While Manchester may have a reputation for being a rainy city, we know that’s not always the case. This month has already gotten off to a sunny start, and there’s more fine weather forecast for the week ahead.
Of course, you never know when the rain clouds might return so it’s a good idea to make the most of the sunny weather while we can. Across the city are dozens of outdoor spaces where you can soak up the sun, as well as plenty of fun activities to do outside.
Keep it local with a visit to an inner-city oasis, or venture further afield and go on a hike in the gorgeous countryside we have right on our doorstep. Just be sure to bring your sunglasses and slap on some suncream.
READ MORE:
Here’s a guide to how to enjoy the sun in and around Greater Manchester. If you’ve got any recommendations, let us know in the comments below.
Head to a park
Manchester's Heaton Park is famously the biggest municipal park in Europe, so there’s no shortage of space to lay on the grass. Or head to Whitworth Park in South Manchester, where stints of sunbathing can be diffused with a trip to see some inspiring art exhibitions.
If you're looking for a green spot in the city centre, St John's Gardens is a lovely location for an al fresco lunchbreak. Kids will love the play area at Mayfield Park too.
Fletcher Moss is a firm favourite in Didsbury, providing a sprawling green space stretching from the River Mersey to Stenner Woods. Another South Manchester park, Chorlton Water Park is a popular spot.
The picturesque lake at the heart of this pretty park is the perfect place to while away a summer’s day. Visitors can enjoy a picnic at the water’s edge, have a go at water sports including dinghy sailing, canoeing and windsurfing, and explore the surrounding woodland and wildflower meadows.
From here you can also get onto the banks of the River Mersey and follow the trail to Sale Water Park - which is also well worth a visit in its own right. Discover more parks to visit across Greater Manchester here.
Visit a street food market
Tucking into street food when it’s sunny gives you the ultimate holiday feeling. Luckily for us there’s lots of places where you can grab a bite to eat across Greater Manchester.
Open from Wednesday to Sunday, GRUB at The Red Bank Project in Cheetham Hill offers a mouthwatering selection of food traders. It has a lovely outdoor seating area where you can enjoy a pint from its vegan bar.
The award-winning Altrincham Market also has plenty of outdoor seating. It has an impressive range of quality food and drink on offer both in the covered Market House and the outdoor market.
Explore a National Trust site
The National Trust looks after some of the most picturesque places in the north west, from parks and forests to beaches and wildlife areas. Dunham Massey is popular all year round due to its large and thriving ancient deer park.
And as well as the resident herd of fallow deer; you may also glimpse other wildlife including owls and woodpeckers. Lyme Park is a National Trust-owned site in Disley which consists of a mansion, gardens and deer park. The 1,300 acre estate is open to the public and has a medieval herd of red deer offers fantastic walks and stunning views.
Visit a stunning castle
Exploring a castle is a great way to spend a sunny day, especially if you've got kids as it can easily capture their imagination. There are some fantastic castles just a short drive away from Greater Manchester.
In the village of Castlefield in the Peak District is Peveril Castle, a ruined early medieval castle. It was founded some time between the Norman Conquest of 1066 and its first recorded mention in the Domesday Survey of 1086, by William Peveril, who held lands in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire as a tenant-in-chief of the king. Towards the end of the 14th century its material was stripped out for re-use, marking the beginning of its decline.
Also great for exploring is Halton Castle situated on the top of Halton Hill, Runcorn. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a Grade I listed building and a scheduled ancient monument.
It was the seat of the Barons of Halton from the 11th century until the 14th century and it then passed to the Duchy of Lancaster. It was besieged twice in the Civil War after which its structure deteriorated. The castle lies in ruins apart from the courthouse which has been converted into a public house.
Go for a hike
You can't beat exploring the great outdoors in the beautiful sunshine. Whether it's a quiet hillside stroll or strenuous mountain hike, nothing quite blows those cobwebs away like a few hours up on the moors.
If you fancy a challenge, Kinder Scout is the highest mountain in the Peak District standing at 2,087ft. There are several routes up to the summit and the path going from Snake Pass is perhaps the quietest.
Starting at Birchen Clough car park near the Snake Inn, the walk involves a short woodland stroll before a gentle ascent along good paths. After a bit of a scramble along Fair Brook you reach the plateaued summit where you are greeted with spectacular views.
