The prettiest walks around Greater Manchester and the north west to try this spring Daisy Jackson
The weather is FINALLY warming up a little and it’s beginning to feel like we might finally have made it through winter – it’s time for a walk.
There’s nothing quite like the arrival of spring to (so sorry) put a spring in your step, especially after such a dreary few months post-Christmas.
Some of the green spaces that wrap around Greater Manchester are in their prime right now, and that’s saying something, as they’re pretty spectacular all year round – perfect for a spring walk.
We’re talking fields full of daffodils and bluebells and trees dripping with blossom.
Here are some of the prettiest walks to tackle this season around Greater Manchester to make the most of the north west in spring.
Loughrigg Fell, Lake District
It may be a bit of a schlep up the road, but Manchester’s relative proximity to the Lake District is something we should all be taking advantage of.
Although Cumbria is known for its big hills, you don’t have to climb high to get the best spring experiences at Loughrigg Fell.
The lower slopes are often ablaze with beautiful bluebells at this time of year.
Countryfile has pulled together a lovely walking route here.
Salthill Quarry, Clitheroe
This spot in Lancashire actually once lay at the bottom of the ocean, but it’s now a shining example of a northern nature reserve.
It’s home to an incredible array of wildlife and plant life, including masses of wildflowers in the spring and summer that makes for a dream walk for nature lovers.
All those blooms bring loads of birds and butterflies to the area too.
The Geology Trail is a circular walk that will show you all the best bits, with QR codes to scan for extra information on your way round.
Monsal Dale, Peak District
Surrounded by dales scenery, hiring a few bikes to cycle the Monsal Trail is an absolute Peak District must-do.
But for wildflower lovers, you want to duck off the former railway line and explore Monsal Dale instead.
This handy walking route from Countryfile includes viaduct views as well as encounters with all the new-season blooms.
Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston
The Brockholes Nature Reserve spans a massive 250 acres and actually only opened around 10 years ago.
It’s drawn in more than one million human visitors and even more feathered and furry ones, including different species of deer, badgers, hares, osprey and red kites.
The whole site is managed by the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, who regularly update followers with which species pass through as the seasons change.
Tegg’s Nose, Cheshire
Tegg’s Nose Country Park really comes into its own in spring, when clambering around the rocky landscape isn’t such sweaty (or slippery) work.
From May, the meadows around this corner of Cheshire will be a blanket of yellow when the pansies bloom.
It’s not too far to travel from Greater Manchester either, so makes for a great spring walk.
This AllTrails loop around Tegg’s Nose and Macclesfield Forest is a real winner.
Quarry Bank, Cheshire
Ahead of the National Trust’s annual BlossomWatch event, the charity has pulled together a list of where to see the best blossom trees across the country.
In the north west it’s Dunham Massey, Speke Hall, Rufford Old Hall and Little Moreton Hall, as well as the grounds around the old mill at Quarry Bank.
The National Trust says: “The walled garden bursts into life in April with the blooming of the apricot tree, followed by the arrival of apple, pear, nectarine and peach blossom. The Apprentice House Garden is home to apple, plum and pears trees, making it the perfect place to enjoy a picnic under a canopy of blossom.”
Bloomtown Blossom Trail, Manchester city centre
Manchester never looks better than it does in the spring, so if you don’t fancy heading out in the countryside, there’s plenty of nature to admire with a walk in town itself.
The National Trust and Castlefield Viaduct have created a walking trail around Manchester that’s all about celebrating the blossom.
It loops from the Viaduct down Canal Street, through Ancoats, and back again, taking in landmarks like the Central Library, Parsonage Gardens, and the Rochdale Canal.
You can find out more about it here.
Read more
- Bloomtown – the beautiful blossom walking trail through Manchester city centre
- Beautiful Greater Manchester walks you can get to using public transport
- The Roaches and Lud’s Church: one of the most varied and scenic walks you’ll find near Manchester
Featured image: National Trust
Bloomtown – the beautiful blossom walking trail through Manchester city centre Daisy Jackson
Manchester never looks better than it does in the spring, when all the blossom trees burst back to life – and now there’s a walking trail through town that shows off the best bits.
From the iconic purple blooms outside the Central Library to the surprising sprays that pop up in the middle of Ancoats, there are pretty colours appearing all over town.
The National Trust is once again shining a spotlight on Manchester and bringing back its new-and-improved Bloomtown Map.
There are 39 spots all over the city centre (and slightly beyond) included along the route, each one showcasing one of the city’s most picturesque locations.
The digital Bloomtown Map will tell you a little something about each hotspot as you arrive, whether you’re interested in the history of the place or just want to know what particular flower you’re looking at.
This year’s trail again starts up at Castlefield Viaduct, the incredible industrial structure that’s been brought back to life by the National Trust and turned into an urban sky park.
It then weaves through landmarks in the city centre like the Rochdale canal, Parsonage Gardens, and Manchester Cathedral.
And there are five branches of the trail to check out this year too, covering Hulme and South Manchester, East Manchester, Salford and Trafford.
Because this is Manchester, and our weather is famously all over the place, not all of the blossom trees have kicked into action yet (and some of the ones that bloomed early are dropping their petals like confetti already).
But April is usually the best time to see the blossom in full bloom – which makes the Easter weekend perfectly placed to get out for a stroll.
See the full Bloomtown Map below, or click here for the blossom trail around Manchester
All the places on the Bloomtown Map 2024 around Manchester
- Alexandra Park
- Angel Meadow
- Ardwick Green
- Birchfields Park
- Manchester Metropolitan University Birley Orchard
- Blackleach Country Park
- Bridgewater Community Garden
- Castlefield Viaduct
- Clifton Country Park
- Cutting Room Square
- Dukes Drive
- Gartside Gardens
- Hullard Park
- Hulme Community Garden Centre
- Hulme Park
- Manchester Cathedral
- Mayfield Park
- Ordsall Hall
- Parsonage Gardens
- Peel Park
- Philips Park
- Platt Fields Park
- Queens Park
- RHS Bridgewater
- Rochdale Canal Lock 87
- Rochdale Canal Lock 89
- Sackville Gardens
- Sadler’s Yard
- Salford Quays
- Science and Industry Museum
- St George’s Park
- St John’s Gardens
- St Peter’s Square
- Tariff Street
- Thomas Street Pocket Park
- University of Manchester Students’ Union
- Waterside Arts
- Victoria Park
- The Whitworth
- Whitworth Street West
- Wythenshawe Park and Gardens
Pick up a recyclable paper copy of the Bloomtown map at
- Manchester Central Library
- Manchester Art Gallery
- NOMA
- Platt Fields Visitors Centre
- Local parks across Greater Manchester
- Mayfield Park
- Waterside Arts
- RHS Bridgewater
- Hulme Community Garden Centre
- Castlefield Viaduct
- Quarry Bank
- Dunham Massey
- Lyme
Read more
- The prettiest walks in the north west to try this spring
- Beautiful Greater Manchester walks you can get to using public transport
- The Roaches and Lud’s Church: one of the most varied and scenic walks you’ll find near Manchester
Featured image: The Manc Group