A Manc’s guide to: the Gay Village, more than just a late-night party district
Known for its late-night clubs and cheap drinks deals, the Gay Village is popular with Manchester partygoers - but there's more going on behind the scenes
Today, Manchester’s Gay Village is a veritable party district. Take it from someone who lived above one of its busiest nightclubs for two years. This is definitely the place where the rest of Manchester comes to party when everything else has closed for the night.
But dig a little deeper and you’ll find there’s much more to the village than just cheap drinks, cheesy pop music, 6am closes and innumerable pulling opportunities.
It’s’ an area that’s rich with social history. One that has, over the years, become an increasingly safe space for the city’s LGBTQ+ community (although, as we’re reminded every year, there’s still more work to do).
Even my straight female friends like to come here for a night out, because they feel safer in the village than anywhere else.
It hasn’t always been this way, though. As recently as the 90s, many bars in the area had blacked out windows to stop them from being raided by police for ‘licentious dancing’, an ancient law that stopped two women (or men) from dancing with one another.
ADVERTISEMENT
In fact, walk past the New Union pub and you’ll see it still has its clouded glass windows today.
Historically, the community here has dealt with a lot of persecution from the police and the public.
ADVERTISEMENT
The neighbourhood has welcomed a gay clientele since the 1940s, but, by all accounts, it’s only in the past twenty years or so that things have really started to turn a corner, despite homosexuality being decriminalised in 1967.
An excerpt from Mancunian Gay magazine in 1984 titled ‘Not tonight, Anderton’ tells the story of how one night 20 plain clothes officers stormed into Napoleons and forced everyone in attendance to provide their personal information before being allowed to leave – an incident that was later branded as “an obvious case of police victimisation” in a press release issued by the Gay Centre.
In spite of this, the first Gay Pub and Club Olympics event (now thought of as the inaugural Manchester Pride) still went ahead on the August Bank Holiday weekend of 1985.
ADVERTISEMENT
Notably, it had the support of a new generation of Labour councillors elected in 1984 – who gave the gay community their support and appointed Lesbian and Gay officers.
Inspired by Ken Livingstone‘s early days on the Greater London Council, those new councillors created an Equal Opportunities Committee and appointed Maggie Turner and Paul Fairweather in what would prove a landmark move for gay rights in the north of England.
1986 saw things gradually improve for the community, as councillors’ ‘put their arms around’ the gay community, welcoming a Northern Pride event in 1986 and contributing public funds towards the celebrations.
As the ’80s continued, Manchester’s fight for gay rights continued with the Section 28 march in 1988 acting as a huge turning point as the Thatcher government’s draconian legislation brought people out onto the streets to protest in their droves.
Still, it wasn’t until the early nineties that the Gay Village welcomed its first openly-gay bar and even then police raids in the area continued right up to 1994.
ADVERTISEMENT
The battles against institutional homophobia were still being fought, clearly, and some continued to call the Canal Street area ‘Satan’s Square Mile’ – but the opening of new nightclubs like Cruz 101 and seminal events Electric Chair and Poptastic saw the community pushing back.
In the years that followed, many would credit the Manchester Pride festival with pushing the boundaries and campaigning for equality, but at its heart, it all boils down to the defiant community spirit born out of this relatively small patch of land.
Repurposed at the end of the Industrial Revolution into a gay quarter that has since become one of the most famous in the world, Manchester has a lot of things to be proud of – and the village is definitely up there with the best.
From bars and restaurants to historical landmarks, a beautiful park and some stunning apartments, there’s so much to appreciate here if you take the time to look a little more closely.
The Molly House – A backstreet boozer with a cracking little tapas menu and top-floor outdoor terrace, this popular whore house-turned-pub is pretty damn chic. A colourful mural on its side, painted by artists Hayley Garner and Jay Gilleard of Nomad Clan, depicts famous faces from the city’s LGBTQ+ scene.
Iconic Bar – This intimate backstreet gin bar can be found just off the beaten path of the village, just opposite The Molly House. Located on Richmond Street, it has quite the spirits list and is a perfect chilled-out stop-off for any and all gin and tonic fans.
