Manchester has a new green heart: the 6.5 acre Mayfield Park. It’s the kind of sprawling green space the city’s needed for years, and includes everything from sports lawns to biodiverse ecological areas beside the River Medlock.

It feels like yesterday but it was in fact back in 2021, after four years of digging, building and planting, the spectacular 154-acre RHS Bridgewater Garden in Salford opened to the public. Ever since it’s been beckoning outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

Although the plans are yet to be fully realised, this urban park in the sky is very much open for visitors, who can explore part of the structure and find out more about the viaduct’s heritage, the city’s long relationship with plants and trees and also learn urban gardening tips

This grade two listed, 60 acre Victorian park has glorious historic features, expansive and sweeping walkways and the most excellent coffee. Oh and make sure to look out for heron nests in the trees and terrapins in the lake!

One of largest municipal parks in Europe, Heaton Parks covers over 600 acres of land and offers a wide range of attractions including a historic hall, a boating lake, an animal sanctuary, and a variety of sports facilities.

Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury Village incorporates the Alpine House and Parsonage Gardens, and eventually leads down to the River Mersey via boardwalks through Stenner Woods. Keep your eyes peeled for parakeets here!

Angel Meadow is a green space just north of the city centre and a stone’s throw from trendy Ancoats, where an immersive theatre piece of the same name once introduced audiences to the future work of HOME.

Burrs Country Park lies on the River Irwell covering an area of 36 hectares of scenic countryside, one mile northwest of Bury town centre. Burrs features a wide variety of different wildlife habitats – woodland, open space, wetland, ponds and waterways – and also hosts the annual Burrs Live festival.

Sackville Park is a lovely green space in Manchester city centre, home to the memorial for Alan Turing – the father of modern computing.

Peel Park in Salford is the oldest public park in Britain and the first of three to be opened in Manchester and Salford in 1846, paid for by public subscription.

Longford Park in Stretford was created in the grounds of Longford Hall, the grand entrance steps of which remain. Here you’ll find beautiful gardens, an animal sanctuary and plentiful sports pitches — even a Disc Golf course!

Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield is steeped in history, the land having been acquired by the Platt family in 1225. Our favourite bit — a disused bowling green has been transformed into a thriving community garden, where you’ll find fresh produce on sale every Saturday morning, as well as the odd pop-up foodie/boozy event.