The late Dame Vivienne Westwood is being honoured with a “one of a kind” walking tour around her hometown this weekend.
Set to celebrate the talent and legacy of the undeniable fashion and cultural icon – who sadly passed away at the age of 81 late last year – the brand-new dedicated walking tour will take fans around Westwood’s hometown of Glossop where she spent her childhood and show the cultural impact she had on the community
Born in the picturesque Derbyshire town in 1941, Westwood attended school in Glossop and was always known to speak highly of her early years and the rugged landscape of the High Peak, especially around her home village of Tintwistle.
Although Glossop is considered to be the gateway to the Peak District, it’s actually only 30 minutes from Manchester on a direct train to Piccadilly.
No longer cut off from the rest of Greater Manchester and Derbyshire, Glossop is now a thriving town that boasts a number of popular cafes, restaurants, delis, bars, and pubs – making it an excellent place to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
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The new walking tour, called ‘Too Inspired To Be Tired, is taking place for one-day-only this Saturday 13 May, and is being curated and led by culture expert Martha Camarillo as part of Glossop Creates – a collective aiming to bring together local independent creative businesses and individuals.
With participants encouraged to “dress the part” and attend the walk wearing their most “eccentric, bold, and rebellious outfits” the ‘catwalk’ along Glossop’s High Street will explore Vivienne Westwood’s early years, family, influences, and inspirations, before pondering what might have inspired a girl from a small town to become an international icon and one of the most influential British designers in fashion history.
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‘One of a kind’ Vivienne Westwood walking tour launched around her hometown / Credit: Vivienne Westwood (via Instagram)
“Vivienne Westwood’s persona has always intrigued me,” said walk curator Martha Camarillo.
“It’s all about her – a life filled with intensity and stimulating stories, a woman who always saw beyond what the eye sees, and someone who always wanted to find the heart of the matter and channelled her actions and ideas to the next level with her characteristic passion, and her strong, sharp temperament.
“She had the ability to transform herself and others.”
The Wander Walks: Too Inspired To Be Tired tour will take place on Saturday 13 May, and will start at 3pm by Deggy’s mural on Chapel Street – with tickets costing £5 each.
You can line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester
Thomas Melia
After a fun way to kickstart the New Year? Some people might suggest hobbies like ‘Tennis’, but how about a line dancing class playing Lily Allen’s new album in its entirety – we know which we’d rather do.
Grab your nearest ‘Nonmonogamummy’ or take ‘Madeline’, if you know one, because there’s a line dance class where you get to line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester.
Hosted by Red Rodeo Club, a queer line dancing group based in Manchester, who have hosted monthly artist-inspired events city wide including Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, Charli XCX and more.
This troupe even managed to line dance all the way to one of Manchester’s most reputable LGBTQIA+ nights of the year, performing on the Archive stage at Homobloc just last month.
Now, Red Rodeo is returning with another special night that is sure to interest all the West Endand North West girls across Manchester, as it prepares a Lily Allen line dance spectacular later this month.
If you’re ‘Ruminating’ about attending this event, there’s absolutely no pressure or dance experience needed as the group prides itself on providing ‘classic boot-scootin tutorials with a party vibe’.
You’ll definitely be in good company regardless of your dance partners, as hosting the event is Violet Blonde, known for their extraordinary outfits and love of Country icon Dolly Parton.
We’re already onto a winner…
Your dance instructor for the night is the remarkable Shanika Sunrise, a rapper and producer, who boasts a seriously impressive roster of acts they’ve opened for, including Chappell Roan, Cupcakke and Moonchild Sanelly.
Opportunities like this aren’t always feasible for everyone, which is something this line dance group is aware of as they’re offering a ‘Red Rodeo Club Low Income Ticket’, suited for students, unwaged and disabled attendees.
Red Rodeo Club is bringing the ‘Lily Allen edition’ line dance class to Fairfield Social Club in Manchester on Thursday, 29 January 2026, from 7-10:30pm.
If you’re interested in grapevine stepping or electric shuffling your way to the Lily Allen West End Girl line dance event in Manchester, you can find tickets HERE.
A ‘Bubble Planet Experience’ with giant ball pits and an infinity room is coming to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Manchester will soon welcome a ‘dreamlike world’ filled with giant, colourful bubbles, when Bubble Planet Experience makes its Manchester debut.
Expect giant ball pits, giant balloons, floating soap bubbles, and an infinity room in this brand-new-for-us immersive experience.
Bubble Planet Experience has already been visited by more than four million people in cities across the globe, including New York, Los Angeles, and London – now it’s time for its first trip to Manchester, where it’ll pop up inside Depot Mayfield.
Visitors will be able to explore 10 themed rooms, each one offering a different surreal landscape that will ‘blur the boundaries between dream and reality’.
Highlights include the Bubble Ocean, a vast expanse of bubbles designed to evoke calm and serenity, and the Infinity Room, where mirrors and shifting lights create the illusion of endless space.
Underwater Bubbles will transport visitors into a hypnotic aquatic world, recreating the magic and mystery of deep-sea exploration.
An infinity room at Bubble Planet Experience
There’s also a Bubble Dome, where younger visitors can unleash their creativity in a play area, plus the chance to go on a virtual reality adventure.
Expect dazzling light displays, interactive installations, and unexpected textures.
Bubble Planet Experience is co-produced by family entertainment producer Exhibition Hub and Fever.
Hamza El Azhar, CEO of Exhibition Hub, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Bubble Planet to Manchester for the very first time alongside the team at Fever, and to be part of a city with such a strong and celebrated cultural identity.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to experience a joyful, immersive adventure that sparks curiosity and wonder for all ages.”
The waitlist for early access to tickets is available HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
9th May 2023 