Habesha – A hidden foodie gem in the heart of the gay village, the Ethiopian restaurant Habesha sits above a pretty run-of-the-mill takeaway and is quite easy to miss. Look out for it. Serving up traditional Ethiopian curries on soft, spongy sourdough-fermented injera bread, it has been quietly ticking away for years.
Read more:The Ethiopian restaurant hidden above a takeaway in Manchester’s gay village
Image: Richmond Tea Rooms
Richmond Tea Rooms – Boozy brunches and Alice in Wonderland-themed afternoon teas are the order of the day at Richmond Tea Rooms, found opposite Sackville Gardens. This out-of-this-world restaurant and bar really is a sight to be seen, with its interiors all inspired by Lewis Carroll’s magical fantasy world.
ADVERTISEMENT
Napoleons – The oldest gay pub in the neighbourhood, Napoleon’s dates all the way back to 1941 and provides a safe space for trans people, crossdressers and drag queens. Its karaoke nights are very popular, and underneath there’s a great little Chinese takeaway that stays open late.
The Goose – Traditional boozer The Goose serves up typical pub fare, pints of lager, craft ale and cocktails seven nights a week with a warm welcome for all.
Churchills – Something of an institution in the Gay Village, Churchills always has a buzz about it. Originally known as The Mechanic Arms, it frequently hosts cabaret shows, karaoke nights and guest appearances from Manchester’s best drag queens
Arnero – For lovers of Indian Street food, Arnero is definitely a spot to check out whilst you’re here. Run by two best mates, Renu and Sanjeev, it’s been a fixture since 2013 serving much more than your traditional tandoori dishes (although you can get these too).
The Village Fish and Chip Shop – Quick and easy late-night takeaways are ten a penny in the village, but if you want something reliable just take our word for it and go to the Village Fish and Chip Shop. You can’t go wrong here. Equally, if you’re wanting cigs or sweeties (or y-fronts, for that matter), there’s a sweet little shop directly beneath selling all three.
ADVERTISEMENT
Chuan – A relatively new addition to Canal Street, this Chinese barbecue restaurant and karaoke bar offers traditional hot pot at your table and has private karaoke rooms for those who want to get their sing on.
Nightlife
Image: Google
Vanilla – The only lesbian venue in an undeniably gay-dominated neighbourhood, Vanilla is probably more nightclub than bar. With regular DJs and different events, it’s been a fixture since 1998 and is known colloquially as the “lesbian mecca of the north”.
The Thompson’s Arms – Whilst you can drink in here during the day, the vibe’s much better at night when you can dance to pop classics, watch regular live drag and cabaret acts, and rub shoulders with friends old and new. Drinks are cheap and come the weekend it gets very busy, attracting all sorts.
Cruz 101 – This gay nightclub in an old textile warehouse is ready to party seven days a week, with a range of different nights playing everything from cutting-edge house to commercial floor-fillers and 80s, 90s and 00s classics.
New York New York – From cocktails in the glam Queens Bar, to live cabaret, DJ sets and dancing ’til late in the club, ‘Party Palace’ NYNY is open to party seven nights a week A safe, friendly, welcoming space for all, it’s sat in the heart of the Gay Village for over thirty years.
ADVERTISEMENT
Oscars – This intimate, theatre-style gay bar shows film clips from a mix of classic and modern musicals and offers live music from singers and pianists on selected nights. Drinks-wise, think fine wines and cocktails.
The Eagle – This popular men-only gay club gets packed with guys, all of whom pretty much come for a similar thing. Whilst it’s not a hardcore cruise club, it often throws themed parties like JOCK and Deviant, and membership is required to gain entry.
G-A-Y – A lesbian and gay club known for blasting out the pop tunes into the early hours, G-A-Y is one of the big focal points of Canal Street and really is somewhere you can’t avoid ending up if you’re on a night out there. Open until 4am, it has a huge dancefloor and some cheap drink deals.
Centre Stage – Famous for showcasing drag queens with attitude, nostalgia and musical theatre, this tiny little Canal Street bar is a notorious venue that cabaret fans won’t want to miss.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bar Pop – This buzzy bar with its coloured lights and cartoon characters at the door is a hub of queer activity, with different events every night. Their Diva cabaret has been named one of the best shows in Manchester, whilst fans of cheesy pop music must check out Monday night party SKINT.
