If you’re desperate to enjoy the spring heatwave beside some water, but are ready to branch out from Dovestone, here are some of the best in the region.
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As tempting as it can be, you should never swim in reservoirs – the water is usually too cold to safely swim in, as well as the risks posed by machinery hiding beneath the surface (and hidden currents) and blue green algae, which can cause illness.
Greenbooth
This is easily one of Greater Manchester’s most underrated beauty spots.
The bodies of water at Naden Valley in Rochdale are actually a network of four reservoirs, giving you plenty of options for length of walks.
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One of the biggest selling points here is the views – from the dam wall and several points around the reservoirs, you can see right across the Manchester skyline.
There’s also a small waterfall tucked away on the footpath that loops around the water’s edge.
Opened in 1971 by Queen Elizabeth II, Jumbles is a lovely spot for a walk on a sunny day.
The reservoir can be covered in a gentle three-and-a-half mile circular walk, but it also eventually links up with the Entwistle and Wayoh reservoirs if you fancy a longer walk.
The footpath around the water’s edge is accessible by both pushchair and wheelchair, with a sizeable car park and a cafe to look forward to at the end.
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The woodland around here is home to roe deer, foxes, kestrels, sparrowhawks and herons.
Right on the fringes of the Peak District is the jaw-dropping Macclesfield Forest and its smattering of reservoirs.
The largest is Ridgegate, but it’s Trentabank that’s arguably the prettiest, surrounded by conifer plantations that look like something from a postcard in the winter months
It’s a haven for wildlife, especially when the water levels drop and expose the muddy banks to wading birds.
You can also keep walking over to Tegg’s Nose and Bottoms Reservoir, or call in at the Leather’s Smithy for a well-earned drink.
Back over to Rochdale, and the network of six reservoirs – including Piethorne and Ogden – in the Piethorne Valley.
The reservoirs are surrounded by stunning open moorland which really comes into its prime at this time of year.
The woods nearby are a great place to see bluebells in the spring, so much so that the area is known locally as Bluebell Woods.
There’s a great 3.5 mile walking route from GM Walking here.
Rivington
The Lower Rivington Reservoir in Chorley. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
When most people nip over to the Bolton and Chorley border, it’s to head right up the hill to Rivington Pike.
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And while the views from the top of the hill are incredible, a sunny walk around the chain of reservoirs here is also pretty special.
The water stretches miles into the valley but there are opportunities to cut back across for a shorter loop walk.
On the banks of the Lower Rivington Reservoir you’ll find the remains of Liverpool Castle, a to-scale decorative replica of the actual Liverpool Castle that was built here 100 years ago.
Strinsedale
Strinesdale Reservoir walks. Credit: Flickr
Until the 1990s, Strinesdale was used as a drinking water reservoir.
But once it was decommissioned, the area was landscaped into a real beauty spot, with two smaller lakes, woodlands and wildflower meadows.
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There are two mapped walks around the area – one is a super short loop of the Lower Strinesdale Reservoir, the other heads into the woods and has lovely views of the water.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Could the reaction to Casemiro’s swansong Man United season see him stay ‘one more year’?
Danny Jones
Casemiro has arguably been up there with one of the best Manchester United signings in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, after the likes of Bruno Fernandes; maybe not in terms of how it’s impacted the wider transfer budget, but now he’s about to leave, most supporters aren’t ready to let him go.
Truly, if they had their way, many would happily keep him for at least “one more year”, as they continuously chanted during the most recent home game.
However, with the footballing veteran himself admitting that he’s been left moved by the response and certainly basked in the chants for him to stay following the win over Aston Villa last weekend, another one in which he chipped in with a key goal.
Casemiro scored the opener in what went on to be a vital 3-1 win in their pursuit of Champions League places, and has made it clear that, like the rest of the squad, this is his only goal for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign.
But with United now looking closer to securing third or perhaps even chasing down second place, according to many (some have even gone further than that…), this current, albeit still early doors, resurgence under Michael Carrick could be the start of a corner turned for the one serial winners.
However, fans have seen many false dawns at Old Trafford over the past decade or so, and there is obviously the risk of him ultimately spoiling what should now be a fine and fitting farewell.
Then again, after speaking in a recent interview with Sky Sports, the 34-year-old said it’s been “way more” special than he was expecting since he revealed his plans to leave on a high, and stranger things have happened.
You only have to look at Mohammed Salah and Liverpool, who looked all set to go before eventually U-turning and signing a new deal – though contract terms no doubt helped swing those negotiations.
As one of the highest-earning players not just at Man United or even the Premier League but in Europe, he’s already earned serious amounts during his time with the Red Devils, so there is a belief that the incumbent INEOS board would be happy to shift him off the books and reinvest in replacing him.
#mufc are in advanced talks to sign Bruno Guimaraes for around €80m, but renewed interest from Real Madrid threatens to complicate the proposed move [@Reuters, @fernandokallas]
The likes of Guimaraes, previously courted Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Wolves duo André and Joao Gomes have all been linked with possible moves to Manchester of late.
In fact, depending on how much room Jim Ratcliffe and co. have for spending on recruitment, they could potentially even cover the wages of more than one signing in the middle of the park or other positions that they feel may require further reinforcements.
All this is still very much in theory, of course, and while Casemiro has seemingly confirmed that he will depart this summer, who knows how much of the recent reaction and outpouring of love and support from the Stretford End and beyond could potentially sway the outcome?…
Then again, do you think reconsidering the decision would be a wise move, or at his age, is four years in the English top flight enough?
Daisy Jackson -
25th March 2022 
