Places to Roam
With its canal-side setting, inner city conservation status and close proximity to Manchester’s urban heart, Castlefield gives you the best of both worlds. Potter into the city centre and you’ll find a mass of public gardens and communal green spaces, intermixed with the city’s shopping and restaurant scenes. All you need to do is grab a coffee and find a bench to park yourself on, and you can escape the buzz of city life for a few minutes.
It’s not all about relaxation, though. You can also use the city’s green spaces to get your exercise fix with some parks offering rowing, cycling and running opportunities. But if that all sounds a bit energetic, then take a stroll along the many canal routes and soak up the riverside atmosphere.
Manchester’s newest public open space is located between the Corn Exchange, Chetham’s School of Music and the National Football Museum. If the weather’s fine, grab a sandwich-to-go on your lunch break and unwind to the backdrop of the impressive water feature at the heart of the gardens.
CORPORATION STREET, M4 3BG
A central area providing a space for a moment of calm, away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Deansgate. Take a seat on one of the park benches and enjoy the historic architecture surrounding this green pocket in the city centre.
ST MARY'S PARSONAGE, M3 2LF
Manchester is believed to be the birthplace of Vimto, and this charming city centre park stands on the site of the former factory where the first batch of the purple cordial was created in 1908. Take a stroll across the grass on Manchester University’s Sackville Street campus and you’ll find a quirky Vimto monument standing proudly complete with grapes and raspberries. Certain to make you smile.
GRANBY ROW, M1 3NJ
Manchester’s biggest and busiest park, Piccadilly Gardens, sits slap bang in the city centre. There’s a beautiful water feature that was added in 2002, plus a concrete pavilion by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Within easy walk of the main shopping areas and the Northern Quarter, it’s the perfect place to sit and rest after a hard day’s shopping or working. Keep an eye out for events taking place in the park throughout the year – the park hosts a variety of music and cultural happenings.
PICCADILLY GARDENS, M1 3BG
The biggest park in the north west, and around a 20 minute drive from Potato Wharf, Heaton Park is home to a wide range of activities and amenities. Give your legs a stretch on one of the park’s walking and running routes – the weekly Parkrun is held here, hire a boat and take in the view as you row around the park, or sit back and relax with coffee and cake at the Lakeside Café. There’s also an animal centre that children will love, along with a tramway museum and tram rides.
MIDDLETON ROAD, HIGHER BLACKLEY, M25 2SW
Canals are integral to Castlefield, and you can soak up the city from the viewpoint of the historic waterways. With cruises beginning and ending in Castlefield, you can be aboard a luxury boat within minutes of leaving your home, and taking in the sights of The Lowry, The Imperial War Museum North and MediaCityUK as you glide along the water.
