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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Spooktacular Halloween trail to return to National Trust site Quarry Bank
Daisy Jackson
A Halloween trail is set to return to Quarry Bank Mill this autumn for one of the region’s most hauntingly beautiful seasonal events.
The National Trust site is a former working mill and one of the country’s finest industrial buildings – but as night falls and the shadows lengthen, a haunting will begin…
This year’s Halloween at Quarry Bank will again feature spooky light installations, a mesmerising laser garden, and a thrilling fire show, as well as live performances and seasonal food and drink.
Returning for a second year, Halloween at Quarry Bank will be an unforgettable experience for all ages.
Fog will swirl through the paths around the grounds, as glowing demon eyes watch over passers-by and giant skeletons loom over twisted trees.
If you’re brave enough, the trail then heads inside the mill itself, where creaking and clanking sounds of its industrial past hint at something a little more haunted.
Credit: Andrew Ogilvy PhotographyCredit: SuppliedCredit: Supplied
As you wander the trail, you’ll pass installations like glowing fire spheres and catacombs echoing with whispers from the past, plus plenty more surprises waiting in the shadows.
Then you can refuel with ‘bewitched burgers and freaky fries’, plus hot toddys and decadent hot chocolates.
You can even toast a marshmallow over an open fire.
Halloween at Quarry Bank is designed for families, couples, and groups of friends alike, and attracts visitors from all over Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire.
Entry to the trail is on a timed slot system – tickets are on sale now HERE.
Inside the brand-new rental houses at Bolton’s landmark £35m development, Deansgate Gardens
Daisy Jackson
The first residents are in, and the launch of Deansgate Gardens – a landmark £35m development in Bolton town centre – is live.
This impressive new development has brought 167 high-quality rental homes to Bolton, creating a residential neighbourhood that features rooftop terraces, gardens, and stunning communal spaces.
The homes on Deansgate, Bolton have been built specifically for renters, with spacious layouts in an ideal location just a two-minute walk from Bolton Town Hall and a short commute to Manchester.
And, unusually for new rental developments, it’s not all about apartments here (though there are beautiful one- and two-bedroom apartments with rooftop gardens available).
It’s also somewhere you can rent two-bedroom townhouses, and have your very own yard.
Every home is built with energy efficiency in mind, with heat pumps and enhanced insulation, plus rooftop solar panels on selected homes, keeping those pesky bills down.
This pet-friendly development comes from developer Placefirst, and is a key moment in the wider £1bn regeneration masterplan for Bolton.
Inside Deansgate Gardens in BoltonInside Deansgate Gardens in BoltonA spacious bedroomThe rooftop terraceView from the rooftop terrace
Deansgate Gardens is located just opposite the former Beales department store, connected by the train station, bus interchange, and town centre within walking distance.
These stylish new homes are built around a central square and communal courtyards. The result? Somewhere residents can relax, socialise, and connect.
There’s even a dedicated Resident Service Manager and 24/7 maintenance support for peace of mind.
And just a short walk away you’ll find parks like Queen’s Park, plus beautiful routes along the River Croal.
Ready to make these houses your home? Book in for a tour around Deansgate Gardens today HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd May 2022 
