Manchester’s ever-changing skyline is instantly recognisable and one local photographer is intent on documenting its beauty.
Tomasz Kozak is an aspiring photographer originally hailing from Rzeszow in Poland, but now living in Manchester.
After calling Manchester home for many years now, he has had the chance to see the city skyline from many different angles up above, which is why he has decided to rank some of his favourite hilltop views across the region.
By creating this list of his seven favourite hilltop views in Greater Manchester, Tomasz said he is hoping to “help those who want to start in cityscape photography but don’t know where to go”. He admitted that “you don’t need to be a pilot of a drone to [capture] amazing images” of the city’s ever-changing skyline and “you don’t need an expensive camera or super long zoom lens” either.
He also recommended that any budding photographers research each of these locations before visiting then as “they offer much more than just pretty picture of our city”.
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He continues: “From woodland areas with hidden waterfalls, or bare hilltops spiked with wind turbines, these are beautiful natural landmarks [with] easy access [which] makes them perfect to enjoy a walk in nature with family or friends.”
So, ready to see the list then?
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Here are Tomasz’s top seven hill views in Greater Manchester.
This number one spot probably won’t come as a surprise to many Mancunians.
Werneth Low in Hyde has taken the crown for the best hilltop view in Greater Manchester according to Tomasz as, in his own words, “this location offers panoramic views of Manchester and it’s great at sunsets”. He recommends that the best time to visit for pictures is “probably September or April as the sun sets directly behind city centre”.
You can find more information about Werneth Low via the Tameside Borough website here.
Bury’s 1852-built Peel Tower Monument takes the second spot.
When it comes to skyline photo opportunities, Tomasz explains that “composition offers quite a bit of foreground interest especially at the dusk where you can capture car trails creating leading lines into the city” and suggests that you “leave your car at the bottom of the hill” for ease as Google Maps will likely lead you thorough narrow private roads.
You can find more information about Peel Tower at the Visit Bury website here.
Hartshed Pike is clocking in at number three on the list.
Tomasz said that “this hill over-viewing Ashton-under-Lyne can offer nice view on Manchester skyline”. He revealed he hasn’t had the chance to visit the location at dusk to photograph it yet, but is planning to do so soon.
You can find more information about Hartshed Pike via the Ashton-under-Lyne History website here.
White Nancy is the furthest south location on the list, ranking in fourth place.
Tomasz admitted that this is the “hardest to shoot because of longest distance to the city” and any aspiring photographers will probably “need clear day to capture Manchester from this angle”, but he did say that in terms of foreground “there is plenty of interest with Bollington village’s natural shape creating leading lines [and] drawing eye into the city”.
You can find more information about White Nancy via the Bollington website here.
Taking the number five spot on the list is Crompton Moor in Oldham.
When it comes to photography opportunities, Tomasz said that this location has “good foreground interest” and “it’s worth a visit to the waterfall hidden close to the carpark to the left”.
You can find more information about Crompton Moor via the Oldham Council website here.
Clarks Hill in Whitefield ranks at number six on the list.
This is a personal favourite of Tomasz’s as he said he “discovered this area in one of my daily runs” during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, and admits it’s a fairly easy shot as “there is not much to think about [with] composition… [with there being] only one place along the road where you can stand without trespassing onto private land”.
You can find more information about Clarks Hill via the Bury Council website here.
Last but not least on the list is Phillips Park in Prestwich.
Whilst Tomasz has admitted that this is “probably the weakest location among all since there are power lines obstructing the view quite a bit” and he’d recommend any photographers “remove [them] in post production, which is quite easy to do even with the basic software”, it’s still no less an impressive view.
More information about Phillips Park can be found here.
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You can see more of Tomasz Kozak’s work via his photography portfolio website here.
Neighbourhood Festival’s return to the city centre is looking great with after revealing second wave
Danny Jones
Neighbourhood Festival’s city centre all-dayer is returning to Manchester for 2026 after a year off, and with the second wave of the lineup having just dropped, it’s looking very promising.
Following teasers over the past month or so, it didn’t take long for us to figure out that NBHD Festival was coming back, especially with the Weekender in Warrington having taken a similar hiatus in 2024.
However, when festivals like these take time out, it can be easy to worry whether or not they’ll lose momentum or come back stronger.
