophia J Carey (Supplied)
A massive World Cup ‘playground’ has now opened in Greater Manchester.
MediaCity has announced its biggest programme of events to date to celebrate, from a baller league-style football pitch, to big name creator takeovers, and much more – but at the heart of all the action is the new World Cup ‘playground’, where football fans will be able to play five-a-side on a bespoke pitch, while watching matches on giant screens.
As the home of the BBC’s World Cup coverage, MediaCity says it’s ‘going big’ this summer, and that includes bringing some of the UK’s biggest Gen Z creators down for full takeovers and tournaments, and even getting the BBC pundits involved in the action too.
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: BBC | Science Museum Group (Drew Forsyth)
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos has made its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum, and is inviting visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System.
Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition encouraging visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition propels families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
Thrill seekers, this one’s for you – as Zip World Manchester has launched its new Forest Tubing experience, and it’s bringing the UK’s longest outdoor tubing slide is coming to Heaton Park.
The new family‑friendly outdoor adventure gives visitors the chance to soar along two slides, winding through woodland at one of the largest parks in the North West.
Suitable for children aged four and above, visitors can book an hour-long session – with unlimited rides during that time slot – and either ride solo, or share the experience with fellow adventurers.
National Trust x Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails
North West
Monday 29 June – onwards
National Trust x Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails / Credit: James Dobson | Annapurna Mellor
National Trust and Pokémon have teamed up for an exclusive trading card game and immersive trail.
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The partnership is set to bring together the places the National Trust cares for and Pokémon’s spirit of play and discovery.
Exclusively designed for the National Trust, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails are going to be running throughout summer at 14 National Trust places nationwide, combining ‘imaginative play’ with ‘gentle physical activity’ inspired by Mega Evolution Pokémon.
Find out where to get involved and book tickets here.
Kuki is the newest cookie shop on this leafy suburban block.
Serving up everything from stuffed Biscoff and double chocolate, to even a brookie salted caramel sundae for the proper sweet treat fiends out there.
Get your cookie to-go, or enjoy it at their hatch with an ice cold pint of milk, which is perfect during the summer weather.
Put this spot at the top of your list for your next cookie fix.
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Fancy a wholesome summer activity?
It’s strawberry season, and Kenyon Hall Farm has officially opened up its strawberry fields (plus plenty of other pick-your-own produce) for the season for you to frolic amongst, with loads of summer treats in its cafe and award-winning farm shop too.
Strawberries have been growing at Kenyon Hall Farm for nearly 50 years now, and it’s proven as popular ever since.
At long last, Patel’s Pies has got its very own site, and we couldn’t be happier about it.
The business is already a familiar name (to the blue half of the city, of course) thanks to its matchday spot outside the Etihad Stadium, but now, Patel’s Pies will be serving its delicious savoury bakes to the people of the Heatons too – with its brand-new pie shop now opene at Heaton Chapel train station.
Manchester is bringing 14 weeks of free activities for children to parks across the city this summer.
Thanks to additional Council funding that was allocated earlier this year, Manchester’s biggest-ever Parktastic programme has now launched – expanding from the summer holidays alone to include after-school sessions before schools break up, activities throughout the holidays, and even sessions continuing into September.
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Back by popular demand and aimed at children ages six-12, Parktastic offers sports, games, arts and crafts, dance, drama, nature activities, storytelling and messy play.
Sessions are free, no booking is required, healthy snacks are provided, and children can simply turn up and join in.
MediaCity’s waterfront site has been transformed into a vibrant open-air destination built for warm weather and big moments across the season, as GRUB On The Docks returns later this week.
Running across the summer months, you can expect some of Greater Manchester’s best street food traders to be serving up global flavours and summer-ready drinks, alongside live music, DJs, and just an all round laid-back atmosphere turning daytime hangouts into evening sessions.
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is currently hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this summer.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the year, East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Red Rose Diners’ are described as being ‘the ultimate first class foodie experience’, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.
The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
Travelling pop-up festival The Wagon Train is coming to Middlewood Locks this weekend, as part of the free Middlewood Locks festival.
Visitors can expect a jam-packed programme of family activities, including music, kayaking, children’s workshops, makers’ markets, a brass band performance, DJ sets, street food vendors, face painting and arts and crafts, before a sunset light and fire finale at 9pm.
The event is open to all, brought on by the Scarborough Group, Get Living, and Walk the Plank, and is supported by Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal Society and The Canal & River Trust.
There’s free entry, and no booking is necessary.
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Did you know you can visit Chester Zoo for just £10 this summer?
For the past three years running now, Chester Zoo has officially been named the UK’s best zoo thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews, and now this summer, you’ll get to see exactly what makes it such a special place worth visiting for a cut price, as £10 tickets are now available to book for a limited time only.
With the offer only applicable to afternoons this summer, Afternoon Tickets allow entry to Chester Zoo from 2pm onwards – with the last entry being one-hour before it closes.
You can visit Chester Zoo for just £10 this summer / Credit: Chester Zoo
Without this offer, standard admission tickets to Chester Zoo usually cost up to £38 for adults, £37 for students, and £28 for children, all including a 10% donation to the zoo’s conservation efforts, so it really is worth making the most of these limited-time £10 tickets while you can.
Find out more and book your tickets in advance here.
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Stuck for somewhere to have a bite to eat?
Just like we do every month, we’ve rounded up some of the best things we got to eat in May, so if you’re on the hunt for somewhere new to eat in June, then we’ve absolutely got you covered as there’s plenty of places across the city region.
It’s been another jam-packed month of insanely delicious eats, and we’ve been lucky to have a bunch of new openings too.
Featured Image – Artem Kniaz (via Unsplash) | The Manc Group | Supplied
What's On
‘Breathtaking’ new 360° immersive dinosaurs exhibition to open in Manchester later this year
Emily Sergeant
A ‘breathtaking’ new immersive dinosaurs exhibition is set to open in Manchester later this year.
Fresh off the back of announcing its programme of events for the upcoming autumn-winter season last week, Factory International has now revealed that another new Lightroom experience will be arriving later this year, and it’s one any budding paleontologist will want to keep an eye on.
Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs blends iconic moments from Apple TV’s Emmy nominated Prehistoric Planet with never-before seen content.
It’s set to take audiences back in time to experience dinosaurs closer than ever before.
Narrated by critically acclaimed actor, Damian Lewis, the new 360° immersive experience is a celebration of our natural world told through captivating storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and groundbreaking technology, with visitors will be transported back in time, 66 million years ago, to experience dinosaurs up close.
Damian Lewis guides audiences through the fascinating role dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures have played in shaping our world – from Ammonites and Mosasaurs, to the Tyrannosaurus rex.
Lightroom’s state-of-the-art 360 projections will allow viewers to see these majestic animals at an awe-inspiring scale and travel alongside them through volcanoes, soaring skies and the deep sea.
As escapist as it is educational, audiences will not only experience some of the most beloved scenes from seasons one and two of Apple TV’s Prehistoric Planet, but they will also be immersed in exclusive extended CGI sequences and bespoke illustrations that bring the show to life in entirely new ways.
And to make it even better, the experience is set to an original score by multi-Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer, alongside Anže Rozman, and Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music.
Emily Sergeant -
6th May 2024 
