Manchester’s best parks to boost your wellbeing

Sometimes it’s good to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and get a little closer to nature. According to the NHS, people who spend at least two hours a week in nature experience better health and greater psychological well-being than those who don’t visit nature at all in a typical week. Although parks in Manchester city center are limited (Piccadilly Gardens is not a garden), there are plenty of great green spaces to get to that give you a wellness boost close by, and not all of them require a journey on public transport. Here are some of our favorites.

St. John’s Gardens

The perfect green space if you live in Union, St John’s Gardens is just around the corner and has plenty of sunny spots for those who crave the sun on their skin and for those with lighter skin, it gets plenty of shade. Tucked behind the Everyman cinema, the garden is a bit of a secret if you’re not a local, so it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Quay Street and Deansgate.

Symphony Park – Cercului Square

Symphony Park is one of the few green spots in the city center that gets sun most of the day. The perfect place to catch some rays on the steep steps. It’s also home to some of the best places to eat and drink in the city, with Federal, Onda and North Bar all surrounding the embankments.

Angel Meadows

Manchester is somewhat limited for green space in the city centre, but another great option is Angel Meadows. Down just after Victoria Station, a bit off the beaten track, it will be mostly occupied by locals. The good thing is that when you’re done soaking up the sun, you’re only a few minutes’ walk from The Marble Arch Inn, which is a wicked little pub and brasserie.

Platt Fields – Fallowfield

Popular with students and locals alike, Platt Fields has facilities such as tennis courts, a BMX track, a five-a-side football pitch and is one of Manchester’s largest public parks. With plenty of activities and things to do, you can easily spend the whole day here.

From the city center, take bus 143 or 111 which takes you directly there.

Mayfield Park – Piccadilly

Not as big as the others on the list, but much more convenient, Mayfield Park is located two minutes from Piccadilly station and is the first city center park for more than 100 years. The park has 120,000 shrubs and plants and is built around the River Medlock – one of Manchester’s founding rivers.

Peel Park – Salford

Walkable from the Union and easily accessible by routes 50 or other buses, Peel Park is adjacent to Salford Uni’s main campus and was one of the first public parks to be opened in the country “for the enjoyment and recreation of the public without charge or restriction.”

Salford Museum and Art Gallery is also nearby, which often has interesting exhibitions and events.

Heaton Park – Prestwich

Home of the Parklife festival and concert venue, Heaton Park covers 600 acres and stands on the site of the Grade I listed building, Heaton Hall.

Some of the highlights include an 18-hole golf course with a driving range, a boating lake, a petting zoo, woodlands, ornamental gardens, and a volunteer-run tram and museum system.

As well as being famous for concerts, Heaton Park also has other events throughout the year such as a food and drink festival and a nature festival.

From the city center take the tram on the Bury line and the park has its own station.

Alexandra Park – Whalley Range

Located just off Princess Road, Alexandra Park has recently been redeveloped at a cost of £5m, with funding bringing the original landscape and community facilities back to life.

The park was first opened to the public in 1870 and has a bookable full size football pitch alongside a cricket pitch and tennis courts. There are also community rooms to hire and a cafe open Sunday-Tuesday.

From the city centre, get on the 85 bus to Chorlton.