If you fancy a green stroll for a breath of fresh air, a different environment to study, or a place to meet friends – we’ve got the best parks in Manchester to pay a visit to!
Etherow Country Park
Stockport, Manchester
With over 240 acres of land, this local nature reserve is home to over 200 species of plant and over 100 species of bird. With a large lake, you can take part in, or watch, watersports and boats. The park is home to the Etherow Café and has a Vistor centre that hosts a variety of events.
Walkden Gardens
Sale, Manchester
This park has multiple historical landmarks on-site, alongside a theatre lawn, wisteria arch, fuschia garden, a labyrinth and and the Jane Baugh sculpture trail to honour her memory. You can also find a Japanese Garden, with a zen garden, bamboo screens and Buddhist deities.
Dunham Massey
Altrincham, Manchester
This national trust is a 300-acre deer park, Dunham Massey was established in the 14th century. It is full with historical buildings, seasonal gardens, a restaurant, café and plant shop. They also offer guided tours of the on-site Dunham Mill.
Fletcher Moss Gardens
Didsbury, Manchester
‘The Friends’ collective have protected this park from developers and run a prominent volunteering programme. The Gardens hold a nature reserve full of birds, rare trees, butterlfies, and woodland creatures. The Gardens also run Monday health walks, 5k runs and a wellBEEing Garden.
RHS Bridgewater
Worsley, Manchester
This 156-acre park is the home of the Royal Horticultural Society. With multiple different gardens to experience; you can visit the Chinese Garden, Kitchen Garden, Walled Garden or Paradise Garden. With multiple orchids, they strive to preserve the local fruit heritage and protect the declining bee population with their bee gardens.
Whitworth Park
Oxford Road, Manchester
Next door to the University and even home to some Halls of Residence, this close-to-home park is actually a memorial Sir Joseph Whitworth. Home to several ponds and multiple families of squirrels, the park also features sports courts, an art gallery and a woodland café.
Lyme Park
Stockport, Manchester
Stockport, ManchesterAn immense 1,400 acre park, this park on the edge of the Peak District is home to a medieval herd of red deer. You can visit the Rose Gardens, Ravine Garden or Lyme lake. A historically preserved park, you can visit the Leigh House, the book shop, the plant shop, or the café. The park was also filming location for Pride and Prejudice.
An immense 1,400 acre park, this park on the edge of the Peak District is home to a medieval herd of red deer. You can visit the Rose Gardens, Ravine Garden or Lyme lake. A historically preserved park, you can visit the Leigh House, the book shop, the plant shop, or the café. The park was also filming location for Pride and Prejudice.
Stamford Park
Stalybridge, Manchester
With a large woodland area and boating lake, you can engage in, or watch, a variety of water sports, or take out a pedalo or rowing boat. This park has a large floral collection and a water-fountain display. You can also visit the animal area, with enclosures of birds and small animals, or the Stamford Café.
