What's On

National Trust and Pokémon team up for exclusive trading card game and trail this half term

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th May 2026

National Trust and Pokémon have teamed up for an exclusive trading card game and immersive trail this half term.

Families are invited to National Trust sites across the UK, including here in the North West, this upcoming May half term, as a brand-new partnership has been launched with Pokémon, and it’s bringing the widely loved brand to the great outdoors through a series of Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) Mega Evolution Trails. 

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 May half term at 14 National Trust places nationwide, combining ‘imaginative play’ with ‘gentle physical activity’ inspired by Mega Evolution Pokémon. 

National Trust and Pokémon have teamed up for an exclusive trading card game and trail this half term / Credit: James Dobson & Annapurna Mellor (Supplied)

Each trail point features a simple physical or creative challenge inspired by different Mega Evolution Pokémon. 

ADVERTISEMENT

From showing courage and curiosity with Darkness-type Mega Gengar ex, to unleashing energy and imagination inspired by the powerful Fire‑type Mega Charizard Y ex, the trails blend imaginative play with gentle activity. 

A trail sheet will help young trainers keep track of their discoveries, and at the end of the trail, explorers can celebrate their achievement together with a photo opportunity at a Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail backdrop. 

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s hoped that it’ll help more families feel ‘welcome, confident, and curious’ about exploring the outdoors together.

Quarry Bank in Cheshire, Sizergh in Cumbria, and Speke Hall in Merseyside are the three National Trust sites in the North West where the new experience will be talking place.

Read more:

The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails are exclusive to the National Trust and are included with standard National Trust admission (free for NT members).

ADVERTISEMENT

Beyond May half term, the Mega Evolution Trails form part of a wider National Trust partnership with Pokémon, marking the first of several playful experiences for families throughout the summer holidays, kicking off in July.

Featured Image – James Dobson / National Trust (Supplied)

What's On

Manchester City turn down Old Trafford offer for FA Youth Cup final in favour of Joie Stadium

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Manchester City have turned down an offer from rivals Man United to hold the FA Youth Cup final at Old Trafford.

The Cityzens have instead chosen to host it themselves, only not at the Etihad Campus’ main ground, but rather the Joie Stadium.

Primarily used for City Women and the club’s EDS (elite development squad) and academy teams, the arena was formerly and simply known as The Academy Stadium, was renamed for sponsorship reasons back in 2023, and has seen several updates over the years.

Seating just a fraction of the amount possible across the city at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, the decision has disappointed many, but has been seen as a shrewd bit of gamesmanship by some, as it could effectively see any home advantage handed over to their opponents.

With this set to be the first Manchester derby FA Youth Cup in four whole decades, many supporters were hoping to go along and back their young teams in big numbers.

Proving somewhat divisive among both fan bases, with each of their under-18s squads having enjoyed promising seasons, to say the least, literally tens of thousands look set to miss out on potential tickets as a result of the announcement.

For context, the last time Man United won the coveted academy tournament – which has often served as a key first piece of silverware won by entire generations of young talent – they welcomed a record youth crowd of 67,492 in May of 2022.

In comparison, even with a sold-out stadium, the Joie would only be able to match around 10% of that figure at most.

That being said, it goes without saying that United fans have been some of the most vocal on social media following the controversial confirmation.

On the day, the winning team featured the likes of now fully graduated senior stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Joe Hugill, along with several still-rising prospects.

Some of the starlets that lots of fans would have been looking forward to seeing live in a large and historic sporting arena include Jim Thwaites, Noah Ajayi, Kai Rooney, JJ Gabriel on the red half, and the likes of Kylan Midwood, Divine Mukasa, Stephen Mfuni, Reigan Heskey and more in the blue.

Head coach Oliver Reiss (who took over in July 2024) led his City side to the U18 Premier League North title at the start of this month; meanwhile, Darren Fletcher has returned to oversee his young Red Devils after a spell as caretaker manager of the men’s first team.

While tickets were expected to be snapped up rather quickly already for the all-Manc FA Youth Cup final, it’s now set to be a race for followers of both teams to get their hands on their respective allocations.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

What's On

A taste of ‘Dam in the heart of NQ: a first look at Manchester’s first Dutch fry house

Danny Jones Danny Jones Smaak Northern Quarter Dutch chip shop Manchester

A brand-new Amsterdam-inspired chip shop has opened up on the backstreets of the Northern Quarter, and we have a feeling you’re going to love this one.

Complete with burgers, beer, a whole brunch menu, plenty of cheese and sauce, there may be a lot of calories coming your way, but just imagine how hard this is going to slap on a night out.

Smaak opened up somewhat quietly at the end of April, just in time for a maiden long weekend of Manc punters over the early May bank holiday, and the reviews have got off to a great start.

But we wanted to try it for ourselves, so we did.

Yes, the central crux of a ‘Het Friethuis’, or fry house, is the fries, but trust us, this is much more than a chippy; Smaak is not only the first of its kind in Manchester, but we think it’s nailed on to become NQ’s next big thing.

Either that, or at the very least, a cult favourite among those who know their schooners from their steins.

Why? Well, besides preaching to the choir when it comes to chips – let’s face it, we Northerners aren’t just converted, we’re practically dipped in the frying oil at this point – the full food lineup is a condensed but satisfying selection full of big hitters.

Let’s begin with the brunch: it features everything from classic Dutch pancakes and topped Belgian waffles, to breakfast buns, and rostis served up until 3pm; we’re off to a great start.

Then there’s an all-day smattering of bar snacks, including various loaded fries like truffle mayo and parmesan, classic Belgian trimmings, or even the ‘Oorlog’ option with peanut sauce, house mayo and raw onion, to ‘bitterballen’, which are basically breaded and deep-fried stewy meatballs.

But then you peruse the rest of the menu to see not only wonderful beers that taste like they’re flowing directly from casks in the Netherlands, but a trio of traditional burgers (yes, even a fish one) and seven seriously enticing cocktails and desserts, each with a little twist from the region.

smaak cocktails nq
smaak dessert menu
Credit: The Manc Eats

It’s also worth noting that A LOT of time and attention goes into this operation, from shipping over a fryer straight from ‘The Dam’, to double-cooking, making all of their sauces in-house, usually freshly-sourced Cheshire potatoes, and the best quality thick-cut bacon, just to name a very small few impressive details.

Some of these recipes literally took more than a year to perfect – and that’s just when it comes to sauces, no exaggeration…

The whole concept was developed with help from renowned chef Kate Austen, who has worked with Gordon Ramsay and even appeared on the BBC’s Great British Menu, becoming the first woman to ever win the competition. So yeah, there’s some proper pedigree behind this one, too.

Put simply, you’ve heard of farm table – well, these guys are really committing to that ethos, too, only their slogan is more like “from farm to fryer”, and it shows in the results.

Overall, they’ve just got a really good product to offer here, with a more casual cafe-style set-up on the first floor, the cool pour-your-own beer option, as well as plenty of scope for private hire with the big space downstairs. Located on Back Turner Street in NQ, Smaak is well worth a visit.

Smaak Manchester
Smaak Northern Quarter
new dutch friethuis in manchester
Ctedit: The Manc

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

More What's On

Art & Culture

People with this name can visit Knowsley Safari for FREE to celebrate David Attenborough’s 100th birthday

Art & Culture

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 4 – 10 May 2026

News

Latest wave of ‘Evening 4’ Ricky Hatton lineup in memory of the legendary Manc boxer announced

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches