Top Rated Parks to Visit in Northern Quarter

"Founded in 1917, this large green space - part botanical garden and part wildlife habitat - is an engaging contrast to the busy city center. There are numerous walking trails on the property, as well as regular guided "health" walks. Popular things to do here include enjoying a stroll or picnic, or opting for more strenuous activities, such as tennis, rugby, or football."

"Fletcher Moss Park is located in Didsbury and is a great place to go if you really appreciate nature. The pathways take you through some lovely scenery, making it an ideal place to take a long, relaxing walk. There’s also a café on-site for when you’re feeling a bit peckish, and you could get a little picnic going with your household/bubble."

"The award-winning Avenham and Miller Parks are two adjoined parks located close to Preston City Centre in the stunning Avenham Valley and providing the ideal place to picnic, take a walk, relax and get some fresh air. The popular Ribble Valley Way National Trail also follows the river through Avenham Park and provides a fantastic and idyllic picturesque setting to enjoy by foot or bike."

"This adorable Green Flag garden is the vestige of an estate founded in South Warrington in the 1830s. The house was occupied by three generations of the Parr family, but was demolished in 1970 after years of neglect. In spite of the disuse, the walled garden survived and is now as beautiful as ever, with three ponds, herbaceous borders, fruit espaliers and vegetable plots."

"Richerman, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Peel Park is a public urban park in Salford and has a significant history, being the first park to open in the UK funded entirely by public subscription, in 1846. The park has some beautifully maintained wild flowerbeds and a wide variety of specimen trees – all of which are managed by volunteers."

"One of the first public parks in the country, Peel Park opened in 1846 and was named for the Bury-born Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel (1788-1850). In 1851 the newly laid out park was the main venue for Queen Victoria’s visit to Manchester and Salford. Sitting beside the River Irwell, Peel Park is hemmed by the University of Salford and some of its residential buildings."

"Peel Park is well known amongst University of Salford students. The park is home to about 1500 students during term time who reside in Peel Park Quarter, a luxury living space that was opened in 2015. It is also home to Atmosphere Bar, the University of Salford’s student union."

"Philips Park, Prestwich is also the home of Bury’s first mountain bike trail and first Countryside Centre. The Environmental Summer Play Scheme is based at the Barn Countryside Centre and uses various locations around the LNR. The playscheme offers local children the chance to experience the environment and its wildlife on their doorstep with a varied programme of activities including pond dipping, mini-beast safaris and environmental games."

"Heaton Park might be big, but my favourite park in Greater Manchester is Fletcher Moss Park and Parsonage Gardens. The Fletcher Moss section is part woodland and part gardens. I love going for walks here because the forest reminds me of home."

"I asked if I could bring a birthday cake in as they said they would bring it out at the end of our meal and sing happy birthday. From start to finish the service was abysmal. We arrive at 7pm as planned..."

"You may crave some culture next, and Manchester is more than able to accommodate. The John Rylands Library is an excellent choice with late 19th century gothic architecture to appreciate and fresh, new exhibits rotating through every couple of months. You will be captivated by the juxtaposition of old and new and enthralled by the art and imagination of the works inside."

"The John Rylands Library in the University of Manchester is a very important place to visit in the city. The library is perhaps one of the most amazingly diligently maintained and prestigious ones which makes it a treat for students and scholars but this is not the only reason either. There are a few more."

"Particularly in its reading room which is still in use today. The library is dedicated to John Rylands, a cotton merchant who was instrumental in Manchester’s early development and is a truly stunning display of Gothic architecture. Read more: Best things to do in northern England"

"The Whitworth relaunched in 2015 after a massive refurbishment and only went on to win an award for Museum of the Year by the Art Fund in its first year. They have a constantly changing display of collections and a wide spectrum of art in their temporary exhibitions. The Whitworth is located in South Manchester, I would recommend taking public transport as it’s quite a walk otherwise."

"From 19 May – 1 July, The Whitworth is open for film screenings of its new exhibition, Imran Perretta: the destructors. The Whitworth Café, Art Garden and Collections Care Centre are also open from 19 May to 1 July. The rest of the gallery remains closed while the next exhibitions are installed, following COVID-19 safety guidelines."

"CFCCA is the UK leader in Chinese visual culture, with a reputation for debut solo exhibitions and a roster of internationally-renowned artists; impressive considering that, three decades ago, it was just a series of events in Manchester’s Chinatown. As Manchester’s Chinese population is second only to London’s, the centre’s heritage is particularly important; now represented in a new archive and library. Best feature: A vibrant events schedule, spanning film screenings to workshops and even Mandarin lessons"

"Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art is a unique art gallery with a year-round programme of socially engaged exhibitions, events, and artist residencies. They have over 30 years experience of working with emerging and established artists to provide a space for conversation, debate, and cross-cultural exchange. They are the go-to place to discover new artists and explore relevant global issues from different international perspectives."

"Manchester's Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art will reopen both of its galleries on Wednesday May 19. Exhibitions Multiplicities in Flux and Autopsy of a Home, which originally opened in October, will be back until June 13. Booking is advised at cfcca.org.uk but walk-ups are welcome."