As the summer season sets in, an immersive Pirates of the Carribean-themed bottomless brunch is arriving in Manchester.
It’s been a long time coming, but with the government’s “irreversible” roadmap for lifting England’s current national lockdown now set out, a return to normality is on the horizon – and this 90-minute bottomless brunch event, which is based on the iconic 00s film franchise, is sailing into Revolution Parsonage Gardens this August.
This immersive brunch experience, hosted by The Brunch Club in partnership with Revolution, is set to take you “as close as Manchester can get to the Bermuda Triangle”.
A description for the highly-anticipated event from The Brunch Club website reads: “Calling all pirates, wenches, mermaids and scallywags, if you’ve been waiting for the opportune moment, then this is it – join us for the most exciting brunch of your life.
“Will you be made to walk the plank? Will you be cut in two during our live pirate sword fight? Will you be enchanted away by one of our mermaids? Will you find the hidden treasure?”
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Revolution
The brunch may be the main event, but there’ll also be “a quiz to test your pirate knowledge”, plenty of games, competitions and special prizes up for grabs to keep you on your toes, and while fancy dress is not compulsory, there will also be prizes for the best dressed attendees.
Along with an inclusive menu of grilled brunches, avocado toast and pancakes – with options available for vegetarians, vegans and those following a gluten-free diet – this is also a bottomless brunch, which means you can sip on a tipple or two, from Aperol Spritz and Prosecco, to Bloody Marys, a range of beers and and so much more, all while you sing-along to your heart’s content.
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Alternatively, you can skip the booze and just stick to the brunch by itself if you wish.
“So grab your eye patches, dig out those cutlesses, follow your treasure maps, pull out those dubloons, and maurade this way as you have the adventure of your life”.
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The Pirates of the Caribbean Bruch is happening on Sunday 22nd August 2021.
The Brunch Club has worked closely with Revolution to make this event happen, and those who book will be kept continuously updated with any changes over the coming months.
Tickets are available from £35 per head, and you can grab yours here.
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 13 – 19 October 2025
Emily Sergeant
October is in full swing, and we’re loving how autumnal it looks everything.
The air has a chill, the leaves have changed colour, and spooky season’s right around the corner now, so that means there’s plenty of exciting activities to be getting up to in Greater Manchester in the coming weeks and beyond.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. We’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
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Pumpkin Lanterns
Manchester City Centre
Monday 13 – Friday 31 October
Pumpkin Lanterns / Credit: CityCo / Manchester BID
Have you noticed that Manchester’s adorable little pumpkin lanterns have already started popping up around the city?
If you’re looking to get in the mood for Halloween, but want to keep things a little on the cheaper side this week, then you need look no further than up above in the city centre as the annual decorative pumpkin lanterns are back once again.
Going on a little tour to see the lanterns in the trees in St Ann’s Square, Market Street, and beyond is the perfect activity for all the family, easy to plan, and great for pictures – and it’s free too.
Feeling brave? Scare City has returned to the North West with yet another ‘immersive’ horror experience in the lead up to Halloween.
Taking over the grounds of the abandoned Camelot Theme Park for ‘another year of terror’, just as it has done for the past four years following the success of its initial 2020 launch as a drive-in cinema, this year’s event features a selection of terrifying zones to weave your way through – some familiar, some brand new.
Tickets are now available to book at £29.50 for standard entry, or £44.50 for the ‘Gold Entry’ (both plus a booking free).
Find out more and grab tickets to this year’s event here.
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Pumpkin Festival 2025
Kenyon Hall Farm
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Monday 13 – Friday 31 October
Pumpkin Festival 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group
What could be more cute and autumnal than rummaging around in a field in the October sunshine, hunting for your perfect pumpkin? Nothing, if you ask us.
If you’re liking the sound of that, then good news, as Kenyon Hall Farm’s annual Pumpkin Festival has officially kicked off and they’ve got THOUSANDS to choose from.
As well as the fields full of pumpkins, there’s loads of seasonal items in the award-winning farm shop too (alongside masses of fresh produce), like tattoo transfers for your pumpkins, gonks, keyrings, and more.
And don’t forget to stop off at the cafe for their seasonal pumpkin specials.
Multi award-winning musical Sunny Afternoon is kicking off its UK tour here in Manchester at the iconic Palace Theatre.
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Following a sell-out run at Hampstead Theatre, the musical production featuring all the hit songs by legendary rock band The Kinks opened to critical acclaim at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End, where it ran for two years ahead of its sensational UK and Ireland tour throughout 2016/17 – and now it’s heading out on tour.
Set against the backdrop of Britain on the cusp of the rebellious 60s,Sunny Afternoon is described as being an ‘exhilarating and moving’ celebration of the music, life, and the band that changed it all.
