Spring has well and truly arrived - so it’s time to blow away the cobwebs and head outside for a walk. You don’t have to travel far to enjoy a stroll in nature though, as there are some incredible green spaces to explore right here in Greater Manchester.
There’s one scenic walk which will take you through urban parkland, woodland and along a former railway line, from Prestwich to Radcliffe. Naturally the best way to end a walk is with a drink and a bite to eat - and luckily Radcliffe Market has you covered with a range of stalls to choose from.
It’s a lovely way to pass a sunny spring afternoon and immerse yourself in nature. And if you time your walk just right you may even see some blossoms and bluebells too.
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A great starting point for the walk is Prestwich Clough, which is a pretty wooded valley with a surprisingly rural feel to it. It stretches from St Mary's Park next to Bury New Road, all the way to Drinkwater Park in the east.
Follow the path through the trees as it merges with Drinkwater Park. Here you’ll come across various trails leading through Drinkwater Park nature reserve, Waterdale Meadow and Philips Park.
Head to the north-eastern tip of the park and at the site of the former Molyneux Brow Railway Station is a pedestrian bridge which takes you over the M60. From here you can pick up the Outwood Trail, a former railway line which has been converted into a walking and cycle route.
The trail curves up towards Radcliffe and leads you through Outwood Country Park. Once the site of a former colliery, it’s been reclaimed by nature and has now been transformed into woodland.
As you walk through the park you may notice intriguing monolithic stone slabs rising from the ground. They form part of the Irwell Sculpture Trail, which extends over 33 miles through Salford, Bury and Rossendale and features more than 70 artworks.
Named “Untitled Stones”, the sculptures in Outwood Country Park are by the artist Ulrich Rückriem. There are ten in total spread out over four different locations in the park.
Round off your walk with a visit to Radcliffe Market Hall. It has a range of independent traders serving up everything from Mexican food to Japanese tempura, as well as a bar for that well-deserved pint. The market is open for dining-in on Thursdays from 6pm, Fridays from 5pm, Saturdays from 12pm and Sundays from 1pm.
You can head back to Prestwich via the tram, or walk back - the choice is yours. Of course, there’s always the option of doing the route in reverse from Radcliffe to Prestwich and stopping off at one of its many cafes, pubs and restaurants.
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