Mosschester 2025: The National Trust celebrates the success of new community programme

This autumn, the National Trust celebrates the success of Mosschester, a new public programme that brought the secrets of local moss to life and explored the region’s natural heritage.

From Moss Side to Holcombe Moor, Greater Manchester has a very mossy history. Wet, peaty landscapes once covered large parts of the region. Historically, these areas were used as farmlands, industrial-era wastelands, and were even crossed by early railways such as the Liverpool-Manchester line.

In recent years, moss has come back into the limelight. Local restoration projects have been restoring mossy landscapes across the region – including at National Trust sites Holcombe and Marsden Moors. More centrally, local partners and community groups have launched a growing number of moss restoration and educational initiatives, including Sow the City’s Rewild Moss Side.

Brand new for 2025, Mosschester aimed to help people engage with nature on their doorsteps and start to celebrate moss as an unsung environmental hero.

Throughout the autumn, the National Trust delivered a programme of moss-themed events in collaboration with Manchester City Council’s Parks Team.

During half-term, pop-ups appeared in parks across the city with storytelling, hands-on learning and seasonal crafts, with over 290 people taking part to create custom tote bags, forge new friendships and learn more about the natural wonder.

Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, executive member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said:

“It’s been brilliant to work together with The National Trust to deliver Mosschester. In Wythenshawe Park, Platt Fields Park and Crumpsall Park, children and families have started to explore the benefits of moss – with craft activities, storytelling and more. We hope that Mosschester inspires people to look at nature in a new way and appreciate what’s on their very doorstep.”

Across the region, guided Mosschester walks invited community groups including Black Girls Hike UK, Kids of Colour and Become United to explore the varied habitats that shape Greater Manchester, from moorland hillsides to canals where urban moss quietly thrives.

At Castlefield Viaduct, visitors experienced a VR insect adventure and the MossWorlds exhibition, while community groups and schools joined craft workshops among the high-level gardens, and students from Crown Street Primary School threw themselves into themed making sessions.

A teacher from the school said: “Our Pre-School, Reception, and Year One classes have loved taking part in Mosschester—getting up close with moss and creating their very own ‘mossy mates’! It has helped them engage with nature and build a strong community link with the Castlefield Viaduct—a perfect space to get creative, right on their doorstep.”

In total, around 500 people took part in wider Mosschester events this year, from talks and workshops to walks and pop-ups. The programme not only celebrated Greater Manchester’s unique natural history, but also inspired new ways for people to connect with the local landscape.

Through creativity, collaboration and community energy, Mosschester demonstrated the mighty impact of moss at all scales – and how even the smallest plants can spark a citywide sense of curiosity and care.

For updates on future Mosschester activities, email mosschester@nationaltrust.org.uk.