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Summer events programme announced for Runway Visitor Park at Manchester Airport

Visitors can take tours of aircrafts, step into flight simulators, and take snaps from open top buses.

The Manc The Manc - 3rd June 2021

Manchester Airport’s tourist attraction Runway Visitor Park has officially reopened with a bumper programme pencilled in for summer 2021.

The airstrip-adjacent park is inviting visitors to take weekend tours of vintage aircraft (such as Concorde), board flight simulators, and gawp at classic vehicles as part of an upcoming events schedule – which is underway until September.

The programme features a wide range of highlights for history buffs and families alike, including historic vehicle club open days, an airport memorabilia fair, and a military showcase.

Live music performances have also been confirmed for the park’s memorabilia fair in July – with open top buses parked perfectly for photographers to get the best possible views of aircraft arriving and departing.

Runway Visitor Park is inviting customers to take tours of vintage aircraft during their summer events programme / Image: Manchester Airport

The schedule, which comprises of 11 dedicated events on top of the tours, has been put together in co-ordination with organisations such as the Aviation Society, Manchester Historic Vehicle Club and Cheadle Rotary Club.

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Robert Hassard, Manager of Runway Visitor Park, said the attraction was looking forward to returning after “a difficult 12 months”.

He added: “We have worked with a wide range of event organisers to bring an exciting and varied summer programme to the park, and we cannot wait to welcome the public back.

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“We are sure that these events will bring an extra dimension to the visitor experience and will complement the fantastic range of attractions already on offer, including aircraft tours, a family fun fair and brilliant plane spotting locations complete with live airport commentary and an extensive children’s play area.”

You can view the full summer events programme at Runway Visitor Park and book events online.

Find out more about what’s on this summer with The Manc.

Featured image: Manchester Airport

What's On

You can get FREE food and more at Tesco Christmas Markets across Greater Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Tesco Christmas Markets are back and heading to even more Greater Manchester locations where you can try lots of festive items all for FREE.

If you missed it last year, then don’t worry, as Tesco has brought back its much-loved Christmas Markets and the stalls are visiting more locations across the UK than ever before.

We’ve got you covered with all the dates and locations these freebie-filled Christmas Markets are visiting to make sure you don’t catch a case of festive FOMO.

Tesco Christmas Markets will be filled with all your favourite brands you usually fill up your trolley with from the likes of Costa, McCain, Celebrations and more.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a Tesco-led celebration without its own Finest range making an appearance across select Greater Manchester locations.

Expect to sample Tesco Finest Scallop and King Prawn Toast, Tesco Finest Stratford Blue with Fig Conserve and sweet treat staple, Tesco Finest Brandy Butter Mince Pies.

The best-loved brands mentioned before will be offering samples like smooth and creamy cups of Chocomel, or caramel-infused Nutcracker Spectacular drinks thanks to coffee shop chain Costa too.

In terms of food, McCain are letting you crunch down on its latest crisp range Vibes, Celebrations is treating you to its chocolate collection and biscuit varities from Bahlsen.

Tesco Christmas Markets are visiting major Greater Manchester locations giving out lots of FREE food / Credit: Press Shots (via Supplied)
Tesco Christmas Markets are visiting major Greater Manchester locations giving out lots of FREE food / Credit: Press Shots (via Supplied)
Tesco Christmas Markets are visiting major Greater Manchester locations giving out lots of FREE food / Credit: Press Shots (via Supplied)

Feeling merry and bright? Alcoholic drink brands 1664 is bringing out its blue bottles, Three Barrels for its XO and VSOP brandies as well as the coffee-infused liquer Drambuie.

If you’re after something to warm up your winter’s day, Costa is also letting you try some of its Home-made Barista style coffees and coffee pod masterminds Tassimo are offering samples of its Cadbury, L’Or, Kenco ranges and more.

Finally, if that wasn’t enough for you, why not clear your palette with a Christmas creation courtesy of teapigs and its caffeine-free peppermint leaves, yum.