The home of Manchester Pride since 1985, every year visitors flock to the Gay Village in their thousands to party in the streets and celebrate love in all its forms across the August Bank Holiday weekend. But there’s plenty going on here the rest of the year, too.
Beyond the vibrant late-night bar and club culture of Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community, those wanting to wander further afield will be rewarded with a number of poignant statues and art installations to muse over.
From The Beacon of Hope, a symbol of solidarity and memorial to everyone lost to HIV that was first conceived in 1997, to the 2001 bronze statue of Manchester computing legend and gay icon Alan Turing, head over to Sackville Gardens to get your culture and nature fix in one.
You’ll also find the ‘LGBTQ+ Queen Bee’, a symbol of pride created as part of the 2018 Bee In The City art trail. Funded by the local community, its eyes mirror the legacy and poignancy of Alan Turing’s life whilst street names and landmarks tell the story of its new home.
Beyond the gardens, simply wander the back streets of the neighbourhood and you’ll soon stumble over street art from the likes of Akse P19 depicting Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK star Davina Di Campo, and the aforementioned Nomad Clan mural on the side of the Molly House.
Look closely and you’ll also spot beautiful old loading bays from its time as a textile trading hub in the years of Cottonopolis when the area processed 65 percent of the world’s cotton.
Property
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Houses (well, mostly flats) in the Gay Village are, on average, some of the priciest in the city centre.
With an average price of £312,453.63, if you’re looking to buy in the area there are some seriously stunning apartments up for grabs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Thanks to the industrial heritage of the Gay Village, many boast coveted industrial elements like exposed brick walls, beams and sash windows.
For those looking to rent, one bedroom flats start from around £850pcm.
Transport
With its own taxi ranks, regular buses running up and down Princess Street and easy access to trains and trams at Manchester Piccadilly Station, the Gay Village is extremely well connected.
A ten minute walk to Piccadilly, you can also catch the tram out of town from nearby St Peter’s Square – simply cross over Portland Street and make your way through nearby Chinatown to find it.
The best cosy pubs in Manchester city centre to hide away on a winter’s day
Danny Jones
There’s no better feeling than being tucked up all warm and cosy in one of many wonderful pubs in Manchester on a cold day in Manchester, and we should know – we get more than our fair sharethroughout the year.
Wind, rain, sleet or snow, there’s nothing that a couple of pints in one of our many beloved boozers won’t remedy, and when it comes to the festive season, especially, there aren’t many places that make you feel as welcome as you would in your own front room like a proper cosy Manchester pub.
That’s why we’re giving you a heads-up on some of the very cosiest and most classic Manc pubs for you and yours to pile into when it’s miserable out.
We’ll cheers to that.
The 20 cosiest Manchester pubs
Let’s start with a personal favourite of ours that’s rather handily just around the corner from our office:
1. The Stables Tavern – St John’s
First up is one of our favourite new additions to Manchester’s growing list of cosy boozers, and possibly one of the most aesthetic ones you could dream up in your mind’s eye, and that is The Stables Tavern over in the fast-growing St John’s District.
It’s worth beginning by noting that these guys do booze first – be it mugs of mulled wine or frothy pints of Guinness and local ales – but you can grab a little pasty or even a winter bake at this time of year, which we would argue is the perfect pub snack. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re seriously missing out.
Credit: Adam Fagen (via Flickr)Credit: The Manc GroupStumble out of one and straight into the other.
Next up is The Vine Inn: another Manc office favourite that gives you the perfect blend of ‘old man pub’ vibes but with the kind of mass appeal that sees countless punters piling into the pub and crowding outside on the streets, it’s that loved.
Luckily, you should be able to squeeze inside when the temperatures drop as it’s spread across three quaint, almost mini-floors (with two separate bars, by the way) that make it feel kind of like a beer bungalow, and that’s why it’s one of the cosiest pubs you’ll find in Manchester.
3. Lass O’Gowrie – Oxford Road Corridor
Credit: The Manc GroupSo long as you’re wrapped up properly, that little outside bit is one of the cosiest pub spots in Manchester (Credit: Lass O’Gowrie via IG)
“I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour”, so the song goes, and we wouldn’t be surprised if Morrissey was singing about the Lass when he wrote this; there’s always plenty of cheering, laughing – and, most importantly, drinking in this popular city centre boozer.
