Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Hartshead Pike

"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."

"Landscaped by Capability Brown, Temple Newsam has 1,500 acres of grounds for you to explore, with stunning vistas and scenic walks. The Menagerie Ponds are one of the highlights. Each has a different personality – the first is surrounded by parkland, the second by perennials and the third by the bamboo garden."

"Another impressive country house close to the city centre, Temple Newsam may not have penguins, but its grounds are particularly lovely to walk around. Time your visit for spring to coincide with meeting the new born lambs and piglets at Home Farm. Temple Newsam | © Tim Green / Wikimedia"

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Paul Store used under CC BY-SA 2.0. The Sheffield Botanical Gardens span over 19 acres (7.6 hectares) and are home to over 5000 different species of plants. If you’re a lover of nature or want to expand your knowledge of plant biology, then look no further than these magnificent gardens."

"A glass pavilion glitters under the sun, as does the emerald grass beneath your toes. As you look through the Botanical Garden’s leafy arch, you’ll see ancient trees and flowering bushes spread out. It’s ideal for some tranquil time spent outdoors."

"First opened in 1836, they are BEAUTIFUL, especially on a warm, sunny day. You can stroll through the greenhouses, or dare to enter the bear pit. Don’t worry – there are no bears there anymore!"

"Endcliffe Park is located just between Hallam and Uni of campuses, making it a great place for students to meet. The nearby Ecclesall Road has loads of independent restaurants and cafes to choose from, including the vegan Pom Kitchen, which is now selling picnic boxes so that you can share a boujee picnic with your mates. The park itself is lovely and often packed with cute dogs on a sunny afternoon, just be careful they don’t steal your sandwiches."

"Encliffe Park, in the south west, combines woodland and parks to create one of the largest and most popular parks in Sheffield. It was opened in 1887 for Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. The park is populated with lots of things to see and do, such as the Porter Brook, which runs through the park and forms two ponds."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Chemical Engineer used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Sheffield Cathedral, officially known as The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul, is a stunning catholic church in Sheffield. It showcases a majestic combination of Gothic and contemporary architecture with a 15th-century tower and a high wooden ceiling."

"Sheffield Cathedral is one of five Grade I listed buildings in the city, along with Town Hall, Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, and the parish churches at Ecclesfield and Bradfield. It is located in the city centre on Church Street and served by Sheffield Supertram's Cathedral stop. The East end of the current church is the oldest."

"Buile Hill Park is, for many, the pillar of the Salford community. Situated in Seedley and Pendleton, it is the largest park in the city, and also the second oldest behind Peel Park. The park as we know it today was opened in 1903 when, what was known as Seedley Park, and the grounds of Buile Hill house were joined together by the closure of the ‘dog entry’ path which had separated them."

"With amazing access to the awe-inspiring Peak District, you are never far away from breathtaking scenery in Sheffield. We recommend that you do what we did. Park up at Surprise View car park just before sunrise, which will mean a very early start admittedly."

"As home to the aforementioned world-famous Manchester United Football Club, this is the UK’s largest club stadium with a maximum capacity of around 76,000 spectators. It’s called ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ for a reason. The facilities are also world class, with cafes, restaurants, VIP boxes, event spaces and even a museum with accompanying tour."

"84 Plymouth Grove is known now as Elizabeth Gaskell's House, a small museum dedicated to Victorian literature and life. The Grade II listed neoclassical villa was once the residence of William and Elizabeth Gaskell, Manchester's most famous Victorian writer, and the rooms have been preserved to showcase her life. There is also a scenic garden, which has been planted to detail the sort of garden the Gaskells would have had back in the day."

"Located about 10 miles from Sheffield, the Elsecar Heritage Railway is dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and expansion of one of the area's oldest railway lines. Highlights include an impressive collection of historic locomotives and rolling stock that once belonged to the South Yorkshire Railway. Budding engineers can even learn to drive a steam train through one of the railway's "footplate" courses (they also offer a number of fun themed excursions)."

"Fine dining made casual with a modern spin on British classics, in the shiny First Street development just outside Manchester’s city centre. High ceilings tower over dark wood and teal furnishings, with cosy booths and dim lighting. An open kitchen gives diners a view of the MasterChef at work."

"A specialist Chinese restaurant in Manchester’s West Didsbury, Green Tea is unique in its offering of food specifically inspired by the Benxi region of C ..."

"A Manchester-favourite for special occasions, Australasia – also known as ‘the one you enter via the glass triangle on the street’ – features a clean, minimal interior, that absolutely oozes chic vibes. The menu is just as wonderful, too, with extensive Australasian-inspired options varying from sushi, Robata grilled meats, Asian small plates and more. Cocktail-wise, it’s quite the field day – with endless Asian-inspired flavours to try out during your visit."

"Enter through the curious glass pyramid, down a rabbit hole into the subterranean restaurant. The décor here is like the dress code of a flash nightclub: there’s a strict ‘no colours’ policy. White, accented by more white, bare brick and a splash of cream."

"Australasia (1 The Avenue), a glam subterranean bar-restaurant goes on late and gets busy. Visit pre-dinner to enjoy a rose and lychee martini. Check out our full review of Australasia here…"

"Have you even visited Manchester if you haven’t shared a photograph of the mosaic sign outside Affleck’s?. The iconic sign reading ‘and on the sixth day, God created Manchester’ is surely one of the most popular photos of Manchester city centre on Instagram with many tourists and locals flocking to Short Street to admire the piece of art. Affleck’s, Short Street, Manchester, UK"

"A local institution, Affleck’s is a hub for Manchester’s alternative crowd, containing an impressive array of stalls selling everything from fetish gear to DIY jewellery. Pop inside to discover an eclectic array of clothing, jewellery, memorabilia and gifts before sneaking upstairs for a luxury ice cream at Ginger’s Comfort Emporium."

"Affleck’s is a perfect spot for a stylish and unusual photo. It’s also a place, where you can buy a lot of unusual things for a photoshoot or just for yourself. There are some amazing dresses, jewellery and other items that I have never seen anywhere else!"

"Barton Arcade is a Victorian shopping arcade that has shops and restaurants on the ground floor and offices and administrative spaces on all the other floors. The architecture style is really beautiful and the stairs between floors are stunning as well. Barton Arcade is especially beautiful when it’s empty in the morning hours (just after opening), so you can capture it without the crowds."

"Built in 1871, the Victorian-style shopping arcade is located between Deansgate and St. Ann’s Square. The idyllic structure of cast iron and glass is now home to luxurious shops and office buildings. Go here to take your pics against the backdrop of colourful tiles and impressive artwork."