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Family Weekly Update This week was a little different as we spent the first part of the week enjoying our annual family holiday at Ribby Hall Village. We've been visiting Ribby Hall for the past six years and it has become one of our favourite family traditions. This year we went with my parents, my two brothers, my sister, her husband and their little boy, staying in two cottages next to each other. We spent the week making the most of everything Ribby Hall has to offer. The children enjoyed swimming, soft play, feeding the ducks and spending time on the playground, while Lawrence and I even had a go at archery. It was lovely seeing the children spending some time with their cousin, grandparents, auntie and uncles throughout the week. I'll be sharing all the details in a dedicated holiday blog post and holiday vlogs very soon, but after arriving home on Friday we had a very busy weekend ahead of us. This family weekly update picks up on Saturday after we returned home from our holiday, and what a busy weekend it turned out to be! 🎨 Family Creator Day at HOME Manchester Saturday started with a trip into Manchester for HOME's Family Creator Day. We caught the 255 bus into the city and after a short walk arrived at HOME, where the children were immediately welcomed with balloons and stickers. As soon as we arrived, Alice and Leo headed straight into Creativity Corner. If you've followed my blog for a while you'll know how much we love this space whenever we visit HOME. Alice spent ages colouring, dressing up and playing with the toys, while Leo happily got stuck into the craft activities. By the end of the morning he had made a jellyfish, a fish and a starfish, while Alice proudly showed off the octopus she had created. One of the things I enjoyed most was simply sitting back and watching them enjoy themselves. There was no pressure, no strict timetable and no expectation to create anything specific. The children were free to explore and be creative in their own way. Around midday we headed upstairs to HOME Bar & Kitchen for lunch. We were treated to pizza and chips which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Despite visiting HOME countless times over the years, this was actually the first time we'd eaten there and we'll definitely consider doing it again in future. Unfortunately we couldn't stay for the afternoon screening of Monsters, Inc. because we already had plans elsewhere, but before leaving the children were given a small party bag which was a lovely finishing touch. 👉 You can read more about the Family Creator Day HERE. Little did we know that HOME would only be the first stop of a very busy Saturday. After lunch we said goodbye to everyone at the Family Creator Day and headed straight across Manchester for our next family adventure. 🎈 Balloonatic, Adventures in Wonderland & A Very Busy Afternoon Rather than heading home after HOME, we caught the 256 bus over to Z-arts. Because we arrived quite early, Alice and Leo spent some time playing on the giant red bus downstairs before we headed upstairs for Balloonatic. The children were laughing almost from the moment the show started and there were lots of moments where I found myself laughing too. What I enjoyed most was seeing how differently Alice and Leo reacted to different parts of the performance. Alice couldn't stop talking about the giant balloon moment afterwards, while Leo spent most of the journey home trying to work out how some of the tricks had been done. After the show we stayed for the Z-arts Access Day. The original plan had been to try lots of different activities, but Alice and Leo had other ideas. The moment they stepped into Adventures in Wonderland they were completely absorbed and honestly, I struggled to persuade them to leave and explore anything else. Sometimes when you're planning a family day out you imagine moving neatly from one activity to another. The reality is that children often find one thing they love and want to stay there all afternoon. That was definitely the case here. Before we knew it, it was time to head home so Alice and I could get ready for our evening theatre trip. 👉 You can read more about Balloonatic and shorter review HERE 👉 Read my Balloonatic review on All About Theatre HERE. 👉 Read my Adventures in Wonderland review HERE. 🎭 An Evening at Malory Towers with Alice After getting home from Z-arts, Alice and I quickly got changed, had some dinner and headed straight back into Manchester. This time it was just the two of us. I always enjoy having one-to-one time with the children and it felt particularly special after spending the day together already. When we arrived at HOME we collected our tickets, took a few photos and spent some time in Creativity Corner before heading into the theatre. Neither of us knew much about Malory Towers beforehand, so it was nice experiencing the story together for the first time. During the interval we treated ourselves to ice cream and chatted about our favourite characters and moments from the first half. By the end of the evening Alice was completely invested in the story and was chatting about it all the way home. It was quite a late night by the time we finally got back, but it was one of those lovely mother-and-daughter evenings that I'll remember for a long time. 👉 You can read more about my Malory Towers visit and shorter review HERE 👉 Read my All About Theatre review HERE. 🎪 We Invented The Weekend Festival with Leo After Alice and I had enjoyed some one-to-one time together on Saturday evening, Sunday was Leo's turn. Alice was still feeling quite tired after our late night at the theatre and decided she wanted a quieter day at home, so Leo and I headed off to MediaCity together. We first discovered We Invented The Weekend last year by accident when we stumbled across it after a Father's Day meal. We only managed to catch the end of it, so I was excited to return properly this year. As soon as we arrived, it was obvious there was a lot going on. I think Leo found it a little overwhelming at first, so we headed towards The Lowry where things felt a little more familiar. That turned out to be exactly the right decision. Leo loved the U-Build construction area and spent ages crawling through tunnels, building structures and hammering pegs into place. While he played, I managed to watch some of the performances taking place on the outdoor stage which was a nice bonus. Eventually we both got hungry and headed inside The Lowry for lunch. I'd spotted online that children's meals had been £1 on Saturday and hoped the offer might still be running, but unfortunately they were back to their usual £5 price. The £5 children's meal still felt like good value though, and both Leo and I really enjoyed our hotdog and chips. One of the highlights of the day was the backstage tour of The Lowry. I learned things about the building that I never knew before despite visiting regularly for years, and Leo absolutely loved seeing behind the scenes. He was especially excited when he got the chance to stand on stage and sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star into a microphone. Later we watched Pirate Taxi, explored more of the festival and spent time doing crafts in The Lookout. The only disappointment came when we missed the final CBeebies Bedtime Story session after it started earlier than advertised. Thankfully things worked out in the end because instead we got to meet Bluey. Leo had been a little upset about missing the story session, but the moment he met Bluey everything changed. On the tram home I asked him what his favourite part of the day had been and without hesitation he replied: "Meeting Bluey." 👉 Read more about our visit on HERE. 👉 Read my All About Theatre feature HERE. 💜 Final Thoughts After spending most of the week away on holiday, this ended up being one of our busiest and most memorable weekends of the year so far. Between family time at Ribby Hall Village, HOME Manchester's Family Creator Day, Balloonatic at Z-arts, Malory Towers and We Invented The Weekend Festival, we packed a huge amount into just a few days. What made the week particularly special though was the opportunity to spend some one-to-one time with both children. Alice and I loved our evening together at the theatre, while Leo and I had a fantastic day exploring MediaCity, learning about theatre backstage and meeting Bluey. Looking back, it felt like the perfect balance of family time, theatre trips, creative activities and days out, and it's definitely a week we'll remember for a long time. Now, after a holiday and such a packed weekend, I think we're all ready for a slightly quieter week! 🎥 Watch Our Weekly Vlog If you'd like to see everything we got up to this week, including HOME's Family Creator Day, Balloonatic, Malory Towers and We Invented The Weekend Festival, make sure you check out this week's vlog over on YouTube.

We Invented The Weekend Festival On Sunday, Leo and I enjoyed a day out at the We Invented The Weekend Festival at MediaCity and Salford Quays. We first discovered the festival last year completely by accident. We had been to the Quay House Beefeater for a Father's Day meal and happened to stumble across some of the activities as the event was coming to an end. Although we only managed to fit in one of the free boat rides around the Quays, it was enough to make me want to return properly this year. The festival took place across Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June, but we already had plans on the Saturday. Alice was also feeling tired after a busy day out with me the day before, so she decided to stay at home. Leo was excited about having some one-on-one time together, so on Sunday afternoon we set off for MediaCity. Getting there is easy for us by tram, although it does involve changing at Cornbrook. We arrived at around 12:30pm and immediately found ourselves surrounded by stalls, activities and entertainment. There was so much happening that I think Leo felt a little overwhelmed at first, so we headed somewhere familiar – The Lowry. Exploring Play Street One of the first areas we came across was Play Street, which was a huge space dedicated to creative play and imagination. There were all sorts of activities taking place including double dutch skipping, skateboarding, chalk drawing and building challenges. Leo was immediately drawn to the U-Build area, where children could help create and explore giant wooden structures. The impressive construction featured climbing sections, hanging rings, tunnels and building stations where children could use mallets to hammer pegs into place. It was lovely seeing children of all ages working together, testing things out and using their imagination. He also spent a long time exploring the Scrap Street Challenge. This creative play space was filled with loose parts, recycled materials, balancing stones, giant gears, hoops and chalk activities, encouraging children to create their own games and challenges. Leo happily moved between the different activities, examining unusual objects, experimenting with the giant gear tracks and tackling the balancing challenges. Because there was no set way to play, children were free to follow their own interests, and it was wonderful watching him become completely absorbed in exploring and discovering things for himself. What I particularly liked about Play Street was how open-ended everything felt. Rather than being told exactly what to do, children were encouraged to explore, experiment and create in their own way. It was easy to see why so many families spent such a long time in this area. After a while, Leo sat down for some snacks while I took the opportunity to watch part of Lowry Presents: (North) West End Live on the nearby plaza stage. North West End Live One of the highlights of the day for me was being able to watch some of the performances from North West End Live. I was lucky enough to catch Liberty Stottor, best known for playing Jane Seymour in SIX, performing Heart of Stone. I also enjoyed watching Sam Buttery perform When You're Good to Mama from Chicago, Home from The Wiz and Don't Rain on My Parade from Funny Girl. I would have loved to stay longer to watch more of the performances, including appearances from the cast of Disney's High School Musical, but by this point both Leo and I were getting hungry. Lunch At The Lowry At around 1:15pm we headed inside The Lowry to grab some lunch. I had seen that children's meals had been available for £1 on Saturday and hoped the offer might still be running on Sunday, but unfortunately they had returned to their usual £5 price. Luckily, both Leo and I spotted something we liked on the menu. We are both fairly fussy eaters, so finding something we both enjoy can sometimes be a challenge. We ended up choosing hot dogs and chips, which were very nice and exactly what we needed before continuing our afternoon. Going Behind The Scenes At The Lowry After lunch we joined one of The Lowry's free backstage tours, which turned out to be one of our favourite parts of the entire day. The tour gave visitors the opportunity to explore parts of the building that audiences don't normally get to see. Staff and volunteers were stationed around different areas explaining how everything works behind the scenes. One of the most interesting things I learned was that the Lyric Theatre stage backs directly onto the Quays Theatre stage, meaning it's possible to walk from one stage to the other. Leo particularly enjoyed learning about the lighting equipment in the Quays Theatre. He was also given the chance to sing into a microphone that had been set up on stage and happily performed Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. We