Ian Brown famously said 'Manchester has everything except a beach' - though that will change with the arrival of the £250m Therme water park in a couple of years time.
Regardless, something we have by the boatload is rivers, lakes and canals - which means a post-work pint and an al fresco meal is always within easy reach. Whether its city centre canals or suburban lakes, there's a number of great waterside locations where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the sunshine - when it makes an appearance.
With the good weather finally showing up, we've picked out some of the best for you to bookmark - stretching all the way from the city centre to Hollingworth Lake. Ensuring we make hay while the suns shines, we've also rounded up 10 excellent places in Manchester for a sunny post-work pint, and the best rooftop bars.
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The Wine Press, Hollingworth Lake
Ok, so more of a upmarket restaurant than a pub, but a round-up of Manchester's best waterside spots wouldn't be complete without a mention for The Wine Press. Overlooking Hollingworth Lake - a perfect spot for a weekend stroll - this lakeside inn is a great pitstop to stop and refuel.
Serving a mix of traditional and modern British dishes in a idyllic lakeside setting, the restaurant is kitted out with a number of picnic tables outside, so grab yourself one - before someone else does - and tuck into a Ploughman's Lunch, a seasonal salad or bloomer sandwhich.
93 Hollingworth Rd, Littleborough OL15 0AZ
King's Ransom, Sale
Known for its lively atmosphere and evening entertainment, the King's Ransom, with its floating barge-style beer garden is a popular south Manchester spot for getting the beers in. Located on a prime spot along the Bridgewater Canal and right next to Sale tram stop, this pub is an easy one to get to whether you're a local or catching the tram from the city centre.
When the sun is out, you can watch boats and bicycles passing by along the busy waterway, and as things cool off, you can nip inside and join the weekly pub quiz, or if you're heading down on the weekend, check out some live music.
Kings Ransom, Britannia Rd, Sale M33 2AA
The Wharf, Castlefield
One of Manchester's favourite canalside pubs, The Wharf, which sits amongst trees and colourful flowerbeds, has you covered whether the sun is shining or not. When we're blessed by the sun gods though, the Castlefield venue's vast beer garden is the place to be.
The Wharf's sun-soaked terrace area is the perfect spot for a cold one and a couple of nibbles - we recommend the buffalo chicken wings and halloumi fries, or the crispy beef salad if you've got a decent appetite. The pub also delivers on drinks, with a collection of over 60 gins to choose from.
The Wharf, 6 Slate Wharf, M15 4ST
The Waterside, Monton
Having made the vibrant village of Monton its home since 2006, The Waterside is a popular spot whatever the weather, but in the summer months its really comes alive - and we can see why.
Looking out onto the Bridgewater Canal, there's a gravelled garden, as well as the view of the lighthouse on offer. Inside, meanwhile, there's more than a splash on neon, making it quite the destination for Friday night revellers. Food wise, you're more than covered, with menus spanning everything from breakfast bloomers to Sunday roasts.
The Waterside, 1 Parrin Ln, Eccles, Manchester M30 8AN
Ring O' Bells, Marple
Marple has some great pubs, but this 200-year-old traditional, canal-side pub overlooking the historic Macclesfield Canal towpath is rather special.
In winter, you can bunker down inside a pub which is full or charm with open fires and walls adorned with pictures of its the town's past, while come summer, its canal-side terrace is ideal for sipping on a number of Robinson's Cask ales, as well as lagers, ciders and stout. In the summertime there's also brass band concerts outside in the beer garden, plus regular quiz nights.
Ring O'Bells, 130 Church Ln, Marple, Cheshire, Stockport SK6 7AY
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