The best: Parks and gardens to explore near Manchester FT Dunham Massey, Quarry Bank Mill & more

This is a beautiful spot to admire a glorious array of greenery and soak up nature’s goodness. There are numerous routes and walkways offering gentle circular strolls around the botanical gardens and as this is a local nature reserve you’re likely to spot some wonderful wildlife along the way. Warm drinks and refreshments are available at The Alpine Tea Room in the park and the nearby Fletcher Moss pub is perfect for the post-stroll debrief.

Dunham Massey is one of our favourite spots for a Sunday afternoon amble—boasting an endless trail of foliage, and delivering a delightful variety of sensory experiences. There is a magnificent Georgian Mansion and deer park too.

Treat the family to a tasty meal at the Stables Restaurant or grab a snack at the Stamford Café, pooches are even looked after at the dog-friendly ice-cream Parlour.

This is a superb spot for a refreshing weekend walk with spectacular scenery and plenty of cosy little cafes and pubs along the way. Hollingworth Lake, with its dramatic Blackstone Edge backdrop, is particularly picturesque on a crisp, clear morning. There are trails, a nature reserve, picnic areas and designated kids play areas making this a family favourite walking spot.

North Manchester’s biggest park is home to Heaton Hall, a Grade I listed 18th-century country house, a stunning boating lake and never-ending planes of greenery. Take the kids along to the free-to-enter Park Farm and Animal Centre where they will be introduced to animals ranging from chickens and goats to pigs and alpacas. Warm up with a cappuccino and a slice of cake at the Hidden Gem Coffee Shop or grab a bite at The Stables café.

Chorlton Water Park is a breathtakingly tranquil hidden gem just a short tram ride out of the city centre. The park features a lake packed with life and is surrounded by grasslands and woodlands for meandering. Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the many benches sited in this local nature reserve. Children under 12 can let off steam in the play area and there are on-site toilets as well as a free car park.

Over in Wilmslow, you’ll find the glorious surroundings of Quarry Bank Mill. This National Trust protected property provides visitors with a hit of nature on our doorstep. Enter this industrial heritage site and you’ll find a selection of three weaving walking routes, taking you deep into a leafy forest, complete with stony bridges and the gently bubbling River Bollin. Keen-eyed walkers can enjoy the wealth of wildlife on offer at the site, while those after a bite to eat or a hot drink can find both at the cafe, which is nestled next to the Mill itself.

Manchester’s first centre park for 100 years features 6.5 acres of parkland, 142 trees, 120,000 shrubs and plants and a kids’ play zone with 6 slides, all of which are woven around the River Medlock. After proving such a big hit with locals, the space has even been awarded Green Flag status, marking a significant milestone in the city’s much-needed drive to create more green spaces.

Spanning 161 hectares along the River Tame in Stockport, Reddish Vale Country Park offers a wide range of walking routes and cycleways that link with the Goyt, Etherow, Saddleworth and Longendale trails. The Trans Pennine Trail and Tame Valley Walk both pass through the park, and Reddish Vale Farm offers child-friendly activities, including an outdoor play area, nature trail and animal feeding.

Oldham’s oldest country park, Tandle Hill, is spread across 48 hectares of parkland and offers sweeping views across the Manchester Plain and Pennine Hills. The area is also a designated Site of Biological Importance due to its fungi and bird populations. The park contains picnic areas and a children’s play area, and at its highest point, stands a war memorial commemorating the men of Royton who died in the First World War.

Tucked into the Medlock Valley, Daisy Nook is filled with varied landscapes including waterways, a lake, a canal, woodlands and wildflower meadows. Along with walking and cycling routes linking to neighbouring countryside areas, there are facilities for pond dipping, bird watching and a play area with sand and a basket swing. Daisy Nook cafe is also open seven days a week for anyone wanting to stop off and refuel.

Etherow was actually one of Britain’s first-ever country parks. Lying between the Etherow/Goyt Valley, the popular green space is host to more than 200 species of plants and more than 100 species of birds. There are facilities for sailing, motor boating and angling, and you can download a nature walk guide ahead of your visit to ensure you’re able to take in as much as possible.

Bruntwood Park in Cheadle provides an abundance of recreational and sporting facilities, including an 18-hole par 3 pitch and putt golf course, BMX track and a fully accessible children’s playground. The park’s original Victorian conservatory has been converted into a restaurant, making it lovely stop-off for a bite to eat during your visit.