Autumn in Greater Manchester is a wonderful thing.
And our region is filled with places to appreciate the beauty and rich colour of this much-loved season.
Walking is one of the best ways get out into nature and experience everything it has to offer, and now that many of us have developed a new-found love, or rediscovered an old passion for walking over lockdown, there couldn’t be a better time to round up some of the best autumn routes in each of Greater Manchester’s ten boroughs.
Of course, in the times that we are currently living in amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and with Greater Manchester having recently entered into Tier 3 restrictions, it is crucial to stress the importance of social distancing, adhering to any guidelines that the grounds or facilities may have implemented, leaving the place as you found it, and just generally being considerate of other people.
As per the travel guidelines for areas under Tier 3 restrictions, each walking route featured on this list remains within Greater Manchester county borders.
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Some of the walking trails on the list may be more popular than others and therefore attract more visitors at peak times throughout the day/week, so this may require you to take a little bit of extra care to avoid creating any over-crowded areas.
With the cooperation of everyone, each place featured can be a perfectly COVID-safe walk for all.
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So, let’s get walking then, shall we?
Here’s our picks for the best place to go for a walk in each Greater Manchester borough this autumn.
Fletcher Moss Park & Botanical Gardens is one of the most beloved green spaces in the city region.
This 21-acre park in the affluent suburb of Didsbury – which has three entrances on Wilmslow Road, Millgate Lane, and Stenner Lane – was acquired as a gift from Alderman Fletcher Moss in 1914, and the gardens are renowned for their botanical beauty with many antiquated and unusual plants and flowers, making it an ideal place for a leisurely stroll for the family this autumn.
The park has also retained many of its original features, and there is an Alpine house in the gardens adjacent to Fletcher Moss, which together form a picturesque and tranquil haven for visitors.
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There’s also a visitor’s centre onsite, along with tennis courts, a pond, orienteering and nature trails, and a cafe which has recently just reopened to the public with a number of COVID-secure and social distancing measures in place to keep staff and visitors safe.
You can find more information about Fletcher Moss Park & Botanical Gardens here.
Honourable Mentions: Manchester Green Trail, Manchester Wharf City Trail, Alexandra Park, Whitworth Park, Chorlton Water Park, and Clayton Vale.
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Salford
Worsley Village
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Walkden Road, Worsley, Salford, M28 2QT
Wikimedia Commons
Worsley was once the heart of the transport revolution in Greater Manchester.
Now it’s home to this well-trekked three-mile circular walk, which gives you the opportunity to take in the picturesque village, the Bridgewater Canal, its fascinating heritage, and explore the rich woodland area of Worsley Woods, each of which look all the more beautiful during the colourful autumn months.
Important buildings worth spotting on your way include the Bridgewater Estate Offices, the Alphabet bridge, the humpback bridge, the Nailmakers House, Rock House, Packet House, Court House, the former Police Station (The Old Nick), and of course the famous The Aviary mock tudor house.
There’s also a wealth of restaurants, eateries, cafes and pubs to stop off at, making this a worthy top choice walking spot for all abilities.
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You can find more information about the Worsley Village Circular here.
Honourable Mentions: The Salford Trail, Buile Hill Park & Hall, Salford Quays, Peel Park, and Blackleach Country Park.
Jumbles Country Park opened in 1971 following the construction of Jumbles Reservoir – one of a number of major reservoirs in/bordering Bolton – and has an easily-accessable path around the reservoir, making it a popular walking trail for all abilities.
It boasts beautiful parkland and picturesque walking routes through a network of footpaths radiating up the valley and across adjacent hills. The grounds can be entered from a number of locations/starting points, and there are two designated carparks, with the main one located off Bradshaw Road.
The onsite Jumbles Country Park Café also provides food and light refreshments for visitors.
You can find more information about Jumbles Country Park here.
Honourable Mentions: The Last Drop Village, Moss Bank Park, Doffcocker Lodge, Moses Gate Country Park and Queens Park. (Rivington Pike, Turton Tower, Wayoh Reservoir and Entwistle Reservoir – each cross the Lancashire border).
This circular walk climbs to the Peel Monument on Holcombe Hill, which is an impressive landmark that stands at a height of 1,100 feet (335 m) above sea level and offers some really wonderful views over the surrounding countryside and towns. The recommended best starting point for this walk is from the car park just to the south east of the tower on Lumb Carr Road, and from there you head west.
