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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Road to Victory returns for massive Euro 2025 final screening at AO Arena

Danny Jones Danny Jones watch 2025 women's euros final at AO Arena Manchester screenings

England are in another final, and you know what that means: Road to Victory is returning to Manchester for another massive screening at the AO Arena as England’s women’s team prepare to defend their Euros trophy.

Sarina Weigman’s side made it to their second consecutive European final on Tuesday night following more late drama for the Lionesses against Italy.

The squad, which has seen a number of personnel changes since Euro 2022, managed to make it through to the final in the eleventh hour thanks to another stoppage-time equaliser from Michelle Agyemang and even more tense follow-up from a scuffed spot-kick by Chloe Kelly.

Will they ever stop giving us heart palpitations at major tournaments? Probably not, but the big watchalong party inside the AO Arena, which will see thousands turn up to watch the Euro 2025 final, is sure to deliver plenty of excitement either way.

For anyone unfamiliar with the massive fan zone – one of THE biggest in all Europe, in fact – Road to Victory is the unparalleled supporter party by AIX (Amplified Immersive Xperiences) Live, who specialise in the top-end of audio-visual matchday viewing vibes.

Having hosted huge screenings for the previous men’s Euros and the Qatar World Cup, and even inspiring a massive watchalong of last season’s Europa League final at the venue, Road to Victory (RtV) is just about as big and bold as it gets.

Think BOXPARK in London only bigger, more interactive and, dare we say it… better?

Yes, we do dare say it; having attended RtV on multiple occasions since it landed here back in 2022, we can confirm you won’t find an atmosphere quite like it anywhere else. At least not in Greater Manchester, anyway.

Case and point:

With doors to the women’s Euros screening opening at 4pm, there’ll be plenty of time for pre-match build-up before the game gets underway, and there’ll be plenty of entertainment, light displays, food, drinks and more – it’s just up to Manchester fans to be in full voice.

The Women’s European Championships certainly have a more all-ages, family-friendly feel to them, but Road to Victory and the AO Arena are still ensuring they deliver a palpable match-day energy.

Tickets are already live following England’s place in the last two of the Women’s Euros now confirmed, it’s merely a matter of securing yours and finding out who, out of Germany and Spain, will meet them in the final this weekend.

Once again, the 2025 Women’s Euros final kicks off at 5pm on Sunday, 27 July, and you can grab your tickets for the Road to Victory screening at the AO Arena in Manchester right HERE.

It’s coming home.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

Things To Do

You can star in your own series of Taskmaster in a castle near Greater Manchester this summer

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Are you ready to channel your inner comedian? Great, because Taskmaster is coming up north.

Well…sort of.

The beloved (and hilarious) show is bringing a family-friendly version to Beeston Castle and Gardens, which is a picturesque English Heritage site in the rural Beeston area of Tarporley in Cheshire, and you are invited to try your hand at the wacky tasks yourselves.

From now right up until Sunday 31 August, visitors can take part in the ridiculous challenges inspired by the hit TV show.

In partnership with English Heritage, it’s appropriate for all ages and a fantastic day out for all the family.

Contestants will pick up their score card on arrival before exploring the site and getting involved in tasks along the way.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the popular comedy show or a complete newbie, this Taskmaster experience guarantees a hilarious day out in the Cheshire countryside… and don’t worry, Greg Davies and Alex Horne won’t be judging your efforts along the way either – phew.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with the Taskmaster team this summer,” commented Beth Stone, who is the Head of Visitor Engagement and Experience at English Heritage.

You can star in your own series of Taskmaster near Greater Manchester this summer / Credit: Jim Holden (via English Heritage)

“From tasks such as becoming a monarch and making your own laws, to creating your own solstice, our visitors can expect a host of fun with a history twist at many of our properties, and of course, plenty of rubber ducks.”

Alex Horne, creator and star of Taskmaster, added: “It’s nice to go to nice places, but it’s even nicer to do fun things in those nice places – and this should ensure you can do just that for this summer at least.”

Read more:

To find out more, take a look at English Heritage’s website here.

Featured Image – English Heritage

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