Things To Do

The prettiest walks around Greater Manchester and the north west to try this spring

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 28th March 2024

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Monsal Dale is beautiful spring walk near Greater Manchester. Credit: Unsplash, Rob Bates
Monsal Dale is beautiful spring walk. Credit: Unsplash, Rob Bates

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.

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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 just outside Greater Manchester makes for a great spring walk
Credit: Facebook, Brockholes

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.

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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

Quarry Bank in Cheshire is one of the prettiest spring walks near Manchester

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.

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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

Stunning pink blossom at Parsonage Gardens
Stunning pink blossom at Parsonage Gardens
Blossom trees in Ancoats
Blossom trees in Ancoats

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.

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Featured image: National Trust

Things To Do

Kendal Calling festival guide 2026 – stages, times, travel, and everything you need to know

Danny Jones Danny Jones Kendal Calling festival guide 2026 key info

It’s that time again: time to head back up Lake District way and over to the town of Penrith for Kendal Calling 2026.

No, it isn’t technically in Kendal, but it is absolutely mint – so shut your face.

Comfortably one of our favourite festivals of the year and not just one of the best in the North but the entire country, if you ask us, it sells out early every year and never, ever disappoints.

For those of you who are heading to Kendal Calling for the first time or returning for another consecutive year like us, we’ve put together a handy festival guide to steer you through the entire long weekend filled with art, music, culture, and unlimited good vibes.

Kendal Calling – all the important info

Kendal Calling Fest lineup and 2026 stage splits

Now, while we already shared the lineup for this year back in December, this is a good chance to refamiliarise yourself with it if you haven’t already, especially since you’ve not got the confirmed stage splits for Kendal 2026.

Marking its 21st iteration and yet another sold-out edition with one of its best rosters ever – to be honest, it’s been selling out and getting better every year since it first started back in 2006 – the likes of award-winning British favourites Biffy Clyro, Wolf Alice and Two Door Cinema Club lead the lineup.

And that’s just the main stage.

Then you’ve got everyone from Primal Scream and The Coral, Scissor Sisters, Circa Waves and Doves, to The Libertines, The Vaccines, Deaf Havana, Groove Armada, Neighbourhood headliners Keo and SO much more. Find the full breakdown of who’s playing where down below.

Kendal Calling stages for ’26

Speaking of the stages, there are 11 proper different live music sites this year – not to mention all other smaller tents and pop-ups around the wider festival site which spans roughly 120 hectares.

You can find out a little bit more about each of them here:

  • Main Stage – Where all the action and big headliners are playing at the northernmost spot.
  • Parklands – The second largest stage, pretty much smack bang in the middle of the site; there’s also a brilliant Glow takeover by night.
  • Calling Out – Rounding out the trio of Kendal stages with even more big acts to the west.
  • Woodlands – Exactly what it sounds like: a cosy stage set within the Lost Eden forest.
  • Chai Wallahs – Another large tent towards the North East of the site, boasting a variety of genres.
  • The Soapbox – Just northwest of Parklands, it’s where most of the live comedy is taking place.
  • Tim Peaks Diner – Named after Salford icon Tim Burgess himself, this little hut is built for more pared-down sets.
  • Desert Island Disco – Where the electronic scene goes to shine and usher in the late-night fun.
  • Roots – Built to spotlight emerging talent from across the region, there are gems to be found here.
  • The Town Hall – One of the newer additions to the festival alongside the official Kendal Calling pub, which first began back in 2023.
  • Azaadi – Last but not least, there’s the all-new Azaadi stage: a late-night mini venue curated by DJ Bobby Friction, specialising in alt-Desi electronica, global bass, and South Asian sounds following a fantastic debut at Glasto.

And then, of course, there’s Lost Eden out in the neon and fairylit woods, Kendal’s own aforementioned pub, The Stagger Inn; dedicated children’s stages, Oktoberfest and plenty more.

Kendal Calling festival site map

We’ll admit it can take a minute to properly orientate with your surroundings, especially when it’s packed with more than 40,000 people, so with all those different locations to get to grips with, the map always comes in handy.

As always, we’d reccommend downloading copies of it HERE when you save a screenshot of the lineup, for instance, but there will also be printed copies available and being handed out by staff over the course of the weekend.

Until then, this should do you just fine…

Travel info – how to get there, parking and more

If you’re wondering how to get to Kendal Calling, once again: the festival takes place at Lowther Deer Park in Hackthorpe near Penrith, Cumbria (no, it’s not quite Kendal).

For the sake of ease when it comes to popping the location into the SatNav, the postcode is CA10 2HT.

By car

Located roughly 25 minutes north of its namesake Kendal, you can drive up there via the M6 and south down the A6 from Penrith. You can easily download full directions on Google Maps.

Parking

The general car park is adjacent to the general campsites, but BE AWARE, the further away you park, the longer the walk up that hill – and it is a big one, we’re afraid.

Also, pre-warning, you must bring any alcohol purchased from outside the festival site up on the first trip up to your pitch. We found out the hard way…

Hoping to encourage people to carpool and ride share where possible, with Kendal remaining a dedicated and environmentally-conscious event (see their ‘Leave Nothing But Memories’ mission statement, for example), there is a charge for parking separate from festival admission.

Passes can be purchased online in advance for £24.50, or you can pay on the day for £40, but just like downloading/printing out your tickets prior to entry, we’d obviously advise you plan ahead and get them ready beforehand.

