Here in Manchester we’re blessed with a blooming spring, even in the city centre and so often it can feel like you don’t know where to start. Now, the National Trust has published their ‘Bloomtown Trail‘, pinpointing all the blossoming trees in and around Manchester, bringing attention to our wonderful urban green spaces and the blossom they’re brimming with.
From the very midst of the city centre, stretching all the way out to Worsley and Wythenshawe, there’s some gorgeous walks absolutely packed with blossom that’ll instantly lift your mood this spring. The official best time to explore the trail is throughout April, but you may be pleasantly surprised either side of that. Here’s five of our favourite spots on the Bloomtown trail to find beautiful blossom in Manchester:
1. Castlefield Viaduct
The newest and perhaps most innovative National Trust Site is housed on the disused Castlefield Viaduct, and holds a heck of a lot of nature. There are no less than 63 small-but-mighty Fuji Cherry trees on the viaduct, showing that you don’t need much space to bring nature into the city. This spot in nice and central, and is located in one of the more peaceful parts of the city to begin with, so you can bet it’ll be lovely. Self-guided visits are free, with bookings for guided tours available online.
2. University of Manchester Students’ Union
A fairly underrated area of the city centre, the open space around the University of Manchester is genuinely beautiful and filled with cherry blossom. There are over a dozen Cherry trees leading up to the University of Students’ Union and all have delicate, snow-like blossom, but two of them are special. Tibetan Cherries have amazingly shiny and peely bark compared to the others, so pop along and see if you can tell the difference.
3. Philips Park, Miles Platting
One of the world’s first parks created entirely for the public, by the public, Philips Park sits just off Ashton Canal, and is a haven for people and wildlife. Although we have many lovely canal walks here in Manchester, this one’s a bit further out, providing a breath of fresh air and wide open space. The Cherry trees near the games area drips with pink blossom in spring and they’re definitely worth the trip if you’re not east of the city.
4. Hullard Park, Old Trafford
Home to the largest urban wildflower meadow in England, Hullard Park boasts well looked-after gardens with lots of space to run, walk or skip through the blossom. Its Stretford location makes the park perfect for locals who can just walk on over, and isn’t too far from the city centre with easy access via bus or tram.
5. Parsonage Gardens
Just off Deansgate is the hidden gardens of a once thriving religious centre. Parsonage Gardens, once St Mary’s Parsonage, is a small but perfectly formed green haven in the city, ruled by cherry blossom in the spring months. Take a shortcut through on your commute, or take time out of your day to visit and have a sit and a chat on a bench, all with the lovely cherry blossom and magnolia in the background.
You can pick up a recyclable paper copy of the Bloomtown map at:
Manchester Central Library
NOMA
Platt Fields Visitors Centre
Local parks across Greater Manchester
Mayfield Park
Waterside Arts
RHS Bridgewater
Hulme Community Garden Centre
Castlefield Viaduct
Quarry Bank
Dunham Massey
Lyme