Here’s all the important dates and locations for Tesco Christmas Markets 2025 schedule for Greater Manchester and wider regions:

  • Fri 14 November – Glossop Superstore, SK13 8HB
  • Sat 15 November – Hattersley Extra in Hyde, SK14 3AU
  • Sun 16 November – Failsworth Extra in Manchester, M35 0EJ
  • Mon 17 November – Manchester Gorton Extra, M18 8LD
  • Tue 18 November – Stockport Extra, SK1 2BT
  • Wed 19 November – Burnage Superstore in Manchester, M19 1TF
  • Thu 20 November – Prestwich Superstore in Manchester, M25 3TG
  • Fri 21 November – Bolton Horwich Extra, BL6 6JS
  • Sun 23 November – Chorley Extra, PR7 1NW
  • Mon 24 November – Leyland Extra, PR25 2FN
  • Sun 30 November – Prescot Extra, L34 5NQ
  • Mon 1 December – St Helens Extra, WA9 3AL
  • Tue 2 December – Widnes Extra, WA8 7YT
  • Wed 3 December – Warrington Extra, WA2 7NE
  • Mon 8 December – Accrington Extra, BB5 1LN
  • Fri 12 December – Macclesfield Hibel Road Superstore, SK10 2AB

To view a full list of all the Tesco Christmas Markets locations across the UK and browse all the brands that are taking part you can find everything HERE.

Read more:

Featured Images – Supplied (via Tesco Media Team)

What's On

Manchester Art Fair unveils ‘biggest lineup yet’ ahead of return this weekend

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester Art Fair returns this weekend, and it’s now unveiled its ‘biggest lineup yet’.

The countdown is on, as one of the UK’s largest and most significant art fairs makes its way back to Manchester this weekend, bringing more than 180 exhibitors together all under one roof.

Manchester Art Fair has gone from strength to strength since it first began back in 2008, as the annual event is now by far one of the most celebrated cultural events in Greater Manchester‘s social calendar, and is known and loved for bringing together hundreds of individual artists, galleries, and artist-led spaces to our city centre – with around 13,000 visitors attending each year.

Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious, Manchester Art Fair will feature lots of new and returning galleries and artists, all of whom will be showing new works. 

From this Friday through to Sunday, Manchester Central will transform into the North’s biggest art gallery, where art enthusiasts can connect directly with galleries and artists and find that perfect piece to take home.

The full exhibitor list for 2025 has now been published online.

Some of the highlights include nationally acclaimed Manchester oil painter and artist, Chloe Cox, who is renowned for her powerful depictions of Caribbean heritage, as well as Brighton-based textile artist Corinna Wilson, known professionally as Bob & Eve, and sculptor and painter Jamie Frost, whose bold works explore the tension between strength and vulnerability in the human form.

Iconic names Porsche and Boodles will also be debuting at this year’s fair, fusing art with exquisite design are luxury brands.

But this year’s event isn’t just for art collectors, as visitors can also enjoy an extended programme of high-profile talks, immersive experiences, and workshops too.

Manchester Art Fair is making a grand return to the city centre this weekend / Credit: Manchester Art Fair

TV scriptwriter Joe Tucker, Guardian journalist Eddy Frankel, and Art Newspaper critic and correspondent Louisa Buck are just some of the names set to host talks and Q&As this weekend.

Workshops visitors can take part in from just £10 per person include the chance to explore the art of expressive contemporary still life drawings, or travel the journey from realism to abstraction to create your own abstract art with inspiration from one of Europe’s most influential artists, Piet Mondrian. 

And on Friday 21 November, two chefs from North West Michelin-starred restaurants will be preparing bespoke menus for leading art buyers and collectors. Paul Leonard – Head Chef at The Forest Side – and Ollie Bridgwater – Executive Chef at the Gilpin Hotel – will be working with work with Exec Chef Matthew Hagan and his team at Manchester Central.

Speaking ahead of the fair’s return this weekend, Sophie Helm, who is the Director at Manchester Art Fair, said: “This year’s programme features an exciting breadth of names, many of whom will be joining us in person to share the inspiration behind their work and journey as an artist, including a number of UK and Northern firsts.”

More than 180 exhibitors will all gather together under one roof / Credit: Manchester Art Fair

Sophie described this year’s fair as a ‘clear statement of intent’

“Culture is a driving force for commerce and community in our region, reflecting the fair’s growing influence and its ability to connect contemporary art with premium yet accessible lifestyle experiences,” she concluded.

Manchester Art Fair 2025 will first open at Manchester Central with an exclusive preview night on Friday 21 November from 5-9pm, before it then continues on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November, with tickets still available to grab.

Tickets are priced at £12 for a day ticket, £15 for a two-day ticket, or £25 for a preview night ticket, including access throughout the weekend, all with booking fees applying.

Read more:

You can get tickets online here.

Featured Image – Manchester Art Fair (Supplied)

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