Manchester's parks and how to reach them

Greater Manchester is a surprising urban oasis for nature lovers, and is home to loads of parks, each with their own unique charm. These green spaces give us a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, and help us unwind, relax and connect with nature.

But how do we get to them? If you’re looking to leave the car at home (or just save some extra money), look no further! We’ve made a list of some of our favourite parks and green spaces, along with some alternative ways to reach them and bonus cycling routes for you to enjoy too.

Heaton Park

One of Manchester’s biggest and most iconic parks, Heaton Park is home to an animal sanctuary, boating lake, observatory, ornamental gardens and hosts loads of events, concerts and funfairs throughout the year. It makes for a brilliant day out for all the family, and there are lots of quieter areas if you’re looking for a solo wander in nature or a stroll through the trees too.

How to get there:

By tram - both the green (Altrincham / Bury) and yellow (Picaddily / Bury) tram lines run via Heaton Park tram stop which is just over the road from one of the park’s many entrances.

By bus - the 135 bus runs frequently between Manchester city centre and Bury, and stops along Bury Old Road where you can walk straight into the park.

By bike - Heaton Park is reasonably accessible for cyclists via Bury Old Road or Bury New Road which connect Bury to Manchester City Centre, but both of these roads become very busy at peak times, so less experienced cyclists should take care. Heaton Park is also a short ride away from nearby Prestwich and Whitefield.

Mayfield Park

Manchester’s first city park in 100 years and located right by Piccadilly Station, this beautiful spot is an ideal escape in the city. With its blue lake, lush green lawns, and fragrant flower beds, Mayfield Park is a breath of fresh air for city dwellers and visitors alike.

How to get there:

By train - If you’re travelling in from outside of the city, Mayfield Park is just a short walk from Manchester Piccadilly station.

By tram - There are also three tramlines that run through Piccadilly station, connecting to Altrincham, Bury, Eccles and Ashton.

By foot - Mayfield park is a conveniently short walk from the city centre, and nearby Ancoats and Northern Quarter.

Castlefield Viaduct

In 2022, the National Trust created a unique sky garden along the disused viaduct that has long been park of the city centre skyline. It acts as a haven for wildlife and biodiversity high up above Manchester and is also home to In Our Nature’s community garden, which you can read about here.

How to get there:

By tram - The Castlefield Viaduct is located right by the Deansgate tram stop, which currently services every tramline running throughout the city.

By bus - The 33 bus between Worsley and Manchester stops on Barton Street, which is just a short walk from the viaduct.

By foot - If you fancy a walk, you can head up Deansgate from the city centre and meander through Castlefield - exploring some old Roman ruins on your way - before arriving at the viaduct park.

Alexandra Park

Spread across 60 acres of greenery, this picturesque park is a favourite among locals, visitors and dog walkers. Alexandra Park’s well-maintained pathways wind through landscaped gardens, providing a serene setting for leisurely walks or a peaceful picnic! The park’s located between the vibrant communities of Whalley Range & Moss Side, just off Princess Road.

How to get there:

By bus - 101 and 103 buses (running between Manchester City Centre and Wythenshawe) run along Princess Road which provides direct access to the park. Alternatively, the 85 and 85A buses run between Chorlton and Manchester Piccadilly.

By bike - Chorlton Road and Withington Road provide good access to Alexandra Park as well as long stretches of cycle lanes if travelling by bike, and they’re much quieter than neighbouring Princess Road.

By foot - The park is a short walk from Whalley Range, Hulme, Fallowfield and Moss Side making it an ideal spot to reach on a weekend stroll.

Check out the video below that we created with sound artist Jason Singh, using recordings and data samples taken from trees in the park back in 2021.

Chorlton / Sale Water Park

Chorlton and Sale Water Parks are neighbouring nature reserves located in South Manchester. These parks are a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, and for activities such as boating, fishing, and birdwatching, or more athletic adventures via walking, cycling and trail running. The park's abundant wildlife make it a popular spot for nature walks and picnics, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in nature.

How to get there:

By tram - Depending on which side you access, the water parks are a short walk from either Dane Road or Barlow Moor Road tram stops.

By bus - Similarly, there are lots of busses running through Sale and Chorlton which makes both parks easy to visit.

By bike and foot - If you live in South Manchester, both parks are accessible via walking and cycling routes through Sale, Chorlton, Wythenshawe and Stretford - or if you’re based in the city and fancy a slightly longer cycle, the journey should take around 30-45 minutes.

