18 November 2020
We're thrilled to team up Rhiane from Black Girls Hike who highlights some of Greater Manchester's best urban parks, part of #GMTreeMonth.
Rhiane Fatinikun, the founder of Black Girls Hike says; "I think it's important to get out and enjoy greenspaces as much as you can. Hiking doesn't always mean going to the countryside so I've done this project for City of Trees to document my seven favourite parks in Greater Manchester and encourage people to explore locally"
Check out Rhiane's picks below - and watch the video!
Arguably Manchester’s best park, and often pitched as the best in the North West, Heaton Park really has it all, there’s something for everyone.
There are playgrounds, woodlands, football pitches, bowling greens, an observatory, a golf course, it has a pets corner, a boating lake where you can hire pedalos, four cafes and a museum.
Covering over 600 acres, the grounds are home to an 18th Century Grade I listed house, Heaton Hall. There are several other properties in the grounds, including the orangery used as a function venue, and Dower House, home to Manchester and District Beekeepers association.
Getting there: Easily accessible by public transport, Bowker Vale and Heaton Park Metrolink stops are both within minutes’ walk of the park. Its also serviced by several bus routes, check www.tfgm.com/buses or https://www.traveline.info/ to plan your journey. There are also five pay and display carparks.
Home of Manchester’s annual Caribbean carnival, Alexandra Park has a real community feel. Its got tennis courts, play areas, a lake, cricket pitches, woodlands, a lovely café and lots of open space to recreate.
An underrated country park and Bolton’s largest nature reserve, Moses Gate has a lot to offer. It got a playground, a lake, nature and bike trails, woodland, the River Croal runs through it and the pathways around the lodges are accessible for all. The Kingfisher trail, a 14-mile route connecting Bury, Bolton and Salford also runs through the park, and you might even spot an elusive Kingfisher.
Getting there: Easily accessible by public transport, Moses Gate Railway station is just over the road.
A delightful place to visit, you feel like you’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem. You can follow the nature trail, play tennis, explore the botanical gardens, the woodlands, or take a walk along the River Mersey which flows through. You can enjoy a warm drink in their tearoom and have a look out for the parakeets that are noticed quite often in Manchester’s parks.
Home to Platt Hall, Platt Fields Park offers something for all the family. Its got playgrounds, a boating lake, a community garden, various sports pitches and a café. It’s a lovely community space that’s well maintained.
Trafford’s largest park, Longford has plenty of green open spaces, a children’s playground, a lovely pet’s corner, a wildlife garden, tennis and basketball courts, an athletics stadium and a cafe. Its also home to Stretford Parkrun and is a hub for community activities and groups.
Getting there: Stretford Metrolink is a 10-minute walk away.
The only thing it doesn’t really have is a lake, but it makes up for it in so many other ways. The facilities at Wythenshawe Park are fantastic! Woodlands, cycle and running trails, tennis courts, bowling greens, horse riding stables, a community farm, three Grade II listed buildings, a community garden, plenty of open green space, mature trees and a lovely café. Its also a hub for community activities and clubs, you’ll be very pleasantly surprised, it’s a whole day out.