even got to visit one of the dressing rooms, which was fascinating to see. By the end of the tour, both Leo and I agreed it had been one of the best experiences of the day. Watching Pirate Taxi The tour finished just in time for us to head outside and watch Pirate Taxi. Created by Pirates of the Carabina, the show combined live music, aerial circus skills, storytelling and comedy around a traditional London taxi. The performers were incredibly talented, using aerial hoops, ladders and other circus equipment to create a truly memorable outdoor performance. It was one of those shows that immediately draws a crowd because people simply can't help stopping to watch. Back To Play Street After Pirate Taxi, Leo wanted to return to the U-Build area and spend some more time exploring. He particularly enjoyed crawling through the tunnels built into the structure and using the mallets to help add pieces to the giant construction. This ended up being one of his favourite activity areas at the festival and he happily played there for quite some time. Missing The Bedtime Story But Meeting Bluey Instead At around 3:15pm we headed back into The Lowry hoping to attend the final CBeebies Bedtime Story session of the day. Unfortunately, we discovered that the session had already started earlier than advertised. We were told this was because the queue had become so long, although I never found out if that was definitely the reason. Leo was understandably disappointed as he had been looking forward to it. Thankfully, I was able to cheer him up by reminding him that Bluey would be appearing later. When we headed outside, an announcement informed everyone that Bluey would no longer be appearing on stage and would instead be meeting visitors near the CBeebies sign by The Lowry entrance. A very large queue quickly formed. Luckily, we managed to join near the front. Leo was finding the wait a little difficult, but he was determined to meet Bluey. When his turn finally arrived, he was absolutely thrilled. Afterwards he told me it had been his favourite part of the entire day. Crafts At The Lookout After meeting Bluey, we headed up to The Lookout where there were free craft activities taking place. Leo coloured in an owl picture and created a rainbow craft using a paper plate, streamers and colouring pens. It was a much quieter environment than some of the busier festival areas and gave us a chance to slow down before heading home. What Else Was On At The Festival? Although Leo and I managed to fit a lot into our afternoon, there was so much more happening across MediaCity and Salford Quays that we simply didn't have time to see everything. Across the weekend, the festival featured live music, sports activities, talks, art workshops, creative sessions, wellbeing activities, boat rides, food stalls, markets and family entertainment. There were also performances and activities from organisations including The Lowry, BBC, IWM North, RHS, English National Opera, Walk the Plank and many local community groups. Looking back, I think we could easily have spent the entire day there and still not experienced everything on offer. The programme was packed with activities across MediaCity and Salford Quays, giving families plenty of opportunities to create their own unique day out based on their interests. That is one of the things that makes We Invented The Weekend Festival such a fantastic event. No two visits are likely to be exactly the same, and with so much happening throughout the weekend, there really is something for everyone. Would We Visit The We Invented The Weekend Festival Again? Absolutely. What I enjoyed most about the We Invented The Weekend Festival was the variety of activities on offer. Within a single afternoon we were able to watch live musical theatre performances, explore backstage at The Lowry, enjoy outdoor circus entertainment, take part in creative activities and meet Bluey. Most importantly, Leo had a fantastic day. The festival manages to combine arts, culture, family entertainment and community activities in a way that feels welcoming and accessible for everyone. We finally left at around 4:50pm to catch the tram home, tired but happy after a wonderful day out together. If the We Invented The Weekend Festival returns next year, we will definitely be planning another visit. At a Glance 📍 Location: MediaCity and Salford Quays, Greater Manchester 🎟️ Cost: Free entry 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best For: Families, children, community groups and anyone looking for a fun weekend out 🍔 Food & Drink: Food stalls and cafés are available across the festival site. There are also plenty of restaurants, cafés and family-friendly dining options around MediaCity and Quayside. 🚋 Public Transport: Easily accessible via the Metrolink, with MediaCity and Harbour City tram stops both within walking distance. The festival is also well served by local bus routes. 🚗 Parking: Nearby parking is available at Quayside MediaCityUK and other car parks around Salford Quays. ♿ Accessibility: The festival site is largely step-free and designed to be accessible for a wide range of visitors. ⏰ How Long To Allow: Half a day to a full day, depending on how many activities you want to experience. 🌐 More Information: Visit the official We Invented The Weekend website for future festival announcements and programme details. ⭐ Our Favourite Activity: The Lowry backstage tour. 👍 Would We Recommend It? Yes – a fantastic free festival with something for all ages. More Information We Invented The Weekend is a free annual festival held across MediaCity and Salford Quays, bringing together live entertainment, family activities, workshops, creative experiences and community events. If you're looking for a fun family day out in Greater Manchester, it's definitely worth keeping an eye on future festival announcements. With so many activities taking place across the site, it's easy to spend anything from a few hours to a full day exploring everything on offer. From creative play spaces and live performances to backstage tours and character appearances, there really was something for all ages to enjoy during our visit. You can watch the official festival trailer below and visit the We Invented The Weekend website for the latest news and information about future events.

Family Day at HOME Manchester Last Saturday we enjoyed a Family Day at HOME Manchester after being invited along to HOME's Family Creator Day. Later that evening, Alice and I returned to watch Malory Towers, giving us the opportunity to experience several different sides of what HOME has to offer families. HOME is an arts centre in the heart of Manchester, bringing together theatre, cinema, exhibitions and creative activities under one roof. Alongside its year-round programme of family theatre productions, HOME also offers family film screenings, relaxed screenings, workshops, exhibitions and seasonal family events. One of the reasons we visit so often is how easy it is to get to. Located in the city centre, it's accessible by bus, tram and train, making it a convenient option for family days out. When we arrived, Alice and Leo were both delighted to receive colourful HOME Family balloons and stickers. It was a lovely start to the day and immediately got them excited about the activities ahead. A Morning in Creativity Corner The first part of the event took place in Creativity Corner, HOME's dedicated family space. If you've ever visited HOME before a family performance, you've probably seen Creativity Corner tucked away in the foyer. We almost always arrive early for shows and the children usually head straight there while we wait for the auditorium doors to open. Although both Alice and Leo enjoy arts and crafts, they often spend their time there very differently. Alice loves imaginative play and will usually make a beeline for the dressing-up costumes, puppets, toy castle and dolls. She can happily spend ages creating stories and characters of her own. Leo, on the other hand, is much more likely to pick up some colouring, get involved with a craft activity or find a book to read. The Family Creator Day activities gave them both plenty to enjoy. Alice spent time drawing colourful pictures while Leo carefully created a jellyfish craft using coloured card and tissue paper. What I really liked was how relaxed the session felt. There was no pressure to follow instructions or create anything specific. The children were simply encouraged to be creative and enjoy themselves. It was lovely watching them proudly show off their finished creations once they were done. Why We Love Creativity Corner One of the reasons I wanted to mention Creativity Corner in this post is because it's genuinely become part of our routine whenever we visit HOME. It's easy to focus on the theatre performances themselves, but having somewhere the children can play, draw, read and explore before a show makes a huge difference. Whether they're dressing up, colouring or playing with the toys, it helps build excitement before the performance begins. For families attending a show at HOME, I'd definitely recommend arriving a little early to make the most of the space. Trying HOME Bar & Kitchen for the First Time After a busy morning of crafting, it was time for lunch. A selection of pizzas, chips, salads and drinks was provided for the families attending the event. Despite visiting HOME regularly over the years, this was actually our first time eating at the venue. The pizza and chips were a huge hit with all four of us. Alice, Leo, Lawrence and I all thoroughly enjoyed our lunch and were pleasantly surprised by how good it was. We'll definitely be considering getting food at HOME after future family shows because it made for a really relaxed experience and saved us having to find somewhere else to eat afterwards. Looking Ahead to Little HOME Unfortunately, we couldn't stay for the afternoon screening of Monsters, Inc. because we already had plans elsewhere. However, the event gave us the chance to learn more about HOME's wider family programme, which includes family theatre productions, family and relaxed cinema screenings, workshops, creative activities, free exhibitions and seasonal events such as Little HOME. We've attended Little HOME for the past two years and absolutely loved it. The festival is packed with free family activities, performances, workshops and screenings, and we've already booked several events for this year's programme. After hearing more about what's planned, we're really looking forward to returning again this summer. Ending the Day with Malory Towers Although the Family Creator Day ended after lunch, our day at HOME wasn't quite over. Later that evening, I returned with Alice to watch Malory Towers. After spending the morning drawing, crafting and exploring Creativity Corner, it felt fitting to finish the day sitting together in the theatre. It was also a lovely reminder of why we enjoy visiting HOME so much. Whether we're attending a theatre performance, taking part in a family activity or visiting during Little HOME, the venue always feels welcoming and family-friendly. Final Thoughts We had a lovely time at HOME's Family Creator Day and it was great to experience another side of the venue that we already know so well. The children enjoyed getting creative, we discovered that the pizza at HOME Bar & Kitchen is well worth trying, and we left with plenty of ideas for future visits. Before leaving, the children were also given a small goody bag containing a few treats and information about upcoming family events and theatre productions, which was a lovely finishing touch to the day. Whether you're visiting for a theatre show, family film screening, workshop, exhibition, festival or simply spending time in Creativity Corner before a performance, HOME offers a wide range of experiences for families and continues to be one of our favourite family-friendly venues in Manchester. With Little HOME just around the corner and more family theatre trips already booked, I don't think it will be long before we're back at HOME Manchester once again. Watch the Little HOME 2026 Trailer We've attended Little HOME for the past two years and are already looking forward to returning this summer. Little HOME 2026 takes place on 1 and 2 August and features a packed programme of free family activities, performances, workshops and screenings. Take a look at the trailer below to see what families can look forward to this year. More Information For more information about Little HOME 2026 and to book any ticketed events, visit the HOME Manchester website. At a Glance: Family Activities at HOME Manchester 📍 Location: HOME Manchester, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN 🚋 Getting There: Easy to reach by bus, tram and train, with Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop and Deansgate railway station just a short walk away. 🎭 Family Theatre: Regular programme of family-friendly theatre productions throughout the year. 🎬 Family Cinema: Family screenings and relaxed screenings available throughout the year. 🎨 Creativity Corner: Free family space featuring books, crafts, dressing-up costumes, puppets and imaginative play. 🖼️ Free Exhibitions: HOME regularly hosts free gallery exhibitions. 🎪 Little HOME Festival: Free annual family festival featuring performances, workshops, screenings and creative activities. 🍕 HOME Bar & Kitchen: Family-friendly food and drink available on-site. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Suitable For: Families looking for theatre, cinema, creative activities and cultural experiences in Manchester. ⭐ Our Highlights: Creativity Corner, the relaxed family atmosphere and discovering HOME Bar & Kitchen for the first time.

A Night At The Theatre With My Dad To See The Ballad of Johnny & June On Tuesday 9th June, I headed to The Lowry with my dad for the press night of The Ballad of Johnny & June at The Lowry. My mum dropped us off opposite the Imperial War Museum North before we made the short walk across the bridge towards The Lowry. We arrived at around 7pm ahead of the 7:30pm performance, giving us plenty of time to collect our tickets and have a look around before the show started. As always, one of the first things I did after arriving was head over to the press desk to collect our tickets and programme before taking a look at the merchandise stand. Country Music Souvenirs & Theatre Merchandise 🎶 There was a small selection of merchandise available, including: 👕 T-Shirt – £28 🧲 Magnet – £5 🖊️ Pen – £8 🔑 Keychain – £10 📍 Pin Set – £12 ☕ Mug – £14 👜 Tote Bag – £16 I ended up purchasing a magnet before we headed into the auditorium. Our Seats & View at The Lowry 🎭 We were seated in the stalls, entering through Door H. Our seats were Row P Seats 12 and 13, with Seat 12 being the aisle seat. The view was excellent and completely unobstructed throughout the performance. We could clearly see everything happening on stage and I never felt too far away from the action. The seats were comfortable and I would happily choose these seats again for a future visit. Once seated, I had a quick look through the programme while waiting for the show to begin. The first act lasted approximately 75 minutes before a 20-minute interval. The second act was around 55 minutes, bringing the total runtime to roughly 2 hours 30 minutes including the interval. The performance finished shortly before 10pm. The Story Behind the Songs 🎸 Going into the show, I only really knew Ring of Fire and knew very little about Johnny Cash's life story. My dad, however, grew up listening to Johnny Cash and was much more familiar with both Johnny Cash and June Carter's music. The production tells the story of Johnny Cash's rise to fame, his relationship with June Carter and the challenges they faced throughout their lives and careers. Narrated by their son John Carter Cash, the show combines live music and storytelling to take audiences through the highs and lows of one of country music's most famous relationships. What I liked most was that the production never felt like simply a tribute concert. While the music is obviously a huge part of the evening, there is also a genuine attempt to explore the people behind the songs. I did find the first act quite fast-paced and it took me a little while to fully settle into the story. A lot of information is packed into the opening half of the show and some of the emotional moments pass by quite quickly. The second act felt much stronger for me and allowed more time for the emotional side of the story to develop. One thing I found particularly interesting was experiencing the show alongside someone who already knew so much of the music. While I was discovering much of Johnny and June's story for the first time, my dad was recognising songs, references and moments from their lives throughout the evening. It made for some interesting conversations during the interval and on the journey home. Live Music, Country Classics & Strong Performances 🎤 The music was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening. Featuring songs including Ring of Fire, Jackson, I Walk the Line and Folsom Prison Blues, there were plenty of familiar songs that received enthusiastic reactions from the audience. One of my favourite moments came during Ring of Fire. You could hear audience members quietly singing along around the theatre, including my dad sitting next to me, and when the song finished it received one of the biggest rounds of applause of the evening. It was one of those lovely theatre moments where you could really feel the audience's connection to the music. Even though I didn't know many of the songs beforehand, it was impossible not to get caught up in the atmosphere. The set design was relatively simple but worked well throughout, using projections and different staging areas to move between locations and different periods in Johnny and June's lives. Christopher Ryan Grant was excellent as Johnny Cash, capturing both the voice and stage presence associated with Cash without ever feeling like he was simply doing an impression. Christina Bianco was equally impressive as June Carter, bringing warmth, humour and charisma to the role while delivering some fantastic vocals. The chemistry between the two leads felt completely believable and helped carry the emotional side of the story. Final Thoughts on The Ballad of Johnny & June at The Lowry 🤠 Overall, I enjoyed The Ballad of Johnny & June at The Lowry and so did my dad, despite us going into the show with very different levels of familiarity with the music. While the first act felt a little rushed at times, the strong performances, live music and emotional second half made for an enjoyable evening at the theatre. I personally gave the show 3.5 stars, while my dad would probably have rated it slightly higher, which perhaps shows how well the production works for existing Johnny Cash fans. Whether you're already a fan of Johnny Cash or simply recognise a handful of his songs like I did, there is still plenty to enjoy here. Looking back, I think one of the things I'll remember most is sharing the experience with my dad. It isn't often that we go to the theatre together, and this felt like the perfect show for us to enjoy from two completely different perspectives. A country music love story that may not always walk the line perfectly, but still delivers an entertaining night at the theatre. Planning Your Visit to The Ballad of Johnny & June 📍 The Ballad of Johnny & June is at The Lowry until Saturday 13th June 2026. Tickets are available to purchase through The Lowry website. For more information about the production, including future tour dates and show information, visit the official The Ballad of Johnny & June website. If you'd like to read my more theatre-focused review, you can also head over to All About Theatre. 🎥 Watch Our Visit in Weekly Vlog #457 If you’d like to see what I got up to during my trip to see The Ballad Of Johnny & June you can watch it in Weekly Vlog #457. Our trip to the show begins at 01:08 in the video, although the vlog also includes some other family moments from our week. At a Glance 📍 Venue: The Lowry, Salford 📅 Running Until: Saturday 13th June 2026 ⏱️ Runtime: Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes including interval ☕ Interval: 20 minutes 👤 Age Guidance: 12+ 🎟️ Tickets From: £26 available to purchase through The Lowry website. 🎭 Genre: Musical Biography / Country Music 🎶 Features Songs Including: Ring of Fire, Jackson, I Walk the Line and Folsom Prison Blues ♿ Accessible Performances: Audio Described, BSL Interpreted and Touch Tours available on selected performances 🛍️ Merchandise Available: T-Shirts, Tote Bags, Mugs, Magnets, Pins, Keychains and Programmes 🚋 Getting There: The Lowry is located at Salford Quays and is easily accessible by tram, bus and car 🌍 Further Tour Dates: Visit the official The Ballad of Johnny & June website for future tour dates Watch The Trailer

Our Evening Trip to See Malory Towers at HOME Manchester On Saturday 6th June, Alice and I headed into Manchester to see Malory Towers at HOME for the 7:30pm performance. As we had been away on holiday during the press night earlier in the week, we attended one of the later performances instead, and it turned out to be a really lovely mother-and-daughter theatre trip. We caught the tram at around 6:20pm and arrived at Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop just after 6:40pm. One of the things I like about visiting HOME is how easy it is to get to by public transport, as it's only around a five-minute walk from the tram stop. When we arrived, we headed straight to the box office to collect our tickets and programme before having a look around the venue. Programme, Books & Pre-Show Activities 📖 Unlike some touring productions, there wasn't a large merchandise stand for this show. Programmes were available to purchase for around £4, and there were also copies of the Malory Towers books available, although I didn't spot the prices. Alice never misses an opportunity for theatre popcorn, so we picked up a large popcorn from the box office before heading off to explore the venue. I think it was around £4. As we had arrived quite early, we had plenty of time before the performance started. We took some photos in front of the Malory Towers backdrop before heading over to HOME's Creative Corner, where Alice spent some time playing while we waited for the auditorium to open. It's one of the things I really like about visiting HOME with children. Having somewhere for them to play before the show starts helps make the whole experience feel much more relaxed. Before long, the auditorium opened at around 7:10pm and we headed inside to find our seats. Our Seats at HOME Manchester 🎭 We were seated in Row H, Seats 1 and 2 in the stalls, with Seat 1 being the aisle seat. Although we were slightly to the side of the stage, the view was excellent and we never missed any of the action. We've seen quite a few productions at HOME over the years and I've always been impressed by the sightlines. It feels like one of those venues where there really aren't many bad seats. As we entered the auditorium, I noticed booster seats available just inside the stalls entrance and asked Alice if she wanted one. At first she said no. Then, about five minutes before the show started, she suddenly changed her mind. I offered to swap seats with her as there was an empty seat directly in front of me, but she wanted to stay where she was. Once she was sitting on the booster seat she could see perfectly over the person in front and was comfortable for the entire performance. Even before the show began, the set immediately caught our attention. The large school façade dominating the stage looked impressive and instantly created the feeling that we were about to step into the world of Malory Towers. The Show ✨ Neither Alice nor I had ever read the Malory Towers books before seeing this production, so we were both going in completely fresh. The story begins in the modern day before one young girl is transported into the pages of her favourite Malory Towers book and finds herself taking on the role of Mary-Lou Atkinson. From there, audiences are whisked away to the 1940s world of boarding school life, where friendships, rivalries, midnight feasts and adventures unfold against the backdrop of the Cornish coast. What I loved most about the production was how warm and uplifting it felt. Rather than relying on huge special effects or dramatic twists, the story focuses on friendship, belonging and growing up, creating a show that feels genuinely heartwarming. One thing Alice and I both enjoyed was how different all of the girls were. Even though neither of us knew the characters beforehand, it was very easy to tell them apart and quickly become invested in their friendships and disagreements. At one point Alice leaned over to me and whispered, "That girl is mean. Why is she so mean?" while Gwendoline Lacey was causing yet more drama, which made me smile because it showed just how invested she had become in the story. The audience around us seemed equally engaged, with lots of laughter throughout the funnier moments and plenty of children clearly following the adventures unfolding on stage. Imaginative Staging & Live Music 🎶 The staging throughout was wonderfully inventive. The set transforms effortlessly between dormitories, classrooms, train journeys and coastal locations through clever use of movement, projections and props. One of my favourite moments involved the girls' trip to the seaside, where puppetry was used in a really creative way to bring the scene to life. It was simple, imaginative and incredibly effective. Alice absolutely loved these moments and there were lots of laughs from younger audience members whenever the production embraced its more playful side. The music also adds a huge amount of energy to the show. While Malory Towers isn't a traditional musical, songs are woven throughout the production and help maintain its uplifting atmosphere. The cast also play instruments live on stage, which is always impressive to watch and adds another layer to the performance. Interval Treats 🍦 The first act lasted approximately 60 minutes before a 20-minute interval. During the break, Alice chose a strawberry ice cream while I went for mint choc chip. At £3.50 each they were a lovely little treat. Back at our seats, we enjoyed our ice creams while chatting about the show. I asked Alice what she thought of the show so far and she told me she was really enjoying it. I also asked if she had a favourite character, but she couldn't choose and insisted they were all her favourite. We were both looking forward to seeing how the story would end in the second half. The Second Half & Journey Home 🚋 The second act lasted around 45 minutes, bringing the total runtime to approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes including the interval. The performance finished at around 9:35pm and after making the walk back to Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop, we arrived home shortly after 10:20pm. It was definitely a late night for Alice and she headed straight to bed once we got home. Final Thoughts 💖 Malory Towers was a lovely surprise. Neither Alice nor I had read the books beforehand, yet we both thoroughly enjoyed the production and found ourselves completely drawn into its world of friendship, school adventures and boarding school chaos. The imaginative staging, live music and talented cast create a warm and uplifting theatre experience that works just as well for newcomers as it does for long-time fans of the books. For Alice, the jumping into the sea scene and playful moments were definite highlights, while I particularly enjoyed the creativity of the staging and the strong sense of community running throughout the story. Whether you're already a fan of the books or discovering Malory Towers for the first time like we were, this is a charming, uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable family theatre trip. A heartwarming family adventure packed with friendship, imagination and plenty of boarding school fun. More Information About Malory Towers 📚 Malory Towers is at HOME Manchester until Saturday 13th June 2026. Tickets are available from £26.50 via the HOME Manchester website. For more information about the show and future tour dates, visit the official Malory Towers website. If you'd like to read my more theatre-focused review, you can also head over to All About Theatre. 🎥 Watch Our Visit in Weekly Vlog #456 If you’d like to see what I got up to during my trip to see Malory Towers you can watch it in Weekly Vlog #456. Our trip to the show begins at 13:01 in the video, although the vlog also includes some other family moments from our week. At a Glance 📍 Venue: HOME Manchester 📅 HOME Run: Tue 2 Jun – Sat 13 Jun 2026 🎟️ Tickets: From £26.50 via the HOME Manchester website ⏱️ Runtime: Approx. 2 hours 5 minutes including interval ☕ Interval: 20 minutes 👧 Recommended Age: 8+ 💺 Our Seats: Stalls Row H Seats 1 & 2 👀 Seat View: Excellent, slightly side-on but clear throughout 🪑 Booster Seats: Available free of charge 📖 Programme: Available from the box office (approximately £4) 📚 Merchandise: Programmes and Malory Towers books available from the box office 🍿 Refreshments: Large popcorn approximately £4 🍦 Ice Creams: £3.50 each ☕ Food & Drink: Restaurant, café and bar facilities available on site 🚋 Travel: Easily accessible by tram, bus and train. Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop and Deansgate railway station are both around a 5-minute walk from HOME. 🌍 Tour Dates: See the official Malory Towers website for future tour dates Watch The Trailer

Family Weekly Update This week was half term and also the hottest week of the year so far ☀️ Leo and I both really struggle in hot weather, so we didn’t venture too far from the house this week, but we still had lots of fun at home with paddling pools, ice lollies, garden games and cosy movie nights together. It was also a big week personally for me because I finally managed another solo theatre trip to see Waitress The Musical at Palace Theatre Manchester despite my anxiety being really bad lately. Here’s this week’s family weekly update, sharing everything we got up to during another very hot half term week. 💻 Editing, Blogging & A Very Hot Monday On Monday, I did what I usually seem to do at the start of the week — editing the weekly vlog and writing the weekly update blog post. It was absolutely boiling indoors though, so I had my fan on full blast next to me while I worked. While I was busy editing, Lawrence took the kids to the park. Before they left, we made sure they had suncream on, packed water bottles and got their hats and sunglasses ready because the heat was intense even early in the day. They had a lovely time at the park playing on the swings, slide and climbing frame before heading home for lunch. Once they were back, the kids happily sat in front of the fan watching cartoons and playing on their tablets while trying to cool down. 🎭 Anxiety, Changing Plans & Waitress The Musical On Tuesday, I was originally supposed to go and see Waitress The Musical. However, last week Lawrence told me he was going to the Wednesday matinee and that my parents were also going, so I asked if we could swap tickets so I could go with my parents instead and maybe go for lunch beforehand. My anxiety has been really bad recently and I’ve been struggling a lot with going places alone, especially in the evenings, so going with my parents felt much easier mentally. Unfortunately, after we transferred the tickets over, I realised Lawrence’s ticket actually said 7:30pm — not 2:30pm — meaning it wasn’t a matinee at all. Originally, I still planned to go to the Tuesday performance, but because I hadn’t mentally prepared myself for going that day, my anxiety got worse and worse as the afternoon went on. In the end, Lawrence went instead and I decided I would try again on Wednesday. While Lawrence was at the theatre, I stayed home with the kids, worked on some blog posts and watched Bluey with them before bedtime. 🎭 A Solo Theatre Trip To See Waitress On Wednesday, I spent most of the day working on my blog. Because it’s mine and Lawrence’s 10-year wedding anniversary in June, I started planning some blog posts about our wedding and honeymoon, which meant sorting through lots of old photos and videos from over the years. That evening, it was finally my turn to see Waitress The Musical at Palace Theatre Manchester. Honestly, my anxiety was awful all day and I nearly talked myself out of going several times. Going to the theatre alone is actually one of the reasons I originally started vlogging my theatre trips in the first place because having the camera gave me something else to focus on and really helped ease my anxiety around solo trips. Recently though, my anxiety has become much worse again, so this trip ended up feeling like quite a big personal achievement by the end of the night. Eventually, at around 6:15pm, I forced myself out of the house and headed for the tram into Manchester. Even though I’ve done the journey to Palace Theatre countless times before, I still felt incredibly anxious walking through Manchester alone towards an evening performance. However, once I reached the theatre and started taking some photos outside, I slowly started feeling calmer. As always, one of the first things I did after arriving was head straight over to the merchandise stand. Lawrence had already bought a programme the night before and we already owned the magnet from the previous UK tour, so although I was very tempted by the tote bag and oven mitt, I somehow managed not to buy anything this time. I then headed upstairs towards the quieter Circle bar area while waiting for the auditorium to open, which honestly helped my anxiety quite a bit because it was less crowded. I was seated in Circle Row R Seat 14 right at the back, and honestly I was really impressed with the view considering the ticket only cost £15. The Circle at Palace Theatre Manchester is really well raked and because the seats are staggered rather than directly behind one another, my view never felt blocked. I’d also worried about how hot the theatre would feel because of the heatwave, but thankfully it was actually really comfortable inside all evening. Once I was sat down in my seat, my anxiety finally started lifting and I was able to properly enjoy the show. By the end of the evening, I was honestly so glad I’d pushed myself to still go. Not only did I absolutely love revisiting one of my favourite musicals again, but it also felt like a huge personal achievement finally managing another solo theatre trip after struggling so much recently. 👉 You can read more about my visit and shorter review HERE 👉 And you can read my full review on All About Theatre HERE After getting home, I made a start on writing my review before eventually heading to bed. ☀️ Pirate Ship Pools, Water Cannons & Homemade Ice Lollies On Thursday, I finished writing both of my Waitress reviews, filmed my YouTube review and edited the vlog from my theatre trip. While I was busy working, Lawrence got the kids’ pirate ship paddling pool out in the garden. Alice absolutely loved pretending to be a pirate and spent ages outside playing pirates with Daddy using the inflatable pirate swords that came with the pool. The pirate ship also has a water cannon attached to it and at one point Lawrence sprayed me with it while I walked outside, which Alice found absolutely hilarious. Poor Leo found it far too hot outside though, so instead he stayed indoors beside the fan building his marble run and playing on his tablet. Later on, I helped the kids make homemade ice lollies using the Stitch ice lolly moulds we bought from Primark the previous week. Alice got really creative with hers and added strawberries, grapes and orange pieces before we filled the moulds with apple and blackcurrant cordial and orange juice. After a few hours in the freezer, they were finally ready and the kids were so excited to try them. Honestly, they were exactly what you needed in the heat. 🏰 Bouncy Castle Fun & The Hottest Roast Dinner Ever On Friday, I spent most of the day editing YouTube videos and working on blog posts while Lawrence took the kids to the park. When they got back, I made them some lunch while Lawrence set up the bouncy castle in the garden. Thankfully, it was slightly cooler than earlier in the week, so Leo was much happier playing outside today. The children spent ages bouncing around and playing together in the garden. I also very questionably decided to make a roast dinner in the middle of the heatwave. I’m an incredibly fussy eater and I’d been craving a roast dinner all day, but I very quickly regretted the decision once the kitchen started feeling like an oven. The dinner was lovely though. Nobody else in the house really likes roast dinners apart from me, so I ended up saving half of it for the next day while Lawrence happily stole the chicken legs as a snack afterwards. 💦 Paddling Pools, Disney Movies & Opening My New Air Fryer On Saturday, Leo asked if we could get his smaller paddling pool out as well, so Lawrence set it up for him in the garden. The children then decided they wanted to put the slide into the pool so they could slide down into the water, which they thought was absolutely hilarious. They also spent ages chasing each other around the garden spraying water everywhere using the pirate ship water cannon. While they played outside, I hoovered the house, tidied my craft room and finally opened the new air fryer I bought a couple of weeks ago but hadn’t had chance to set up yet. It’s actually going to live in my craft room rather than the kitchen because I bought it purely for sublimation crafts rather than cooking. I originally bought it when it dropped from £69 to £55, but then discovered it had gone down even further to £45 which was slightly frustrating considering I hadn’t even opened it yet. For dinner, I reheated the leftover roast chicken from Friday with potatoes, vegetables and the leftover gravy. After dinner, the kids and I curled up on the sofa together and watched Oliver & Company on Disney+ because they’d never seen it before. I thought they’d probably enjoy it because they love anything with cats and dogs in it — and thankfully they absolutely loved it. 🧹 Sunday Reset, Disney Classics & Holiday Packing On Sunday, the children spent the morning playing outside with Lawrence while I hoovered my craft room because I hadn’t managed to finish it the day before. I then started editing this weekly vlog and writing this blog post so both would be ready to go live together on Monday. After dinner, I took a little break and sat down on the sofa with the kids while we watched The Aristocats on Disney+ — another film they’d never seen before even though Alice has lots of Marie things in her bedroom. They both really enjoyed it and I realised I don’t actually think I’d ever properly watched the whole film myself because there were so many parts I didn’t remember. Later that evening, Lawrence got our suitcase down from the loft and we started packing for our holiday. 💜 Final Thoughts Overall, this ended up being a much quieter week than usual, but honestly I think we all needed it. Between the heatwave, half term and my anxiety being particularly difficult this week, it was nice focusing on slower family days at home, garden fun and cosy movie nights together. I’m also genuinely really proud of myself for managing my solo theatre trip to see Waitress because it would have been very easy to stay home instead. Sometimes the little wins really are the biggest ones. 🎥 Watch Our Weekly Vlog If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week, including our heatwave garden fun, homemade ice lollies and my solo trip to see Waitress The Musical, you can watch this week’s family weekly vlog over on YouTube.

Finally Seeing Waitress Again On Wednesday 27th May, I headed into Manchester to see Waitress at the Palace Theatre Manchester. This theatre trip was actually meant to look very different originally. I booked my ticket for Waitress the moment tickets first went on sale because I wanted to grab one of the affordable £15 seats at the back of the Circle before they sold out. As it was booked so far in advance, Lawrence and I ended up booking separate performances just in case my parents weren’t available to have the kids. Originally I had booked the Tuesday evening performance whilst Lawrence booked Wednesday. However, as the show got closer, my anxiety became much worse and I completely lost confidence in going to the theatre alone at night. Lawrence suggested we swap tickets because my parents were already going to the Wednesday matinee performance, and he thought he had booked the matinee too. The plan was that I’d meet up with my parents beforehand, have lunch with them and then all head to the theatre together, meaning I wouldn’t have to do the trip alone. However, when we finally transferred the tickets over on Tuesday afternoon, we realised Lawrence had accidentally booked the Wednesday evening performance rather than the matinee. By that point it was too late to change things around, so Lawrence still went to see Waitress on Tuesday night whilst I ended up using his Wednesday evening ticket and heading into Manchester alone after all. Going to the theatre alone is actually one of the reasons I originally started vlogging my theatre trips in the first place. Having the camera with me gave me something else to focus on and helped ease some of the anxiety around doing solo theatre trips, especially at evening performances. Recently though, my anxiety has become much worse again, which is why this particular trip ended up feeling like quite a big personal achievement by the end of the night. By Wednesday morning my anxiety was awful and I nearly talked myself out of going several times throughout the day, but eventually around 6:15pm I forced myself out of the house and headed for the tram into Manchester. Travelling Into Manchester I got off at St Peter’s Square around 6:50pm before making the walk up to Palace Theatre Manchester. Even though I’ve done this journey countless times before, I still felt incredibly anxious walking through Manchester alone, especially knowing I was heading to an evening performance by myself. However, once I reached the theatre and started taking some photos outside, I slowly started feeling a little calmer. Arriving at Palace Theatre Manchester After taking some photos outside, I headed into the theatre. As always, one of the first things I did was head over to the merchandise stand to see what was available. Lawrence had already bought a programme the night before and we already had the magnet from the previous UK tour, so although I was very tempted by both the tote bag and the oven mitt, I somehow managed not to buy anything this time. There was actually a really nice range of merchandise available including: 📖 House Programme – £8 📖 Programme & CD Bundle – £25 👕 Logo T-Shirt – £30 👕 Messy Oversized T-Shirt – £30 🧥 Hoodie – £55 👜 Tote Bag – £20 🧢 Cap – £25 ☕ Mug – £16 🧲 Magnet – £10 🔑 Keyring – £12 📍 Pin Badge – £9 🍴 Spoon – £10 🥄 Spatula – £10 🧤 Oven Mitt – £20 🧺 Tea Towel – £15 👩‍🍳 Apron – £25 One thing I will say though is that I do think theatre programmes are becoming far too expensive now. House programmes at this production were £8, which personally I think is quite a lot, especially for programmes like this one which mainly contained cast biographies and adverts. There weren’t really any behind-the-scenes articles or production photos to look through, and most of the information included can already be found for free on the official Waitress website. I then headed upstairs towards the Circle, although the auditorium hadn’t opened yet, so I waited in the quieter bar area for a little while which honestly helped my anxiety quite a bit as it was less crowded. The doors opened around 7:05pm and I headed into the auditorium to find my seat. My Seat at Palace Theatre Manchester I was seated in Circle Row R Seat 14 right at the back, and honestly I was really impressed with the view considering the ticket only cost £15. The Circle at Palace Theatre Manchester is really well raked and because the seats are staggered rather than directly behind one another, I never felt like my view was blocked by the person in front. Although there is an overhang from the Grand Tier above, nothing in Waitress really happens particularly high up on the stage, so I didn’t feel like I missed anything. Legroom was also much better than I expected and overall I found the seat really comfortable. For the price, I genuinely thought it was excellent value and I would happily sit there again. One thing I was also worried about before arriving was how hot the theatre would feel because the weather has been absolutely boiling recently. I’d even packed a hand fan expecting it to be uncomfortable sitting high up in the Circle, but thankfully the temperature inside the theatre was actually really comfortable all evening and I never needed it. Once I was finally sat down in my seat, my anxiety honestly started lifting almost immediately and I finally began feeling excited for the show instead. While waiting for the performance to begin, I looked through the programme Lawrence had bought the night before. The runtime for Waitress is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including a 20-minute interval, with Act One running around 70 minutes and Act Two around 60 minutes. The Story of Waitress I first saw Waitress back in 2021 during its first UK tour and completely fell in love with it then, so I’d been really looking forward to seeing this anniversary tour production. At the time I originally saw the show, theatres were still recovering after Covid restrictions and audiences were noticeably smaller than they are now, so it felt really lovely seeing the Palace Theatre so full this time round. It also felt really special seeing Sandra Marvin and Evelyn Hoskins returning to the roles of Becky and Dawn after appearing in the previous UK tour as well. I’d honestly forgotten just how emotional Waitress can be at times. Although the show deals with some difficult themes, it still manages to feel warm, funny and comforting throughout, and the friendships between Jenna, Becky and Dawn remain one of my favourite parts of the entire musical. The audience reactions throughout the evening were brilliant and there were so many moments where the whole theatre was laughing loudly together before suddenly becoming completely silent during some of the more emotional scenes. Set Design, Music & Performances From my seat in the Circle, the diner set still looked lovely and cosy and suited the atmosphere of the show perfectly. I also really like having the band visible on stage throughout much of the production as it helps the music feel even more connected to everything happening on stage. One thing I’d forgotten about Waitress is just how many songs I genuinely love in this show. I still had several of them stuck in my head walking back through Manchester afterwards. Songs including Opening Up, What Baking Can Do, Bad Idea and When He Sees Me all got fantastic audience reactions, whilst Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me brought some of the biggest laughs of the entire evening. Of course though, the biggest moment of the night was always going to be She Used To Be Mine. By the time Carrie Hope Fletcher performed it, the entire theatre had gone completely silent and you could feel how emotionally invested the audience were in the performance. Carrie Hope Fletcher was absolutely brilliant as Jenna and completely drew the audience into her story. Sandra Marvin and Evelyn Hoskins were both fantastic returning to Becky and Dawn, whilst Mark Anderson completely stole every scene he appeared in as Ogie thanks to his chaotic energy and comic timing. I also really enjoyed Dan Partridge as Dr Pomatter and it was lovely seeing Les Dennis as Joe again as well. Final Thoughts on Waitress UK Tour By the end of the evening, I was so glad I had pushed myself to still go despite how anxious I’d felt beforehand. Not only did I absolutely love revisiting one of my favourite musicals again, but it also felt like quite a big personal achievement finally managing another solo theatre trip after struggling with my anxiety recently. Warm, funny and deeply emotional, Waitress remains one of the most heartfelt musicals around. Ten years on, Waitress still serves up one of the most heartfelt nights in musical theatre. Further Information & Tour Dates Waitress is at Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday 30th May 2026. Tickets are available to purchase through the ATG Tickets website. The production is also continuing to tour across the UK throughout 2026 and will also be returning to Greater Manchester later this year when it visits The Lowry from 27th – 31st October 2026. For more information and full tour dates, visit the official Waitress UK Tour website. If you’d like to read my more theatre-focused review, you can also head over to All About Theatre. 🎥 Watch My Theatre Trip in Weekly Vlog #455 If you’d like to see what I got up to during my trip to see Waitress you can watch it in Weekly Vlog #455. Our trip to the show begins at 02:06 in the video, although the vlog also includes some other family moments from our week. At a Glance 📍 Venue: Palace Theatre Manchester 📅 Running Until: Saturday 30th May 2026 ⏱️ Runtime: Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes including interval ☕ Interval: 20 minutes 🎟️ Tickets From: £15 💺 Recommended Seats: Circle Row R offered an excellent view for the price 🚋 Nearest Tram Stop: St Peter’s Square 🛍️ Merch Available: Yes – including programmes, tote bags, mugs, oven mitts and hoodies 🌍 Further Tour Dates: UK tour continuing throughout 2026 including The Lowry, Salford from 27th – 31st October 2026 🔗 Official Website: Visit the official Waitress website for tour dates and show information. Watch The Trailer

Hollin House Hotel Review We stayed at Hollin House Hotel in Cheshire for my brother’s wedding, and this Hollin House Hotel review shares our experience of the rooms, wedding venue, food and overall stay. It ended up being one of those stays that felt memorable for so many different reasons. Set near Bollington and Macclesfield on the edge of the Peak District, Hollin House Hotel is a Victorian country house hotel full of character, history and beautiful architectural details. The building itself dates back to 1870 and from the moment we arrived it already felt like somewhere special. The hotel has a real old-country-house feel to it, with gothic-style architecture, stained glass windows, sweeping staircases and lots of traditional features throughout. From the moment we arrived it felt far more like a historic manor house than a standard hotel, with plenty of character and period charm around every corner. Arriving At Hollin House Hotel We travelled to the hotel by train with the children for the wedding weekend, which already made the whole trip feel a bit more exciting for them. Macclesfield Train Station is around 4 miles from the hotel, and my dad then picked us up from the station and drove us to the hotel. Check-in at Hollin House Hotel begins from 3pm and we arrived at around 4pm. The hotel itself is surrounded by trees and countryside views, and driving up outside the large sandstone building instantly gave that “special occasion” feeling. The exterior of the hotel almost feels castle-like in places thanks to the stone architecture, turrets and large manor house appearance, which made it feel very fitting for a wedding venue. One thing that stood out straight away was how grand the inside of the hotel felt. The entrance hall is absolutely stunning with marble pillars, chandeliers, ornate white archways and a huge carved wooden staircase that immediately catches your attention. It honestly felt like one of those hotels where you keep stopping every few minutes just to properly look around and take everything in. Our Family Room For our first night before the wedding, we stayed in one of the family rooms which cost £119 including breakfast which was a special wedding guest rate. The room itself was genuinely spacious for the four of us and worked really well as a practical family base for the wedding weekend. It included a double bed along with two additional single beds already set up for the children, which instantly made things easier than trying to squeeze everyone into a standard hotel room. The décor felt much more traditional than modern boutique hotels, but honestly I think that suited the character of the building really well. The tartan-style headboards, darker wood furniture and cosy lighting all matched the historic country house atmosphere of the hotel. There was also a desk and table area which ended up being really useful for drinks, snacks, charging devices and generally organising ourselves before the wedding. The room included tea and coffee making facilities, a television and plenty of storage space for luggage, wedding outfits and all the extra things that come with travelling as a family. The bathroom had a bath and shower combination which was especially useful with the children after a long day travelling. Overall, the family room felt comfortable, practical and spacious for a family wedding stay. Whilst the bedroom itself felt more traditional in style, the grand communal areas throughout the hotel added a much more elegant country house atmosphere to the overall stay. Dinner In Our Room We arrived at the hotel at around 4pm and by the time we had found our room and unpacked everything it was already getting later in the evening. Originally, we had planned to walk to a local shop to pick up some food, but Leo was tired, not feeling very well and ended up having a meltdown, so I took him back to the room whilst Lawrence continued looking for somewhere to get food. By the time Lawrence got back just after 6:30pm, he hadn’t managed to find anything nearby that the children would actually eat, so instead he went down to the hotel bar and ordered food there before bringing it back up to the room, which the staff were absolutely fine about. I had chicken breast with chips and peas, whilst the children had fish goujons, chips and peas. Honestly, this ended up working perfectly for our first evening at the hotel. Rather than trying to get everyone settled and then head back downstairs to a restaurant, we were able to relax properly whilst the children adjusted to their new surroundings. The food itself felt comforting and generous, and after a busy afternoon travelling it was exactly what we needed. It also made the stay feel very family-friendly because sometimes the easiest option with children is simply having a cosy evening in the room rather than trying to keep everyone organised and entertained in a restaurant after a long day. The Only Issue We Experienced The only real issue we experienced during our stay was that the radiator in the family room appeared to be stuck on during an unusually hot weekend. By the evening the room had become extremely warm which was difficult with the children trying to sleep in unfamiliar surroundings. I remember saying in the vlog that “it’s really hot in here,” and honestly that probably sums it up perfectly. However, I do think it’s important to mention that the hotel staff handled the situation really well. They provided us with a fan and were very understanding about the issue throughout our stay. Then for our second night after the wedding, we were moved into the Brooke Suite which we really appreciated. What made it even more special was that this had actually been the Brooke Suite where my brother stayed the night before the wedding, whilst his partner stayed in the Davenport Suite. After the wedding they then stayed together in the Davenport Suite, which meant the Brooke Suite became available for us to use. It actually worked out really well because it gave us the opportunity to experience two completely different room types during the same stay. The Wedding Day The wedding ceremony itself took place in The Orangery at Hollin House Hotel and it honestly looked absolutely beautiful. The room felt bright, airy and elegant thanks to the huge skylight overhead which filled the space with natural light throughout the ceremony. White blossom trees lined the aisle creating such a lovely romantic setting, whilst blue chair sashes added a beautiful pop of colour against all the white décor and flowers. One detail I really liked was how versatile the space felt. During the ceremony, the bar area at the back of The Orangery had been completely hidden behind white draping which made the room feel fully focused on the ceremony itself and gave it a much softer, more elegant atmosphere. The Orangery also felt surprisingly spacious. Even with all the guests seated, it never felt cramped or overcrowded which made the whole ceremony feel relaxed and comfortable. After the ceremony, the room was then transformed for the wedding breakfast and later the evening entertainment, which honestly felt quite impressive to see. For the evening reception, the top table was simply moved away and the DJ setup took its place, allowing the room to transition naturally from daytime wedding venue to evening celebration space without guests constantly needing to move between different rooms. Combined with the grand staircase, stained glass windows and beautiful historic interiors throughout the hotel, it created such a gorgeous atmosphere for a wedding. The wedding breakfast itself was lovely and the staff kept everything running smoothly throughout the day which helped the whole celebration feel relaxed and enjoyable. One moment that really stood out to me was when Leo accidentally fell asleep just before the wedding breakfast was served. The staff were so kind about it and reassured us they would happily make him a fresh meal once he woke up later on. It was such a small gesture, but it genuinely made the whole experience feel very family-friendly and relaxed rather than stressful. As the evening went on, the darker lounge and bar areas of the hotel created a much cosier atmosphere compared to the bright Orangery. The teal walls, chandeliers, fireplaces and softer lighting gave these spaces a much warmer boutique country house feel in the evening which worked really well once the daytime celebrations had finished. Rather than feeling like a huge sprawling venue, Hollin House felt quite self-contained and easy for guests to navigate throughout the day, which helped the whole wedding feel much more relaxed and comfortable. The Brooke Suite Experience Moving into the Brooke Suite for the second night genuinely felt like a big upgrade in terms of space and comfort. The suite was much larger and brighter than the family room and immediately felt more luxurious whilst still keeping the same traditional country house character as the rest of the hotel. The standout feature was definitely the beautiful four-poster bed which instantly made the room feel much more special. There was also a lovely seating area with pink sofas beside the large windows overlooking the countryside, and having that extra lounge space made a huge difference after such a busy wedding day. One thing I particularly noticed was how much more breathing room we suddenly had as a family. With children, that extra space genuinely changes the whole feel of a hotel stay. The Brooke Suite also included a dressing table area, additional seating, tea and coffee facilities, lots of storage space and a much larger bathroom complete with both a separate bath and walk-in shower. The suite itself also felt noticeably more modern than some of the older manor house areas downstairs, particularly the bathroom which felt bright, spacious and very practical for getting ready on the wedding morning and relaxing properly afterwards. The countryside views from the windows were lovely too and helped make the room feel even more peaceful and relaxing. I can completely understand why couples would choose the suites for wedding stays because they genuinely feel special without losing the warmth and character of the historic building. Breakfast At Hollin House Hotel Breakfast was included both mornings during our stay and overall there was a good selection available. There was a buffet selection with cereals, toast, pastries, juices and hot drinks alongside cooked breakfast options. The morning of the wedding breakfast was served in the main restaurant area which had a lovely relaxed atmosphere and large windows letting in lots of natural light. Then the morning after the wedding, all of the wedding guests had breakfast together in The Orangery, the same room where the ceremony had taken place the day before. It was actually really lovely seeing how the space had been transformed once again after hosting both the ceremony and evening celebrations. The room felt completely different in daylight as a relaxed breakfast setting compared to the elegant wedding venue atmosphere from the day before. As a family, breakfast is always something we pay attention to when staying in hotels because it makes such a difference when travelling with children, and overall there was plenty for everyone to enjoy. Check-out at the hotel is 11am which gave everyone plenty of time to enjoy breakfast and get organised before heading home. Final Thoughts On Hollin House Hotel Overall, we really enjoyed our stay at Hollin House Hotel. What makes the hotel stand out most is definitely the building itself. The Victorian architecture, sweeping staircase, stained glass windows and historic country house atmosphere give it a charm that many modern hotels simply cannot replicate. I also think staying in both the family room and the Brooke Suite during the same trip gave us a really good insight into the different accommodation options available. The family room worked really well as a practical and comfortable base for the wedding weekend, whilst the Brooke Suite felt much more luxurious and spacious for our second night. Most importantly though, the hotel felt warm, welcoming and family-friendly throughout our stay, which always makes the biggest difference for me personally. Whilst some areas perhaps feel more traditional than ultra-modern luxury hotels, that honestly felt part of the charm. Hollin House Hotel feels like a genuine historic country house hotel rather than somewhere overly polished or corporate. What Hollin House Hotel does particularly well is combine the elegance of a traditional manor house wedding venue with the practicality and relaxed atmosphere of an all-in-one hotel stay. If you are looking for a Cheshire wedding venue, countryside hotel stay or family-friendly hotel near the Peak District, Hollin House Hotel is definitely worth considering. A charming Victorian country house hotel with beautiful wedding spaces, historic character and a warm family-friendly atmosphere. ℹ️ At a Glance Victorian country house hotel in Bollington, Cheshire Located on the edge of the Peak District Around 4 miles from Macclesfield Train Station Wedding venue with ceremony, reception and accommodation all in one location The Orangery used for the ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening entertainment Family rooms, suites and standard hotel rooms available We stayed in both a Family Room and the Brooke Suite during our stay Family room priced at £119 including breakfast at a special wedding guest rate Large communal lounge and bar areas with traditional manor house interiors Restaurant and bar available on-site Breakfast included during our stay Free parking available at the hotel Family-friendly atmosphere throughout the stay Historic Victorian architecture with grand staircase, chandeliers and stained glass windows Countryside surroundings and landscaped grounds 🎥 Watch Our Hollin House Hotel Room Tours We also filmed full room tour videos during our stay at Hollin House Hotel, including both the Family Room and the Brooke Suite. You can watch the room tours and see more of the hotel for yourself below. 🎥 Watch Our Full Wedding Weekend Vlog We also featured parts of our stay at Hollin House Hotel in Weekly Vlog #261, including more footage from the hotel, the wedding weekend and some behind-the-scenes moments from the trip. The Hollin House Hotel section of the vlog begins at 30:49. Watch our full Hollin House Hotel wedding weekend vlog here.

Gisborough Hall Hotel Review I previously stayed at Gisborough Hall Hotel in North Yorkshire while attending my sister’s wedding nearby, and it ended up being such a lovely countryside stay. This Gisborough Hall Hotel review covers our twin room in the Woodland Wing, the breakfast, hotel facilities, restaurant, and everything we enjoyed during our stay. Located on the edge of the North York Moors and not far from the Yorkshire Coast, the hotel felt like the perfect countryside escape. The whole area felt peaceful and scenic, making it ideal for a relaxing break away. One of the first things we noticed when arriving was just how gorgeous the grounds were. There were even llamas outside the hotel, which were very cute and added to the countryside atmosphere. At the time of our stay, we paid a special wedding guest rate of £145 per night including breakfast for our twin room in the Woodland Wing. Considering breakfast was included and the quality of the hotel overall, we felt it offered really good value for the stay. 🏨 A Beautiful Victorian Country House Hotel Gisborough Hall is a four-star Victorian country house hotel with 71 en-suite bedrooms, offering a range of room types including superior king rooms, four-poster bedrooms, and double or twin rooms. The hotel itself feels elegant and full of character while still being comfortable and welcoming. From the moment we walked through the entrance, the hotel had a warm but luxurious atmosphere, with grand staircases, traditional décor, cosy lounge areas, chandeliers, and lots of comfortable seating throughout the communal spaces. Although we stayed in the Woodland Wing, there are also upgraded rooms available within the original house itself. The hotel seemed especially popular for weddings and special occasions during our visit, and it definitely had that luxurious countryside hotel feel throughout. The exterior of the hotel was particularly beautiful too, with ivy-covered Victorian architecture and stunning landscaped grounds which made the whole place feel incredibly picturesque and relaxing. 🛏 Our Twin Room in the Woodland Wing Our twin room was spacious, comfortable, and very well equipped for a relaxing stay. When you first entered the room there was a large wardrobe area with hanging space, spare pillows, an iron, ironing board, hairdryer, and plenty of shelving and storage. There was also a full-length mirror, which was really useful when getting ready for the wedding. The room itself featured two comfortable twin beds, bedside tables, lamps, a TV, desk area, seating area, and tea and coffee facilities. We were also given complimentary bottled water, biscuits, tea, coffee, and UHT milk in the room. I really liked the style of the room as it felt classic and cosy without feeling dated. The colourful upholstered headboards, patterned curtains, traditional artwork and soft lighting all added to the relaxing country house feel of the hotel. The décor felt classic and cosy, and the room had a really relaxing atmosphere overall. The room itself also felt very spacious. There was a lovely seating area beside the large bay window with comfortable armchairs and a small table, which made the room feel much more relaxing than a standard hotel bedroom. One feature I especially loved was the bathroom. It had double sinks, a large mirror, a bath, and a separate power shower — and honestly, the shower was incredible. It was one of the most powerful hotel showers I’ve ever used. The bathroom also felt very luxurious thanks to the black granite surfaces, large mirrors, generous amount of towels, and spacious layout. Having both a bath and a separate shower was a really nice bonus. Toiletries including shampoo, conditioner and body wash were also provided. The beds were extremely comfortable too, and I slept really well throughout our stay. 🍳 Breakfast & Dining Breakfast was included in the price of our stay and offered both continental and cooked options. If you didn’t want to go down to the restaurant for breakfast, you could also order breakfast to your room for an additional £5 tray charge. Because we had a very early start on the morning of the wedding, the cooked breakfast option unfortunately wasn’t available that morning as service had not yet started. Instead, we opted for the continental tray service in the room, which actually worked really well for us. The breakfast trays were beautifully presented and included pastries, croissants, cereals, fruit juice, tea and coffee, toast, jams, yoghurts, fresh fruit, cheeses and continental meats. It felt like such a relaxed and convenient way to start the morning while everyone got ready for the wedding. I also really liked that guests filled in a breakfast order form the night before choosing exactly what they wanted delivered, which made the experience feel much more personalised. Later during our stay we also enjoyed breakfast in the main dining area, where there was a warm and relaxed atmosphere. The breakfast buffet itself was actually much larger than I expected. There were fresh pastries, muffins, cereals, fruit platters, yoghurts, smoothies, juice shots, cheeses, meats, granola, juices and lots of different tea and coffee options available. Everything looked beautifully presented and regularly topped up. The cooked breakfast menu also offered a really good range of choices beyond a traditional full English, including eggs Benedict, American pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, smoked salmon bagels, porridge, vegetarian breakfasts and lighter options. During our stay we ate at the hotel’s De Brus Bar & Grill restaurant, and the food was really lovely. The atmosphere felt relaxed and welcoming, and it was nice being able to eat within the hotel after a busy day. The restaurant itself had a cosy but stylish atmosphere with soft lighting and comfortable seating, making it feel relaxed rather than overly formal. The menu offered a good mix of classic grill dishes, lighter sharing plates, burgers, steaks and desserts. Lawrence ordered the 28-day Himalayan salt aged local sirloin steak which was served with triple cooked chips, grilled tomato and rocket, while desserts included sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream and vanilla seed cheesecake with berry compote. Everything we tried was beautifully presented and very enjoyable. The hotel also features the award-winning Chaloner’s Restaurant for guests wanting a more formal dining experience. 💆 Revival Zone Spa & Treatments Gisborough Hall also has its own Revival Zone treatment area where guests can book a range of beauty and spa treatments including massages, hot stone massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures. During our stay we actually visited the Revival Zone to have our nails done before the wedding, which was a really lovely extra touch during the trip. The treatment area itself felt calm and relaxing, and it was nice having those facilities available within the hotel without needing to travel elsewhere. 🐶 Dog Friendly Stays One thing that makes Gisborough Hall especially appealing is that the hotel also offers dog-friendly stays within its ground-floor bedrooms. Dogs are welcome for an additional £15 per night charge, although they aren’t permitted within the dining areas or communal restaurant spaces. 💭 Final Thoughts I genuinely really enjoyed my stay at Gisborough Hall Hotel and would absolutely stay again in the future. The hotel itself was beautiful, the surroundings were peaceful and relaxing, and the staff made us feel very welcome throughout our stay. Even though we were there for a wedding, I still felt like there was so much more of the hotel and surrounding area left to explore. What really stood out to me was how relaxing and easy the whole stay felt. From the comfortable room and powerful shower to the breakfast tray service and cosy restaurant atmosphere, everything felt very well thought out and welcoming. The hotel managed to feel luxurious without feeling intimidating or overly formal, which I think made it especially enjoyable for a countryside getaway. I’d especially love to return for a more relaxed countryside getaway with Lawrence at some point in the future, as the whole hotel felt like the perfect place for a peaceful couple’s break. I think this hotel would work especially well for couples, wedding guests, or anyone looking for a relaxing countryside hotel stay in North Yorkshire. If you’re looking for a comfortable countryside hotel with beautiful surroundings, friendly staff, excellent food, and a relaxing atmosphere, I’d definitely recommend Gisborough Hall Hotel. ℹ️ At a Glance 4-star Victorian country house hotel Located near the North York Moors and Yorkshire Coast 71 en-suite bedrooms Woodland Wing and upgraded house rooms available Twin, double, superior king and four-poster rooms Breakfast included during our stay Optional in-room breakfast tray service available Large continental breakfast buffet and cooked breakfast menu De Brus Bar & Grill restaurant Award-winning Chaloner’s Restaurant Revival Zone spa and beauty treatments Dog-friendly ground floor rooms available Beautiful countryside surroundings with llamas on-site Elegant communal lounge areas and landscaped grounds Friendly and helpful staff throughout our stay 🎥 Watch Our Gisborough Hall Hotel Room Tour We also filmed a full room tour and review video during our stay at Gisborough Hall Hotel, including the Woodland Wing twin room, bathroom, breakfast, and hotel surroundings.

Ribby Hall Village Ruby Cottage Review During our recent family holiday at Ribby Hall Village, we stayed in one of the resort’s Ruby Cottages and honestly found it such a comfortable and practical option for a larger family stay. The Ruby Cottage is spread across two floors, sleeps up to six guests, and felt ideal for families travelling with children thanks to the extra space, stair gates, and family-friendly layout. We stayed in the Sedge Ruby Cottage during our visit and really enjoyed having separate sleeping areas upstairs and downstairs. It gave everyone their own space while still feeling cosy and connected as a family. This Ribby Hall Village Ruby Cottage review covers the accommodation, family-friendly layout, bedrooms, resort facilities, and everything included during our relaxing family stay. One thing we immediately noticed during our Ribby Hall Village Ruby Cottage stay was how peaceful the area felt. The cottages are surrounded by landscaped gardens and little lakes, and there were lots of ducks wandering around the village throughout our stay. The children absolutely loved feeding them rice and watching them around the water. The cottage itself had a lovely homely feel from the moment we walked in. A Spacious Family-Friendly Layout The Ruby Cottage is arranged over two floors, which worked really well for our family. Downstairs there was a double bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, while upstairs there were two twin bedrooms and a main family bathroom with a bath and overhead shower. The downstairs bedroom was bright and comfortable, with plenty of storage space, a TV on the wall, bedside tables, and an en-suite shower room. Upstairs, both twin rooms were a really good size and also included TVs, wardrobes, and drawers. We especially liked that the cottage already included family-friendly touches like stair gates, a high chair, travel cots, and useful storage cupboards with things like a hoover, ironing board, and cleaning equipment. The layout made the whole cottage feel really practical for families staying with younger children. 🛏 Comfortable Bedrooms & Family Features All of the beds felt comfortable, and the bedrooms had enough space so nobody felt cramped during the stay. The downstairs master bedroom was spacious enough for us to comfortably fit the travel cots alongside our bed, which worked really well for our family. Meanwhile, my parents stayed in one of the upstairs twin rooms and my brother used the other, so everyone still had their own space and privacy during the holiday. The upstairs bathroom also worked really well for bathing the children as it included a proper bath rather than just a shower. We also appreciated the thoughtful little extras throughout the cottage, including towels, tea and coffee sachets, UHT milk, kitchen starter packs, and hairdryers already provided. We especially liked that the cottage already included family-friendly touches like stair gates, a high chair, travel cots, and useful storage cupboards with things like a hoover, ironing board, and cleaning equipment. The layout made the whole cottage feel really practical for families staying with younger children. Kitchen, Dining & Living Area The main open-plan living area downstairs was probably where we spent most of our time together. The kitchen was fully equipped with everything we needed during the holiday including an oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher, washer/dryer, toaster, kettle, and plenty of cupboard space. There was even child cutlery available, which was a nice touch for families. The large dining table gave us loads of room for family meals, and the lounge area felt spacious and relaxing with two sofas, a large TV, and sliding doors leading outside. Outside there was a small patio area with a picnic bench surrounded by grass and landscaped gardens, which was lovely on sunny afternoons. Plenty to Do Around the Resort One of the reasons we keep returning to Ribby Hall Village is because there’s so much to do for all ages. During our stay we made full use of the resort facilities, including swimming, soft play, outdoor play areas, restaurants, and evening entertainment. There are also several additional activities available for an extra cost, including Pirates Bay Adventure Golf, bike hire, archery, and the climbing wall, giving families even more options throughout their stay. Everything across the village felt family-focused and easy to navigate, which made it ideal for a family holiday where everyone wanted slightly different things from the trip. 💭 Final Thoughts Our Ribby Hall Village Ruby Cottage stay was relaxed, comfortable, and incredibly practical for a larger family group. The two-storey layout worked brilliantly, the cottage had everything we needed, and the peaceful surroundings made it feel like a proper break away from everyday life. We especially loved the lakeside setting, seeing the ducks wandering around the resort, and how family-friendly everything felt throughout the stay. It’s easy to see why these cottages are such a popular option for families visiting Ribby Hall Village. We enjoyed our stay so much that we actually booked another Ribby Hall holiday for the following year before we’d even gone home. ℹ️ At a Glance Sleeps up to 6 guests 3 bedrooms across 2 floors Double bedroom with en-suite Two twin bedrooms upstairs Family bathroom with bath and overhead shower Fully equipped kitchen Lounge with TV and Freeview TV in all bedrooms Family dining area Patio area with picnic table Parking for one car directly outside Stair gates included Travel cot and high chair available upon request Great for families with children 🎥 Watch Our Ruby Cottage Tour We also filmed a full video tour of the Ruby Cottage during our stay at Ribby Hall Village, including all bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, and outdoor spaces. You can also watch all of our Ribby Hall Village holiday vlogs over on our YouTube channel.

Sapphire Cottage at Ribby Hall Village Review During our recent stay at Ribby Hall Village, we stayed in one of the beautiful Sapphire Cottages overlooking Fisherman’s Reach — and it turned out to be the perfect base for a relaxing family break. The Sapphire Cottage offered plenty of space for our family, peaceful surroundings, and all the comforts we needed for a stress-free self-catering holiday. This Sapphire Cottage Ribby Hall Village review covers the accommodation, bedrooms, outdoor space, nearby wildlife, and everything included during our family stay. 🌿 Location and Setting The Sapphire Cottages at Fisherman’s Reach are in a fantastic location within Ribby Hall Village. They feel peaceful and tucked away while still being within easy walking distance of the swimming pool, restaurants, soft play, spa and other resort facilities. One of our favourite things about this particular cottage was the setting. At the back of the cottage was a lake with lovely waterside views, which made the whole area feel calm and relaxing. There were always ducks wandering around near the water too, and the children absolutely loved feeding them rice during our stay. It is worth noting that the cottage backs directly onto open water, so families with very young children may want to keep this in mind if planning to spend lots of time outside around the patio area. At the front of the cottage was the deer and sheep enclosure from the Wild Discovery area. Although there was a hedge separating the cottage from the enclosure, there were several gaps where you could clearly see the animals, and they often came right up to the fence. The children loved being able to spot the deer and sheep so close to the cottage each day. 🛋 Lounge Area The lounge had a bright and airy feel thanks to the high ceilings and large patio doors overlooking the outdoor space. There was a large comfortable corner sofa, coffee table and TV with Freeview, making it a lovely place to relax in the evenings after busy days around the resort. The patio doors also helped the space feel really open and peaceful, especially with the greenery and lake views outside. 🍽 Kitchen and Dining Area The kitchen was modern, spacious and very well equipped for a family stay. It included: Oven, grill, hob and microwave Fridge freezer Dishwasher with starter cleaning pack Washer/dryer Cooking utensils and kitchen essentials Nespresso coffee machine Tea, coffee, sugar sachets and UHT milk There was also a large family dining table, which gave us plenty of room for meals, snacks and planning the next day’s activities. 🛏 Bedrooms The cottage had three bedrooms: A master double bedroom with en-suite A twin bedroom A bunk-bed room The master bedroom felt particularly spacious and comfortable, with a large bed, bedside lighting, TV and en-suite shower room. The twin room was bright and cosy, while the bunk room worked really well for children and had its own TV mounted on the wall. The children especially loved the bunk beds because they were much bigger and more spacious than standard children’s bunks. The bunk beds were also full adult-sized bunks rather than smaller children’s beds, which made the room feel much more practical for families. We also really liked that the top bunk was accessed by proper built-in stairs rather than a traditional ladder, which felt much safer and easier for children to use. All bedrooms included bed linen, towels for indoor use and hairdryers, and travel cots and high chairs are available on request for families with younger children. 🛁 Bathrooms The cottage had both a main family bathroom and an en-suite in the master bedroom, which made mornings much easier as a family. The family bathroom included a bath with overhead shower, WC and basin, while the en-suite had a walk-in shower. Both bathrooms were modern, clean and well maintained. 🌞 Outdoor Space Outside, the cottage had its own private patio area with rattan outdoor furniture overlooking the lake. It was such a lovely peaceful spot to sit with a morning coffee or relax in the evening while watching the wildlife around the water. Parking for one car was directly outside the cottage, which made unloading luggage and family essentials really convenient. 🎠 Plenty to Do Around the Resort One of the reasons we keep returning to Ribby Hall Village is because there’s so much to do for all ages. During our stay we made full use of the resort facilities, including swimming, soft play, outdoor play areas, restaurants and evening entertainment. There are also several additional activities available for an extra cost, including Pirates Bay Adventure Golf, bike hire, archery and the climbing wall, giving families even more options throughout their stay. Whether you want a relaxing break or a busier activity-filled holiday, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. Everything across the village feels very family-focused and easy to navigate, which makes it ideal for family holidays where everyone wants slightly different things from the trip. ℹ️ At a Glance Sleeps up to 6 guests 3 bedrooms Double bedroom with en-suite Twin bedroom Adult-sized bunk beds with built-in stairs Fully equipped self-catering kitchen Private patio area with outdoor seating Parking directly outside the cottage Located beside open water at Fisherman’s Reach Views of the deer and sheep enclosure nearby Great for family stays Self-catering accommodation within Ribby Hall Village 💭 Final Thoughts Our stay in the Sapphire Cottage at Ribby Hall Village was peaceful, comfortable and incredibly easy as a family. The cottage had plenty of space for everyone, felt well equipped throughout, and the lakeside setting made it feel especially relaxing. The children loved spotting the deer and sheep near the cottage and feeding the ducks by the water each day, which ended up being some of their favourite moments from the trip. If you’re looking for a spacious self-catering cottage at Ribby Hall Village with a peaceful location and family-friendly layout, the Sapphire Cottage is a fantastic option. It combines comfort, convenience and lovely surroundings — making it a wonderful base for a family break. It truly had everything we needed for a fun, fuss-free holiday and we’d happily stay there again. 🎥 Watch Our Sapphire Cottage Tour We also filmed a full video tour of the Sapphire Cottage during our stay at Ribby Hall Village, including the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, lounge and outdoor areas. Looking for more from our trip? You can also watch all of our Ribby Hall Village holiday vlogs in one playlist.

Family Weekly Update This week was a lovely mix of family time, shopping, theatre trips and getting ready for half term. We also had a really special family theatre trip to see Bluey’s Big Play at The Lowry. Here is this week’s family weekly update, sharing everything we got up to throughout the week. 🧹 Housework & Video Editing On Monday, I did what I almost always seem to do on a Monday — catching up on housework and editing YouTube videos. It’s become a bit of a routine at this point, but it does help me feel more organised before the rest of the week gets busy. 🏃 Alice’s Sports Day Tuesday was Alice’s sports day. The school doesn’t actually hold sports day on the school grounds — it takes place at a nearby park and all the children walk there together. However, because of Alice’s additional needs, the school decided to take her in the Headteacher’s car instead so she wouldn’t get too tired before the activities even started. I thought that was such a thoughtful thing to do and it was really lovely seeing them consider what would help her enjoy the day most. The sports day started at 10am, but I didn’t go until the afternoon because I was waiting for my parents to drive there as my knee is still quite bad and I didn’t want to walk all that way. We arrived at around 1:30pm and got there just in time for Alice’s running race on the track. During her race, it suddenly started raining, but Alice did so well and still finished the race. It was really lovely hearing all her classmates cheering her on from the stand. Not long afterwards, the rain became absolutely torrential, so the school decided to end sports day a little early and we took Alice home. 💻 Editing Theatre Vlogs Wednesday and Thursday were mainly spent catching up on editing some theatre vlogs that I’d fallen behind on. It always takes longer than I expect going through all the footage, especially after busy theatre weeks, but I managed to get quite a lot done. 🛍️ Trafford Centre, Primark & Holiday Shopping On Friday, Lawrence was off work. Originally, we were planning on heading into Manchester and looking around Primark there, but we changed our minds on the way and decided to head to the Trafford Centre instead so we could also go to ASDA afterwards. We got off the bus at the Trafford Centre bus station and headed straight to the Haribo shop where I picked up some of our favourite sweets to share over the half term holidays. Afterwards, we walked over the bridge to Primark where we picked up quite a few bits for the kids. For Alice, I bought a couple of pairs of trousers, a T-shirt and a swimming costume. For Leo, we picked up swimming shorts, sunglasses and a Bluey T-shirt and shorts set I also bought Alice a Toy Story alien bath fizzer because I’d accidentally only bought one last week and promised her I’d get her one next time we visited Primark. We also picked up a pack of four Moana bath fizzers for the kids to share. After that, we headed into Primark Home where we bought a new water bottle each for the kids, Stitch ice lolly moulds ready for the hot weather expected during half term and a new laundry basket for the kids. We then walked across to the Krispy Kreme shop near ASDA because I had a voucher for buy 6 get 6 free doughnuts 🍩 Afterwards, we headed into ASDA where there was 20% off clothing, so I picked up a couple of dresses for Alice and also bought the children a Toy Story towel each. Once we got home, Lawrence went to collect the children from school while I sorted everything out. The kids were really excited seeing all the things we’d bought for them and enjoyed a doughnut each as their after-school snack. 🐶 Bluey’s Big Play at The Lowry On Saturday 23rd May, my brother and I took Alice and Leo to see Bluey’s Big Play at The Lowry for the 2pm performance, and it turned into such a lovely family theatre trip from start to finish. Lawrence was working, so my brother came along with us instead. Before we left, I dressed the kids in the Bluey outfits we’d bought the day before. Leo wore his new Bluey T-shirt and shorts set while Alice wore a purple Bluey dress covered in different characters from the show. As huge Bluey fans, the children had been so excited ever since spotting the poster at the train station a few months ago. We all loved the production when it visited in 2024, so they were thrilled it was returning to The Lowry again. My dad dropped us off at our usual spot opposite the Imperial War Museum North before we made the familiar walk across the bridge towards the theatre. We arrived at around 1:25pm which gave us plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere before the performance started. One of the first things the children spotted was the huge merchandise stand, which already had a massive queue around it. There was so much Bluey merchandise available, and the children spent ages trying to decide what they liked best, but we decided to wait until after the show before buying anything. The atmosphere around the theatre was lovely, with children everywhere wearing Bluey ears, carrying plush toys and excitedly chatting about their favourite characters. We were seated in the circle on Row B and honestly had an excellent view of the stage. Because the seating is nicely raked at The Lowry, the children could comfortably see without any problems. The show itself was absolutely brilliant and both children were completely engrossed from start to finish. Alice absolutely loved seeing the grannies racing around in their little car, while Leo was so excited when Chattermax appeared on stage. Both children were laughing throughout and Leo was even up dancing during parts of the performance. After the show, we headed back downstairs once the merch queue had gone down slightly. Their uncle treated Alice to a Bluey ears headband and bought Leo a Bluey plush wearing a little heart headband, while I bought them a Muffin plush to share after they both decided Muffin was their favourite character but there was only one left. The children were absolutely thrilled with their new toys. 👉 You can read more about our visit and my shorter review HERE 👉 And you can find my full review on All About Theatre HERE 🍫 Cadbury Shop & A Quiet Evening at Home After the show, we headed into the outlet mall and had a look around the Cadbury shop. I ended up getting a Roses pick and mix filled almost entirely with strawberry and orange creams because they’re my favourites, while Alice and Leo each picked up a bag of mini eggs. We also had a quick look around the little market stalls outside before walking back across the bridge where my dad picked us up from our usual spot opposite the Imperial War Museum North. When we got home, Lawrence was back from work and the children excitedly showed him all the things they’d bought from the show. We spent a little while playing with the children’s new toys before I started writing my review for Bluey’s Big Play. 🎥 Editing, Social Media & Filming Reviews On Sunday, Lawrence spent time playing with the children while I worked on all the Bluey social media posts, filmed my review and edited the vlog and review video. It ended up taking me most of the day, but I was really happy to finally get everything finished. 💜 Final Thoughts Overall, it ended up being such a lovely week. From Alice doing so well at sports day to our family trip to see Bluey’s Big Play, it was one of those weeks filled with lots of little moments together before half term started. The children absolutely loved their Bluey theatre trip and were so excited with all their new toys and holiday clothes ready for the warmer weather. After such a busy few weeks recently, it also felt nice having a slightly calmer week at home mixed in with the theatre trips and shopping days 🎥 Watch Our Weekly Vlog If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week, including our trip to Bluey’s Big Play at The Lowry and our Trafford Centre shopping trip, you can watch this week’s family weekly update vlog over on YouTube.