Located just off Oxford Road, it offers everything from big screens showing the footy, hearty roast dinners perfect for this time of year, live comedy, music and more. What you’d call a traditional Manc pub kitted out with local memorabilia and filled with good people, you’ll hear no complaints from us.
4. The Circus Tavern – Portland Street
This is Manchester’s smallest pub, and as if that wasn’t cool enough, it’s also one of the oldest pubs in the region, so it’s a must-see if you ask us. A perfect little hobbit hole to cram in when it’s cold outside.
Built back in 1790, The Circus Tavern became a pub in 1840 and has been frequented by the likes of Georgie Best and many other famous Man United players down the years, many of whom you’ll see photos of on the walls. A tourist spot in its own right and, needless to say, very cosy indeed.
5. Mr Thomas’/Sam’s Chop House – Central
Just off Cross Street on the corner of Back Pool Fold, you’ll find what is, for our money, one of the ultimate cosy pubs you’ll find anywhere in Manchester city centre: Mr Thomas’ Chop House, a.k.a. ‘Old Tom’s’ — and then, head literally across the road and you’ll find its twin, Sam’s Chop House.
Set up by the Studd brothers of the same name, these two sibling boozers have been serving Mancs for over 150 years now and have grown a glowing reputation both for the beautiful condition of their historic bars and for their incredible food. If it was good enough for Lowry, it’s good enough for us.
Comfortably two of the cosiest pubs in town. (Credit: Tom’s Chop House via IG/The Manc)
6. The Marble Arch Inn – Ancoats
Heading over beyond Ancoats way and onto Rochdale Road, we have the birthplace of Marble Brewery and the company’s award-winning flagship venue, The Marble Arch. If you’re up for doing a winter’s day ‘the right way’, then The Marble Arch has to be involved.
With its gorgeous mosaic floors, ornate bar, nine hand-pull pumps serving brewery-fresh cask beer, eight carefully selected keg lines on rotation and a partridge in a pear tree, it’s simply one of the prettiest and most traditional pubs you could ask for. The food’s mega too.
Heading over to Salford now, and we’ve got another beautiful boozer in The Kings Arms: a long-standing and simply sublime pub located not too far out of the city centre that’s well worth running into if you’re over that way and happen to get caught in the wind and rain.
Owned by adopted Manc musician Paul Heaton and made even more famous by live-in celebrity cat, Charlie, this real ale house with six curated hand pumps is a Manchester institution, not to mention great for live music and stand-up. Come on, what’s more cosy than a pub that comes with its own cat?
Sticking in Salford for a spell but down the road to Bexley Square, we always feel the lovely little spot that is The New Oxford never gets anywhere near as much credit as it should, given its charm and incredible lineup of real ales and Belgian beers.
Situated on a scenic cobbled corner that could easily be mistaken for some rural road in a small Cheshire village, this place is always packed with footy fans and a few extras in its courtyard during the summer months, but the regulars always know what’s up — not to mention they do a decent pint of Guinness too.
In case you missed it, @thenewoxfordpub over in Salford has a lick of paint and then some! 🤩
With renovators working round the clock for three weeks straight, the beloved local boozer is back open and looking better than ever.
Described as having the ‘oldest pub ceiling in the world’, you can collapse into a comforting armchair by the fire and muse over The Crown Kettle‘s 286-year-old history, pint in hand and plenty of tunes filling the room for sure.
With live music and DJ sets, regular beer-centric events, bingo, the odd pub quiz and plenty more, it’s no surprise this almost statuesque Manchester drinking staple has been named one of the best in the region — and it’s plenty cosy too, believe us.
Not just a super cosy pub but apparently one of the best reviewed watering holes in the region.
10. Peveril Of The Peak – Central
If you close your eyes and picture a proper English pub, there’ll be round tables, old tiles stained with decades of history, an unbeatable selection of beer, and a jukebox that’s regularly manned by loveable regulars who always make sure to keep the room filled with a warm and fuzzy atmosphere.
That’s exactly what you get with the Peveril Of The Peak: an iconic Manc boozer whose green exterior you can spot from a mile away. It’s only a small gaff but packed with plenty of history, all the best people, and it’s still being looked after by the city’s longest-serving landlady to this day. A good old gaff.
