Want to put that ‘New Year, new me’ promise to the test by swapping Manchester city centre for a scenic walk in the great outdoors? Cure those January blues with an expedition for all abilities right on your doorstep.
The Roaches and Lud’s Church circular in Allgreave, Cheshire has all bases covered for a perfect Peak District adventure and it’s only about an hour away in the car.
This 10km hike takes around three to four hours and features everything from rocky scrambles up to exposed ridges to green woodlands leading through mysterious caverns. Winter can be the perfect time to get out there as well, so dust off your boots, wrap up warm and set off on an adventure only an hour away from the town.
The easiest way to access the starting point is via car, parking at The Roaches Tea Rooms. A small stroll up the road will take you to the beginning of the footpath with the jagged crest of The Roaches ahead. The 550m rocky ascent is the first and arguably most difficult obstacle of the entire journey.
Credit: The Manc Group
You’ll see walkers and climbers alike gearing up at the base of the first striking ridge. Its unique rock formations are notoriously admired by climbers and made famous by Salfordian mountaineer Don Whillans who trained on the very rocks.
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Once you’ve scrambled up through the cracks of the landscape, you get to soak in the views of Leek and the nearby Tittesworth Reservoir and the rolling moorland of the Peaks. Dotted along the horizon are grazing sheep amongst self-sufficient farmhouses that have catered for the land for decades.
As you continue along the open ridge, the elements can be pretty relentless, especially on a fresh winter’s morning. Check the forecast before you head off but we’d consider a hat and gloves mandatory!
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Following the trail north, you will pass a series of small pools, only applicable to swim at this time of year if you are brave enough — or slightly insane. The most famous is named ‘Doxey Pool’, which has a historic and mysterious reputation.
In folklore, some say the small body of water is bottomless and is home to a malignant mermaid otherwise called a ‘blue nymph’. The creature was reportedly sighted emerging out of the tarn in 1949 by a woman on her morning swim although the sighting could never be confirmed.
Sadly, we didn’t see any mermaids on our stroll, so for now we’re calling it mythical nonsense.
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Around halfway through the walk, the well-trodden route will lead to a cross junction showing signposts for Lud’s Church, where the scenery gets even more dramatic. They say what goes up has to come down, and the trail towards this 15th-century cavern takes you so deep through the woods you step into another world.
The entrance to the gorge takes you into a rocky cavern plastered in moss and ferns. Lud’s Church itself lasts only around 100m but there are a variety of different routes to explore.
We can’t think of many more walks as unique and scenic as this so close to Manchester.
The name derives from its use as a secret place of worship in the early 1400s for Lollards, a group of reformed Christians who were often persecuted for their beliefs. It is likely that the ‘Lud’ came from Walter de Lud Auk, who was captured at Lud’s Church during one of their meetings.
The circle back to the start begins as you exit the chasm with the latter half of the walk being much less physically demanding than the way there. Returning back to the cross junction, take the paved road which splits the face of Roaches Ridge to the left and the spanning views of the Reservoir to the right.
The leisurely downhill stroll should take around 40 minutes, passing more farmhouses, more sheep and on this occasion a few donkeys. Enough time before you get back to the car to decide which local pub to grab a roast on the way home. A rewarding end to a wholesome day.
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If you’re looking for more scenic walking routes so close to Manchester that you can get there using public transport, we’ve got a load of great ones for you here:
Sale Sharks are pioneering an inclusive rugby programme for people with Down’s Syndrome
Danny Jones
Sale Sharks are currently pioneering a heartwarming and, crucially, inclusive rugby programme for people with Down’s Syndrome.
The native organisation has always been good at working across the local community, but this is the kind of grassroots sports backing that we want to see more of across the region.
Working in collaboration with PREM Rugby and the Premiership Women’s division, Sale Sharks spawned the important scheme just a few short years ago, dubbing it the Crusaders Fins Club (CFC).
Driven by the overarching theme of ‘belonging’, these sessions are now happening every other Sunday at the club’s High Performance Training Centre over in Carrington.
