Rain or shine, spring is starting to… spring. The cherry blossoms are rearing their heads and our hearts are fluttering at the sight of the odd daffodil; and as always, Manchester is truly benefitting from these gorgeous blooms already. In this vein, courtesy of the National Trust, Bloomtown returns to Greater Manchester for its fourth year this spring, celebrating the season when blossom can be seen on trees.
The festival, organised by the National Trust together with local schools, parks and community groups, invites you to notice and be inspired by blossom where you live, work, study and play. It’s part of the National Trust’s Festival of Blossom, made possible by funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
When does Bloomtown launch?
Bloomtown launches on Saturday 21 March 11am-3pm in Heaton Park with blossom-themed bike rides, poetry walks, arts and crafts and storytelling throughout the park.
Bee Pedal Ready workshop
Bee Pedal Ready, Manchester’s women-led workshop empowering more people to repair and ride bikes, is throwing a Pedal Party for children and families. Bring your bike or borrow one for free to adorn with blossom and cycle through the park.
There is an optional dress code: ‘celebrating spring’. There will be bike rides for little ones (2-5 years old) and children (6-10 years old) accompanied by their families.
Stories in Bloom poetry walk
Since the launch coincides with World Poetry Day, the National Trust has organised a Stories in Bloom poetry walk through Heaton Park’s blooming trees and plants. After learning about the blossoms at each stop, you will be given a writing prompt by writing-in-nature guides Oak + Pen to get your ideas flowing.
What else to expect at the Bloomtown Trail
Bloomtown runs from 21 March to 31 May and will include more walks and bike rides, poetry, dance, storytelling, creative workshops and blossom hotspots to visit, taking place at the National Trust’s Castlefield Viaduct, Dunham Massey, Quarry Bank, Lyme Park, Speke Hall and in green spaces all over Greater Manchester.
Bloomtown Trail map to see the best blossom hotspots in Manchester
The Bloomtown team has created a free interactive paper and digital map with over 50 blossom hotspots to explore and ideas for creative, no-cost ways to connect with nature wherever you are. The map includes walkable routes that will take you through a series of floral hotspots.
Follow the Bloomtown Trail in Hulme & South Manchester, East Manchester, Salford, Manchester City Centre, Trafford, Rochdale and Stockport, or use the map to explore and create your own route.
The National Trust’s access to nature ambition
Beyond celebrating the beauty of blossom, the festival is part of the National Trust’s goal to end unequal access to nature in Greater Manchester. It draws attention to nature renewal that is happening locally and green spaces that may be small or tucked away.
National Trust’s Senior Visitor Experience Officer, Beth Talbot said: “It’s about finding and noticing nature. There’s so much around us that you might not notice otherwise, small areas with plants and trees and pocket parks. People tell us, ‘I didn’t realise how many parks I can visit near my home’. Getting more people out there means that space is used, enjoyed and better cared for.”
Bloomtown at Castlefield Viaduct
In 2022 the National Trust transformed Castlefield Viaduct, a Victorian railway bridge in central Manchester out of use since 1969, into a sky garden and green corridor for nature to enter the city.
During Bloomtown, Castlefield Viaduct will host events for visitors to get creative surrounded by blossoming fuji cherries, apple trees and spring flowers. Bring blossom to even the smallest urban spaces by making your own strawberry blossom hanging basket to keep, or learn about the importance of wildflowers and plant some of your own.
Laura Nash, Community Engagement Co-ordinator at Castlefield Viaduct, said: “As Blossom is starting to appear and the warmer weather is inviting people outdoors again it’s a good time to notice and connect with nature. We are working with various groups across Manchester doing activities such as flowerpot swaps, Hapa Zome, poetry, murals and planting seeds.”
The Viaduct is also the start and end point for a walkable trail though the city centre via fifteen blossom hotspots including Sackville Gardens, Cutting Room Square, Manchester Cathedral and St. Peter’s Square.
Where can I get a Bloomtown Trail map?
You can collect a Bloomtown map for free at the launch event at Heaton Park on Saturday 21 March, from Castlefield Viaduct and other festival venues and hotspots, or view it online here.