Mill Gate’s safari trail brings the wild to Bury this August

Monday, 11 August 2025 17:30

By David Murphy

Families visiting Mill Gate Shopping Centre this month can embark on a free safari-themed adventure, spotting life-sized animals and meeting lifelike animatronic creatures.

Bury’s Mill Gate Shopping Centre has transformed into an urban safari zone for August, with five life-sized animal installations dotted across the centre as part of its free Safari Trail. Running until Saturday 30 August, the trail invites shoppers and families to find a lion, elephant, zebra, giraffe and gorilla, each accompanied by educational wildlife facts. Hidden letters at each stop spell out a mystery word, with completed trail sheets entered into a prize draw for one of five wildlife tracking bracelets, donated by conservation brand Fahlo.

In addition to the trail, every Friday in August between 11am and 3pm the centre is hosting Live Ranger Days, where visitors can meet realistic animatronic animals including baby hippos, orangutans, crocodile hatchlings and chimps. The events, designed to be both entertaining and educational, have already proven popular with children and adults alike.

The initiative offers plenty of photo opportunities alongside hands-on learning, without the need for travel or tickets, and is part of Mill Gate’s ongoing programme of community-focused events. Located in the heart of Bury, the centre continues to combine shopping and leisure with activities that bring residents together.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

MP urges calm after Heywood protest as government ramps up immigration action

Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell has appealed for calm following protests and an arrest last week, saying that complex issues around asylum, immigration and crime cannot be solved with “lies, smears and untruths”.
MegaRetailer opens in Rochdale with big-brand bargains for shoppers

Rochdale has welcomed a new addition to its retail scene as MegaRetailer opened its doors this weekend, promising household brands at discount prices for both residents and local businesses.
Surface dressing works to close key Rochdale roads this week

A series of short-term road closures will take place in Rochdale borough this week as part of the council’s latest surface dressing programme.
Caribbean Carnival delights thousands in weekend celebration

Manchester’s annual Caribbean Carnival brought colour, music and dancing to the city as thousands joined the weekend celebrations.
New campaign to help Rochdale residents cope with rising heat and extreme weather

A major climate resilience drive has been launched in Rochdale to help households prepare for heatwaves, floods and other extreme weather events, as Greater Manchester is ranked among the most climate-vulnerable areas in the UK.
Sunshine, live music and community spirit as Rotary Middleton’s Proms in the Park delights crowds

Jubilee Park was the place to be today, Sunday, 10 August, as Rotary Middleton brought back its much-loved Proms in the Park in glorious sunshine.
IN PHOTOS: 'Stop the boats' as Hundreds join Heywood protest against illegal immigration

A protest march through Heywood on Saturday 9 August 2025 drew hundreds of participants calling for tougher action on illegal immigration and the regulation of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in the borough.
Council urged to ‘keep the magic’ as Bury market modernised

As the shopping area with the third highest footfall in Greater Manchester many people would say Bury market doesn’t need a lot of changes.
Serial predator posed as trusted tutor to sexually abuse girls as young as eight

A private tutor who abused five girls over a decade while giving maths and Quran lessons has been jailed for 14 years following a Manchester Crown Court trial
Man admits bringing knives and weapons onto school grounds in Middleton arrest

A man arrested outside a school in Middleton last week has now pleaded guilty to a string of offences, including possessing offensive weapons and criminal damage.
What's really happening at Rochdale's asbestos-riddled 'Chernobyl' site?

Locals fond of taking the scenic route along Rochdale’s River Spodden are used to having their picturesque view being temporarily spoiled.
Scout Moor II, the story so far

Towards the horizon north of Manchester sits a picturesque view of wind turbines rotating slowly above the crest of the hills.