If you like your country walks to have ancient woodland, lakeside views, and centuries-old pubs included, then this loop around Delamere Forest is the one for you.
The Cheshire beauty spot is one of the best-known countryside destinations for day-tripping Mancs.
It’s a shady oasis that will transport you into a magical forest landscape in less than an hour from central Manchester.
It even has its very own train station, so for once, you don’t need a car to be able to visit some of the gorgeous green space that wraps around Greater Manchester.
There are trails to suit all abilities, but we’ve teamed up with the brilliant Getlostmcr once again who has pulled together a loop with a bit of everything.
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The route starts and ends from the Delamere Forest Cafe, but you can also pick it up from anywhere along the loop.
There’s free parking around Delamere if you do drive, or you can just hop on the loop from the train station.
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This particular circular will visit sections of The Sandstone Trail, a 55km walkers’ path that follows sandstone ridges running all the way from Cheshire to Shropshire.
A countryside walk in Delamere Forest. Credit: GetlostmcrA countryside walk in Delamere Forest. Credit: Getlostmcr
It also passes the Black Lake, a small oasis for wildlife where you’re likely to spot dragonflies and damselflies.
And if Getlostmcr’s five mile circular isn’t long enough, you’ll pass plenty of other hidden trails on your way round.
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Adrenaline junkies can even nip in to Go Ape Delamere if you want to get right amongst the treetops and extend your day out.
The good-to-knows
Car parks
The route starts at Delamere Forest Café. Parking isn’t the cheapest but there’s free roadside parking throughout Delamere and you can pick up the route from most places across Delamere.
Address for official start: Delamere, Northwich CW8 2JD
Cafes
There is a cafe at Delamere Forest itself. It’s a family-run restaurant serving up quality, locally sourced food and drinks inside an absolutely stunning interior.
Nearby pubs
The route takes you past The Carriers Inn, Hatchmere Lake – a 300 year old pub with gorgeous lakeside views
A little further afield you can stop off at The Fishpool Inn on your return leg if you’re travelling by car
Great Manchester Run guide 2025 – everything you need to know
Danny Jones
The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run returns this month, and with more spectators and people taking part than ever, we thought it’d be handy to put together another little event guide for you.
Whether you’re running it or cheering your friends, family and complete strangers from the sidelines, it’s set to be a massive day that involves a lot of planning and logistics, so we’ll help however we can.
You only have to see the months of time and effort that went into making this year’s Manchester Marathon the incredible success that it was, and the Great Run Company are no different.
So, without further ado, here’s all the important information you need to know ahead of the 2025 Great Manchester Run.
2025 Great Manchester Run guide – all the key info
What is the Great Manchester Run route this year?
Where else better to start than with this year’s Great Manchester Run? Anyone who’s coming back for more will be glad to hear that it remains pretty much unchanged from the 2024 edition and years prior.
Starting once again along the busy Portland Street strip before the half-marathon runners head towards Mancunian Way, participants will pass along Chester Road and on towards Manchester United’s legendary stadium, Old Trafford, before heading back into the city for a grandstand finish on Deansgate.
The 10k route essentially takes out the section heading towards East Manchester and the loop in front of Man City’s equally iconic Etihad Stadium, but still capitalises on all the best and biggest spots for atmosphere. Here you can see the maps in more detail HERE.
The 2025 AJ Bell Great Manchester Run half-marathon route (Credit: Supplied)
Great Manchester Run waves and start times
In terms of when the action will be getting underway, as ever, the hordes of runners will be broken up into various coloured waves depending on their estimated finish time; these colours are clearly visible on your race bib.
You can see a full breakdown below:
8:10am – 10k Elite Wheelchair start
8:15am – Half Marathon Orange Wave start
8:40am – Half Marathon Green Wave start
11:30am – 10k Elite Women start
11:45am – 10k Elite Men start
11:45am – 10k Fast Paced and Orange Wave start
12:05am – 10k Green Wave start
12:50pm – 10k Purple Wave start
13:10pm – 10k Pink Wave start
Runners should have received said bibs in their race packs via the post by now, but if you need to pick up in person or source a replacement for whatever reason, they can be collected during race week.
You can find out where to do so, including other common FAQs, right HERE.
Great MCR Run travel info and road closures
Now, naturally, when such a huge event with more than 30,000 runners is set to take over the city, not to mention the 100k+ spectators that are expected to line the streets on the day, it’s always going to have an impact on travel.
Those watching on the sidelines are being urged to use public transport wherever possible, with extra trams being put on throughout the day and various other arms of the Bee Network helping people get around the event.
If you do end up driving into the region for the action, we would recommend you use one of Greater Manchester’s many park and ride sites and then use one of our many Metrolink services to travel into the city centre itself.
