It’s turning out to be a busy February for Samlesbury Hall, with various events taking place.
Running across half term week – Monday 16 to Sunday 22 February – is an interactive experience for children called Hocus Pocus, where kids can join the Witch of Samlesbury Hall to learn all about the her life story.
Set in the Great Hall, as a roaring fire casts flickering light on her magic cauldron, children will also discover how herbs and simple everyday items were used to create charms and magic potions in the past. Using ingredients supplied, each child can make a magic spell to take home with them.
The Samlesbury Witch will help children make their own spells
From Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 February, Toast and Glow will see early evenings spent by the fire at the Garden Room Eatery.
The fire pit will be roaring, and attendees will receive their own S’more to make and enjoy, plus marshmallows on sticks to toast.
Then there’s the chance to explore Samlesbury Hall by torchlight in an exclusive after dark experience on Wednesday 25 February.
The host will take visitors on a 60-minute guided tour to discover the mansion’s haunted heritage. There will be tales of former – and possibly current – inhabitants as the strange legacy of ghosts and mysteries of the past are revealed.
During this time, an overnight stay in a Shepherd’s Hut is £149 for up to four people, including S’mores, fire pit and a round of mini golf at Bluebird Golf.
The 701-year-old Samlesbury Hall is a registered charity, so any income from events like these enables it to remain open for free for the public to enjoy.
Support local culture:Become a member for just £6 a month, or £60 a year, to help us champion Preston’s arts, culture, and events – and enjoy an ad-free experience while you’re at it.
From creating handcrafted keepsakes to building traditional paddles and wooden bodyboards, Blyth Tall Ship is giving people the opportunity to learn practical woodworking skills in…
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/people-enjoying-drinks-at-a-japanese-festival-right-a-shiba-inu-dog-in-a-robe.jpg?id=60327700&width=1200&height=600&coordinates=0%2C36%2C0%2C36"/><br/><br/><p>Montreal is about to feel a lot more like Tokyo — at least for a couple of days in June.</p><p><span></span><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/yatai-mtl" target="_blank">YATAI MTL</a>, Quebec's largest Japanese street market, is returning from June 5 to 8 at Hangar 1825 along the Lachine Canal, and it's bringing all the flavours, fashion, and vibes you didn't know you needed.</p><p>This year's edition promises to be bigger than ever, with over 25 food stalls serving iconic Japanese street eats like karaage, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, ramen, and yakitori. You'll also find more than 40 vendors selling everything from matcha and mochi to handmade ceramics, art prints, kimonos, and bento boxes.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJElXjVvOry/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJElXjVvOry/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>But it's not just about the food. YATAI MTL is also packing the weekend with cultural events, performances, and parties — including a Ghibli-themed piano concert, a Shiba Inu fashion show and walk, and a nostalgic 80s-style City Pop dance night. The festival kicks off with GACHA POP Night on June 5, where DJs PinkPopo and Pocaille will turn Hangar 1825 into a kawaii dance floor inspired by anime, J-pop, and Japanese arcade culture.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJzXLfxM3HP/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJzXLfxM3HP/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Festival-goers can also sip sake cocktails at the onsite SAQ Bistro, check out tea ceremonies and Kendo demos, and even network with creatives at a special Québec–Japan industry mixer. And yes, dogs are welcome, especially if they're Shibas.</p><p>Admission is $4 in advance or $5 at the door, but it's free if you’re under 12, over 65, dressed in a yukata, or happen to be a Shiba owner. You can buy tickets <a href="https://www.asiasie.com/yataimtl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>Whether you're a diehard Japanophile or just in it for the snacks, this festival is a one-of-a-kind summer experience that's worth clearing your calendar for.</p><h3>YATAI MTL</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ9ciF5MUs4/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ9ciF5MUs4/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: $5 at the door (free entry for children and seniors)</p><p>When: June 5 to 8</p><p>Address: 40 Rue des Seigneurs, Montreal, QC</p><p><a href="https://www.asiasie.com/yataimtl" target="_blank">Yatai MTL website</a></p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p>
<p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p><p><br/></p>
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