We all know that famous Ian Brown quote by now – “Manchester’s got everything except a beach”.
Well, Manchester might not have one, but Bolton does.
It may not be what you’d expect from an industrial, former mill town – but a ‘seaside experience’ complete with a giant sandpit and all the retro games you’d expect from a trip to the beach are arriving in Bolton town centre this August Bank Holiday weekend as part of the Bolton Food & Drink Festival.
With the festival having already kicked off today, and set to run for the next four days, Bolton Council and the town’s Library and Museum Services have taken to social media to share photos and spread the word of the new attraction.
The post has already amassed hundreds of interactions, shares, and eager comments.
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As well as a giant sandpit, which takes centre stage at the experience and surrounded by candy-striped deck chairs, there’s also a paddling pool with a hook-a-duck game.
There’s even a Victorian ‘strongman show’, face painting, a space hopper track, and so much more to make the most of.
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The Seaside Experience is free for all festival-goers to attend.
The retro seaside experience is popping up in the town as the hugely-popular Bolton Food & Drink Festival is finally returning this weekend after a year of postponement due to COVID-19 – which saw the annual festival go online for 2020.
The Seaside Experience is free for all festival-goers to attend over the Bank Holiday weekend / Credit: Bolton Museum and Library Services
World-renowned chefs will share their secrets during free cookery demonstrations, and a collection of outdoor bars, live music and street entertainment are creating the usual festival atmosphere that draws visitors from far and wide.
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Over the course of the four-day festival – which is designed to be COVID-secure with a thorough risk assessment in place – families will be able to enjoy a wide range of activities.
Visitors can also relax in the new picnic zone in the nearby Queens Park.
Keen to learn a little bit more about the food vendors, cooking demonstrations, and other activities happening this weekend?
You can find everything you need to know about Bolton Food & Drink Festival 2021 here.
Featured Image – Bolton Library and Museum Services
What's On
A FREE shopping event dedicated to saving students money is returning to Manchester Arndale
Thomas Melia
One of the city centre’s most popular shopping events helping students save money is returning to Manchester Arndale and the city centre.
MCR Student Socialis heading back to the city with its big discounts, freebies, giveaways and plenty of entertainment to keep you busy while you browse.
This interactive shopping event encourages new and current students to wander roundManchester Arndaleand the surrounding streets while snapping up some seriously good deals.
Expect discounts of up to 50% off at 120 stores including big high street retailers like Champion, Søstrene Grene, Selfridges, Sephora, and Berghaus.
This incredible 50% off deal continues into some of Manchester Arndale’s big-name food vendors like Wingstop, Archie’s, Barburrito, Sides, HOP Vietnamese and more.
If you’re after carrying thatZara Larssonenergy into your next academic year, the Arndale’s Rhinestone Rodeo celebration includes a Charm Bar in Exchange Court, where you can turn photos into personalised charms.
No shopping trip is complete without a matcha in-hand and you can bag yourself a free hot or iced drink in Exchange Court at the Cult Beauty Matcha Station.
Look out for our Audio North truck on Market StreetThe Manchester Arndale MCR Student Social is back
There’s even the Arndale’s Party Tuk Tuk which will be roaming around the city-centre shopping complex blasting out hip-hop tunes and some of your song requests.
Just outside Manchester Arndale on Market Street, there’s plenty of activities split across three dedicated zones, like Food & Drink by familiar foodie faces like Franco Manca and Great British Doner.
The Party Zone will be buzzing as Footasylum, Museum of Illusions and Urban Playground all unite, while there’s plenty of giveaways over at the Info Zone with brands like Science + Industry Museum and RSPB.
And, our very ownAudio North x The Manc DJ Truck is soundtracking Market Street with student DJs playing out everything from dance and funk to classic party anthems.
MCR Student Social is taking place on Thursday 24 September at Manchester Arndale from 12pm to 7pm and you can find more information via its official websiteHERE.
A Medieval Faire with birds of prey and live demonstrations is coming to Manchester’s oldest building
Daisy Jackson
Manchester is going back to the Middle Ages this month as the city’s Medieval Faire returns to Chetham’s Library for a day of history, live entertainment, and family fun.
The free event is taking place on Saturday 26 September, with the grounds of the historic building transformed into a medieval celebration from 11am to 4pm.
And with Chetham’s medieval buildings dating all the way back to 1421, there probably aren’t many more fitting places in Manchester to spend the day pretending you’ve stepped back several centuries.
Visitors can expect plenty going on throughout the day, including walking tours of Manchester’s Medieval Quarter, birds of prey, specialist stalls, and live demonstrations showing what life was like during the medieval era.
There’ll also be historical re-enactors from Historia Normannis, bringing the sights, sounds and characters of the Middle Ages to life.
The event is being staged in partnership with the University of Manchester and Manchester Cathedral, with organisers hoping to get people of all ages interested in the city’s often-overlooked medieval history.
Julianne Simpson, Librarian at Chetham’s Library, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the Medieval Faire back to Chetham’s.
The Manchester Medieval Faire returns this month
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to discover Manchester’s medieval heritage through hands-on experiences, live performances, and historical demonstrations.
“Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking for a fun family day out, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
Best of all, entry is completely free and you don’t need to book.
If you fancy going a bit deeper into Manchester’s history while you’re there, guided tours of Chetham’s Library will also be available to book on the day for £8.50 per person.
The tours offer visitors the chance to explore one of the UK’s most significant historic libraries and discover more about its collections, characters and stories.
So, if your weekend plans involve less brunch and more medieval re-enactments, birds of prey and wandering around one of Manchester’s oldest buildings, this one’s worth putting in the diary.
Emily Sergeant -
27th August 2021 
