15 places for a great day out from Manchester
Take a break from the city air and explore some of our favourite local spots for a scenic day out
As much as we love residing in one of the best cities in the world, nothing beats a weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of Manchester city life and we’re very lucky to have so many picturesque spots right on our doorstep.
Want to stretch your legs but don’t fancy travelling too far from home? Check out our favourite local gems, perfect for escaping for the day.
Smaller than neighbouring Sale Water Park but arguably much more scenic, Chorlton Water Park makes for a perfect wholesome day out. The park comprises a central lake surrounded by woodland and is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists alike.
Just south of the park is The River Mersey and the Mersey River Valley — a large area of urban countryside stretching from Manchester to Stockport. Covering many square miles of open green space, the Valley makes getting back to nature in the depths of the city accessible for all.
Facilities: Parking, picnic benches, playground, toilets
Public transport: The nearest tram stops are Sale Water Park and Barlow Moor Road
Maitland Avenue, Chorlton, M21 7WH
Alderley Edge Woodlands
Wander through this peaceful area of Alderley Edge filled with history and wildlife, where past generations have mined and farmed the landscape. The Edge is a dramatic red sandstone ridge with impressive views over the Cheshire plain towards Manchester and to the hills of Cheshire’s Peak District. The broad ridge top is well wooded with Scots pine and beech trees. There is historic interest too as the area has been mined for copper as far back as the Bronze Age, by the Romans, and through Medieval times.
Facilities: Parking, toilets, cafe
Public transport: Manchester Piccadilly > Alderley Edge, 28 min
Macclesfield Road, Nether Alderley, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4UB
Nestling on the edge of the Peak District, Lyme Park was once a great sporting estate and home of the Legh family for over 500 years. The house is renowned for its elegant interiors and beautiful gardens, against a backdrop of sweeping moorland with extensive views across Manchester and the Cheshire Plain. And with over 1,400-acre grounds encompassing formal gardens, ancient woodland and rugged moors, it’s the perfect starting point for a proper Sunday walk.
Facilities: Parking, toilets, cafe, playground
Public transport: Manchester Piccadilly > Disley, 30 min
Disley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 2NR
A hidden green haven in the centre of Didsbury Village, Fletcher Moss is renowned for its botanical beauty. Tucked away between numerous Mancunian green spaces, you’ll find Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens in all of its unsuspecting glory. It’s an oasis, that’s for sure, and given its location just a stone’s throw away from lively South Manchester, an unexpecting one at that.
Better yet, entry into this incredible garden and surrounding woodland is completely free. Check out one of our favourite walks in the area here.
Public transport: The nearest tram stop is Didsbury Village (4 min walk)
Facilities: Parking, toilets, cafe, restaurants nearby
Wilmslow Road, Didsbury Manchester, Greater Manchester M20 2RZ
Over the past century the Roman Lakes has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors. The Roman Lakes and surrounding valley were once central to the great enterprise that was Samuel Oldknow's Mellor Mill. Built in 1792, Mellor Mill was once the largest water mill in Europe and in 1804, more than 550 people worked there. In recent years, archeological work has been underway and transformed the spaces surrounding into a time gone-by, offering ample opportunity to explore with both easy and demanding routes on offer through the surrounding woodland and bridleways.
Want to make a day of it? Our 5 mile circular walk takes you through this forgotten part of Stockport’s history.
Public transport: Manchester Piccadilly > Marple, 24 min
Facilities: parking, toilets, cafe, animal farm
Lakes Rd, Marple, Marple Bridge, Stockport SK6 7HB
There is no shortage of 'follies' in the English countryside. Buildings put there by landowners with money and influence which don't seem to have much of a purpose, like the one at Lyme Park. But White Nancy in Bollington's more than just an unusual feature of the Cheshire landscape. Whether it's painted with a bee or a poppy, or just bright white in the North West sunshine, it's a popular destination for families and walkers. And it just so happens to be one of our favourite places to walk locally.
Whether you’re here for the views or the stories of yesteryear, you’re sure to be taken aback by the undisturbed peacefulness of this route. On a clear day, you can see as far as Snowdonia, Liverpool’s coastal line and the windmills off the Wirral peninsula.
Bollington, Macclesfield SK10 5AX
Only 9.5 miles from the city centre of Manchester, the area is both a haven for wildlife and an area where visitors can find peace and relaxation. The park's location provides panoramic views across Manchester and beyond to Liverpool. The dark blue silhouette of the Welsh mountains can often be seen on clear days, as can the Pennine hills close by. And with its connection to many off-road trails, it’s the perfect setting for your next weekend walk.
Public transport
Manchester Piccadilly > Woodley, 23 min
The nearest bus stop is in Gee Cross on the main A560 south of Hyde. Baron Road leads from here to the Baron Fields entrance to the country park. On all roads approaching the Country Park keep a look out for the brown and white direction signs. There are three car parks in the country park: at Lower Higham, the Quarry and Windy Harbour.
