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You can visit loads of the UK’s best culture and heritage sites for FREE this autumn

'Heritage Open Days' is back by popular demand for its 30th anniversary this autumn.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 10th June 2024

The UK’s largest festival of history and culture is returning later this year, and there’s thousands of free events on the lineup.

Following what was a smash-hit success, both here in Greater Manchester and nationwide, when it was here last year and over the three decades prior, the National Trust‘s ‘Heritage Open Days’ are back by popular demand in a couple of months time, and means loads of top attractions in the UK will be open to visit for free from this autumn.

‘Heritage Open Days’ are run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, and they’re all about bringing people together to celebrate their culture, community, and history.

From historic houses, factories, and museums, to music halls, formal gardens, and graveyards, countless of places and spaces across the country will be open to the public again from this September, all without having to spend a penny.

‘Heritage Open Days’ is back by popular demand later this year / Credit: Paul Harris & Chris Lacey (via HODs)

Not only that, but thousands of other intriguing events, activities, and fun new experiences are on the lineup too, all centred around this year’s theme, ‘Routes – Networks – Connections‘.

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You can expect workshops, talks, hidden spaces, walks, family-friendly activities, and so much more.

Just a some of the experiences Brits can make the most of during this year’s 10-day festival include the chance to explore the history of Joseph Whitwell through the paths and waterways at Hollybush Conservation Centre in Leeds, with a self-guided tour celebrating his legacy in Yorkshire as the world’s largest forced rhubarb producer, and even the unique opportunity of going behind the scenes of helicopter emergency medical services at the East Anglian Air Ambulance base to discover how every second counts when saving lives.

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How about discovering “a castle that’s not a castle, on an island that’s not an island”?

Well, you can do just that by venturing across the causeway to The Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland to discover the magic of Lindisfarne Castle – with a garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll blooming with summer flowers, 19th-century industrial lime kilns, and shoreline walks.

“The scale and diversity of Heritage Open Days is just incredible,” explained Liam Montgomery, who is the Marketing & Projects Manager at Heritage Open Days.

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There’ll be thousands of free events and activities to get involved with across the UK / Credit: Paul Harris (via HODs)

“Every year, thousands of passionate people help visitors to make doorstep discoveries and connect with history and heritage in every part of England.

“This year though, it will be extra special, as we will celebrate three decades-worth of stories and all the brilliant people and places that have made it, and continue to make it, all possible.”

Read more:

‘Heritage Open Days’ will be running from 6-15 September this year, and you can find out more about this brilliant UK-wide event here.

Featured Image – Paul Harris (via HODs)

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First wave of ‘Evening 4’ Ricky Hatton lineup in memory of the legendary Manc boxer announced

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Manchester is set to host a night of remembrance and celebration in honour of the late, great, local boxer, Ricky Hatton, and now the first wave of AO Arena’s lineup has dropped.

Coming this summer, the legendary Manchester arena – where Hatton enjoyed so many of his iconic moments – will be holding the first-ever ‘Evening4Ricky’ later this year.

Held at the legendary sports and live entertainment venue just in time for summer, we still only know bits and pieces about what’s in store, but a whole host of famous Manc names and figures from the world of sport have now been announced.

One thing’s for sure, this will be special.

Sharing the news on social media, AO Arena said: “Join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment as Manchester comes together for Evening4Ricky.

“This will be a spectacular, unique celebration of the life, spirit and legacy of one of the city’s most beloved icons – Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton.”

With seats priced at £25, fans are being encouraged to join the early bird sign-up to secure access to discounted tickets.

As you can see, now confirmed for the evening are the likes of Man United legend, Paul Scholes, darts icon Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, as well as fellow former boxers like Frank Bruno, Tony Bellew and more.

Local band The K’s have also been named as part of the in-person performances, with more live music and entertainment set to be revealed in the coming weeks.

They go on to add: “Hosted at the legendary AO Arena, home to so many of Ricky’s big fights, featuring a superstar cast of legends from the worlds of boxing, music, comedy and entertainment.”

So, we do at least know there’ll be some famous faces coming along to help make it a memorable Manc moment, just a few months on from the city and beyond uniting for his public funeral procession.

Ricky was beloved not only by the Greater Manchester community but was a popular figure and friend to many in the sporting and showbiz industries.

The homegrown ‘Pride of Hyde‘ tragically left us on 14 September 2025 at the age of just 46, but his passing has once again helped reassert the importance of having more conversations around wellbeing, suicide prevention, and most specifically, men’s mental health.

You can find more information and see how to grab tickets right HERE.