Meanwhile, the Bee Network also have an interactive traffic map for the event:
Cheer zones and support hubs: best spots to watch the Great Manchester Run
For those of you set to line the streets and provide your much-needed support on race day, there are some key sections where the atmosphere from the crowd will be injected into the runners.
As well as a Heart Radio pop-up station, drummers, local choirs and plenty more surprises to keep your energy pumping throughout, there’ll be some big corners to look out for your loved ones.
You can find some of the main supporter hotspots and where they are along the route down below, but we’d personally recommend the roundabout coming heading towards Chester Road, the small grassy mounts and central reservation either side of Cornbrook, and the corner of Deansgate-Castlefield.
St Peter’s Square – for the start line
Manchester Piccadilly – 2-mile marker
Etihad Campus/Velopark – 4/5-mile marker
Wharfside/Imperial War Museum – 10/11-mile marker
Cornbrook – 12-mile marker
Deansgate-Castlefield exchange – for the finish line
10k
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St Peter’s Square – for the start line
Cornbrook – 2km marker
Old Trafford – 4km marker
Wharfside/Imperial War Museum – 6km marker
Cornbrook – 9km marker
Deansgate-Castlefield corner – for the finish line
Wherever you decide to watch, just make sure you bring the same kind of wholesome energy that these queens did…
Following the success of a new bag drop system at the Manchester Marathon, similar baggage buses will be available at Deansgate from 7am for half marathon runners and around Hardman Street and Jackson’s Row from 10am for those doing the 10k.
Once your tear-off label is fastened to your stuff, you will be able be collect after crossing the finish line.
As for toilets, there will be plenty of facilities to use before the starting run, as well as six locations throughout both distances. You’ll find multiple stations along both too.
One final message
Now, we’re not going to waste too much time reminding you to wash your race kit, stock up on safety pins and get all your other gear ready, but what we will do is remind you to go out there and have fun.
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Make sure you fuel right in the morning and enjoy plenty of carbs and water in the week leading up; also, be sure to keep an eye out on the weather – we want you to be safe out there.
Whatever/whoever you’re doing the 2025 Great Manchester Run for, just know that we’re unbelievably proud of you all and no matter how the day goes, we want you to soak up every single cheer, bell and scream. We’ll see you at the finish line.
Now go put the great in Greater Manchester, we know you’re going to smash it!
Featured Images — Phlip Oldham/Press Shots (supplied)
Travel & Tourism
Manchester Airport reveals multi-million-pound plans for much-maligned Terminal 3
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Airport’s Terminal 3 has become a bit of a meme of itself in recent years, with Mancs dreading a holiday that starts in the travel hub’s smallest terminal.
But now Manchester Airport has unveiled a multi-million pound project to totally revamp the space with a new entrance, more seats, new shops, new food and drink outlets, and state-of-the-art security equipment.
Set to complete next year, it’s part of the airport’s wider decade-long £1.3bn transformation programme, which has already seen Terminal 2 extended and redeveloped.
And now Manchester Airport has announced that Terminal 3 and Terminal 1 will merge into a much bigger travel hub to improve the passenger experience.
Visitors will first come across a remodelled entrance, as well as new security halls and departure lounges, with loads more space.
There’ll be brand-new security equipment to speed up passenger journeys, and 40% more seating capacity in the departures lounge.
A new 500-seat bar area with airfield views will be included in the revamped Terminal 3, plus an expanded 200-extra-seat dining area.
As for Terminal 2, phase one completed in 2021, winning the prestigious UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles award for architecture and design, with phase two set for completion later this year – that’ll bring the existing building up to the standard of the new extension and will include more than 20 new retailers, bars and restaurants.
CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester AirportCGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport
Terminal 2 will host more than 70% of Manchester Airport’s total passengers, with the rest travelling through this new and improved Terminal 3 building that will include some of the existing Terminal 1 footprint.
Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said: “We are proud to connect the people of the North to the world – and our transformation programme means that our passengers will be able to enjoy an airport experience that rivals that of any European capital city.
“The work we’ve done in Terminal 2 is there for all to see – and we’ve already won the prestigious Prix Versailles award for its architecture and design. But until now we haven’t talked about our plans for Terminal 3.
“Moving to a two-terminal airport is giving us a great opportunity to use some of the existing Terminal 1 space to increase the footprint of Terminal 3. We’re doing that as well as making some all round improvements to Terminal 3 – so passengers will enjoy new security technology, more space, more seats, new retail and food and drink, and more.
“It’s another exciting step towards delivering an even better experience for our passengers and I can’t wait to see it progress.”
The Manc -
20th October 2023 
