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The best Autumnal walks for this weekend
Get wrapped up!
There is something about Autumnal crisp walks, especially when the skies are super blue and the colourful leaves are falling.
With the majority of our time being spent at home indoors at the moment, it’s important we take some time to get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors.
Greater Manchester undoubtedly has some of the best walks in the North West with some stunning jaw-dropping views.
Make some time for these stunning walks this winter season and enjoy a nice warm mulled wine after – it is the season after all!
John Illingworth/Geograph
Saddleworth Cycle & Horse Trail
Considered to be the posher part of Oldham, Saddleworth is located on the cusp of the Pennines, with stunning landscapes, beautiful nature and some of the best walks Greater Manchester has to offer.
You’re in true God’s Country here, with the valley stretching all around you. I also highly recommend a walk down the canal in Diggle, and if they’re open – a visit
to the excellent Grandpa Greene’s Luxury Ice Cream for a scoop or five.
Download a trail map here.
Francis Franklin/Wikimedia
Rivington
Located in the heart of good old Bolton, Rivington is a large rural area full of some of the most stunning woodland views. With impressive stone-built stairs and outbuildings and the shabby waterfall cascading slowly down the rock face it’s not what you expect to see in Bolton, more like Bali (maybe that’s a little extreme), especially with the charming views of the Japanese inspired pond & gardens.
Keep on winding upwards and your goal will come clearly into view, the landmark Grade II listed Pike Tower sitting proudly at the summit. It’s definitely a climb, but it’s worth it, especially when you get to see the views at the top, and for the insta obv.
David Dixon/Geograph
Chadkirk Chapel
A short trip from east Stockport you’ll find a peaceful walk and a very charming chapel. For anybody who’s local to Stockport will know that it’s not exactly country walk territory, however just 10 minutes out the way you’ll find Chadkirk Chapel and Estate.
The walk itself is pretty easy and certainly children and dog friendly! During this time of year all the leaves are falling and if you look up the colours are beautiful.
Alex Watson
Derwent Reservoir
Derwent Reservoir, The Peak District, the walk itself is a whopping 16KM however if you’re short for time there is the option to rent bikes to speed things up a little. Not only stunning views, but there’s also a little history held at Derwent Res, about 10 minutes into the walk you’ll pass The Howden Dam, used by Lancaster Bomber pilots to practise bombing runs and targeting.
They also created the ‘Bouncing Bomb’ for the 1943 raid of the dams on the German Ruhr. Wrap up for this one, with being right on the water you’ll need hat, scarfs, gloves, the lot!
Ellie Edginton
Entwistle Reservoir
Heading a little further up North, just past Bolton, you’ll find The Entwistle Reservoir. On a crisp autumnal sunny day, you’ll feel like you’ve just hopped off a plane and landed in Canada, no joke.
The views over the water are completely breath-taking. Surrounded by rows and rows of woodland and trees the walk is only around 2.5miles long. A quick heads up, it can be super busy at the weekends and the parking can be a little manic so either get their early or park a little further up the road.
Whilst you’re there grab yourself some serious pub grub and a pint from The Starbury Duck just 5 minutes up the road.
What's On
Huge beer festival with more than 500 different varieties coming to Manchester
Can’t wait for this!
Manchester Craft Beer Festival is back for another year, bringing with it more than 80 breweries and 500 different beers to sample.
The fourth edition of the festival will be taking place at Depot Mayfield on Friday July 5th and Saturday July 6th.
Cloudwater, Track, Marble, Northern Monk, Bundobust, Sureshot and Seven Brothers will be there to represent Manchester, alongside other UK stalwarts like Deya, Verdant, Siren and Leeds’ North Brewing Co.
Manchester Craft Beer Festival
Heritage breweries like Timothy Taylor’s, Chouffe and Timmermans will also be there, as well as international breweries from the US, Greece, Spain and Australia.
There will also be some great food options to line your stomach, including bao buns, crispy chicken and katsu tater tots at Bone Daddies, as well as Almost Famous, Bundobust, MorMor and Voodoo Rays.
Manchester Craft Beer Festival
Greg Wells, director of Manchester Craft Beer Festival, said: “It’s been a disheartening year for Manchester’s beer scene so far with closure of the beloved Indy Beer Con Fest and the unsuccessful debut of the International Brewing and Cider Festival, but we’re pleased to announce our return and bring more of what has been loved in the past three years.
