Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Gatley

"Dating back to the 15th century, the Manchester Cathedral has experienced quite a bit of history! After Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church, the Cathedral's riches were confiscated. During the English Civil war in the mid 17th century, pitched battles were fought inside and around the Cathedral between the Royalists (those supporting Charles I, the Stewarts, and the Anglican Church) and the Roundheads (Oliver Cromwell loyalists). Also Ann Lee, the founder of the religious movement called the Shakers interrupted services here when she lived in Manchester. The church was targeted by the Nazi Luftwaffe and received a direct head during the bombings of 1940. Yet through all this the Church maintains it's quiet dignity and beauty. It is a must see while in Manchester!"

"Manchester Cathedral has undergone extensive restoration works, both in the Victorian era and in recent years, following damage from the 1996 IRA bombing of the city centre. The cathedral has existed in some form on the site since medieval times, and holds artifacts that date back to Manchester’s existence as a Saxon settlement. The main body of this Gothic cathedral was originally constructed in the late 15th century, overseen by church warden James Stanley."

"Dating back to 1215, Manchester Cathedral offers a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The official name is actually “The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George” and is one amazing sight that needs to be seen in the city. It’s well worth a wander around to see the gorgeous architecture, especially as it has been so well preserved."

"Whether you’re a fan of Manchester United or you just want to visit one of the most famous football stadiums in the world, it’s always worth hopping on a tram to visit Old Trafford. Take a tour of the stadium, pop into the gift shop to buy a memento of your visit or simply admire the Theatre of Dreams from the outside."

"If you are a Manchester United fan, you obviously know exactly what Old Trafford is. For those who don’t know, Old Trafford is the home stadium of one of the two major clubs in Manchester; Manchester United, of course. Football fans will love to visit this lovely stadium whether they love the club or not."

"Old Trafford is a football stadium in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, and the home of Manchester United. Old Trafford is situated 1 km south of Lowry Outlet Shopping. Photo: Steve Collis, CC BY 2.0."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Clem Rutter, Roch... used under CC BY 3.0. Walton Hall and Gardens is another of Warrington’s wonderful outdoor activities."

"Head underground to explore limestone caverns bursting with history, interesting rock formations, crystal stalagmites and stalactites, and knowledgeable and entertaining guides!. Above ground, Poole’s Cavern & Buxton Country Park is also home to woodlands, natural scenery, and Solomon’s Temple, which offers panoramic views overlooking the peak district. If you’re daring enough, you can brave the treetops for adventure and scenery with the Go Ape ropes course, partnered with Poole’s Cavern"

"Open every day of the year, from morning until nightfall – and completely free to visit – the vibrant Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Garden in Didsbury is a lovely place to spend an afternoon. In spring, the space comes alive with a burst of colour from its various wild flowers – with deep purples and warm oranges. It’s home to a host of wildlife, too – including a wide variety of birds."

"Named after Mr. Fletcher Moss (who donated the park’s grounds to the city), these Botanical Gardens are part plant showcase, part wildlife habitat, and part recreational facility. The plant life here is renowned for its beauty, and contains several unusual varieties. Some of the older specimens have grown there since the foundation of the park a full century ago."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Tucked away from Warrington’s main town centre, where you will find all your standard high street shops and some small independent boutiques too, you will find Woolston Park. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning or sunny weekday after work, Woolston Park is a much-loved spot by local people."

"Warrington Town Hall was built in 1750, and listed as a Grade I building nearly 200 years later, in 1949. The hall consists of a country house designed by James Gibbs for Thomas Patten - originally called Bank Hall - with two detached wings, all of which are listed. THe Patten family were highly respected merchants in Warrington, having made the River Mersey passable from Runcorn to Bank Quay, and owning a copper smelting factory."

"Constructed in 1750, Warrington’s graceful Town Hall was originally a mansion known as Bank Hall. This Palladian residence, with a pediment sporting the coat of arms of the Pattens, was built for Thomas Patten, whose family was in the copper smelting business. Bank Hall was sold to Warrington Borough Council by John Wilson-Patten 1870 and its grounds became Warrington’s first public park."

"Peak Cavern is set into Castle Hill in Castleton and has a natural entrance that is 100 feet wide and 50 feet high – its huge!. It is one of the most popular caves in Castleton who is home to numerous caves and mines. Fun fact: Peak Cavern’s nickname is The Devil’s Arse for some of the interesting sounds it produces!"

"Peak Cavern is one of the finest of the many underground caverns of this area. It lies beneath Peveril Castle at the centre of....."

"Taking inspiration from London’s Boxpark pop-up, Hatch is a series of colourful shipping-containers housing street food vendors, bars and independent shops. Located right in the middle of Manchester’s student-focused Oxford Road, you’ll often find undergrads enjoying one of Parmageddon’s locally famous chicken-parm sandwiches or devouring Herbivorous’ range of vegan burgers and loaded fries, dripping with barbecue jackfruit. Its ever-changing selection of traders, combined with a price point that’s around the tenner mark, makes this hugely popular hang-out the perfect place to grab a bite to eat without breaking the bank."

"A whole dining and drinking neighbourhood made up of vibrant shipping containers, Hatch is one-of-a-kind here in Manchester – continually growing over the years to welcome more and more local traders. Hosting both events and live music frequently, guests can kind of create a DIY day or night out at Hatch – with tons of bars and restaurants housing their own indoor spaces and terraces, a vast open-air space with tons of seating, and lots of independent shops to potter around. Expect cuisines from countries such as Vietnam, Portugal, Spain, Italy and even Teesside, as well as cocktail bars, coffee shops and more."

"The colourful village of independent shops and street food just off Oxford Road will be reopening from April 12, Government roadmap allowing. The complex of shipping containers will be open for business seven days a week for outdoor dining, and is offering table bookings for the first time as well as keeping space for walk-in guests. There are more than 30 businesses calling Hatch home, including coffee shop Takk, OL brewery, Grandad's Sausages, T'Arricrii, and Hanoi 75."

"Only complaint is that I have to drive 20mins each way and the pizza gets cold by the time I get home. 14/04/2021: Without doubt the best Pizza for miles around..... Absolutely fantastic....."