This isn’t the only charitable in memoriam event happening across the region in the coming weeks, either, as Mancs will be gathering to pay tribute to another fellow inspiring sportsman.

A ‘legacy walk’ in memory of Joe Thompson is taking place across Greater Manchester

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Sdcjeff (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Rick Astley at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Pop hitmaker Rick Astley is playing a few UK shows and is treating Manchester to a night of live music as part of The Reflection Tour.

Newton-le-Willows-born singer Rick Astley has achieved worldwide success, most notably with his work in the 80s alongside songwriting and production duo Stock-Aitken and Waterman.

Astley’s album Whenever You Need Somebody has amassed 15 million sales across the globe and is a pivotal record that many would use to define 80s music.

On this LP is his huge hit ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, a.k.a. the famous ‘Rickrolling’ tune, but he’s gone to have a real renaissance in recent years, smashing Glastonbury, playing beloved covers with Blossoms, and so much more since turning 50 – case in point: playing Co-op Live for a SECOND time.

With that in mind, here’s all you need to know…

Gig guide | Rick Astley at Co-op Live, Manchester – all the info

Rick Astley is bringing The Reflection Tour to Manchester this April / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
Rick Astley is bringing The Reflection Tour to Manchester this April / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
Rick Astley brings his ‘The Reflection Tour’ to Manchester (Credit: Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons)

Rick Astley UK tour dates 2026

We’ve kindly highlighted other shows in the North for you:

  • Fri 10 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
  • Sat 11 April – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Mon 13 April – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena
  • Tue 14 April – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
  • Thu 16 April – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
  • Fri 17 April – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Sat 18 April – Leeds, UK – First Direct Bank Arena
  • Mon 20 April – Bournemouth, UK – Bournemouth International Centre
  • Tue 21 April – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Wed 22 April – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
  • Fri 24 April – Birmingham, UK – BP Pulse Live
  • Sat 25 April – London, UK – The O2
  • Fri 5 June – Scarborough, UK – Scarborough Open Air Theatre
  • Fri 19 June – Newport, UK – Isle of Wight Festival
  • Wed 24 June – Llangollen, UK – Llangollen Pavilion
  • Thu 25 June – Lincoln, UK – Lincoln Castle
  • Sat 27 June – Gloucester, UK – Westonbirt Arboretum
  • Fri 24 July – Ludlow, UK – Ludlow Castle
  • Sat 25 July – Sheffield, UK – Tramlines
  • Sat 30 August – Silverstone, UK – Carfest

Are there any tickets left for Rick Astley in Manchester?

No need to ‘Cry For Help’, there’s plenty of tickets for Rick Astley’s Manchester show at Co-op Live, and you can grab yours HERE.

It’s been ‘Driving Me Crazy’ waiting for the right opportunity to do a little Rickrolling of my own – the actual tickets can be found HERE.

Rick Astley setlist for ‘Reflections’ tour

This year will mark Rick Astley’s first official headline tour since 2024, meaning a full setlist is yet to be confirmed.

Here is a setlist from 2024 when the 80s performer played a series of festival sets:

  • Never Gonna Stop
  • Together Forever
  • Beautiful Life
  • It Would Take a Strong Strong Man
  • Dippin My Feet
  • Start Me Up (The Rolling Stones cover)
  • She Wants to Dance With Me
  • Juice (Lizzo cover)
  • Forever and More
  • Hold Me in Your Arms
  • Seventeen Going Under (Sam Fender cover)
  • Cry For Help
  • Dance
  • Angels On My Side
  • Whenever You Need Somebody (O ‘Chi Brown cover)
  • Good Times (Chic cover)
  • Highway to Hell (AC/DC cover)
  • Maria Love
  • Never Gonna Give You Up

Stage times for Rick Astley and support act for Co-op Live, Manchester

Doors for Rick Astley’s The Reflection Tour are set to open from 6:30pm, with no official starting time listed as of yet.

Support for this show comes in the form of another celebrated UK performer who achieved prominence in the decade after Astley: Gabrielle.

This R&B-pop singer is recognised for her 1993 hit ‘Dreams’ and is known for soundtracking the 90s and noughties with multiple chart entries throughout the decades.

How to get to Co-op Live

Tram

For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.

Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bus

You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event.

Getting there by car and parking

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If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.

The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.

Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:

  • Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
  • Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
  • Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.

There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:

  • Ashton Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

Walk/cycle

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Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.

For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.

Enjoy the gig and don’t fall for any Rick-rolls!

Rick Astley on playing Kendal Calling, bromance with Blossoms and the legacy of ‘that’ song

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – Press shots via Peter Neill (supplied)/Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons)

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