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For the best views, don’t forget to head up to Millennium bench, and then continue to explore the expansive Holcombe Moor if you still have the energy.
There’s also a number of places for well-earned refreshment along the extended route, or you can instead head into the historic market town of Ramsbottom, which is home to a wealth of independent cafes, restaurants and pubs.
You can find more information about Holcombe Moor & Peel Tower here.
Honourable Mentions: Heaton Park, Burrs Country Park, Nuttall Park, Prestwich Forest Park, and Hawkshaw & Affetside.
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Rochdale
Hollingworth Lake
Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough, Rochdale, OL15 0AQ
Hollingworth Lake is a man-made lake which spans 118 acres.
It was originally built as the main water source for the Rochdale Canal during the 19th century and in Victorian times was known as “The Weighvers’ Seaport”, becoming a much-loved attraction for those living nearby shortly after.
Hollingworth Lake itself has an easy access footpath trail around, and the wider country park area then also has plenty of walking routes, which range from easy strolls, to sturdier treks in the surrounding hills.
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As the lake is known to attract a large number of visitors at peak times, Rochdale Borough Council says: “We’re asking you to consider the safety of yourself and others. If the area looks busy, please consider visiting at an alternative time, or perhaps visit somewhere else that is local to your home.”
You can find more information about Hollingworth Lake here.
Honourable Mentions: Blackstone Edge, Healey Dell Nature Reserve, Greenbooth Resevoir Circular, Queens Park Heywood, and Hare Hill Park.
Dovestone Resevoir sitting in the heart of Saddleworth Moor is a beloved gem among many Mancunians.
This picturesque spot has good links to areas of open access moorland and an extensive network of easy access footpaths which makes it simple for the whole family to take a stroll round the reservoir, or stop on the way at Chew Brook to explore the rocks and paddle in the stream. If you’re feeling adventurous though, the site also includes two more reservoirs to walk round – Greenfield and Yeoman Hey – from which you can explore Saddleworth moor and the crags above.
Given its beauty and subsequent popularity, this area is also known to attract crowds and so taking extra care to ensure necessary social distance when visiting at peak times is always advised.
You can find more information about Dovestone Reservoir here.
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Honourable Mentions: Tandle Hill, Daisy Nook Country Park, Strinesdale Country Park, Besom Hill, and Crompton Moor.
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Tameside
Werneth Low Country Park
Higham Lane, Hyde, Tameside, SK14 5LR
Wikimedia Commons
Werneth Low in Tameside offers what is one of the most spectacularly expansive and panoramic views of Manchester and beyond, and the dark blue silhouette of the Welsh mountains can even often be seen on clear days too, as can the Pennine hills close by.
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The country park – which is both a haven for wildlife and an area for visitors to find peace and relaxation – extends for 200 acres across the northern and western slopes of Werneth Low.
The number of well-surfaced footpaths, horse riding and cycle routes, picnic areas, view finders, informal gardens, and seats provided at many locations throughout the trail designed for visitors to rest and take time to appreciate this unique area, also make this one of the most worthwhile walks in the region.
Make sure to stop off at the Hare & Hounds Inn in Hyde if you want a little extra time to appreciate this unrivalled view.
You can find more information about Werneth Low Country Park here.
Honourable Mentions: Lover’s Alley Trail, Stalybridge Country Park, Harridge Pike, Haugton Green Circular, and Haugton Dale Nature Reserve.
The extensive 190-acre deer park and gardens in Altrincham boast over a thousand winter shrubs, trees and evergreens, making it the perfect place for a family-friendly autumnal stroll, or to take a moment to sit, listen to the seasonal sounds, and take in the beauty of nature’s changing colours.
You can then treat yourself to a warm drink, snack / bite to eat at the Stables Restaurant or Stamford Café, and there’s even a wood-fired pizza van onsite seven days a week now too.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Dunham Massey and the National Trust has introduced a number of safety measures, meaning visitors now need to pre-book a ticket for a half-hour timed entry slot prior to their visit, with non-National Trust members required to pay £8.
You can find more information about Dunham Massey here.
Honorable Mentions: Wythenshawe Park and Gardens, Trans Pennine Trail, Banky Meadows and Ashton upon Mersey, Urmston Meadows & Old Ees Brook, and Sale Water Park.
