Top Rated Parks to Visit in Thumbs Up

"Founded in 1917, this large green space - part botanical garden and part wildlife habitat - is an engaging contrast to the busy city center. There are numerous walking trails on the property, as well as regular guided "health" walks. Popular things to do here include enjoying a stroll or picnic, or opting for more strenuous activities, such as tennis, rugby, or football."

"Fletcher Moss Park is a wide network of paths around the area around the Gardens, through Stenner Woods, round Millgate Fields, and along the river Mersey. Much of the area is a Local Nature reserve and there is a variety of wildlife to see and vistas to enjoy. At first, finding your way around can be a little confusing, and a map of the area might help."

"In the Didsbury area of South Manchester you’ll find Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens. Autumn in Fletcher Moss Park. The park is famous for its amazing rock gardens, where a variety of interesting plants and shrubs thrive in microclimates within the shelter provided by the rocks."

"This adorable Green Flag garden is the vestige of an estate founded in South Warrington in the 1830s. The house was occupied by three generations of the Parr family, but was demolished in 1970 after years of neglect. In spite of the disuse, the walled garden survived and is now as beautiful as ever, with three ponds, herbaceous borders, fruit espaliers and vegetable plots."

"Richerman, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Peel Park is a public urban park in Salford and has a significant history, being the first park to open in the UK funded entirely by public subscription, in 1846. The park has some beautifully maintained wild flowerbeds and a wide variety of specimen trees – all of which are managed by volunteers."

"Peel Park is well known amongst University of Salford students. The park is home to about 1500 students during term time who reside in Peel Park Quarter, a luxury living space that was opened in 2015. It is also home to Atmosphere Bar, the University of Salford’s student union."

"Boggart Hole Clough is an old park with several wooded ravines, valleys, and gullies. The name is said to have come from local superstitions that the area was haunted by a Boggart. There’s an ongoing debate about whether this is a real folk tale, or just a fabrication."

"It is on the eastern side of the centre of Glossop and fringes onto the Conservation Area of Old Glossop. There is a car park at Corn Mill and on-street parking is available nearby. Again, it's not technically a theme park, but with this much going on for free, it deserves a mention."

"Lightoaks Park is a larger and popular park in Salford, officially opened in 1925. The park is maintained by a large and active group of volunteers – The Friends of Lightoaks Park. In normal times, the group organise regular events for the local community, as well as maintain the park to a high standard."

"And so we get to our number one, best park in Salford as voted for by 44.5% of participants in my survey. Light Oaks Park it seems is the one that many people see as the park to go to in the city. Situated in Claremont, the park was opened in 1925 and is one of the larger parks in Salford."

"A boutique-styled café tucked in the Barton arcade has earned the position of one of the best Manchester City Centre coffee shops. It is situated in a beautiful Victorian building in the famous Barton Arcade, and something you may not know, the popular Manchester coffee shop is owned by Rugby League’s Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan. You can get all types of coffee here from standard espresso, Piccolo, Flat While, Latte and Cappuccino."

"This boutique coffee house situated in the beautiful Victorian building, Barton Arcade, is owned by Rugby League’s Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan. The core coffee PKB uses for standard espresso, Piccolo, Flat While, Latte and Cappuccino is Workshop’s ‘Cult of Done’. Prices start at £2.30 for an espresso, rising to £3.50 for a cup of one of their exclusive filter specialities."

"Well, we think you should venture on down to Pot Kettle Black located in Barton Arcade. Whether you want to fill that hole in your tummy, or just need your coffee-fix, this place has got you covered. Let their talented Baristas make you a cup of coffee that will take you to beverage heaven."

"If you like to be the first in line to try something new, head to Bill’s in Spinningfields. Their brand-new pancake menu will be available between 21st Feb – 1st March with a strong mix of vegan, non-vegan, sweet and savoury treats to gorge on. Location: Bill’s, Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB."

"Let's face it, nothing gets you through a difficult day in the office quite like a really great lunch. So forget about soggy sandwiches, sad salads and sweaty scotch eggs. The best lunch spots in Manchester are on hand to transform your day for the better."

"Giraffe is on the first floor in The Orient and is close to the escalators to the ground floor with plenty of room for buggies. The city centre also has a branch, in Spinningfields."

"23/05/2021: Recently came to have a meal and was very pleased with the welcome from the host along with helping with track and trace and being covid secure, loveliest staff members taking our orders and they were more than helpful in accommodating me with my nut allergy and double checking the food contents. Very much appreciate not being made to feel like a burden with my allergens, would highly recommend to visit and enjoy good food and surroundings. 17/05/2021: The staff were great, following COVID guidelines only down side was the outside area has not been touched during the lockdown there are cigarette bins broken off the wall and the seating is old and haggard it needs some investment"