Hallowed, cosy and homely – truly one of the most legendary pubs in Manchester. (Credit: The Manc)
11. The Briton’s Protection – Central
From one historic pub to another, you can head over to Great Bridgewater Street and channel your inner Tommy Shelby as you neck a neat bit of bourbon or scotch to warm the cockles and listen to the crackling flames of the open fires at The Britons Protection.
Another oldie but a goldie, the Briton was established in 1811 and has remained a local favourite snug pub ever since, showcasing over 300 whiskies as well as homemade pies and pasties at lunch. This piece of public house heritage has been under threat for a while now, but we Mancs are keeping it alive.
Come on, as if we were going to leave out not only a contender for the ultimate cosy pub but possibly the very best boozer in all of Manchester. As well as serving comfortably the best Guinness in all the 10 boroughs and supposedly ‘the best outside of Ireland’, it’s also just everything you want on a cold day.
With live music every day, sport on the box pretty much 24/7; multiple lovely little nooks and more than enough bodies to keep the place warm even in the height of winter, not to mention a whole new second floor, Mulligans of Deansgate is now twice the worldie it already was. Sláinte!
An award-winning music venue and a bloody good pub, ditch the open-air venues and stuffy bars this winter and dip into the cosy Eagle Inn instead and bask in its comforting warmth.
Combining a traditional pub that delivers a real sense of ‘old Manchester’ with live music and three small rooms off a central corridor with a central bar — historically known by locals as ‘The Lamp Oil’ — The Eagle can’t really be called Salford’s hidden gem anymore: it’s a rite of passage at this point.
Heading over the other side of the Irwell and to the picturesque canals of Castlefield, waterside pub and restaurant The Wharf is undoubtedly one of the cosiest pubs in Manchester, with the ground floor feeling like one big lounge, the upstairs making for the perfect cosy date night spot and the outdoor terrace just as much a dream in winter as it is summer.
With amazing pub grub, a massive and ever-rotating drinks menu, as well as a patio that feels just as warming as the indoors with its big tipi and overhead heaters come winter, plus live music, hosting local clubs and various other events throughout the year, this place has it all. Plenty of cute pups, too.
Back into the centre now and toward Gay Village for what remains one of the most cosy-feeling pubs we’ve ever been in full stop, let alone just in 0161. If you’ve never been to The Molly House, then you seriously need to right that wrong.
With a name that harks back to a fascinating backstory, there’s nothing more welcoming than the sight of the open hearth, the waft of their irresistible tapas menu, the glow of their multi-coloured Tiffany-style lampshades and a drinks menu to suit all tastes. It’s even better at Christmas – enjoy!
Just a couple of blocks over and back onto Portland Street, you’ve also got the Circus Tavern’s equally pokey little neighbour, The Grey Horse Inn. Once again, it’s among the smallest you’ll find in Manchester, but it’s much more than a mere hole in the wall.
This single-room pub is one of the oldest buildings anywhere in Manchester and is run by Hydes Brewery. Basically just one not-so-big living room plonked right along one of the busiest roads in the city, this place is another very thing slice of Manc hospitality history.
Credit: Grey Horse Inn (via Facebook)
17. Cask – Castlefield and New Islington Marina
Circling back towards Castlefield again, you’ll find the original Cask and its lovely owners, who have been serving local crafts and fine Belgian imports for over two decades now. The staff are beyond sound and always happy to talk you through the lineup; they even let you bring in your chippy from next door.
With a nice little garden area tucked away in the back, cosy booths and board games to be enjoyed, it’s no wonder they wanted to replicate their success with the sister bar over towards Ancoats and the Marina — and that’s exactly what they’ve done. Two very welcoming spots all year round.
18. The Bay Horse Tavern – Northern Quarter
Not too far from there, you’ll find an NQ favourite in The Bay Horse Tavern: two floors of pure warmth, good vibes, proper food and a steady flow of the good stuff.
From its twinkly fairly light-draped interior to the perfectly dim-lit interior and variety or deals running throughout the week, the Thomas Street staple is busy no matter the season but there’s something very special about it in the winter. Top-tier Sunday roasts incoming.