Bramhall Park – which sits in the grounds of the historic 14th century timber-framed Bramall Hall in the Stockport suburb of Bramhall – is a magnificent and beautifully-landscaped greenspace of woodland and walking trails, which makes it another ideal location for an easy stroll, or a brilliant spot to appreciate all the colours autumn has to offer.
The onsite Stables Kitchen Cafe is also a great place to grab refreshments.
The landscaping of the park began in the 1890s – when the onsite ponds were first made – and the park is now also home to a variety of wildlife, as its woodland and lakes provide an excellent environment for habitats to develop.
The park has a pay and display carpark on site, and is also close to rail and bus routes.
You can find more information about Bramhall Park here.
Honourable Mentions: Reddish Vale Country Park, Lyme Park, Fred Perry Way, Heaton Mersey Common, and Etherow Country Park.
Pennington Flash Country Park is a 490-acre park located between Lowton and Leigh in Wigan, and it offers an easy and family-friendly autumnal walk for all abilities.
As well being great for walkers, with the Pennington Flash Circuit (Jubilee Legacy Gold Route) being the most popular, thanks to the ‘flash’ – referring to the lakes on the site which were formed over time as a result of the mining subsidence – the park is also considered to be one of the most premier bird watching sites in the North West, with over 200 species to lay eyes on.
A nine-hole golf course is also open to the public, as well as fishing permits available and a children’s play area.
While there’s no permanent place for refreshment within the park’s grounds, food trucks and an ice cream van are known to visit, and there’s plenty of amenities at the nearby Parsonage Retail Park too.
You can find more information about Pennington Flash Country Park here.
Honourable Mentions: Haigh Country Park, Fairy Glen, Borsdane Woods, Worthington Lakes, and Mesnes Park.
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There’s no doubt that we’ve missed some other spectacular walks off this list across Greater Manchester, so which routes would you add into the mix?
What’s your pick for the best place to go for a walk in our region?
Let us know.
What's On
The full list of Greater Manchester Olympians representing Team GB at Paris 2024
Danny Jones
The Paris Olympics are nearly here and this year Greater Manchester happens to have eight athletes competing at the 2024 Summer Games.
It just so happens that eight is also the exact same number of local Olympians who brought home medals from Tokyo 2020, and we’re hoping these lot will help Team GB bring back a record number, with the previous competition seeing them match their all-time record (65) set at London 2012.
Honestly, there are few times in the year that we love as much as when the summer of sport fully kicks in and with the heartbreak of the Euros finally starting to drift, we can fully throw ourselves into the Olympics and get behind our Mancs flying the flag for 0161.
But who exactly is representing Greater Manchester at Paris 2024 and what events are they competing in? Look no further.
Greater Manchester’s 2024 Team GB athletes and their sports
Without further ado, let’s meet our local Olympic heroes:
Keely Hodgkinson – Wigan – Athletics
Starting out over in the home of the Latics, pie barms and The Verve, we have Wigan‘s very own Keely Hodgkinson: a two-time European champion who also recently broke the all-time British record in the 800m at the Diamond League in London on 20 July.
Born in Atherton, the 22-year-old middle-distance runner’s career is already off to a flyer and having already picked up the silver in her event at the last Olympics at just 19, we have every faith she’ll be bringing home the gold this time.
Aimee Pratt – Stockport – Athletics
Over to Stockport (don’t start with that Cheshire nonsense today, just be proud she’s from around here) and our 3000m steeplechase specialist, who already broke the national record twice in 2022 and produced the UK’s best-ever finish (7th) in the women’s event at the World Athletics Championships.
A long-standing member of Sale Harriers running club and a University of Manchester graduate, Aimee Pratt, 26, has got so much local backing behind her and has quickly gone from rising star to very much looking like she’s going to live up to the expectations of becoming ‘world-class’ as coaches predicted.
The third and final Manc representing us in athletics events is Bury-born and bred Hannah Kelly, 23, who is also a member of nearby Bolton United Harriers.
She was part of the crack team at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow that helped Great Britain reach a women’s 4x400m national record, picking up the bronze medal and will no doubt be looking to go on further in her Olympic debut.
Now into the world of combat sport and the incredible story of Trafford boxer Pat Brown’s journey to Paris 2024 who beat Poland’s Mateusz Bereznicki in a qualifier back in March and now finds himself heading to his first-ever appearance at the Olympics.
Coming through the ranks at his local clubs Moss Side Fire Station and Sale West ABC, the 24-year-old has gone through his fair share of challenges of late, losing his best friend and cousin shortly after sealing his place at the Games but now has more spirit and motivation behind him than ever.