After an hour or so walking west along the ridge you meet the well-used Pennine Way. It is also a great place to stop for a look of the distant Manchester city centre on a clear day. A loop back along the side of the River Ashop brings you to the start.
Distance: 8 miles. Time: 4 hours.
Another popular route up Kinder with the chance to see the spectacular Kinder Downfall. Start from the pay and display car park on Kinder Road and your first point of interest is the Hayfield Reservoir.
After walking along the circumference for a short time you begin your climb towards the summit up a brook along a well-trodden path. Scrambly in parts, it is nevertheless an enjoyable and fairly-long ascent. A final climb up the Pennine Way brings you to the top of the ridge.
Walking back towards Hayfield after half an hour or so you will soon reach Kinder Downfall. A gentle descent back down the Pennine Way and through fields brings you back to Hayfield.
Distance: 7 miles. Time: 4 hours
Go for a walk ending in a pub
Rivington Terraced Gardens is a gorgeous area to explore on a sunny day. It’s a magical place with hidden lakes, caves and mysterious structures.
After exploring it, head to Rivington Brewing Co., a micro brewery and taproom on the western side of the Lower Rivington Reservoir. It’s got an incredible beer garden with views of Rivington Pike.
Another great walk to do is through the Cheesden Valley, a stunning valley nestled between Bury and Rochdale. It was once home to several mills and you can still see the remains of them today.
The Eagle and Child in Ramsbottom is the perfect place to go for a post-walk pint. It’s previously been named one of the best beer gardens in the country and it’s easy to see why with a large outdoor seating area and views of the West Pennine Moors. For more country walks ending with a pub, check out our guide here.
Relax in a beer garden
When the sun’s shining the city’s beer gardens buzz with activity. The vast waterside terraces of Castlefield are among the most popular spots in the city on a warm day, while you’ll find plenty of outside seating in Spinningfields, Canal Street and the Northern Quarter.
The Oast House in Spinningfields is a magnet for sun-seekers in the summer, boasting one of the largest outdoor spaces in the area. A pavilion-style roof provides some shade over the amphitheatre-style area - as well as some crucial cover when the heavens inevitably open.
Probably one of the most famous, and one of the oldest pubs in Manchester, Sinclair’s beer garden is packed when the sun’s out. For rustic rooftop vibes, Big Hands on Oxford Road certainly delivers. A popular watering hole with students, it's got plenty of character.
Enjoy a day at the beach
Ian Brown famously said that Manchester has everything except a beach, but you don’t have to travel very far to find one. Whether you prefer a traditional seaside experience, or something more unspoilt there are lots of beaches nearby to choose from.
Naturally Blackpool deserves a mention and you’re guaranteed a fun day out - especially if you’re a fan of rollercoasters and arcades. For a completely different experience, head to Formby where you’ll find a beautiful sandy beach lined with woodland.
Go for an ice cream
One of the best ways to cool down on a hate day is with a scoop (or several) of ice cream. Grandpa Greene's Luxury Ice Cream in Saddleworth is a family favourite. Its served from their canal-side cabin in Diggle and used locally sourced cream from a family farm.
They have a whole host of flavours including Wild Strawberry, Lemon Meringue and Cinnamon. There's also a range of plant-based ice creams and sorbets.
For an Instagram-worthy frozen treat Lazy Sundae in the Northern Quarter has a range of adventurous flavours, including Brown Sugar and Earl Grey Biscoff. As well as ice creams, they also serve a fun range of deserts inspired by travels abroad.
Dine al fresco
Manchester is bursting with restaurants with outdoor seating. Piccolino Caffè Grande has an expansive terrace where you can watch the world go by. The Corn Exchange has several dining options with outside seating and it makes a perfect pitstop if you've spent the day shopping.
If you're looking for rooftop restaurant then there's lots to choose from. For a relaxed bite to eat, Honest Burgers on Bridge Street has a hidden roof terrace which is a nice spot on an evening, while El Gato Negro's terrace on King Street is a sun trap. Read our guide here for more rooftop restaurants.
For more of the latest What's On news, click here.
READ NEXT:
