Where to Visit

Alexandra Park

Alexandra Road South, Moss Side
[t] 0161 226 3117
Victorian park covering 60 acres. Features include a lime walk, raised terrace walk, bandstand and a lake with an island sanctuary.
Open: daily 8am-dusk.Admission: free

Boggart Hole Clough

Charlestown Road, Blackley
[t] 0161 795 2650
Open: park – daily; visitor centre – Mon-Fri, 8am-4.30pm. Admission: free

Bramhall Park

Near Stockport
[t] 0845 833 0974
Timber-framed manor house dating back to the 14th century, with ample gardens and parkland.
Open: daily dawn to dusk. Admission: free

Burrs Country Park

Woodhill Road, Bury
[t] 0161 253 5111
Based around the River Irwell and two redeveloped cotton mills. Ideal for country walks.
Open: daily dawn to dusk.
Admission: free

Chorlton Water Park

Maitland Avenue, Chorlton
[t] 0161 881 5639
Open: daily 8am-dusk.Admission: free

Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens

Wilmslow Road, Didsbury
[t] 0161 434 1877
Open: daily 8am-dusk. Admission: free

Haigh Hall & Country Park

Haigh, near Wigan
[t] 01942 832895
Open: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, weekends 10am-5pm. Admission: free

Heaton Park

Middleton Road, Manchester
[t] 0161 773 1085
Open: 8am-dusk. Admission: free

Hollingworth Lake & Country Park

Rakewood Road, Rochdale
[t] 01706 373421
Spanning 118 acres with the dramatic backdrop of Blackstone Edge, this is a popular day out in the area, particularly for families: includes boating, a nature reserve, trails, guided walks and play and picnic areas.
Open: April-Sep, 10.30am-6pm; Oct-Mar, 11am-4pm weekdays, 10.30am-5pm weekends. Admission: free

Lymefield Visitor Centre

Off Lower Market Street, Broadbottom
[t] 01457 765780
Open: May-Sep, Wed-Thu 12-4pm, weekends 11am-5pm; Oct-Apr, Wed-Thu 11am-4pm, weekends 10am-4pm. Admission: free

Peel Park

Salford
[t] 0161 234 3157
Just next to Salford University, this park features a host of attractions including the Marie Curie Field of Hope.
Open: daily.
Admission: free

Pennington Flash Country Park

St Helens Road, Leigh
[t] 01942 605253
Open: daily.
Admission: free

Platt Fields Park

Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield
[t] 0161 224 2902
This 17-acre park in central Manchester is one of the city’s major outdoor sites. Formally opened in 1910, its main feature is a six-acre lake complete with island.
Open: daily until dusk.Admission: free

Queens Park

Rochdale Road, Harpurhey, Manchester
[t] 0161 795 2650
Take a tour of the ponds, rustic bridge and rose garden at this 27-acre park two miles outside the city centre.
Open: daily.
Admission: free

Smithills Country Park

Smithills Dean Road, Bolton
[t] 01204 334010
With more than 2,000 acres of moorland, woodland and farmland, this is an excellent place for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, with good off-road bridleways, guided trails and picnic areas.
Open: daily.
Admission: free

Trafford Ecology Park

Trafford Park, Trafford
[t] 0161 220 1000
Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm except Bank Holidays. Admission: free

Walkden Gardens

Derbyshire Road, Sale
[t] 0161 912 2000
Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm except Bank Holidays. Admission: free

Wythenshawe Park

Wythenshawe, Manchester
[t] 0161 998 2117
Open: daily.
Admission: free

Take a tour by cab

[t] 0161 230 3333
http://www.mantax.co.uk/
Tour Manchester’s sights with a Heritage Tour-accredited driver who will furnish you with all the local history you’ll ever need.