Yorkshire Wildlife Park is offering one of the most unique staycation opportunities going this summer and it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted.
It’s no secret that staycations are on the up this year due to the number of overseas travel restrictions currently in place amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and that camping in the countryside is filling that holiday hole for many Brits, but how does pitching your tent up beside a pride of lions sound?
Yes, we’re not kidding – camping next to lions is a thing and the pleasure is all yours from just £50 a night.
The popular walk-through wildlife adventure park – Yorkshire Wildlife Park (YWP), based in Doncaster – is home to the ‘Roar and Snore’ camping experience and it’s exactly what the name suggests.
According to the YWP website, Roar and Snore camping is a chance to “experience a traditional wild camping escape in the heart of nature… where campers of all ages can enjoy an unforgettable fun family night (or two) under the stars.”
Whilst “traditional” isn’t the first word that springs to mind when we think of this, we’re definitely intrigued.
We are pleased to announce our new Roar & Snore Campsite!?️ Experience a traditional camping escape at Yorkshire Wildlife Park!? Where campers of all ages can enjoy a family night under the stars⛺ ? Find out more and book your camping pitch now at-https://t.co/WP4ro8IwcQpic.twitter.com/KlbZF4RPuc
— Yorkshire Wildlife Park ? (@YorkshireWP) July 11, 2020
This new camping option at YWP includes a 10m x 15m socially-distanced camping pitch, which is enough for one large tent or two smaller tents, and allows access to on-site washrooms and shower facilities. Guests are able to camp just next to the entrance of the park and if they’re lucky enough, will even get to hear the lions roaring in the morning from inside their tents.
On-site food facilities are available, including a pizzeria with pizza, beer and wine, and a breakfast wagon is on hand to serve up some good grub in the morning.
Campers will have to pre-book their pitch and take their own tents too, but do note that Roar and Snore experience is for tent camping only as Yorkshire Wildlife Park is unable to accommodate caravans and camper vans/motorhomes at this time.
While tickets to the park are not included in the Roar and Snore rates, families will get discounted deals to enter the attraction, and if you fancy some alone time with the animals, you can even book an out-of-hours Safari tour too, which will take place an hour before or after the park opens.
How ace is that?
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Camping pitches are available for up to six people per pitch, with tickets starting from just £50 per night and any additional nights costing an extra £40.
Tickets for Roar and Snore camping are available from Wednesday 22nd July – Monday 31st August.
Reduced-rate day tickets for the park will then cost £15.50 for kids and £19.50 for adults.
If this sounds right up your street, then you can book your Roar and Snore camping experience here, and for more information, visit the Yorkshire Wildlife Park website here.
What's On
Trafford Centre’s ‘unmissable’ summer fair is returning with a beach, fairground rides, and more
Emily Sergeant
A beach, splash park, fairground rides, and loads more family fun is returning to the Trafford Centre this summer.
After proving to be massively-popular over the past couple of years, with thousands of families travelling from across Greater Manchester and beyond to bask in the sunshine and make the most of all the fun and games, the Trafford Centre is getting ready to welcome back ‘the much-anticipated event of the summer’ in a couple of weeks time.
And this year, the beloved family event has got itself a new family activity zone, and it sounds set to be bigger and better than ever.
The best bit? Tickets will only set you back just £3 each.
A huge fairground, splash park, and beach are returning to Trafford Centre for the summer / Credit: Trafford Centre
Set to open from Saturday 19 July, and run right the way through until the end of August, the family-friendly event will see a massive beach ready for sunbathing and sandcastles pop up outside the shopping centre, alongside a splash park with lots of water jets perfect for cooling you off.
From building sandcastles at the giant beach, to cooling off at the children’s splash park, there’s something for everyone.
Adrenaline junkies both young and old will also get to enjoy retro fairground rides, including ‘Star Flyer’, ‘Sea Storm’, while the event’s in town, as well a giant inflatable area, and loads more.
New for 2025 is the Summer Activity Zone – an undercover tent area complete with free, hands-on crafting activities designed especially for kids.
Each week brings a new theme packed with imagination, colour, and fun, no matter whether it’s rain or shine, so if your little Mancs love painting, baking, building, or experimenting, then you’ll want to take them here to inspire their young minds.
There’s also a wide range of tasty treats available too, including burgers and hotdogs, and for those with a sweet tooth, Cheshire ice cream, Belgian waffles, chocolate covered fruit and marshmallows, and churros.
Trafford Centre’s Summer Fair is popping up outside The Orient, opposite The Great Hall entrance, from Saturday 19 July right through until 31 August, and will be open every day from 12-8pm.
Tickets are now on sale – with pre-booking ‘recommended to avoid disappointment’ – and will set you back just £3 per person if booked in advance (includes booking fee) and £3.50 on the gate, while ride tokens must be purchased separately for £1.
Featured Image – Trafford Centre
What's On
Stage times confirmed for Oasis Live ’25 at Heaton Park in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Oasis will finally return to Manchester for five massive hometown gigs this week – and stage times for their Heaton Park show have been confirmed.
The Gallagher brothers have already reunited for two gigs in Cardiff ahead of their Manchester shows.
Oasis will be performing in Heaton Park on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 of July, with support from long-time friends Richard Ashcroft and Cast.
With about 80,000 people expected to flock to the fields for the Oasis Live ’25 shows, there’s a lot of planning going on behind the scenes.
And the stage times for the Oasis Manchester gigs have just been confirmed by the band.
Oasis will be taking to the stage at 8.15pm, and with a 10.30pm curfew, that’s around two hours of glorious Gallagher hits.
Gates to Heaton Park open at 3pm and organisers are expecting large crowds – they’re encouraging fans to allow plenty of time for travel and arrive early.
As a reminder, there are shuttle buses running directly from Lever Street to Heaton Park from 1.30pm, but these are almost sold out.
You can also get tickets for Big Green Coach here, or use trams from Victoria Station up to the venue.
Confirmed stage times for Oasis at Heaton Park, Manchester