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.
Blossom trees in AncoatsPurple blossom flowers on St Peter’s Square in ManchesterStunning pink blossom at Parsonage Gardens
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
Blossom on Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Bloomtown Map is a blossom trail walk around Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Pick up a recyclable paper copy of the Bloomtown map at
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 8 – 14 September 2025
Emily Sergeant
We’re into our second week of September now, and the weather is really starting to hint to us that autumn’s on it’s way.
The sun isn’t showing itself as much, the rain is pouring, and the temperatures are dropping – but even though summer may be coming to an end, there’s still plenty of exciting activities to be getting up to in Greater Manchester in the coming weeks.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. We’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
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The Common Walls International Mural Festival
Rochdale
Monday 8 – Sunday 14 September
The Common Walls International Mural Festival / Credit: Supplied
The Common Walls International Mural Festival will give Rochdale locals and visitors a chance to see artworks being created up close by the world-renowned artists who’ll be in the Greater Manchester town bringing their masterpieces to life.
Set to run until 14 September, a collection of artists are descending onto the streets of Rochdale to give walls around the town centre a lick of paint that will not only brighten up the space, but also leave a lasting legacy.
10 of Rochdale’s notable town centre buildings will undergo a drastic change as part of this art-focused event, and each art piece will pay homage to moments in Rochdale’s captivating history.
A free open-air cinema has arrived Manchester city centre for the summer.
With a backdrop of the modern Manchester skyline, Screen on The Square the go-to hangout for Mancs this summer, as audiences can recline in deck chairs surrounded by one of the city’s best views, and watch everything from classic and family films, to music, sporting events, and so much more.
It’s launched down at New Jackson – Renaker’s world-class skyscraper district and thriving new neighbourhood that’s taken shape at the southern side of Manchester city centre.
Multi-sensory experience SUPERMASSIVE has made its way over to Depot Mayfield for a maze of interactive activities this summer.
Suitable for all ages – especially kids and families – and open for the next three weeks, there’s so much to get stuck into. Think puzzles where you connect various wires, a large sandpit with projections overhead, and even a retro arcade machine where you can practice creating your own DJ set.
There’s even timeslots dedicated to adults available from 7pm too, so you can bring your mates, have a pint or two, and wander around this huge indoor attraction.
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The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years
Manchester Museum
Monday 8 – Sunday 14 September
The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years / Credit: Supplied
You can step into the fantastical imaginary world of The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years this summer.
This world-premiere exhibition, created in collaboration with robotics studio Air Giants, invites you to experience a playful blend of education, theatre, and dreamscape – and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen at Manchester Museum before.
Once you’ve met the 10-meter long sleepy cat, you’ll then find a series of fun, free, cat-inspired activities at the Museum throughout the summer, including an augmented reality trail.
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You / Credit: Science Museum Group
You can plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses at a new immersive museum exhibition that’s now arrived at the Science and Industry Museum.
Back by popular demand after a successful run over these past two years, but with a fresh new adventure lined up for 2025, Operation Ouch! is giving you the chance to journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.
Tickets to Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You are now on sale, and visitors are being told to prepare themselves for an “epic exploration of the senses”.
Here & Now – The Steps Musical / Credit: ATG Tickets
Here & Now, a musical inspired by the music and story of beloved British pop group Steps, has arrived in Manchester.
Happiness is only a heartbeat away, as this hilarious and heart-warming new musical based on the songs Steps takes to the stage at Manchester’s legendary Opera House, so don’t miss this sparkling celebration of love and friendship as it embarks on a UK & Ireland tour after its record-breaking world premiere.
An event dedicated to all things Japan has made its way to Manchester.
Simply titled ‘Japan Week’, this cultural ceremony aims to package up all the things this East Asian country has to offer, such as music and theatre, compiling them into a fantastic five-day showcase with loads of free activities.
From interactive performances to hands-on experiences, there is loads to do for all ages across the city centre during the festival.
The SmileyWorld® Art Trail / Credit: Scott Kershaw Photography
Stockport has transformed into a playful outdoor gallery this summer as a colourful new art trail has taken over the town.
Visitors should get ready to explore a full spectrum of emotions this summer, as the SmileyWorld® Art Trail is making its North West debut and taking over the town centre with a colourful collection of quirky, fun, and exciting sculptures, each reimagined by a different artist to reflect the full range of human emotions including joy, pride, surprise, anxiety, and lots more.
The trail is created by trailblazing global arts producer, Wild in Art, in partnership with Totally Stockport BID and SmileyWorld.
Kargo on the Docks / Credit: Supplied | Mark Waugh
Summer is nearly over, but Kargo on the Docks is clinging on.
MediaCity’s al fresco dining pop-up has taken over the waterfront and gardens once again with a fresh wave of local food traders and stunning artwork by Salford-based creatives, all as the sun shines down on Salford Quays this summer.
A handful of Greater Manchester’s most popular independents have set themselves up Quayside inside those signature re-imagined shipping containers.
Foodies can expect a menu packed with bold new flavours including Caribbean, Lebanese, Mexican, Ethiopian, and Pan-Asian dishes.
