Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Peak Forest Canal

"Perched on the banks of the River Irwell, Manchester Cathedral - officially the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St. Mary, St. Denys, and St. George - dates mostly from 1422 to 1506 and was raised to cathedral status in 1847. Particularly attractive are its chapels on both sides of the nave and choir. It was built between 1486 and 1508 with further additions and alterations in almost every subsequent century."

"As I mentioned just before, Manchester Cathedral is located in the city centre, so you don’t have to walk far. Actually, most of the photo locations in Manchester are located very close to each other, so at no point, you have to walk for more than 20-25 minutes. However, there are free buses in Manchester, so if it rains, you can definitely hop on one and head to Manchester Cathedral."

"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."

"A Grade-II listed site, the beautiful 19-acre Sheffield Botanical Gardens were established in 1836 and showcase more than 5,000 species of plants. This is a lovely spot for a stroll, especially in the spring and summer, when many of the plants are in full bloom. Highlights include the glasshouses, also Grade II-listed, with temperate plants from Australia, Asia, and South Africa; the Victorian Garden; and the Four Seasons Garden, which is colorful at any time of year."

"Sheffield’s botanical gardens are based on Ecclesfield Road and were first opened in 1836. The gardens were designed by Robert Marnock, considered one of the great horticulturalists and garden designers of the nineteenth century. The botanical gardens consist of 19 acres of lawns, as well as the glass pavilions, which collectively host over 5,000 species of plants."

"Circling back now to the south of the city, the Botanical Gardens are not to be missed. Enjoy a peaceful amble through acres of gorgeous greenery and beautiful flowers, stop to feed the friendly squirrels and then enjoy a quiet moment to yourself on the lawn."

"A beautiful stately home nestled amongst the Peak District National Park, Chatsworth House offers an awe-inspiring and educational visit for all ages. The large mansion is renowned for its artwork and has over 30 rooms to peruse, from the Painted Hall to the Guest Bedrooms. The vast estate is made up of 105 acres of garden-filled with sculptures, waterworks, and a maze, a 1,000-acre park, and a farmyard."

"You may call me "Lizzie" for every day,"My Peral” for Sunday."Goddness Divine", but only on very social occassions.You may only call me "Mrs. Darcy" when you are compeletely, and perfectly, and incandescently happy."

"Opened in honour of Queen Victoria and her 1887 Jubilee, the Endcliffe Park is a prominent example of Sheffield’s many green lungs. The park is a great place for children thanks to a large, newly refurbished playground, and for joggers and casual walkers thanks to both its park and woodland. The park interestingly also features a parkour training facility for those interested in more extreme running and jumping activities."

"Ever feel like kicking back with a nice, little book or just strolling through one of those storybook-esque English gardens?. Or maybe you just require a relaxing afternoon nap while the children frolic around minding their own business. In any case, Endcliffe Park might just be the right place to go to."

"Sheffield Fire and Police Museum, renamed as the National Emergency Services Museum since January 2014, is a museum in Sheffield showcases a collection of, you guessed it, props of emergency services. Said to be one of Sheffield’s hidden marvels, the museum boasts a vast collection of the place’s rich history of fire and police services. The vast building gives accurate historic des...Read more"

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Chemical Engineer used under CC BY-SA 4.0. The National Emergency Services Museum provides interesting and interactive insight into the functioning of the 999 National Emergency Services. The museum encourages hands-on learning and you can even dress up in uniform."

"Travel back in time to the industrial revolution at the Quarry Bank Mill. Oozing with heritage, you can experience the ‘sounds and smells’ of steam and water-powered engines, explore the cotton mill to learn about spinning, weaving, the production of material, and the history of the textile industry, tour the Apprentice House for a glimpse into the lives of pauper children, stroll the beautiful gardens, or walk the Styal Estate, filled with woodlands and streams. Interactive, engaging, and educational, the museum exhibits and friendly and knowledgeable staff make Quarry Bank Mill a great day out for all ages."

"This 13th-century church about a mile north of Macclesfield is the fourth church on this site. But what’s unusual is that the third church is still here, out among Medieval yew trees. There’s a Norman Romanesque chapel in the churchyard, dating to the 12th century, with semi-circular door and window arches and weathered but visible tympanum relief and lozenge patterns in the archivolts."

"The Merchant’s Yard, based in the picturesque village of Tideswell, serves an afternoon tea with a twist. Here you will get miniature pork pies, scones, cakes and macaroons all served on a miniature picnic table - it provides quite the photo opportunity!. The Merchant’s Yard serves afternoon tea from Wednesday – Saturday from 2pm – 4.30pm."

"Let your tension and stress melt away with a relaxing session of massage therapy at this traditional Thai massage centre in Sale. Established back in 2013, Unique Thai Massage provides a diverse range of treatments designed to restore your body and mind including deep tissue, hot stone, aromatic and authentic Thai massage as well as special packages for couples or friends. The venue is beautifully decorated to give an authentic oriental feel as well as a calmness and serenity, ideal for a refreshing moment of pampering and self-care."

"The caves around Castleton are open for tours and are something that families will undoubtedly enjoy. There are several caves of note. The caves are famous for having large deposits of Blue John – a large semi-precious stone!"

"The area's most exciting cavern by far is Speedwell Cavern, with 105 slippery steps leading down to old lead-mine tunnels blasted out…"

"While the country house at Hare Hill Hall is privately owned, the garden is cared for by the National Trust. The star here is the walled garden, a blaze of colour in early-summer when the rhododendrons and azaleas burst into flower. There are also uncommon varieties of poppy, iris, lupin, phlox and echinacea."

"Climb up to Hen’s Cloud, go past the mysterious Doxey Pool and then across the Roaches to bag the Roaches trig!. The Roaches is a popular spot with climbers and rock enthusiasts. It is thought that wallabies (released from a zoo) roam the area, but we didn’t manage to spot any, so it may be a legend."

"The Roaches is located above Leek and Tittesworth Reservoir and is loved by hikers and climbers alike. The impressively rugged and steep gritstone ridge is home to mythical mermaids and 15 metre natural gritstone clefts."

"We spent a beautiful weekend in the Roaches and it is the best place for walking enthusiasts in the Peaks!. There are also some beautiful rock formations."