Bloomtown – the beautiful blossom walking trail through Manchester city centre

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