If you love the idea of camping, but are less keen on missing out on home comforts , Ribblesdale Park is the place for you.
There are no tent pegs or cold showers to contend with, and definitely no sleeping on cold hard ground here.
Instead, in this corner of the Ribble Valley, you’ll find stunning fields dotted with white bell tents, in the shadow of a historic mansion house.
There are beds – proper ones, with king size duvets, and plump pillows, and soft blankets – as well as all the modern trimmings we’re all used to, like plugs and mirrors inside.
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Glamping tents come with their own decking area, and giant hammocks are nearby. Credit: The Manc Group
They’re decorated beautifully, a subtle bohemian mix of macrame hangings, patterned rugs and draping plants.
You don’t have to queue at huge crowded shower blocks here – you can stroll across the field to individual shower huts and sparkling clean loos.
On our visit, the north west was right at the tail end of its insane heatwave, so within minutes of arriving it was kit off and straight into Gisburne Park Estate’s outdoor pool.
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The glamping village at Ribblesdale Park near Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
After more than an hour of sweltering in the car from Manchester, the sparkling water in the courtyard was a perfect welcome.
It’s heated too, so even on cooler days you can take a dip.
Suitably refreshed and settled into our cosy glamping tent, it was over to Gisburne Park’s on-site restaurant, Hindelinis.
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Here, the portions are massive and the flavours plentiful, from the creamy curry sauce served alongside the battered fish and chunky chips, to the tender chicken burger inside a pillowy bread bun.
Ribblesdale Park at Gisburne Park Estate. Credit: The Manc Group
You might not expect to find top quality cocktails in the middle of the countryside, but you’d be wrong – the bartenders at Hindelinis whip up arguably the best espresso martini in the country, with subtle notes of caramel.
There aren’t many moments as peaceful as sitting on the outdoor terrace with a pornstar martini in hand, its edible flower garnish pairing perfectly with the pastel skies as the sun sets.
Ribblesdale Park at Gisburne Park Estate. Credit: The Manc Group
With its rural location, there’s not much in the way of nightlife once darkness sets in, but thankfully each glamping tent comes with its own fire pit – so it was back to the glamping village for wine and a game of cards around the campfire on our own private deck.
Waking up at Ribblesdale Park is the epitome of tranquility.
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Where else could you open your window in the morning to spot both a peacock and majestic Sika deer strolling past?
The breakfast menu is also pretty majestic, featuring pancakes, granola bowls, full English breakfasts, and (our choice) a hearty sausage and bacon sandwich.
Still not sounding quite luxurious enough for you? Did you know you can also book your own masseuse to come to your tent, or do some pilates pool-side?
Ribblesdale Park really has thought of everything.
Swan Lake, the world’s most famous ballet, is back in Manchester and as beautiful as ever
Daisy Jackson
The stage at the Palace Theatre never looks as beautiful as it does when the English National Ballet come to town – this time with their production of Swan Lake.
The captivating and timeless tale is set to a score by Tchaikovsky, and is rightfully one of the world’s most famous ballets.
Swan Lake is a perfect ballet for first-timers or even for people who have seen hundreds of performances.
It follows the doomed romance of Prince Siegfried and Swan Queen Odette, set to a backdrop of sorcery and deception, pomp and ceremony.
The audience and the Palace Theatre are swept into a landscape of moonlit woodland and lakes, with dry ice creating swirls of mist around the dancer’s feet and dark trees draped overhead.
Swan Lake is at the Palace Theatre. Credit: Laurent Liotardo
There are also grand balls full of candlelight, where elaborate gowns swish and twirl and dancers deftly weave among one another.
The costume department for Swan Lake are second to none, transforming dancers into swans, sorcerers, lords and ladies with the drape of a cloak.
And what dancers they are – the English National Ballet have placed Fernanda Oliveira in the roles of Odette and Odile, while Ken Saruhashi makes a commanding Prince Siegfried.
There aren’t many moments on stage that come close to the Dance of the Little Swans, when four members of the company link hands and skip across the stage in perfect symphony.
Swan Lake is a giant of the stage and although visitors to the Palace Theatre are looking at almost three hours in their seats, the time flies past. What does time matter when you’re witnessing a ballet as timeless as this?
You can get tickets for Swan Lake – or any other of the Palace Theatre’s upcoming shows – here.
Featured image: Laurent Liotardo
What's On
Watch as the cast of The Lion King musical perform in a tiny Manchester bar
Daisy Jackson
Earlier this week, and ahead of the return of one of the world’s biggest musicals, the cast of The Lion King performed inside a tiny bar in Manchester.
The stars of the theatre adaptation of Disney’s massive hit film took to the stage at Sonata Piano Bar & Cabaret Lounge, a hidden gem off an alleyway near St Ann’s Square.
They sang stirring renditions of hits like Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Circle Of Life, and He Lives In You, alongside a small orchestra.
Making appearances were Stephenson Ardern-Sodje (who plays adult Simba), Nokwanda Khuzwayo as Nala, Jean-Luc Guizonne (Mufasa), and Thenjiwe Nofemele (Rafiki), while Zazu’s Matthew Forbes acted as compère.
In just a few weeks’ time, these phenomenal performers will be up on stage in front of huge audiences at the Palace Theatre – but for one night only it was a much smaller audience treated to their talents.
You can watch video below, find out more about The Lion King’s lengthy Manchester run further down this page, and book your tickets here.
The Lion King musical is an adaptation of the 1994 Disney film of the same name, and features a soundtrack written by the likes of Elton John, Tim Rice, Hans Zimmer and South African composer Lebo M.
It’s set to return to the Palace Theatre between 27 October 2022 and 19 February 2023.
The spellbinding show marries puppetry (there are 232 puppets in every show) and costumes with a huge cast of actors to bring Simba’s tale to life.
The musical follows young lion Simba’s journey to becoming King of the Pridelands, joined by other characters such as Timon and Pumba, Nala, Scar, and Zazu.
It was won six Tony awards since launching on Broadway in the late 1990s.
You can book tickets for The Lion King at the Palace Theatre in Manchester here.
Hannah Starkie -
19th August 2022 
