The hugely popular woodland trail inspired by the forbidden forest from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beats franchise is set to return next month.
After what was undoubtedly a massive success back in 2021, with people travelling from all across the UK to see what it was all about, organisers of the Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience have announced that it’s coming back to the Grade II-listed Arley Hall & Gardens in Cheshire in just a few weeks time.
Arriving just in time for Halloween from Saturday 15 October, Potter-heads are invited to “walk into the depths of a dark forest”, and “discover fantastic beasts and iconic Wizarding World moments illuminated like never before”.
Transforming the beautiful location into a spectacular outdoor light trail inspired by the much-loved book and film series’, fantasy fans are invited to step into a magical woodland filled with curious creatures and characters.
It’s set to be an interactive experience packed with surprises around every corner.
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Just like last year, you can once again discover mystical creatures like Hippogriffs, centaurs, unicorns, and Nifflers as you make your way around the trail.
You can also practice casting your very-own spells like studious wizards and witches.
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The forbidden forest trail itself isn’t all us muggles have to look forward to either, as the experience also includes a seasonally-themed village where you can enjoy a wide range of delicious food and drinks – including the Wizarding World fan-favourite Butterbeer.
There’ll also be edible wands, and hearty winter warmers like traditional roast dinners, and pie and mash – with vegan and gluten-free options.
The hugely popular Harry Potter ‘forbidden forest’ experience is returning next month / Credit: SuppliedThere’s set to be surprises around every corner at Arley Hall and Gardens / Credit: Supplied
Decadent hot chocolates and mulled wine will be on hand to wash it down with too.
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There is also an on-site shop that’s decked-out with Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts merchandise for fans to take home.
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience will once again be open from 15 October 2022, and is gearing up to be a unique adventure for the whole family that provides plenty for fans of all ages to see and do.
Tickets start from £19.50, and you can grab yours here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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You can ride a wizard-themed steam train through Greater Manchester countryside next week
Emily Sergeant
The hugely popular wizard-themed steam train will be travelling through Greater Manchester once again next week.
February half term is right around the corner, and that means East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is back with a whole host of immersive events that give curious Mancs the chance to step back in time by hopping on one of the historic Pullman-style steam train carriages through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.
Thomas the Tank Engine, dinosaur, Peppa Pig, and seasonal themed train rides are just a few of the events that have been entertaining families in the region over the last few years.
By far one of the most popular experiences on the lineup, however, has to be the chance to go on a ‘wizarding adventure’, where little Mancs can come together for a magical day of sharing spells and getting stuck into lots of magic-themed fun.
You can ride a wizard-themed steam train through Greater Manchester next week / Credit: ELR
Aspiring witches and wizards of all ages are invited to enrol in the spellbinding school of sorcery this February half term, as they take a ‘wacky and wonderful’ whistle stop tour through the ‘Irwell Valley of wonders’.
Little Mancs will get to learn powerful incantations and perfect their wand-waving skills, all while using their imagination and learning how to soar through the skies on a broomstick.
They’ll also get to discover the proper way to greet mystical creatures, and take care of a ‘real’ dragon egg too.
The Wizarding Adventure is an “enchanting experience for all the family” / Credit: ELR
Aside from wizard-themed tasks, there’ll also be plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
Aside from wizard-themed tasks, there’ll also be plenty of photo opportunities along the way, and food and drink will be available to tuck into from the café on Platform 3/4 at Bury Bolton Street Station, and from the Rawtenstall Buffet too, making it a truly ‘enchanting’ experience for the whole family.
The Wizarding Adventure is back this half term, with several special journeys lined-up next month on Thursday 19 February, and tickets still available to get your hands on from £18 each for children and £20.50 for adults.
Swedish pop icon Robyn to play huge Manchester gig on European tour this summer
Emily Sergeant
Generational Swedish pop icon Robyn is heading out on a big European tour this summer, and she’ll be stopping off in Manchester.
This is Robyn’s first major tour since 2019, and it will feature 20 dates as well as her biggest ever headline shows – including London’s 20,000 capacity O2 Arena, and three consecutive hometown nights at Stockholm’s Avicii Arena.
And, of course, a night at Europe’s largest indoor arena – Co-op Live, here in Manchester.
Having provided some of the biggest moments in pop culture over the last three decades, Robyn is currently in the eye of one of the year’s most celebrated musical returns, as 2026 has seen her announce her ninth studio album, and her first since 2018, titled Sexistential, produced with longtime collaborator Klas Åhlund, and reuniting her with Max Martin for their first co-writes since 2010.
It’s said to be the ‘most ecstatic’ record Robyn has ever made, and is tipped to be the sound of one of contemporary music’s most influential artists ‘coming home’.
This upcoming tour will feature an exciting lineup of special guest openers across the UK and Europe dates – with 808 State and Zhala on the bill for Manchester‘s gig, bringing together a mix of boundary-pushing artists who are either friends of Robyn or among the voices that inspire her.
Robyn – The Sexistential Tour UK & EU 2026
Wednesday 24 June – 3Arena, Dublin
Friday 26 June – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Saturday 27 June – Co-op Live, Manchester
Tuesday 30 June – ING Arena, Brussels, Belgium
Wednesday 1 July – Adidas Arena, Paris, France
Friday 3 July – The O2, London
Wednesday 8 July – Uber Arena, Berlin, Germany
Saturday 11 July – Unity Arena, Oslo, Norway
Tuesday 14 July – Royal Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark
Thursday 16 July – Avicii Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
Friday 17 July – Avicii Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
Saturday 18 July – Avicii Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
Following on from the UK and European tour, Robyn will then head over to the US and Australia for another run of huge dates in major cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Mexico City, before the tour draws to a close in Melbourne in Australia on 24 November.
Robyn will bring The Sexistential Tour to Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 27 June 2026, and tickets officially go on sale this week.
There are two separate pre-sales happening this week before tickets then go on general sale this Friday 13 February – there’s the Co-op Presale, which starts tomorrow (Tuesday 10 February) at 10am, and then the Spotify Presale, which starts on Thursday 12 February at 10am.
You can get tickets when they go live on general sale this Friday at 10am here.
Emily Sergeant -
29th September 2022 