Looks super pretty at this time of yearThey even still serve Boddies.Unreal food too.Credit: The Bay Horse Tavern (via Instagram)/The Manc Group
19. The Old Wellington – Exchange Square
Our penultimate stop is yet another historic site and cultural cornerstone that stood in Manchester for centuries — just not quite the same spot. Shambles Square feels fitting given how many times we’ve stumbled out of this place of a weekend.
Famously put up on stilts and relocated along with the attached Sinclairs Oyster Bar (also not a bad shout for this list), The Old Wellington might just be the closest you’ll get to feeling like you’re in Ye Olde England, stumbling across a tavern and bedding in on a rainy night with tankards full of mead. At least that’s what we always imagine when we’re in there, anyway. Long live The Old Welly.
Last but by no means least, no list of cosy Manchester pubs is complete without the always popular and music-filled Castle Hotel over on Oldham Street — another storied venue that only seems to get better with age.
Whether it’s live music or the jukebox, a solid Guinness or a pint of Robinson’s, this tightly-packed space is one of those where you’ll never leave without bumping into a familiar face or having a friendly chat with a total stranger. With multiple rooms, an upstairs and a simple but classic British pub aesthetic, you just can’t beat spots like this.
We hope that puts you in good stead for places to enjoy a cold one this winter, pardon the pun.
It goes without saying that lists like these are never going to every corner of Manchester justice and there are countless other cosy pubs that we would heartily recommend you settle in at when it’s baltic outside, but the list would go on forever if we did that and this should get you started at least.
The same goes for the rest of the 10 boroughs; we’re sure wherever you live in Greater Manchester you’ll know plenty more than us about the cosiest spots near you, but in case you’re looking to venture further out of the region, we’ve put together a list of a few corkers that are a bit more out of the way.
Featured Images – The Bay Horse Tavern/Kings Arms (via Instagram)/Amie Johnson (via Unsplash)
City Centre
Brilliant Boxing Day walks around Greater Manchester
Daisy Jackson
It’s Boxing Day, and for a lot of us, the only requirement of the day is to sort out (eat) the leftovers and enjoy one last day of vegetating in front of the telly… walking is not high on the agenda.
But all that over-indulgence from Christmas Day can start to creep up on you – waistbands straining, head a bit foggy, bank balance definitely suffering from the Christmas Eve pub session.
Without wanting to sound like your nan, sometimes a bit of fresh air is exactly what you need to get yourself put back together again – not to mention it can help you to build up an appetite again to dive into that cheeseboard for the sixth time this weekend.
Greater Manchester is blessed with beautiful walks in all directions, so we’ve rounded up a handful of beautiful Boxing Day walks to try out.
There aren’t many places in the UK that look so much like a Christmas postcard as Macclesfield Forest, making it one of our favourite winter walking destinations.
Here, huge conifers dominate the landscape like giant Christmas trees – it’s about as close to an alpine wonderland you can get without travelling all the way to actual mountains.
There are a number of walking trails to follow, from a gentle green route all the way to a more challenging red route that takes you deeper into the forest.
Greenbooth Reservoir is one of Greater Manchester’s most underrated beauty spots.
If you tackle a full loop of all three reservoirs, you’ll come across a small waterfall, a stunning view of the Manchester skyline from the dam wall, and paths carved into steep hillsides.
It’s all nestled up in the Naden Valley in Rochdale, just above Norden.
Let’s see how awake your quads are, shall we, with an entirely uphill climb from Ramsbottom village to its magnificent Peel Monument.
The walk’s not too tough if you take it at a slow pace, and it’s well worth it for the views. Trust us.
You can go straight up the hill to the tower and straight back down again if you don’t want to rack up too many miles, or turn it into a circular and stroll across Holcombe Moor instead (beware – it can get windy up here).
There’s a map of the circular route here and some great pubs in the village to relax in afterwards.
Dovestone Reservoir is a beloved gem among many Mancunians – it might be busy on Boxing Day, but thanks to its mostly wide footpaths and circular route, it’s still easy enough to have your own space on your walk.
The path around the water is mostly flat and accessible, making it ideal if you’ve still got a few generations worth of relatives hanging about.
You can keep going if you’re feeling adventurous, extending your walk to include Greenfield and Yeoman Hey reservoirs, or heading up to Saddleworth moor and the crags above.