Platt Fields Park

This large park located in Fallowfield offers lots of activities for all ages, including jogging and cycling trails, football fields, tennis courts, and a skate park. It also features a charming boating lake where visitors can enjoy leisurely boat rides.The park is also home to Platt Fields Market Garden, a unique community garden which hosts a number of events such as planting sessions and barbecues throughout the year - you can find out more about the garden here.

How to get there:

By bus - Lots of bus routes, including the 43, 143, 42 and 111 run all the way down Oxford Road between popular spots such as Piccadilly Gardens and Didsbury.

By bike - Oxford Road and Wilmslow Road also provide a great route to the park for cyclists, with their long stretches of cycle lanes and reduced traffic, thanks to adjoining bus lanes. There are also lots of Bee Bike hubs in this area, where you can pick up a rental bike and drop it off when you’re done.

Want a quick guide on using MCR’s new Bee Bikes? Check out this video we put together to help get you started.

Sam from Manchester Urban Diggers, based at Platt Fields Market Garden

Boggart Hole Clough

Boggart Hole Clough is located in North Manchester, close to nearby Heaton Park and near to Blackley, Moston, Harpurhey and Middleton. Despite it’s unusual name, the park provides a tranquil location for a quiet walk, and is one of Manchester’s quieter spots. Boggart Hole Clough also features a sports track, boating lake, fishing spots and a cafe which often runs community events.

How to get there:

By bus - Services running between Manchester City Centre and Blackley (such as the 17 to Rochdale, or the 163 to Bury) provide regular access to Boggart Hole Clough.

By bike - Boggart Hole Clough is also easily accessible by cycling and only a short cycle from neighbouring areas, and it’s also a short ride from Heaton Park, so you could do both in one trip!

Ancoats Marina

Okay, this one isn’t really a park, but we thought it was worth including as it’s a hugely popular spot (especially in the summer). The marina is a great spot for a picnic and a short walk, where you can also enjoy lots of local wildlife and nearby cafe’s.

How to get there:

By tram - The marina is easily accessible via the New Islington tram stop, which services trams running via Ashton, Piccadilly and Eccles.

By foot - If you’re in the city centre or towards Miles Platting, the marina won’t be very far on foot, and you can walk along the canals to reach it if you’re after a quieter route. It’s also on the way to the Etihad Stadium, so you could pop by on your way to a match!

Bee Bikes, part of Manchester’s new Bee Network

Alternative Cycling Routes (for the wheely adventurous…)

Fallowfield Loop (easy, flat ride)

The Fallowfield loop is 8 miles long and is thought to be the longest urban cycleway in the UK. The former railway line is flat and close to several parks (including Debdale Park!) so it’s perfect cycle away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Tip: Nip into the new cycle hub at Station South in Levenshulme for a slice of coffee and cake.

Download the map to Komoot here: 9083312

Chorlton and Sale Water park (easy, flat ride)

This easy-going five-mile ride is centred on the Chorlton and Sale Water Parks, using the park's paths to good effect. As you ride, you can watch the sailing boats and water-fowl on the parks' many lakes, plus you can stock-up on food and drink at the cafe‚ in Sale Water Park.

The loop is totally traffic-free making it ideal for young families and novice riders. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of some birdlife on the lakes water such as kingfisher, herons, geese and ducks.

View the route here: 23774

Marple Aqueduct (moderate, flat ride)

Have a free day on the weekend and fancy a challenge? This 30km, 2 ½ hour route takes in the sites of Reddish Vale Country Park travelling through Woodley Tunnel and popping you out near Marple Aqueduct and the locks.

Make sure to stop off for a bite to eat in one of Marple village cafes before continuing along the scenic Midshire Way.

Download the map here: 1780236

Bridgewater Way (intermediate)

The Bridgewater Canal is a scenic cycle route for cyclists of all abilities. It’s a flat, traffic-free cycleway that connects Altrincham, Sale and Stretford to the city centre, and you can use it to get from Trafford Park to the city in only 20 minutes!

Looking for a challenge to spin out those legs? Try the 50km route from Manchester. Perfect for a Sunday ride.

View the route here: manchester-to-pennington-flash-loop-via-the-bridgewater-canal

4 parks Challenge: Fletcher Moss, Wythenshawe, Tatton and Bruntwood Parks (intermediate)

A longer ride, just under 60km starting at Mauldeth Road train station, goes along the Mersey at Fletcher Moss Park before passing by Wythenshawe Hall and the surrounding park, beautiful in spring, summer and autumn. Around 20km’s in you’ll arrive at Tatton Park where in Autumn you can see the deer in rutting season. Enjoy a bite to eat at the café before heading on wards to Bruntwood Park before finally looping back to Mauldeth Road.

Download the route here: 1784542