Moving over to the world of cycling and there’s just one local name taking part in two-wheeled events this year: 28-year-old sensation, Charlotte Worthington, from just down the road in Chorlton.
One of the select few Team GB athletes who managed to pick up an Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, the BMX star is not only ready to defend her title – becoming the first women’s champion freestyle park champion in history – but is looking to come back stronger than ever after some time out.
Insane stuff.
Anthony Harding – Ashton-under-Lyne – Diving
On to those wading through Paris waters in the name of Manchester, the first of two aquatic athletes competing at this year’s tournament is Antony Harding from Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside.
Joining forces will Britain’s first-ever Olympic diving champion, Jack Laugher (who won the gold at Rio 2016), the duo have already brought home Commonwealth and European gold in the 3m synchro, as well as a pair of World Championship silver medals in the last two years. Is 2024 set for more gold?
And completing the water-bound Team GB athletes hailing from 0161 is multiple-gold medal-winner James Guy who, to use a phrase the kids are using, really is ‘that guy‘.
Another Bury native, the 27-year-old swimmer already has a big collection of gold medals in both the 200m and 4x200m freestyle at the Worlds, as well as silvers across multiple events over the past few years. With five Olympic medals in total to date, we’re desperate for him to add a gold to that list.
Georgia Taylor-Brown – Droyslden – Triathlon
Last but certainly not least is Droyslden’s Georgia Taylor-Brown, who was born to be an Olympian after her mum and Dad swam and ran, respectively, but continues to chase her own story of greatness, having picked up silver on her Olympics debut at Tokyo 2020 – even whilst nursing an injury.
With two golds at the 2019 World Triathlon Mixed Relay Series and AJ Bell World Triathlon in Leeds as well, we already know the colour looks good on her. You can listen to her full interview about going for gold yet again on BBC Sounds HERE but, for now, we’ll admit that her talking about coping with missing her dog come race time has made us love her even more:
Passport ✅ Hotel ✅ Alfie the cavapoo 🥰@TeamGB triathlete Georgia Taylor-Brown from Droylsden on what she can't live without at the Olympics.
Fingers crossed out Greater Manchester Olympians will absolutely smash it at Paris 2024 and regardless of how many medals they come home with, we already know they’ll give it their all.
No matter what, they’ll be welcomed back with a lovely homecoming party over at the AO Arena and we already have a great place to watch the events too.
Best of luck to our Mancs and all of Team GB – now go and do us proud!
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 29 July – 4 August 2024
Emily Sergeant
It feels like we’ve been saying this for weeks on end… but summer might actually be here now.
Although the weather’s been quite hit or miss as of late, now that little Mancs across our region have broken up for the school holidays, and August is arriving this week too, it’s hard to deny that the sunshine season is here.
Greater Manchester‘s social calendar is packed full of festivals, cultural celebrations, and wholesome family-friendly events especially for the summer too, but if you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do, don’t worry, as we’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 29 July – onwards
Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine / Credit: Science Museum Group
More than 100 objects and stories collected during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic are now on display as part of a new exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum.
The groundbreaking new exhibition, titled Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, explores the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed, while uncovering the inspiring stories of scientists and innovators around the globe who collaborated to tackle the worldwide COVID-19 challenge along the way.
Manchester has been transformed into “a palaeontologist’s playground”.
Back by popular demand, dozens of life-sized animatronic dinosaurs have descended on the grounds of Heaton Park for the summer, and this means our region has become the closest thing to Jurassic Park in real life.
Dino fans of all ages have the chance to get up close and personal with around 40 of the big beasts over the next couple of weeks.
Did you see that a huge Batman experience has now swooped into Manchester?
Having taken over Depot Mayfield in the city centre, and offering fans a chance to see real jaw-dropping props and costumes from the actual Warner Bros. archives, this exclusive event brings the cinematic world of Batman to life.
Through a series of themed rooms, exhibitions, and a comic book and gaming area, Batman Unmasked is packed full of items from this iconic character’s film history.
The Trafford Centre’s massively-popular summer celebration is back, and tickets are only £2.50 each.
Back by popular demand for plenty of family fun, only this time with a new name, Bright Lights, Big Fun has seen a retro fairground and a massive 600sqm beach perfect for sunbathing and sandcastles pop up outside the Greater Manchester shopping centre, alongside a splash park with loads of water jets, and so much more.
