Horror favourite Insidious and singalong classic Grease are just some of the films on show at the North West’s newest drive in cinema this weekend.
Summer Knights has officially arrived for a “sun-soaked bonanza of fun”, and it’s just in time for schools to be out this half term.
In case you haven’t heard, the region’s newest immersive event has taken over the abandoned Camelot Theme Park – a legendary Chorley-based attraction that made a name for itself entertaining the masses for nearly 30 years before it closed to the public for good back in 2012, and had sadly remained out-of-use and largely derelict ever since.
It comes after events company Park N Party – the team also behind previous sell-out seasonal drive-in events SecretCity, ScareCity, and ChristmasCity – brought the attraction’s abandoned rides and empty footpaths back to life with live actors, scene-setting lights and sounds, and more earlier this year for the hugely-popular Camelot Rises.
And now, Northern kids of the 80s, 90s, and 00s can truly revisit their youth, as the park has gone back to its days of Arthurian legend for the new entertainment attraction.
ADVERTISEMENT
Summer Knights has taken over Camelot Theme Park / Credit: Park N Party
Having kicked-off at the mythical land of Camelot last week, Summer Knights is already looking like Park N Party’s “brightest drive-in cinema yet”, and visitors are being given the chance to catch a wide selection of great films across four large screens once again this extended weekend.
There’ll be themed nights dedicated to cult movies, chilling horror, joyful singalongs, romance, and family-friendly fun.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fright Night commences with a screening of 2010 supernatural horror, Insidious, on Friday 27 May, and then lovers of a singalong can catch 2012’s smash-hit musical comedy, Pitch Perfect, starring Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson on Saturday 28 May.
Rounding out the week is the 2016 family-favourite animated musical, Sing!, on Sunday 29 May.
ADVERTISEMENT
Insidious and Grease are just two of the films screening this weekend / Credit: Paramount Pictures | Universal Studios
While the movies may be the main event, Summer Knights isn’t your typical drive-in cinema experience, as you can expect everything from singing and dancing opportunities throughout, to classic cinema snacks, sweet treats, a beer garden, and plenty of outdoor seating too.
Just like all of Park N Party’s previous events, there will be a fully-licensed bar and a number of street food vendors on site to choose from too to make it a truly magical night.
With Summer Knights set to run right through to Saturday 25 June, some of the other film highlights in the genre-diverse lineup include Superbad, The Greatest Showman, True Romance, and Disney’s newest smash-hit, Encanto.
The King’s Man, Mamma Mia, Fight Club, and more will also be screened over the summer.
Summer Knights is already proving to be a “sun-soaked bonanza of fun” / Credit: Park N Party
Tickets for Summer Knights are now on sale, setting you back just £25 per vehicle.
Manchester city centre is generally STARVED of outdoor space, but we’ve found the perfect sun-soaked oasis where you can enjoy a bit of fresh air and a whole lot of great food and drinks.
Tucked up on the sixth floor of the award-winning boutique hotel King Street Townhouse, you’ll find a rooftop terrace with beautiful views of the city’s skyline.
As Manchester buzzes along beneath you, you can tuck in to everything from full charcuterie grazing boards to seasonal snacks and small plates, all served alongside an impressive wine and cocktail list.
This often-overlooked local spot is a firm favourite of those in the know, thanks to its sheltered location that basks in the sun all afternoon.
And although it’s in a prime city centre location, just a stone’s throw from Deansgate, St Peter’s Square and Market Street, it’s a luxurious escape from it all – as is the entire boutique hotel it’s part of.
Whether it’s a post-work social, a relaxed date night, or a cheeky afternoon cocktail, the King Street Townhouse Terrace is open to the public and available for walk-ins or bookings when it isn’t privately hired.
On the menu you can expect locally-sourced dishes like Pollen sourdough served with whipped butter, a meat or cheese grazing board loaded with British produce, and larger plates like a beef and bone marrow burger or a fried fish roll topped with crisps.
British charcuterie grazing boardSpritzes on the King Street Townhouse terrace
Pairing perfectly with a spritz or a beer are snacks like deep-fried Gordal olives, stuffed with fennel sausage, and a brioche garlic bread packed with cream cheese.
The hotel has a cocktail list that celebrates classic drinks and a few of their own signature concoctions, and it doesn’t feel much more luxurious than when you treat yourself to a glass of sky-high champagne with views like this.
The South Terrace can also be hired privately for leisure or corporate events, with tailored catering options including summer BBQs.
And you can ramp up your trip to this oasis by staying overnight in one of the boutique hotels’ rooms, or visiting the King Street Townhouse ESPA spa for a treatment.
Find out more about the terrace at King Street Townhouse HERE.
The terrace at King Street Townhouse hotelThe terrace at King Street Townhouse hotelDeep-fried olivesGarlic bread with creamed cheeseKing Street Townhouse hotel
With Man United officially booking their spot in the Europa League final, a massive fan zone is being set up in Manchester for fans to watch it.
The Reds are going to Bilbao, but flights and tickets aren’t cheap, so a huge fan park will have to do.
Supporter park specialists 4 The Fans – the same team behind the huge sites at the likes of Manchester’s Secret City, Love Factory and the Progress Centre for Euro 2024 – are putting one of the biggest fan zones yet for the game on Wednesday, 21 May.
4 The Fans are committed to putting on a huge fan zone over in Stretford, and with well over 50,000 fans attending their events over the last three years, it’s sure to be a mega atmosphere.
A massive Man United fan zone is on the cards for this year’s Europa League final. (Credit: 4 The Fans)
Having seen the atmosphere at some of their previous events first hand, this latest fan zone plan is giving us real Euros vibes.
Set to take over the Bowlers Exhibition Centre, a.k.a. the BEC Arena over in Stretford, the enormous events space will be transformed into one of their biggest fan zones to date, with the biggest screen in Manchester.
VIP seated tickets are also available, and parents are welcome to bring their kids along to the family-friendly event.
Tickets are already available and, in fact, they were so confident in the result against Athletic Club that supporters were guaranteed their money back if Ruben Amorim’s side managed to capitulate.
No harm, no foul and, turns out, no need to worry anyway.
Past scenes from international tournaments. (Credit: Supplied)
If the idea of being surrounded by fellow Reds for the game isn’t an attractive enough prospect on its own for you, United fans, the event is also set to be hosted by a club legend (still yet to be announced), with DJs and music, as well as special effects throughout.
Of course, there’ll be plenty of pints and scran to fuel the promoter’s famous fan energy on offer too, so you really will be sorted from start to finish.
Doors to the BEC open at 5:30pm, with last entry at 7:30pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off; tickets start from just £8. Until then, you can watch back the highlights from the previous match down below. You can grab yours HERE.
How are you feeling for the final – are Ruben’s Reds going to lift the Europa League trophy?
Emily Sergeant -
23rd May 2022 