“With even more breweries and experiences on offer and larger capacity this year, we’re buzzing to be back to satisfy all the beer lovers out there.
“The addition of a complimentary trade session to our programme is all about promoting this world class beer city and a small gesture to support all the incredible people who work across the drinks and hospitality industries.
“We all have a mutual understanding of the hardships our industries have faced in recent times so we thought it’d be a nice gesture to get everyone together for the love of drinks, food and music to celebrate beer and ourselves!”
Manchester Craft Beer Festival
The entry price includes all your drinks throughout your session, as well as festival glass and access to all the events happening.
And as it’s on during the Euros, it will be screening the football too.
Day tickets cost £57 per day session – with a discount for four tickets – or £145 for the whole weekend. Grab tickets HERE.
What's On
New makers market with everything from dog accessories to house plants and jewellery coming to Manchester
Get this one in your diary!
A brand new makers market is coming to Manchester this late May Bank Holiday weekend, with something for everyone.
Taking place at New Jackson – a new urban neighbourhood located at the southern gateway to the city – Manchester Made Market will be held on Saturday May 25th and Sunday May 26th.
Over the two days you’ll be able to browse a selection of local artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region.
Supplied
There’ll be everything, from food produce, homewares, crafts and creations to dog accessories, house plants, jewellery and homemade soap.
Among the traders will be Manchester and Cheshire-based florist and floral artists Dot & Flora, graphic artist Ablott MCR selling music prints, HGT with crochet fashion and homeware designs, and artisan candlemakers Leaves and Prickles.
Elsewhere, there will be essential oils and other treatments from Grounded Wellness, permanent jewellery from Sealed Links, and desserts from Cake With Heart.
Supplied
There will be plenty of street food options to keep you topped up while you shop, including The Wild Grill, Food Sorcery, Salvi’s and new favourite Medlock Canteen.
Neighbourhood Brew will be supplying some great drinks as well.
Supported by Renaker, the market is free, but you can upgrade your experience with a limited, free VIP ticket with access to the dedicated bar area.
What's On
Manchester Flower Festival returns with tributes to Sarah Harding and Caroline Aherne
It’s taking place later this month!
The legendary Manchester Flower Festival is returning to our city later this month, complete with pop-ups, installations and tributes to some local icons.
Taking place over the late May Bank Holiday, the event will be headlined by its ‘Floral Trail’.
This year’s theme is Manchester Icons, with a host of names past and present being honoured in flower form, including the late comedy legend Caroline Aherne, pop star Sarah Harding and suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Collaborating with Manchester illustrator Stanley Chow, floral designer Liv Woodward will create a portrait of Caroline Aherne at the Floral Marquee on New Cathedral Street, using sustainably sourced plants and flowers.
Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding will be remembered in a ‘tribute garden’, sponsored by the AO Arena, with visitors able to donate to the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal by scanning the QR code at the display.
The homage to Pankhurst has been created by female-led Decordia, featuring an ornate wooden Manchester Town Hall-inspired planter with sashes, posters and colourful icons, alongside a wicker figure of the suffragette herself.
This can be found at the corner of Cross Street and King Street, adorned with purple, green and white plants – the colours of the suffragette movement.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Other local legends will also be honoured with their own installations, including Happy Mondays vocalist Rowetta and iconic Manchester brewery Boddingtons .
Fringe events will be taking place too, at locations including Northern Quarter art shop Fred Aldous, The Bridgewater Hall, the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel and the National Trust’s Castlefield Viaduct.
Selfridges Exchange Square, El Gato Negro, Tast Catala, Franco Manca, Grand Pacific Manchester and Urban Playground will also be taking part, with alfresco dining, festival-related dishes and cocktails.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Now in its seventh year, the Flower Festival, which is put together by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, with live entertainment, workshops, and arts and crafts markets.
It all happens from May 24th to May 27th – head over to the website HERE to find more information.
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Huge beer festival with more than 500 different varieties coming to Manchester
New makers market with everything from dog accessories to house plants and jewellery coming to Manchester
New apartment development with huge gardens and outdoor space opening this year
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Manchester Flower Festival returns with tributes to Sarah Harding and Caroline Aherne
