IF YOU are looking for your next weekend adventure, then you’re in luck as a huge £12million attraction set to become the largest of its kind in the UK, is opening in just days.
A new 160-acre outdoor attraction is opening in Oldham, Greater Manchester this weekend and it will be the country’s largest urban farm and eco-park.
Called Northern Roots, the new attraction will open on Saturday, September 19 and boast a Welcome Building, Forestry Skills Centre, outdoor amphitheatre, café and shop and play area.
Part of the attraction is also Snipe Clough Farm – a four-acre farm where produce is grown for the café.
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The café will feature food by award-winning chef, Mary-Ellen McTague and serve breakfast and lunch.
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Dishes currently on the menu include seasonal soup, mezze, tarts, cheese and onion pie, sandwiches, cakes and sweet treats baked on site.
Surrounding the site, there are meadows and a woodland with different trails to explore.
The attraction will host different events, guided walks and arts and wellbeing activities at the destination.
And if you head there this weekend, there will be a huge opening event with fairground rides and performers.
Works on the attraction started five years ago and it sits on land that once used to be home to cotton mills, a coal mine and even a council tip.
By 2030, the £12million attraction aims to be the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park.
In the future, the attraction will open additional experiences.
The attraction is also next to the Grade II-listed Alexandra Park and is around a 20-minute walk from Oldham town centre.
Anna Da Silva, Chief Executive of Northern Roots, said: “This project has been built on the belief that nature can be a powerful force for positive change, particularly in urban communities that have historically had less access to green space and opportunity.
“What makes Northern Roots different is that we’re not simply creating a visitor destination.
“We’re creating a place that improves lives, supports businesses, restores habitats, develops skills, strengthens communities and delivers measurable social value.
“When we open our buildings in September, we hope people will see not only what Northern Roots can achieve for Oldham, but what it could teach us about the future of urban regeneration across the UK.”