Dare you enter the haunted Big Top? Gandeys Circus is back at the Trafford Centre this spooky season, and is bringing along with it a brand-new spine-chilling and action-packed Halloween Spooktacular.
This legendary show will be filled with frights, delights, and dazzling sights for the whole family.
Prepare for jaw-dropping thrill acts that will leave you gasping, grand production numbers bursting with eerie enchantment, and of course, plenty of laughter and screams along the way, as this is Halloween entertainment like you’ve never seen before.
Want to know what other Halloween-themed events are happening at the Trafford Centre throughout this month?
Spooky season is nearly upon us, and the Trafford Centre has now announced its lineup of Halloween activities to get stuck into, and from creepy crafts, to hair-raising rides and eerie evening entertainment, there’s something for every brave soul.
The Oast House’s popular teepee draped in twinkling lights is back for the festive season.
Complete with two roaring fires, twinkling fairy lights, faux fur throws, The Teepee will be made up of four tents joined together to create a huge open hub, complete with a stage area for guests to dance the night away in festive spirit.
It’s all sounding set to be a popular spot for locals and those who’ve finished a hard day at work during the autumn and winter months.
NEW OPENING – Power Hall / Credit: Science Museum Group
It’s been a long time coming, but this week, the Science and Industry Museum will be welcoming visitors back inside one of the UK’s most significant industrial heritage buildings – the Power Hall.
Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery is a free working gallery where visitors can immerse themselves in the sights, smells, and sounds of the engine-driven ideas and industry that started in Manchester and went on to change the world.
Have you noticed any ‘street nipples’ popping up around Manchester in recent weeks?
Yes that’s right, we did say ‘street nipples’, you heard us correctly.
In case you weren’t aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a way of marking this hugely crucial event, pavement studs across major UK cities like Manchester have been transformed into nipples as part of a bold conversation-starting initiative from charity Breast Cancer UK.
Pavement studs often go unnoticed, just like the early signs of breast cancer – but this clever new campaign is already stopping people in their tracks.
Need a spot for breakfast? Manchester’s newest food hall has got you covered.
House of Social now does breakfast – and my lord, are you lot in for a treat with this one.
From Ok Taqueria, there’s breakfast burritos packed with jalapeño sausage patties and all manner of other breakfast items, there’s a taste of New York from Dough Religion in the form of pancake stacks and in-house bagels.
And last but not least, Burger and Beyond has the hangover cure sent from the heavens, with breakfast buns and the most PERFECT hash browns on the side.
Summer may be over, but guess what? Now that autumn is well and truly here, that means we get to wear layers, cosy up in our favourite places, and eat heartwarming plates piled high with all the major food groups.
Roast dinners / Credit: The Manc Group
Whether you want the likes of Banyan’s bottomless Yorkshire puddings bigger than your head, or swapping your meat out for a pie (you heard us), we’ve got something to suit everyone… tou can even get dog roasts too, if you ask The Refuge nicely.
Check out our top 25 best places to head to for a perfect roast in Greater Manchester here.
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Does your sweet tooth needing satisfying instead? Look at these spooky bakes.
Manchester’s most creative bakery has delivered the goods again this autumn, with a whole menu of seasonal treats and spooky pastries.
Half Dozen Other’s Halloween-inspired specials include a pistachio choux bun with a wobbly brain inside, an adorable pumpkin and pecan danish, and cherry cookie pie complete with witchy marzipan finger on top.
And beyond that, this month’s menu features a pistachio twist on their sell-out honey toast twice-baked croissant, a blood orange pain au chocolat, and a vegan charcoal cookies and cream croissant.
YUM.
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Featured Image – The Manc Group | Kevin Cummins
What's On
Manchester Half 2025 guide – route, waves, start times and everything you need to know
Danny Jones
The Manchester Half, the largest of this marathon distance in the entire North West, is back for 2025 this weekend, and literally tens of thousands of Brits and more are set to descend upon 0161 for the big race. And that’s just the runners…
It’s estimated that 26,000 participants are set to lace up their running shoes for the ninth edition of the Manchester Half, which also marks the third and final year of their ‘Express Yourself’ campaign.
This year’s event is also expected to raise £1.5 million for various organisations, with thousands running in support of partnered charities like the Alzheimer’s Society, Cancer Research UK and The Christie. One of the best days of the year and all for a good cause.
With all that in mind, whether you’re taking part or just spectating, we want to do everything we can to help to get ready for the event; here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Manchester Half.
Manchester Half 2025 guide – all the important info
What time does the Manchester Half start?
Elite wheelchair participants will set off first at 8:55am, followed promptly by the elite wave at 9:00am.
Following this, the rest of the participants will get going in roughly 10-minute intervals, depending on their allocated colour, with staggered waves setting off up until approximately 10:48am.