Judging by this follow-up batch of acts alone, there’s no doubt NBHD Fest ’26 will be another cracker.
As you can see, as well as the fast-rising grungey alternative and garage rock quartet, KEO, being announced as one of the first big hitters on the list, there are some other familiar names on the lineup.
Especially for us Mancs.
With both Bolton and Altrincham youngsters, Florentenes and The Guest List, both joining the roster, as well as the likes of Bury-born ‘rockabilly’ revivalist Elliot James Reay also featuring on there, there’s a good deal of local talent to be enjoyed as always.
That goes for the regional delegation in general, too, with the likes of Jos River heading back up this way from her base in London, and Leeds’ fittingly named indie four-piece, The North, also booking a slot.
We’ll admit there are plenty of bands and artists coming up from the capital for the all-day festival, but at least they know where the UK’s real home of music is.
For instance, we’re buzzing to see the Red Rum Club boys returning to the NBHD stage once again – they never disappoint, and there are so many other guaranteed top performers on the bill. And that was just this year’s Weekener…
It’s worth reminding, once again, that since its inception in 2016 (yes, it really has been a decade now), Neighbourhood Fest has continued to serve as a proper launchpad for the next wave of superstars, not just here in the North West but across the country.
We still remember seeing the likes of Sam Fender, Holly Humberstone, Declan McKenna, Mahalia, The Lathums and more – some for the very first time – on these city centre stages, and it’s crazy to see how big some of them have gone on to become.
Set to take over some of Manchester’s most iconic venues along the Oxford Road Corridor once again, this is, without a doubt, one of the best dates for independents on the annual live music calendar.
Hosting a total of 11 stages on Saturday, 17 October, for a full day of live music, tickets for this year’s Neighbourhood Festival are on sale now right HERE.
And if you’ve already sorted yours, why not read our review of NBHD Weekender ’26 down below to get you in the mood for the next two editions.
Major DJ forced to pull out of Parklife festival on doctor’s orders
Thomas Melia
A well-known techno and trance DJ will no longer be playing at Parklife this weekend, he’s announced, with just one day to go until his major set.
Anyone heading to Heaton Park over the weekend for Manchester-based festival, Parklife, may notice the lineup looks a little different after one distinctive DJ has pulled out due to doctor’s orders.
Marlon Hoffstadt, who also goes by the moniker ‘DJ Daddy Trance’, was expected to play out on the Matinée stage on Saturday 20 June from 6.30pm – 8pm.
The Germany-based act was taking to the decks right before Manchester’s own Morgan Seatree, who has become recognised for his material which is an ode to house music and is likely to be one of the busiest sets of the weekend.
Hoffstadt had two gigs this weekend; the first being Parklife in Manchester and the second Fête de la Musique in Paris, both of which he has since pulled out of in a newly-published social media announcement.
The Berlin-born music maker has reluctantly called off these upcoming appearances and justified his decision by saying: “As much as I hate missing shows, I need to put my recovery first”.
To much dismay, Hoffstadt received doctor’s advice who deemed him ‘currently not fit to fly’ following surgery, urging him to rest and recover.
Marlon posted today: “I’m so sad to have to share this, but unfortunately I won’t be able to play Parklife in Manchester and Fête de la Musique in Paris this weekend.
“I recently had a surgery and, following my doctor’s advice, I’m currently not fit to fly and need rest and recover.
“I know many of you made plans and were looking forward to it, and I’m so sorry to let you down.
“As much as I hate missing shows, I need to put my recovery first so I can get back to doing what I love as soon as possible.”
As much as the presence of this world-class performer will be missed, there’s still plenty of notable names set to make their mark on Parklife including Zara Larsson, Calvin Harris, Skepta and more.
The outdoor big music weekender has established itself as a rave haven with mainly dance artists and DJs making up its lineup through a variety of curated b2b sets and live performances.
If you’re after immersing yourself in some jungle music, Bradford-native Nia Archives will have you transfixed over at The Valley with her jungle-heavy tunes from 6.30pm – 7.30pm or there’s three more stages to take your pick from.
We’re sure that anyone eager to see the ‘Hands Up In The Sky’ producer live may be frustrated by this brand-new social media announcement however as Hoffstadt mentions it’s so he can “Get back to doing what I love as soon as possible”.
The Manc -
18th September 2020 
