Sometimes it feels as if green spaces are hard to come by in Manchester, especially ones which feel a bit more wild and rugged. Yet only two miles east from the city centre is a pocket of countryside which will make you forget about the urban sprawl which surrounds you.
Clayton Vale sits in the valley of the River Medlock. It contains grassy meadows, wooded areas and, of course, riverside walks.
It’s less landscaped and manicured than other public parks - you won’t find smooth lawns and flowerbeds here - but it’s a space where you can reconnect with nature and escape from the city. It offers a rural atmosphere without the need to leave the city.