Higham Ln, Hyde SK14 5LR
As much as we love heading for the hills, sometimes you can’t beat a leisurely stroll around one of the many country estates we’re lucky enough to be able to have on our doorstep.
The parks surrounding these stunning stately homes are perfect for getting the steps in, and Tatton Park is no exception. With over 2,000 acres to explore, this historical estate is perfect for a weekend romp around its spacious gardens. And with over 100 events and activities throughout the year, there’s always something new to discover at Tatton Park. Whether you're a history enthusiast, nature lover, or simply looking for a fun day out with the family, our estate has something for everyone.
Facilities: Parking, toilets, cafe, playground
Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN
From enchanting woodlands to proper pub grub, Styal beckons you to explore its surrounds… and with most of the routes on offer under cover of a leafy greenscape, Quarry Bank makes for a great day out, rain or shine. As well as incredible walking routes along the river Bollin on sections of the Bollin Valley Way, Quarry Bank Mill is well worth a day out of its own. Whether you prefer to take an extended pit stop here or make it your main event, there’s plenty of routes on offer. Check out our favourite here.
Public transport: Manchester Piccadilly > Styal, 29 min
Facilities: Parking, toilets, cafe
Styal Rd, Styal, Wilmslow SK9 4HP
Dunham Massey
Nestled between the vibrant city of Manchester and the beginnings of rural Cheshire, Dunham Massey includes a 300-acre deer park, a historic house and buildings, and all-season gardens. Outdoors, accessible paths pass roaming fallow deer and ancient trees in the parkland, while the Winter and Rose Gardens reveal the sights and scents of the seasons. Indoors, ornate rooms and servant’s quarters hold a collection that spans the history of the house, while the water-powered mill and other historic buildings add further context that beckons you into the past.
Family-friendly trails, events and seasonal happenings are frequent, as is the tendency to return to this much-loved place. While the grounds are set up to create your own adventure, if you prefer to follow a specific route check out the walk we mapped out for The Manc.
Facilities: Parking, toilets, cafe
Woodhouse Lane, Altrincham, WA14 4SJ
If you’ve followed our adventures for a while, you’ll know Etherow Country Park is one of our favourite spots to escape the city for the day. Once you head out from the visitor, you’ll find 92 hectacres of woodland, accessible paths, and untouched scenery to explore. Our favourite is a trip to the Keg Pool — but with links to multiple traffic-free trails, it’s the perfect base for exploring some of Greater Manchester’s lesser-known countryside.
Or for a longer adventure, you can also tie a trip to Etherow with this walk up to Werneth Low.
Facilities: Parking, toilets, cafe
George Street, Compstall Stockport, Greater Manchester SK6 5JD
Healey Dell
Healey Dell is a beauty spot and nature reserve rich in industrial archaeology, 2 miles from Rochdale town centre on the way to Whitworth and Bacup. The River Spodden has carved its way through the woodlands down thousands of years, creating delightful scenery and spectacular waterfalls which once powered ancient corn, wool and cotton mills. A true hidden gem.
Facilities: Parking, cafe, toilets
Healey Corner, Off Whitworth Road, Healey, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL12 6BG
Situated on the edge of Oldham and the Peak District National Park, Dove Stone Reservoir is a spectacular area popular with visitors and for family days out. Dove Stone Reservoir has become increasingly popular in recent years and can get quite crowded. Fortunately, routes like this one exist: taking you on the outskirts of the popular landmark for an even better view of the area, instead.
Our walk takes you along the edge of the moor to the south of the reservoir for a more secluded walk. Upon reaching Alphin Pike, you’ll enjoy an incredible vista over West Manchester and even as far as Wales, before heading over to Wimberry Rocks for a great view down onto the reservoir and surrounding valley.
Public transport: The nearest train station is Greenfield
Facilities: Parking, toilets
Oldham OL3 7NN
This magnificent park filled with woodland and trails is the ideal location for an afternoon stroll. Stockport is full of hidden gems perfect for a Sunday walk, but this one in Bramhall is definitely up there with the best. Our favourite is this 4 mile route around Happy Valley The park sits in the grounds of Bramall Hall, a 14th century timber framed hall. It’s one of the borough’s well-kept treasures, an ideal setting for a day out for the whole family.
Public transport: Bramhall Station and Cheadle Hulme Station are around 1500 metres away from the park
Facilities: Parking, cafe, toilets, playground
Bramall Hall, Stockport, SK7 3NX
Panoramic views, magical woodlands and peaceful picnic spots are just some of the reasons you’ll want to head to Goyt Valley. Stunning views across the Errwood Reservoir, picturesque natural scenery and endless rolling hills make Goyt Valley the perfect location for an adventurous day out in the Peak District. There are many wonderful walks in this part of the Goyt Valley… and none of them are particularly strenuous. Our favourite is this easygoing fairytale walk up to Errwood Hall.
Facilities: Parking, toilets
Buxton, Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom, SK17
