Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in West Didsbury

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Dan1980 used under CC BY 3.0. Photo is only for illustrative purposes. Sankey Valley Park is a wonderful location to blow those cobwebs away, get that heart rate up and partake in a brisk walk in Warrington’s most loved parkland."

"Excellent park for a decent length walk, plenty of wildlife along the way. There are many birds and a couple of foxes around dusk. There is also plenty of space and singing birds."

"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."

"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."

"The Trafford Ecology Park is tucked away in the industrial Trafford Park behind an oil depot and is a registered Biological Important site and a true oasis of wildlife. The park is spread across an area of eleven acres and is a true delight for a nature enthusiast."

"What: Something of an all-rounder, this glamorous Manchester outpost of The Ivy offers menus that take diners through from breakfast till dinner, with brunch and afternoon tea inbetween. The restaurant also comes with two outdoor dining areas, including a rooftop garden that’s available for private hire and a ground floor terrace. While working on your tan, you can tuck Ivy signatures such as the shepherd’s pie and chicken milanese."

"For those who like their brunches with a touch of glamour and a sprinkle of special, Ivy in Spinngingfields should be top of your list. Head to the first floor brasserie which serves British dishes from 11am every weekend, encompassing all the classics, from smoked salmon through to asparagus and hollondaise."

"If gorgeous food, a fine dining experience and an environment steeped in history are your thing, then make The French your next restaurant of choice. Based within Manchester’s grand Midland Hotel, The French became one of the first UK restaurants to be awarded the honour of a Michelin-star. Since reopening in 2013, and again undergoing refurbishment in 2016, the restaurant has made rapid progress towards once again becoming one of the finest eating destinations in the country."

"Head to The Midland Hotel to discover Adam Reid at The French, an award-winning upscale restaurant serving modern cuisine by chef Adam Reid. The restaurant uses only seasonal produce, and the menu offers a choice of four, six, or nine courses, all of which showcase classic British food with a contemporary twist. This is where you want to go for a special occasion or a fancy night out, and it's essential to book in advance."

"Masterchef champion Simon Wood’s first restaurant is a relaxed venue with a wide range of choices to dine from. An a la carte menu featuring dishes that led Simon to his Masterchef title, and a seven-course tasting menu with exceptional wines to match. The open kitchen means you’ll spend every dining experience watching Simon create the dishes that brought him to the fore in 2015."

"Jack Rosenthal Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M15 4RA. Opened by former MasterChef winner Simon Wood, this is a large, welcoming venue. Whether you opt for the fine-dining a la carte, good-value set lunch or tasting menu, the kitchen allows fresh ingredients to shine."

"Named after chef patron Simon Wood, 2015 winner of MasterChef, this First Street restaurant offers unintimidating high end dining in a relaxed setting. From truffled tortellini to tomahawk sharers, you won’t leave hungry."

"Anyone who grew up in Manchester probably spent a good proportion of their teenage years wandering around Afflecks (formally known as Affleck’s Palace). Since its opening in 1981, this warren of independent shops is a perfect alternative to high street shopping in the city, offering everything from rubber jumpsuits to rave gear. Yes, there will always be that side of Afflecks (you’ll also find condoms and sex toys), but there really is something for everyone if you take the time to browse its multitude of market stalls."

"Afflecks, 52 Church Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1PW - Visit now. No trip to the Northern Quarter would be complete without a visit to Afflecks Palace, where you’ll find independent shops selling anything from vintage and contemporary fashion through to piercings, as well as superb sweet treats (at Ginger’s Comfort Emporium) and even the tiny Three Minute Theatre on the ground floor."

"I ended up at the massive building of ‘Afflecks’, which turned out to be “An Emporium of Eclecticism“, meaning it was full of shops selling random shit, basically. Afflecks is an indoor market with dozens of independent stalls, small shops and boutiques, some of them quite strange, but also a lot of them with awesome handmade goods."

"Another luxe offering from the San Carlo group, this fun (and date-worthy) Italian restaurant in Manchester follows the signature style of sister sites. Head to Fumo to find sunny splashes of yellow from the banquette seating through to an eye-catching wall feature."

"The San Carlo chain certainly seems to know what it's doing, so the arrival of Fumo - its fifth restaurant in Manchester - is exciting most welcome."