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.
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. 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
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.
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
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 GardensBlossom 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.
Freight Island is hosting the UK’s biggest Six Nations fan zone
Danny Jones
Freight Island’s Six Nations fan zone returns for 2025 at the end of this month and we’re so ready for seven weeks of rugby action and a river of Guinness.
The iconic international tournament gets underway on 31 January and so too does Freight Island’s fantastic fan experience, providing an unparalleled level of excitement beyond being inside the stadium.
Set to be even bigger and better than last year, it’s the largest of its kind anywhere in the country because, well, as well as know, Manchester sports fans do it better than anyone.
Promising everything from free pints and prosecco for ticket holders, live music, top-notch scran from Freight’s in-house vendors and more, it’s going to be another year to remember.
The Freight Island Six Nations fan zone is back for 2025. (Credit: Supplied)
Fuel for the sporting action
Launching in time for the first game between France and Wales on the final Friday of the month, the Freight Island Six Nations fan zone will be open for the full duration of the competition, showing all 15 fixtures across a seven-week period.
With the final not until Saturday, 15 March, you’ve got plenty of time to sample all the massive Manchester venue has to offer this year. Speaking of..
As well as a steady supply of drinks including a self-service Guinness machine, punters will be eligible for a free pint of Freight Island pilsner or a glass of Prosecco with their ticket.
To make things even sweeter, as well as the usual foodie favourites such as Fuku, Mia’s Arepas, Burgerism, Voodoo Ray’s; Mega Gyros, Oh! My Cheesecake and Soft Boi, Scouse chicken connoisseurs Pattersons are launching their brand new ‘American Buffet’. We’re talking proper game-day food.
Every Sunday, they’ll be serving up half-chickens brined and deep fried in their special spice mix, or a vegetarian nut roast, plus an all-you-can-eat sides including sweet potato, corn salsa, tater tots, cheesy grits, home-made corn bread and their famous gravy, all for £18 per tray
You can ever pre-order a full bird ahead of time if you like – consider this the Six Nations answer to Super Bowl-level feasting.
But isn’t all food and drink, of course: Freight Island will also be making sure to keep the energy high no matter what’s going on in the matches with DJs, music from live bands, as well pre and post-match content for you to enjoy. Let us explain.
In addition to sets by the likes of singer-songwriter Neeva Zahra, Paul Eden and other special guests, but they’re also be performances by the Pent Up Pipes band and Dizzy Brasscals to really get the atmosphere going.
Crowd interaction is essential to making these fan zones work, so if bagpipes and a brass band doesn’t get you hyped as the six sporting-mad continental countries go head-to-head for European glory, we don’t what will.
Freight Island have also partnered with The EggChasers rugby union podcast, who will be delivering podcasts live from the building, as well as fan content before and after the whistle, meaning you can also get involved if you fancy yourself an armchair expert.
Dizzy Brasscals is the best band name we’ve heard in ages. (Credit: Supplied)
Once again, the tournament last for a good month and a half, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy all of the above, as well as all the live rugby on the multiple screens dotted around the venue – including one very big one.
Freight Island opening hours during the Six Nations and throughout February and March are Friday (4pm-12am), Saturday (12pm-12am), and Sunday (12-8pm).
You can book your free tickets HERE and we’ll no doubt see plenty of you there.
Meanwhile over in rugby league, local side Salford Red Devils have found themself in a less than ideal position ahead of the new season after being hit with a new sustainability cap.
Featured Images — Press Images (supplied via Freight Island)
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World-renowned rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd announce HUGE Manchester anniversary gig
Thomas Melia
Legendary Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd are returning to Manchester for a limited UK tour at one city’s foremost venues.
Six years since their last visit, we’re sure they’ve missed ‘That Smell’ of a Manchester crowd and it’s safe to say safe we’ve missed them too.
Known for our love of live music and gigs, there’s no better place to stop off at other than Manchester when you’re playing a world tour, especially celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band’s formation.
Their name needs no introduction, however, if you need a reminder of this band’s remarkable career then ‘Don’t Ask Me No Questions’.
Just kidding, the well-seasoned country and blues veterans from Jacksonville, Flordia are one of the most acclaimed acts to ever come out of the US; in 2006 they received one of the biggest honours any artist could wish for, getting inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.
With 14 official studio albums, several EPs and numerous live recordings, there are definitely more than enough songs to pack into one unforgettable night.
As one of just four dates here in England, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Manchester tour show is taking place at none other than the AO Arena, which has also reached a milestone in 2025 as they celebrate 30 years of unbelievable gigs. What better way to party than with a good ol’ fashioned rock show?
They won’t be travelling solo either, they’re also bringing Georgia-based rockers Blackberry Smoke as a support act, notable for their 2012 single ‘One Horse Town’ along with many others.
Rockin’ it out like they always do, bring on Manchester. That iconic Lynyrd logo will look immense in AO Arena this year.Credit: Supplied
They’ve chosen the right venue to belt the hits too and, ironically, they’ve chosen a Tuesday for their Manchester date, meaning you’ll be able to walk out of the concert singing ‘Tuesday’s Gone’ with more conviction than ever.
One thing is for sure, with a legacy as big as this, the rockers are guaranteed to have a great time. There might not be any founding members left following the passing of guitarist and songwriter Gary Rossington in 2023, but you can bet the current lineup will do the originals justice and then some.
Lynyrd Skynyrd visit the AO Arena in Manchester on Tuesday 15 July 2025 with tickets going on sale from Friday 24 January at 10am. You can grab yours HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
28th March 2024 
