Manchester City is one of the most popular destinations in the UK. Not only is it the home to one of the biggest football stadiums, Old Trafford, but it also has numerous other attractions to offer. Convenient infrastructure, a budding business life, many cultural events, family-friendly activities and more – are only a few of the things you can enjoy in Manchester.
However, what is the one thing that unites all aspects of life in the big city and creates a unique atmosphere and singular charm? We can confidently say that this is urban nature. The more green spaces a city has and the better kept they are, the more pleasant the ambience is.
Thankfully, Manchester City has plenty of green spaces. A recent study by Manchester University has shown that 54.22 % of Greater Manchester’s land is green space. In the article below, we will explore some of the city’s best green spaces worth visiting. Stay tuned and find the perfect spot to relax, enjoy urban nature, and have fun.
Manchester Crowned as UK’s Most Eco-Friendly City
Before we continue to discuss Manchester’s green spaces in more detail, let us tell you the following interesting fact about the metropolitan: In 2020, it was crowned UK’s most eco-friendly city. The survey was produced by Honda, who studied more than 2000 British adults.
The study took into account parameters such as household emissions, eco measures like insulation, commuting methods, household recycling, and attitudes towards sustainability and nature. Interestingly, 46 % of Manchester citizens responded that they would turn off the lights and electrical appliances every time they left a room. The survey also found other curious facts but let us leave them for another article and focus on Manchester’s green spaces.
What Are the Best Green Spaces to Visit in Manchester City?
As we already pointed out, more than half of Manchester City is green space. Thus, it would be impossible to list all of the parks, gardens, and other urban green retreats you can find within the city. However, we will try to give you a comprehensive overview of the most important landmarks, including the biggest football stadium in England, Old Trafford.
Alderman Rogers Park
Located on Firbank Road, Baguley, the Alderman Rogers Park is a multi-purpose green space you can enjoy from the early dawn until the sun sets down. There are 2 senior football pitches, a children’s play area, and a multi-use area. However, please note that dogs are not allowed in Alderman Rogers Park children’s and football areas.
Alexandra Park
Alexandra Park is one of the most popular green spaces in Manchester City. The park opened to the public in 1870, only a year after it had been designed by Alexander Hennel. Back in the day when it was created, Alexandra Park was a true novelty in terms of landscape architecture. It introduced a non-traditional approach of using oval and curved pathways. This was very different from the angled, rigid geometry of the then-popular Victorian landscapes.
Being an important city landmark, Alexandra Park underwent a GBP 5 Million transformation in 2013/14. Nowadays the green space offers many attractions to various types of visitors. These include:
- 4 tennis courts;
- Multi-use games area
- Cricket square;
- Café open from 11 am to 4 pm, Sunday to Tuesday;
- Toilet facilities/ baby change;
- Sports changing rooms including showers;
- Accessible changing rooms;
- Community rooms for hire;
- Alexandra Park Bike Hub
- 1 senior Football Pitch;
- Children’s play areas;
- Fishing Lake.
There is free Wi-Fi available at the Alexandra Park Lodge, Alexandra Park Pavilion, and Alexandra Park Yard and Office area. The play area is open to children under the age of 12. The park is located at 180 Russell Street, Moss Side and accepts visitors from early in the morning until sunset.
Debdale Park
Another Manchester Landmark is Debdale Park. Located at 1075 Hyde Road, Gorton, this venue won the Green Flag Community Award in 2014. The park provides numerous attractions to kids and adults alike. There is a Children’s play area, Multi use games area, skate park, and free tennis courts. Debdale Park also has a bowling green, and a community centre. There are also two large reservoirs for licensed fishing.
The outdoor centre allows many exciting activities, such as dinghy sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and many others. You can enjoy them every day during the daytime.
Debdale Park was founded after the Great War of 1914-1918. Before that, the land was owned subsequently by the local Water Company and the City Council. After the war ended, however, the municipality decided to dedicate the plot to recreational use.
Old Trafford
Man United’s club stadium Old Trafford may not fall within the parks category, but it is still a huge green space. It is, after all, the biggest football stadium housing a UK club. It has a capacity of 74,310 and is the eleventh-largest stadium in Europe. Many things can be said about Old Trafford, so go check it out!