Today we’re celebrating World Down Syndrome Day
This year’s theme, Together Against Loneliness, is a powerful reminder of the role we all play in creating social connection
— Sale Sharks Foundation (@SaleSharksFdn) March 21, 2026
In its simplest terms, this increasingly popular and important bi-weekly programme is a dedicated tag rugby team for individuals with Down’s Syndrome who love the sport.
Not just inspired by but named in memory of Sean Browne – a beloved player and Sharks fan whose favourite team was the New Zealand Super Rugby side, the Crusaders – isn’t just about playing, but fundamentally helping those involved “become more active and increase their confidence and life skills.”
Sean sadly passed away at the age of just 32, but he touched so many people’s lives in and around the club, as well as across the Greater Manchester rugby scene, and now his legacy lives on through CFC.
Prior to it being founded back in 2020, there wasn’t any accessible provision to deliver Down’s Syndrome specific rugby sessions, but now families from all over the North West and even beyond travel to take part, with at least nineteen regular participants attending each and every session.
One of those is 27-year-old James, who said of CFC: “I love it here! We’re a family of Sale Sharks. Playing here makes me feel excited. The coaches are lovely and kind.”
It also goes without saying that, besides serving as a key outlet and extended support network for those involved, it also provides them with purpose, a safe space to be themselves and enjoy the game, as well as the opportunity to build lasting friendships.
Sharks Foundation CEO, Abi Dean, added: “The programme continues to be a joyful, inclusive space where young people with Down’s Syndrome thrive through sport, and where families can come together to form a powerful support network rooted in shared experience and belonging.”
“With regular sessions growing confidence and friendships beyond the pitch, Crusaders Fin Club shows that rugby is a place where everyone can belong.”
This weekend, specifically (27–29 March), round 12 of the Gallagher PREM and round 16 of the PWR will see their clubs unite for the first time to celebrate inclusivity across the game, celebrating work like that done by the Sale Sharks Foundation with the Crusaders squad.
It also served as a reminder to fans that in the world of rugby, “everyone is welcome, and anyone can play”. You can find out more right HERE.
Stretford’s free neighourhood festival returns this weekend
Danny Jones
Stretford’s still fledgling and completely free all-day festival is BACK for 2026 and is happening this coming weekend.
So, if you didn’t have plans this Saturday, you do now.
Simply named StretFest, this is the third edition of the now annual celebration in one of Manchester’s fastest growing neighbourhoods – and an increasingly up-and-coming one at that.
Kicking off in the morning and running right into the wee small hours thanks to a healthy dose of varied daytime activities, evening events and de facto afterparties, there’s plenty on the cards.
🎉 It's the big one on Saturday! Stretfest is back & we're thrilled to have a fab selection of LIVE Music on from 3pm – 8pm for it!
We can't wait to greet loads of faces, old and new. #Stretford will be buzzing with activity so come on down & make a day of it ! 🍻 pic.twitter.com/16Rnn5w1qj
StretFest only started back in July 2024, but it has quickly grown into a cult favourite not only among locals living in and around the Trafford town, but also among plenty of people from all over Greater Manchester, with last year seeing more visitors than ever.
Based not just over at Stretford Mall but the surrounding parks, Public Hall, across the bridge and an area they dub ‘The Beach’, there are several distinct but equally vibrant hubs, all offering something different.
For instance, venues like Longford Tap, Head Bar and Stretford Canteen are all involved, as are the likes of the Library and Martin Luther Church, but also recently opened cafes like Swig and Cuppello’s, as well as many, many more.
To be honest, we’ll probably be popping over for all the food and drink alone.
And, of course, there’s going to be plenty of live music, DJ sets, other bits of entertainment, and all-around fun to be enjoyed; there’s even going to be everything from arts, crafts and workshops, to pirates and boat rides.
Getting underway from as early 9am – thanks to the likes of the regular Stretford parkrun crew teaming up with the festival, and Mr & Mrs hosting a coffee morning for their first birthday – there really is going to be something for everyone from start to finish.
You can see the full StretFest schedule or build your own personal day-into-night programme HERE.
As for what else is on the cards for the final few days of March (give or take a couple), you can find out what else is on in and around the ten boroughs down below.
Harry Quick -
13th January 2024 