There’s also a yummy selection of food and drink traders on site to take your pick from if you’re feeling peckish after getting stuck into some fun and games.
Find out more and get yourself some £2.50 tickets here.
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Wild
Manchester Museum
Monday 29 July – onwards
Wild / Credit: Manchester Museum
A groundbreaking new immersive exhibition exploring our relationship with the natural world is now open at Manchester Museum.
‘Wild’ look at how people are creating, rebuilding, and repairing connections with nature, and how the natural world has traditionally been presented and idealised through Western art, as well as looking at some unique approaches to environmental recovery too.
The exhibition will also crucially look at how we can tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis by making the world more wild.
Did you see that John Rylands Library has been named one of the best free UK attractions families should visit this summer?
The historic Grade-I listed building on Deansgate in the heart of the city centre has claimed a coveted fourth spot on a new top 10 list, according to a new analysis of TripAdvisor ratings of free UK attractions.
With the summer break right around the corner now, plenty of parents, carers, and guardians across Greater Manchester will likely be looking for a ways to keep the kids entertained and educated while schools are out for six full weeks – especially ways that are Manchester weather-proof and don’t break the bank too much too.
In fact, internet searches for ‘free tourist attractions near me’ are said to have risen by +5000% over the past 30 days.
John Rylands houses one of the UK’s most unique collections of books and manuscripts, and was found to have an average five-star TripAdvisor rating of 75.2%, according to the study – with visitors describing it as “definitely worth the visit”.
Olympics 2024 – Official Team GB Fanzone / Credit: Team GB
Manchester is one of a handful on UK cities chosen by Team GB itself to host an official Olympics fanzone with a big screen this summer, and the best part of it all is, it’s absolutely free for everyone to enter and make the most of.
A big screen playing all the major sporting action and coverage highlights has been set up at The Lawn Club in Spinningfields.
This means that, for the next couple of weeks, sports lovers in the city centre are able to tuck into an all-day food and drinks lineup, all while they watch the Games surrounded by other equally-enthusiastic fans.
Cheshire Oaks has brought its popular The Great Summer Social event back for another year, and there’s currently loads to get involved with while schools are out.
Not only is there a bunch of retail offers and promotions to make the most of, as well as free family-friendly interactive activities to get involved with too, but there’s also a big wheel, a mini golf course, a big screen showing sporting events, DJs blasting out tunes, and a wide variety of street food and drink vendors across the Designer Outlet.
One of Greater Manchester’s best-loved outdoor dining concepts has returned for 2024, and there’s a proper tasty lineup of traders.
‘Kargo on the Docks’ – which is MediaCity‘s al fresco dining pop-up, in place of the former Box On The Docks – has had itself a bit of a “glow up” and has taken over the waterfront and gardens 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.
Did you see that legendary pizzeria Rudy’s has opened its seventh Greater Manchester site over in Altrincham this past week?
NEW OPENING – Rudy’s Altrincham / Credit: The Manc Group
The wildly popular Manchester-born brand has taken over the former OneCentral food court in the heart of the town, and the new site’s been kitted out in classic Rudy’s style, filled with hanging plants, exposed brick, chalkboard menus, and colourful wooden tables.
And of course, the menu shows off classic Neapolitan pizzas.
Favourites include classics like Marinara, Margherita and Calabrese, plus more modern combos like triple pepperoni with burrata and hot honey, as well as rotating specials.
Greater Manchester just can’t get enough of dinosaurs, apparently, as A major Jurassic World exhibition that’s been mesmerising visitors all over the world is arriving here in Manchester for the summer from this Friday.
Based on the beloved blockbuster film franchise, this official award-winning experience is one of the fastest-selling exhibitions in history.
Manc visitors will be able to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore some richly-themed environments, and encounter a life-sized Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, and the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.
A free festival with a lineup packed full of activities, workshops, live music, and more is coming to HOME this weekend.
The independent arts venue in the heart of Manchester city centre is inviting familie to the first of its two weekend-long festivals this Saturday and Sunday to get stuck into everything from interactive theatre and circus skills workshops, to dance, hands-on crafts, and so much more.
Everyone’s favourite little blue engine has once again made a long-awaited return to Greater Manchester for the summer.
The beloved Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be “a train ride like no other”.
Families will have the chance to hop onboard the East Lancashire Railway’s replica of the cult-classic blue train character when he returns this weekend for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.