From botanical garden frolics to city centre strolls, Manchester has some of the best child-friendly trails around.

Here are some of our picks to try out during the summer holidays.

RHS Garden Bridgewater | Worsley

Promising a ‘Great Garden Adventure for the whole family’, Salford’s RHS Garden Bridgewater is hosting a summer of all-ages entertainment featuring nature activities like ZooLab, Wild Wings and the Big Bug Hunt, ‘welly walks’ on Toddler Tuesdays and a daily Explorer Quest trail packed with challenges and games.

Occupation Rd, Worsley, Manchester, M28 2LJ, Tel: 0161 503 6100
The Gardens at Tatton Park | Knutsford

With children’s entry free and picnics welcome, Tatton Park’s gardens make for a worthwhile day trip to Knutsford with the family in tow. Brimming with immaculately manicured plant life, the park contains a Japanese garden, a seasonal restaurant, a beloved maze and much more.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, WA16 6SG, Tel: 01625 374400
Heaton Park | Prestwich

Needing no introduction as one of Europe’s biggest municipal public spaces, Heaton Park and its endless trail variations has been a summer holiday staple for generations. Featuring play areas, a boating lake, an animal centre and even horse riding, it couldn’t be easier to while away a full day exploring the area; a larger loop of the park takes around 2 hours, but you can opt for a route of virtually any length.

Middleton Rd, Manchester, M25 2SW, Tel: 0161 773 1085
Family Garden Trail at Elizabeth Gaskell's House | Manchester

Open throughout the summer holidays, the gardens at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House are a ‘lovingly tended oasis’ open to strolls, picnics and playing. Their new Family Garden Trail, featuring fun facts, activities and fascinating discoveries, follows a path around the beloved writer’s traditionally planted Victorian garden.

Open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, tickets for the trail are £6.50 with under-16s free.

Clifton Country Park & Fletcher's Canal | Salford

Suburban yet secluded, a loop of Clifton Country Park is the perfect afternoon time-killer. Boasting an array of gorgeous landscapes all within a 45-minute walk, the park features a visitor’s cafe, a children’s play area, a sculpture trail and much more.

Clifton House Rd, Clifton, Salford, M27 6NG, Tel: 0161 793 4219
The Wharf Manchester City Walk | Castlefield

Urban and unimposing, this breezy route through the city centre offers some of Manchester’s more under-appreciated views while passing plenty of its famous landmarks. Taking just under an hour, the walk begins and ends at The Wharf, an excellent city pub packed with cosy alcoves and an impressively diverse kids’ menu.

 

The Wharf, 6 Slate Wharf, Manchester, M15 4ST, Tel: 0161 507 4240
Thu 7 Jul
Words:
Wolf McFarlane
Published on:
Wed 21 Aug 2024