You can see all the waves and their relevant start times below:
Credit: MCR Half (supplied)
The Manchester Half route: start and finish line + key checkpoints
Access to the start process is adjacent to Trafford Town Hall; those wishing to use the bag drop can enter the Emirates Old Trafford (Lancashire Cricket Club) stadium via gates 5 and 10.
Marshals will then direct participants to the start line from both locations.
On the route, participants will head towards the city before looping back, passing through Stretford, Sale, Chorlton-cum-Hardy and eventually the finish line back along Talbot Road.
The full participant guide, containing start times, a detailed breakdown of the route and more, can be viewed here, but you can see a helpful map of the Manchester Half route down below.
Check out our new updated Activations Route Map, featuring @AppliedNutrition
Where are the toilet locations, water and nutrition stations on the MCR Half?
As you can see, there will be a total of four drink stations along the half-marathon course. Isotonic Energy Gels from Applied Nutrition will be available at stops two and three.
Similarly, there will be portaloo toilets at each of the water stations, as well as plenty at the Event Village for those pre-race precautions (time that morning coffee carefully, folks…)
Road closures for the Manchester Half
Road closures will be in effect along and around the half-marathon route starting from early on Saturday, 11 October.
Those affected should allow extra time for journeys, as open roads in the surrounding areas will be busy.
Many bus services will also be diverted due to these closures, and you can also expect added congestion further out into Greater Manchester, especially towards Trafford.
Full details of road closures can be found HERE, and you can consult an interactive map below:
How to get to Event Village for the Manchester Half
The tram network will allow both runners and spectators the best access to and from the event.
For a quieter journey, the Imperial War Museum stop is a 15-minute walk to the Event Village. The closest tram stations are Old Trafford (a 3-minute walk) and Trafford Bar (a 10-minute walk), but these will be very busy and will likely have significant queues.
As mentioned, buses will be disrupted by road closures, meaning those arriving in Manchester by train are advised to take the tram directly to the Event Village if and wherever possible.
Participants are advised to avoid driving to the event due to the increased level of traffic already brought about by the well-attended annual event.
For those who do plan on driving, however, there is no official parking, but Manchester United do offer pre-paid parking spaces at Old Trafford. They are available for £18 when booked in advance.
Make sure to double-check your Manchester Half guide on race morning, too. (Credit: Supplied)
How to track runners and watch the 2025 Manchester Half remotely?
Once again, countless numbers are expected to line the Manchester streets in support of those running the MCR Half, but for those who can only cheer on from afar, the race will be available to view via livestream on the full Manchester Marathon YouTube channel.
If you’re looking to see where a participant is along the route, you can find more help on how to best utilise all the recommended tracking features like the ‘Find My’ app, ‘share my location’ on WhatsApp and the Strava beacon function HERE.
Supporter hub and dedicated cheer zones
As for where is best to cheer on the 26k or so legends running the Manchester Half, the temporarily re-named Deansgate ‘Inter-rave’ (Deansgate-Castlefield Interchange) will see hordes of spectators amping up the atmosphere at mile 1 with a Cybertruck DJ and ‘kick-off cam showing live starts.
Over at Wharfside, the ‘Buzz Hub’ will enable spectators can see participants twice on their journey past the iconic Old Trafford stadium, before heading toward Stretford. There will also be inflatable dancing bees and a DJ.
Other prime viewing spots include Stretford, Sale and Chorlton-cum-Hardy. The Event Village at LCCC will also have a large screen showing live finish line coverage, as well as food outlets and activities from partners for everyone to enjoy.
It’s highly recommended that supporters avoid going directly to the finish line, where viewing will be limited due to large crowds and one-way systems.
Easy bit of advice that often gets forgotten for you here: organise a specific meeting point to reunite with those runners beforehand – saves a lot of time and faff among the crowds.
What/who else to look out for at this year’s Manchester Half…
Other things to keep in mind include the official Manchester Half shakeout run, which is being hosted by lead sponsors PUMA and Runna, and takes place the official Manchester Half shakeout run will take place on Saturday, 11 October.
Having set up another pop-up for this year’s event, where top-end running trainers, merch and other goodies can be picked up, they’re just one of many brands getting involved with the wider 2025 Supporter Hub.
For instance, ERDINGER’s – who will be handing out alcohol free beers for those crossing the finish line – are also serving as this year’s team of pacers.
If you’re looking to get a certain time in your race, as well as assembling with the rest of your wave at the start line, look out for your relevant pacer at the start on the day.
That should be just about all the key details you need to know for this year’s Manchester Half-marathon guide, but if in doubt, you can always check the event website for more info.
Last but not least, make sure you get a good breakfast in, prepare your race kit all ready the night before, get plenty of rest and drink even more water.
Best of luck to all those running, not that anyone needs it – you’re going to absolutely SMASH it and we’ll see you at the pub for plenty of celebrating afterwards!
Emily Sergeant -
19th April 2021 