Emperors Field, Great Plains, Deer Lodge and Tangerine Fields all have their own respective car parks, which require specific parking passes as part of campsite upgrade packages. You can see all the options and secure your parking HERE.

By train, then taxi/shuttle

The nearest train station to the festival site is Penrith (also known as Penrith North Lakes), which is just a 15-minute taxi journey from the site.

Alternatively, you can hop on the special shuttle bus service that runs from the station to the festival at various points over the weekend. Various services are available from Scotland, Birmingham, London, here in Manchester and across the North West – for example:

  • From Birmingham New Street to Penrith (2h31m) — trains every hour
  • From London Euston to Penrith (3 hours) — trains every 30 minutes
  • From Glasgow to Penrith (1h21m) — trains every hour
  • From Edinburgh to Penrith (1h30m) — trains every hour
  • From Lancaster to Penrith (34 mins) — regular service
  • From Manchester Piccadilly to Penrith (1h41m) – trains every 30 minutes, change at Preston

Shuttles will run to and from Penrith (North Lakes) Station to Kendal Calling from 10am-18:45pm on Thursday and 8:30am-19:15pm on Friday. They won’t resume again until early Monday, with the final service lasting from 8:30am-13:15pm.

The festival has a dedicated pick-up and drop-off point (PUDO) outside at Green Gate. Follow the road signage as you get closer to the site for directions to the PUDO, which is also where you’ll find the taxi rank alongside our coach drop-off spot – just a short 5-10 minute walk to the wristband exchange too.

By coach/mini-bus

Speaking of coaches, you can find ticket prices for official services from destinations like Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, and many more places across the UK by the likes of festival veterans, Big Green Coach, as well as National Express right HERE.

For all other info on other options for getting to Kendal Calling, please consult the travel section on the festival website.

And once you’re there, the party can start.

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Other activities and entertainment on at Kendal Calling beyond the music

Once again, the music is obviously the big draw for the Lowther Deer Park party, but there is tonnes of other stuff to be enjoyed through the course of what we consider a mini bank holiday of sorts.

Last year saw Bongo’s Bingo make its maiden visit to a festival, and then of course there’s the usual Picturehouse cinema with movies on all day and special screenings for the little ones; the annual parade, which shows off all the ribbons and colours of the rainbow cinema, live comedy and lots more.

From live performers, a whole host of fantastic food and drinks traders, freebies up for grabs, and even dedicated accessibility areas such as the Sensory Calm Space, they really do cater to everyone.

You only have to wander into one of the alternative live theatre shows, their silent discos or the famous Lost Eden forest to be transported to virtually any kind of world you could want.

Getting underway from 5pm on Thursday, 30 July and running all the way until Sunday night (and well into the early hours, by the way), Kendal Calling 2026 is finally upon us.

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Judging by the lineup alone and the new additions they’ve brought into the mix, it really is looking like another belter.

In case anyone’s questioning just how much we and so many others across the region love this festival, not to mention all the others who travel from far and wide to enjoy the all-ages extravaganza, you only need to check out our review from last year. Or from 2024 – and the year before that, and the year…

See you in the fields!

Kendal Calling toasts 20 years of unforgettable memories with Audio North’s best visit yet
It’ll take some topping the previous summer.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

Things To Do

Manchester to celebrate National Play Day next week with 100+ FREE activities for families

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester is set to celebrate National Play Day next week, and there’ll be more than 100 free activities for families to join in with.

You may remember that Manchester City Council announced it would be bringing 14 weeks of free activities for children to parks across the city this summer, as Parktastic returned by popular demand with everything from sports, games, arts, and crafts, to dance, drama, nature activities, storytelling, and messy play to get stuck into.

And now, a packed programme of activities to celebrate National Play Day – which is taking place this year on Wednesday 5 August – has been revealed.

There’ll be whole series of free events taking place right across the city on a drop-in basis throughout the day – with more than a hundred different activity sessions taking place in the city’s parks, libraries, community centres, and youth clubs.

Families can also head on down to two big Family Fun Days taking place on the day – one at Platt Fields Park, and one at Boggart Hole Clough.

Activities will run from 11am through to 2pm at both parks, and will include things like sports coaching, circus skills, cycling taster sessions, live demonstrations, storytelling, and a range of other interactive and hands-on experiences.

National Play Day is actually a country-wide celebration of a child’s right to play, but the day has a special significance for Manchester this year, coming off the back of the city earning recognition from UNICEF as a Child Friendly City last month.

Manchester is celebrating National Play Day next week with 100+ free activities for families / Credit: Manchester City Council

“Having fun and playing with other children is such an important part of growing up and helping children and young people of all ages to gain confidence and develop their skills,” commented Councillor Julie Reid, who is the Executive Member for Early Years, Children and Young People at Manchester City Council.

“We’re very lucky in Manchester to have so many fantastic parks, playgrounds, and sports and leisure facilities across the city for our children and young people to enjoy, as well as amazing libraries, galleries and museums right here on our doorstep.”

Read more:

Cllr Reid said Manchester’s National Play Day on Wednesday 8 August will be offering ‘a whole host’ of different activities for young people to get involved in and enjoy.

You can find out everything happening on the day here.

Featured Image – Artem Kniaz (via Unsplash)

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