(11 Sep 2017, 2:30 pm)James101 wrote  
It's a shame it's becoming inaccessible for you. It would be useful if the Showbus website had a list of coach trips with vacant seats and their origin. Even if there wasn't a coach or preserved vehicle going from your area it could open up options e.g. train to Stoke-on-Trent and meet a coach trip there.

I arrived around 11am last year which seemed to be the peak time for vehicles arriving, with most parked up by mid-day. I had committements later in the day so was off again by 3pm, but I felt I had seen everything there was to see by this time. I may have needed longer if I was more into my photography or wanted to sample the shuttles.

Thanks, James. Looking at the Showbus site it is noticable that absolutely no trips are organised from the GM area - Transdev's Vamooz is the only one vaguely fitting the bill. I would think anything from Stoke or other stations down the line from Stockport (or even Man Piccadilly) would be reached too late to safely meet an excursion close by. OTOH, your timings are quite encouraging, so IF the weather is half decent, maybe I'll risk it.