You can find more information about Dovestone Reservoirhere.
This is far and away one of the best winter walks you can do locally, especially on a crisp sunny day (which we hope Boxing Day will be).
The water is surrounded by woodland and meadows, and you can take a stroll along the banks of the River Mersey while you’re out here.
The lake itself is actually an artificial one, and was flooded after gravel was dug up to build the M60 in the 1970s.
In summer, it’s packed with people doing watersports, but during the winter, it’s a picturesque little local stroll – and as a bonus, you can even get the tram right to the gate.
Right then, if you want maximum bang for your buck (as in soaking in as much fresh air and scenery as you can in as short a time as possible), Reddish Vale is the one.
There’s a really gentle loop that starts from the car park and skirts the edge of the bottom pond, also taking in views of the enormous viaduct that looms overhead.
And if you’re after something slightly more involved, you can keep exploring – this urban oasis spans 161 hectares with the River Tame running right through it.
Rivington Pike is a real gem in the North West, just across Bolton’s border with Lancashire, with loads to explore.
There’s a trio of reservoirs at the foot of the hill, but most people head upwards, towards the historic tower at the peak, where you can soak in views for miles around.
The Terraced Gardens are well worth exploring too, where you’ll find a hidden Japanese garden, lakes, waterfalls, bridges, sculptures and caves.
It might not be the most adventurous of Boxing Day walks – Heaton Park is one of Manchester’s most popular and prominent green spaces and one of the largest municipal parks in Europe – but it’s a perfect option for a family-friendly stroll.
The huge park has miles of accessible footpaths which loop around the boating lake, the Grade I-listed Heaton House, and the ‘Temple’, which stands at the highest point in the city of Manchester.
There are also cows and horses wandering about (even when the animal park itself is closed), and the old tramline to check out.
12. Hollingworth Lake – Littleborough
Credit: The Manc
What’s better than a walk where, after you’re done, you can stop off for a well-deserved Friday night feast: some of the best fish and chips you’ll ever have.
This is an accessible and flat walk suitable for all, and if you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s an ice cream truck courtesy of Northern sweet-treat greats Grandpa Greene’s on Lake Bank.
Located just a nine-minute drive away from Bury town centre, Burrs Country Park is a great chance to be at one with nature while also making sure you’re not too far from home.
This lovely stroll is certainly a-MOO-zing with comforting pub grub at The Brown Cow or nearby ice cream parlour Jersey Girls’ – we may have a little ice cream obsession…
14. Peel Park and Kersal Wetlands – Salford
Peel Park (Credit: Richerman via Wikimedia Commons)
Featuring some vast green spaces and some of the most intricately landscaped paths and patterns, Peel Park is like stepping into a mini Bridgerton-inspired garden, all that’s missing is the keys to your own castle (we wish)…
ADVERTISEMENT
Another Salford beauty spot is just a 20-minute walk away, but if the conversation is flowing, the time will just fly by.
Kersal Wetlands is a circular route that offers visitors the chance to see some cute feathered friends, mainly ducks, while burning off some of yesterday’ Christmas treats.
Both these walks are flat, making them accessible for all and ideal for anyone with a pram or people who may struggle with strenuous walks.
15. Fletcher Moss Park – Didsbury
A Didsbury gem, Fletcher Moss Park is a 15-minute tram ride away from Manchester city centre and just under a 15-minute wander from Didsbury Village tram stop.
This is more than a park; it’s a hidden oasis with well-maintained and lush garden spaces, to a fascinating rock garden that’s simply awe-inspiring.
ADVERTISEMENT
Grab a coffee or hot chocolate from the retro food and beverages truck and take a minute to appreciate this quiet spot before making your return to the usual hustle and bustle.
Ever wanted to ‘hover above a huge gorge’while getting all your steps in? Well, this Peak District town has got you covered.
Situated directly next to the River Sett, the impressive 175-yard walkway can be incorporated into various walking trails and routes that surround the area.
New Mills has it all, whether you’re after a walk that admires some grand architecture in the shape of the impressive railway arches, or the lovely forest trails and greenery, there’s something for every type of walker – and let’s face it, we all move a bit slower on Boxing Day.
Georgina Pellant -
18th August 2022 
