The popular Farm Weekend full of food markets, lamb cuddles, tractor rides, and more is once again returning to 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 363 days of the year, for one weekend each spring, the Cheshire destination gets taken over by the hugely-popular Farm Weekend event.
Although it had to be called-off a couple of times due to the pandemic, Farm Weekend returned to massive success back in 2022, with families from all across Greater Manchester and the North West making their way to Macclesfield for a two days of wholesome springtime fun – and now, it’s back once again on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 April.
You can expect a weekend of different outdoor family-friendly activities, performances, markets, and lots of local food and drink.
From tractor rides, falconry flying displays, and lamb cuddles, to bushcraft demonstrations, archery lessons, obstacle courses, interactive animal petting sessions, Easter-themed crafts, and artisan markets, there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy at the two-day event.
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Farm Weekend returns next month with ‘wholesome’ lamb cuddles, tractor rides, and more / Credit: Alderley Park
Headlining the event is fan-favourite CBeebies nature show, Teeny Tiny Creatures.
Performing four 30-minute shows over the weekend, animal experts from the show, Chantelle and Rory, will help children understand the vital role that the tiniest insects play in the wonderful web of life, so fans should get themselves ready for an “interactive, educational, and super-energetic” set from the CBeebies favourites.
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People are also being encouraged to explore the scenic woodland paths at Alderley Park while they’re there, as there’s more than 400 acres of green space and nature to make the most of.
Organisers promise a “wholesome and inspiring weekend filled with nature and enjoyment”.
There’ll be something for everyone to enjoy at the two-day event / Credit: Jody Hartley (via Alderley Park)
Speaking ahead of the event next month, Daniel Bourne – Head of Asset Management at Bruntwood SciTech – said: “We are delighted that Farm Weekend is returning to Alderley Park for 2023 as it has proved a fantastic opportunity to welcome the wider Cheshire community and bring our customers and residents together to experience the joy of the Park, enjoying the vast woodland and amenities there is on offer.
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“With the number of exciting activities taking place over the two days, it’s set to be another weekend to remember.”
Tickets to Farm Weekend 2023 on Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 April are already on sale, setting you back £8 per person and including access to all activities – with 50p from each ticket donated to the Cheshire Community Foundation.
Victoria Baths is ‘resurrecting’ its popular spooky silent disco this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Halloween is on its way, and Silence of the Baths is being ‘resurrected’ for another year.
Returning for a ‘fright night of thrills’ after a sell-out debut in 2023, and then for a smash-hit revival of three of Manchester’s most iconic fallen nightclubs in 2024, Victoria Baths has announced that Silence of the Baths will be returning for its third year, transforming the stunning Grade II-listed building into one of the spookiest settings this Halloween.
For the popular one-off event, Victoria Baths is set to ‘show its darker side’, as the pool halls, Turkish Baths, and labyrinth of spaces undergo an epic Halloween makeover.
Victoria Baths is teaming up with Girls on Film for one of the best nights in the city this Halloween, as the historic space becomes a ‘haunted haven’ of glamour and ghosts.
Partygoers are encouraged to dress the part and wander through the empty pools and haunted corridors as each space is transformed into spooky playground filled with ghouls, spiders, bats, and coffins – but most importantly, good times.
From the balcony above the former pool, the Girls on Film crew will take over the silent disco with a trio of DJs on three different channels.
Hattie Pearson will be on Channel 1, Meme Gold on Channel 2, and the Channel 3 will have DJ MXw0rld.
Victoria Baths is ‘resurrecting’ its popular spooky silent disco this Halloween / Credit: Chris Payne (via Supplied)
As mentioned, ticketholders are being encouraged to ‘dress to distress’ on the night, not only because it’s Halloween, but also because the person with the most haunting look has the chance to win a Halloween Swag Bag.
There’ll be plenty of elixirs and spirits to sip on all night long, and don’t forget to strike a pose against the Baths’ iconic backdrop.
The Silence of the Baths III: The Return will take over Victoria Baths on Saturday 25 October, with doors creaking open from 7:30pm, and tickets are now on sale here and setting you back £20 each (plus a booking fee).
The event sold out last year, so early ticket purchase is recommended
All ticket purchases support the work of The Victoria Baths Trust to preserve Victoria Baths, so that communities can continue to enjoy this inspiring building.
Featured Image – Chris Payne (via Supplied)
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Legendary musical CATS is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year
Emily Sergeant
Legendary musical CATS will be taking to the stage here in Manchester next year.
A brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global sensation, CATS, will embark on a major UK tour from summer 2026 following an open-air residency at Regent Park in London – including dates at Manchester’s prestigious Palace Theatre in November.
Based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS is one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history.
The show originally premiered at the New London Theatre in 1981, where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances.
Since its world premiere, the musical has been presented in more than 54 countries, translated into 23 languages, and has been seen by more than 77 million people worldwide – collecting a number of awards along the way.
Legendary musical CATS is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year / Credit: Feast Creative
This new production of CATS is produced by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, with Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, as part of Drew McOnie’s second season as Artistic Director, and it marks the third Andrew Lloyd Webber title produced by the venue in the last decade.
Unfamiliar with the show? CATS tells the story of the Jellicle cats.
From Euston station to Victoria Grove, the strays and rebels of London gather under the Jellicle moon in the hope they’ll be the chosen one.
With a legendary score featuring well-known songs like Old Deuteronomy, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, TheJellicle Ball, and, of course, the chart-topping hit Memory, this brand-new production of CATS is gearing up to be one of the best theatrical events of 2026.
“I am very excited to see a totally new production of CATS back on the stage where it belongs,” creator Andrew Lloyd Webber said on the show’s return. “I can think of no-one better than Drew McOnie to bring a new vision to the world of the Jellicles.”
Casting and the full creative team is set to be announced in due course, as is the on-sale date and link for tickets, so keep your eyes peeled.
Emily Sergeant -
7th March 2023 