A pioneering production company is bringing immersive theatre inside shipping containers to Greater Manchester this week.
DARKFIELD has announced their first shows in Greater Manchester for seven years, and will present their three most critically-acclaimed experiences at iconic venues across the region as part of an ‘exciting’ collaboration.
Keen audiences will be able to head to The Lowry, Aviva Studios, and HOME this month to see theatre like they’ve never seen it before.
This is a stop-you-in-your-tracks addition to the city.
Mappin & Webb has opened the doors to its exclusive new store right in the heart of Manchester, and it’s two floors of jewellery paradise
The company has meticulously-restored this landmark pink building on St Ann’s Square and filled it with all things heritage and sparkly, with a luxury bar and lounge downstairs.
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NEW OPENING – Primark Home
Trafford Palazzo
NEW OPENING – Primark Home / Credit: The Manc Group
Home sweet (Primark) home.
New openings don’t get much bigger than this, both metaphorically and literally, as Great Britain’s first-ever dedicated Primark Home store has now opened its doors over at Trafford Palazzo, and it’s an absolute interior-lover’s paradise in there.
The huge new store is packed full of homewares and lifestyle items at Primark’s typical affordable price point so expect bathroom bits, kitchenware, soft furnishings, bedroom decor, and right now, LOADS of pumpkins.
Looking for a bite to eat in Manchester this month? We’ve got a few suggestions to share…
Ooh have we been eating good in August.
Even with the last of the warmer weather throughout August, that doesn’t mean we haven’t been having some right feasts – with plenty of cheese pulls, saucy drizzles, and for some reason, ANOTHER Labubu-themed dessert.
With the festive season soon approaching, we’re expecting the next month to get extra cosy and indulgent.
If you need some inspiration for where to eat in our region this month, we rounded up some of our best suggestions for you to pick from:
Everyone knows that brunch is better when the booze is bottomless, and there’s bangers blasting in the background, so if you’re on the hunt for a bottomless brunch that will truly get your night out started, Manchester’s The Blues Kitchen is the place to head to.
Endless mimosas, rum punch, and prosecco, banging brunch dishes like their legendary Buffalo wings and popcorn shrimp, and DJs spinning 90s and noughties tunes throughout.
The vibes of a Slow Jams Bottomless Brunch are truly unmatched.
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Nature Fest 2025
Chester Zoo
Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 September
Nature Fest 2025 / Credit: Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo has announced that its Nature Fest is back by popular demand this weekend – with the two-day event boasting a jam-packed lineup of interactive events for all ages.
Taking place across the zoo’s six-hectare nature reserve, conservationists hope the weekend-long event will connect festivalgoers with nature, all while raising awareness of precious UK wildlife.
Open to everyone for free of charge, Nature Fest will have hands-on activities, workshops, talks, and performances – including the interactive Hedgehog Hideaway adventure, which teaches participants how to make their gardens more hedgehog friendly.
That being said, instead of tucking you into a lovely motor vehicle, this time we’re letting you nestle down in a converted and cosy shipping container just outside of Greater Manchester.
Titled Hous Viridis, which is simply Latin for ‘green house‘, this unique staycation is covered from floor to ceiling with sage green paint.
The living area and bathroom at ‘Hous Viridis’, where you can stay in a converted shipping container (Credit: Hous Viridis)
The green doesn’t stop there either, as there’s an array of potted plants and shrubbery throughout this 960 square foot property.
There are four distinct sections inside this quirky staycation property, including a kitchen, living and dining area, three bedrooms and a bathroom.
Whether you’re after a romantic getaway, a trip with friends or even a mini family gathering, you can have it all at Hous Viridis as it sleeps up to eight people.
This shipping container turned glamping pod has plenty of amenities to stop you from getting cabin fever, including a 50-inch TV, American-style fridge freezer, Nespresso coffee machine and, of course, the secret to turning almost anyone into a good cook: an air fryer.
The outdoor space at Hous Viridis, which is a converted shipping container less than an hour from Manchester (Credit: Hous Viridis)
It also has its own vintage cocktail cabinet with a selection of glasses and a handful of recipes; the only thing you need to bring is the alcohol.
If inside this shipping container ever gets a little bit too stuffy, there’s an outdoor area which boasts everything from a hot tub to a fire pit and a hot stone pizza oven.
‘The Hous’ even has a herd of adorable pygmy goats which they keep as pets, and if given enough notice, you can get access to the paddock if provided permission from your hosts.
You might also unintentionally bump into an animal or two, as this staycation spot is a wildlife haven home to rabbits, hares, birds of prey and more.
You may be wondering after hearing all this good news if there’s a catch, and the Hous Viridis website gives you one warning: the weather…
“Being in Yorkshire, we can experience all four seasons in one day, so pack for all weather eventualities”. To be honest, since we’re from Greater Manchester, if this is the only downside, you can count us in.
Whether you’re after winding down in the Yorkshire or want to experience sleeping over in a converted shipping container, you’re sure to have a memorable stay.
You can find out more information about Hous Viridis and enquire about bookings right HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
28th March 2024 
