A big festival full of fun for all four-legged friends is coming to Cheshire next weekend as DogFest takes over Tatton Park.
DogFest was founded back in 2014, and after making a name for itself as the nation’s favourite dog-friendly festival, with thousands of pups descending on popular parks across the UK each year ever since, it’s back for 2022, and will be taking over Tatton Park in the picturesque Cheshire village of Knutsford next weekend.
Created by dog-lovers, for dog-lovers, DogFest is 2022 will give you and your pup the chance to “try your paw” at a whole host of activities – including dog diving, agility courses, or entering the Fun Dog Show for your chance to win ‘Best in Show’.
You can also see some sensational dog displays, get advice from a variety of animal experts, learn training tips at the Dog School, and so much more.
There’s plenty of chances to shop, and grab some festival food and drink too.
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DogFest is back for 2022 and taking over Tatton Park next weekend / Credit: DogFest
BAFTA-award winning TV presenter Michaela Strachan will also be making her way to Tatton Park to meet visitors and offer lots of tummy rubs to four-legged guests next weekend, while demonstrations will come from hugely-talented canines and their trainers – including TikTok sensation Lucy Heath, and Crufts Freestyle winner Nicci Hindson.
DogFest’s charity partner this year is Dogs Trust UK.
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Festival-goers will be able to learn all about some of the charity’s dogs currently looking for forever homes across the North West.
Speaking ahead of the festival next weekend, Louise Round – Head of Supporter Relations at Dogs Trust – said: “This is the second year we have been DogFest’s charity partner, and we had a fantastic time last year, and so did our dogs.
“It was wonderful to see so many who were having a great day out with their forever families.”
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Anyone looking to help raise vital funds for Dogs Trust this year can take part in DogFest 2022’s Big Dog Walk in Tatton Park, with Louise explaining that the 2k and 4k walks will not only take participants “to parts of the park others won’t see”, but also have plenty of activities for children to take part in along the way.
There’ll be a whole range of interactive activities, demonstrations, events, shopping opportunities, and more to make the most of / Credit: DogFest
DogFest 2022 is taking over Tatton Park on Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 June.
Both single-day and weekend tickets, family tickets, and a range of VIP packages are still available to get your hands on, and prices start from as little as £20 for adults and £13 for children.
Trafford Centre to host FREE family science weekend with robots, dinosaurs, experiments, and more
Emily Sergeant
A new science festival is coming to Manchester next month, and little ones can meet robots, dinosaurs, and more.
Families are invited to enjoy a free fun-filled weekend full of different interactive and hands-on science activities, as FunLab takes over the Trafford Centre early next month to mark the launch of British Science Week – which runs from Friday 6 through to Sunday 15 March.
The weekend-long celebration is hosted by the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Manchester.
You can expect robots, dinosaurs, experiments, and interactive activities to be brought to life for visitors of all ages, and for completely free of charge.
In the dedicated dinosaur zone, you can step back in time with spectacular displays and meet real-life palaeontologists who will reveal fascinating secrets of the prehistoric world, as well as get the chance to handle genuine fossils, find out how scientists understand ancient life, and take as many selfies as possible.
FunLab takes over the Trafford Centre early next month / Credit: Supplied
Over in the robot zone, this is where you’ll get to discover smart robots that move, react, and perform crowd‑pleasing tricks, while young engineers test their skills, control mini‑bots, and learn how robotics keeps people safe.
There’ll also be a flight simulator – suitable for children aged seven and above – where you can soar into the science of flight and take the controls in an exciting experience, before exploring how aircraft design, weather, and environments affect flight.
Families can also enjoy a wide mix of creative, sensory, and scientific fun in the dedicated experiments zone too.
There’ll be robots, dinosaurs, and loads of interactive experiments to try out / Credit: Alex Kondratiev (via Pexels)
“We’re thrilled to welcome FunLab to the centre and provide families with an unforgettable experience,” commented Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at the Trafford Centre. “From robot dogs to giant dinosaurs, there’s something to amaze everyone.”
A spokesperson for The University of Manchester added: “We are proud to showcase our world‑leading researchers directly to the community.
“Our scientists, engineers and students are passionate about sharing their work, and events like FunLab we want to show young people and their families that that science is exciting, creative and truly for everyone.”
FunLab takes over the Trafford Centre on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March, and you can find out more information here.
Featured Image – Mikhail Nilov (via Pexels)
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New stage adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House to arrive in Manchester this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
A brand-new stage adaptation of a bestselling horror novel and TV series is coming to Manchester this Halloween.
Following the critically acclaimed Netflix hit series that introduced a new generation to the eerie masterpiece, author Shirley Jackson’s famous The Haunting of Hill House is being turned into a brand-new stage adaptation later this year, and will be taking to one of Manchester’s most iconic stages at the spookiest season of all.
Written by Olivier and BAFTA award-winner Stef Smith, and directed by Martin Constantine, the new production is set to conjure the iconic supernatural thriller on stage.
It will be making its world premiere with a UK tour this autumn, stopping off in several major towns and cities along the way.
If you’re unfamiliar with the story, The Haunting of Hill House follows a group of daring investigators who take on the mystery of Hill House, before their curiosity quickly descends into fear.
A new stage adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House is coming to Manchester this Halloween / Credit: Supplied
“The Haunting of Hill House is one of the greatest supernatural novels of the last hundred years and to have the chance to adapt it for the stage is a true privilege,” explained writer Stef Smith, as the UK tour was announced this week.
“I find Shirley Jackson’s world intoxicating, thrilling and gut-wrenching.
“I believe there is something so deeply theatrical at the heart of Hill House. From the spooky, to the surreal, through heartache and hope. I hope that our cast of characters will take the audience along for a ride quite unlike anything else. Above all we will examine that the biggest horrors are usually human.”
The brand-new stage adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House will arrive in Manchester and take to the stage at Manchester Palace Theatre from Tuesday 27 October right through to Halloween itself (Saturday 31 October 2026).
Emily Sergeant -
8th June 2022 
