Coronation Street has revealed that its famous ‘Stars Tours’ are returning this summer, and it means you can meet cast members on the legendary cobbles.
In case you missed it, the ever-popular Coronation Street: The Tourreturned back in March after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s been giving fans of the iconic Manchester-based soap – which has recently celebrated 60 years on air – the chance to discover the hidden world that lies behind the camera at the external sets at MediaCityUK in Salford once again.
The much-loved 90-minute tours let you follow in the footsteps of all your favourite characters, and give you the chance to walk around the famous sets of the Rovers Return, Roys Rolls, Underworld, The Kabin, and so much more.
Tour guides are known for sharing all the secrets of the show while they take you around locations of iconic moments from the soap, and there’s also plenty of opportunities to get that all-important Corrie selfie too.
But how would you like to take your tour up a notch?
Coronation Street has revealed that its famous ‘Stars Tours’ are returning this summer / Credit: Coronation Street: The Tour
Just as the name suggests, the Stars Tours not only include the standard 90-minute guided tour of the external Coronation Street set, but they also give you the opportunity to meet the a surprise cast member from the show, which will undoubtedly make the whole experience an extra-special moment for any fan.
While bosses of the official guided tours are keeping names of the mystery cast members who are set to make appearances close to their chest, they have assured fans that they’ll pop out to say hello, and pose for pictures.
They’ll even let you in on a few filming secrets or a story during the special events too.
Speaking ahead of the return of the Stars Tours, Steve Masters – General Manager at Coronation Street: The Tour – said: “Taking a tour of Coronation Street is a real treat for many fans and we often hear guests talking about their favourite characters and storylines, but now, with the launch of Star Tours, guests have the chance to meet someone from the show.
“We can’t wait to see their faces.”
Coronation Street: The Tour gives you the chance to see the hidden world that lies behind the camera / Credit: Twitter (@CorrieTour2020)
Star Tours return on Saturday 16 July, with limited tickets available to book at 1:45pm, 2:15pm, 2:45pm, 3:15pm, 3:45pm, 4:15pm, and 4:45pm, before the next events on Saturday 20 August and Saturday 3 September.
Tickets will set you back £40, and you can grab yours here.
Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains are back again this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam train rides are back for more festive fun this Christmas, and tickets are already on sale… genuinely.
Sure, it’s literally only the second week of September, and we’ve technically still got the rest of summer, and the small matter of Halloween and Bonfire Night to get through first, but East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is already looking ahead to the most magical time of year.
The heritage railway has announced that its popular ‘Santa Specials’ steam train rides are back once again from late November.
The famous festive steam trains have become an essential part of Christmas for many families in the North West.
You can already grab tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam train rides this Christmas / Credit: ELR
And in recent years, the much-loved event has been even bigger and better than ever before.
ELR’s ‘Santa Specials‘ are your chance to hop on board an old-school steam train and travel through the magical Irwell Valley to make ‘enchanted memories’ that last a lifetime.
The truly special Christmas day out starts as you make your way through a winter wonderland at Bury Bolton Street Station.
You’ll first get to meet some old favourites and new characters, including the magical talking Christmas tree, Mrs Claus, and ELR’s very own Ice Princess, all before before having a singalong with a chorus of musical polar bears.
The festive fun then continues on the Santa Special steam trains themselves, with an 80-minute ‘enchanting voyage’ through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.
And, of course, you can expect a special visit from Santa while you’re on board.
The famous East Lancashire Railway ‘Santa Special’ steam train / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (via ELR)
After you’ve grabbed a selfie or two with the big man himself, the grown-ups can look forward to mince pies and festive tipple, while little Mancs can enjoy a soft drink, some chocolate, and take a festive-themed activity pack home with them.
East Lancashire Railway’s famous Santa Specials are running on weekends and selected weekdays from Saturday 22 November – Wednesday 24 December.
Tickets now on sale starting from £22.50 for kids and £23 for adults.
You can book your seats here before it’s too late.
Featured Image – ELR
What's On
Halloween in the City will return to Manchester with iconic inflatable monsters and loads more
Emily Sergeant
Halloween is soon set to return to the city, and dozens of huge inflatable monsters will be invading Manchester next month.
Yes, it’s that time of year yet again… the monsters are back.
After several years of looming over Manchester‘s most-notable rooftops and lurking around famous city centre sites, it’s been revealed that the iconic MCR Monsters will be returning for another year of spooky celebrations next month, along with loads of other terrifying tricks and treats – with something for the whole family to get involved with.
Organisers Manchester BID are set to turn the city centre into a ‘monstrous playground’ once the free two-day festival of frightful fun returns.
Halloween in the City will return to Manchester with iconic inflatable monsters and loads more / Credit: Manchester BID | CityCo
This year’s annual Halloween in the City celebrations will feature a week-long colourful invasion of the MCR Monsters, following the two-day family festival across the city’s popular shopping destinations.
For the first time ever, the epic MCR Monsters – which are created by talented local artists, Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas – will invade the city’s rooftops and buildings on the opening day of the Halloween in the City festival.
They’ll be taking over leading locations including Manchester Arndale, Selfridges, The Royal Exchange, KAMPUS, and AO Arena – with more terrifying takeovers yet to be announced.
A slimy creature will also be on the loose across the city centre, as ‘The Leech’ – a wriggling eight metre-long monster, created and produced by Walk the Plank – makes its anticipated return.
As for other spine-chilling activities over the weekend-long festival, you can expect family games, storytelling, and the bone-rattling Monster Party Procession, complete with giant puppet monsters, stilt walkers, and a live band.
Then as night falls, the city will glow ‘eerie green’ as iconic buildings light up in spooky style.
To finish things off, thousands of pumpkin lanterns will, once again, line the city’s shopping streets to add a ‘flicker of fun’ to the festival celebrations.
Halloween in the City festival will take over Manchester city centre on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October, and MCR Monsters will be in town from Saturday 25 – Friday 31 October.
The pumpkins may potentially appear even earlier, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.
Emily Sergeant -
4th July 2022 
