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.
Mercury Prize 2026 review: RAYE takes home the crown as Newcastle celebrates the very best in music
Clementine Hall
One of the biggest nights in music kicked off last night as the Mercury Prize 2026 was awarded.
If there was ever a night to fall head over heels in love with British and Irish music, the 2026 Mercury Prize made a very convincing case.
Bringing together some of the country’s most exciting artists under one roof in Newcastle, this year’s ceremony was a reminder of just how much talent is packed into the current music scene.
From established legends to the names shaping what comes next, it was an absolute belter.
Images: Audio North
Held at the Newcastle Utilita Arena for the second year running, I think everybody in that room felt very lucky to be there to see firsthand who took home the coveted prize.
The shortlist brought together an impressive mix of artists, with Florence + The Machine, Olivia Dean, JADE, Suede, Pulp, Dave and Sir Paul McCartney among the big names making the lineup very star studded indeed.
Suede kicked things off with ‘Dancing With The Europeans’, bringing their unmistakable energy to the ceremony, while Pulp delivered ‘Begging For Change’ as part of the HELP(2) charity compilation.
It was a line-up that demonstrated the sheer range of music being made across the UK and Ireland, from contemporary pop to established rock and even jungle thanks to Bradford’s own Nia Archives.
And of course, there was one woman who had every reason to leave with a smile on her face.
RAYE took home the coveted Mercury Prize for THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., an ambitious, genre-hopping album that blends jazz, soul, R&B and classical influences into something so fabulously unique.
Image: Audio North
Newcastle’s own Knats performance was definitely a highlight of the evening, combining slick jazz with spoken-word poetry against a projection of The Tyne Bridge.
A fitting image, and one that underlines the importance of holding such huge events in the north and highlighting the obvious talent that thrives here.
The 2026 Mercury Prize was a brilliant showcase of the country’s music at its best.
And with RAYE taking home the trophy, it’s clear there is plenty of ‘hope’ left in British music.
The most magical Christmas displays have now landed at one of the North West’s best garden centres
Emily Sergeant
Christmas has officially arrived at one of the best garden centres in the North West, and it’s just as magical as you’d hope it would be.
Just outside of Greater Manchester in the village of Glazebury in Warrington, you’ll find Bents Garden and Home – a multi award-winning destination garden centre that’s often voted one of the region’s best. It’s great place to visit all year round, but as anyone who has ever made the trip there will tell you, this place really comes alive during the festive season.
Bents first started out life all the way back in 1937, when Alfred and Margaret Bent began growing and selling roses in the front garden of their terraced house in Glazebury.
Ever since then, the business has gone from strength to strength – opening its first dedicated garden centre building in the early 1950s, and then undergoing several expansions in the 60 years that followed to create the place we know and love today.
A place that’s home to everything you need to kit out your home and garden, several cafes and restaurants, a food hall, a cook shop, a children’s boutique, and plenty more.
Christmas has arrived at Bents Garden and Home for 2026 / Credit: The Manc Group
And then at Christmas time, you can also get to wander around all the magical festive displays and stop for a bite to eat at the winter food markets.
Christmas at Bents originally began in the 1970s, establishing what would become one of the garden centre’s most successful – and favourite – times of the year, with people travelling in their thousands from all across the North West to visit, making it an annual tradition in the festive events calendar for many families.
With a jaw-dropping display to suit everyone’s festive decor tastes, Christmas at Bents really does need to be seen to be believed.
Expertly decorated trees form the centrepiece of each display, with all the baubles and decorations adorning them for sale by the side for you to recreate yourself at home.
Walking around the centre, you’ll also find every type of artificial tree (both normal and pre-lit), an array of fairy lights, wreaths, and garlands, before you arrive at what is sure to be one of the best Christmas Lemax Model Village set-ups you’ve probably ever seen.
A trip to Bents is an annual festive tradition for thousands across the North West / Credit: The Manc Group
Then, once you’ve filled your basket up with all the decs you need, you have to stop off at the Winter Food Markets before you head home.
There’s a wide array of different street food options to choose from like bratwursts, giant filled Yorkshire puddings, loaded fries, nachos, mac and cheese, crepes, churros, and build-your-own crumble, before taking a pew in one of the little wooden huts and washing it all down with festive-themed hot chocolates and mulled wine.
Don’t forget to stop off at the food hall, farm shop, and deli counters to stock up on plenty of goodies there before you leave too.
Basically, if you’ve never been to Bents before, we honestly cannot recommend it enough – even more so during Christmas time.
Don’t forget to stop off at the Winter Food Markets before heading home / Credit: The Manc Group
But it is really important to note that it does get very busy here, especially on weekends and at peak times like the run up to Christmas.
So you may have to be prepared to patiently wait for parking spaces and cooperate with your fellow shoppers, as well as join queues at the cafes and restaurants, all while respecting the hard-working staff at all times.
Let’s be as respectful as possible, and make this a place where everyone can enjoy a magical festive experience in 2026.
Daisy Jackson -
25th March 2022 
