The Sunday Stroll - Jazzy Post Boxes

New joiners welcome! 🥾

It’s Sunday stroll time again… this time an urban walk, with a niche theme of post boxes (we all love a niche theme, don’t we?!). 📮📮📮

This is a linear walk, starting at Bowker Vale tram stop. We will walk along Blackley (pronounced Blake-ly) New Road, towards Rochdale Road to spot our first “unusual” postbox near Boggart Hole Clough. Following this we will leave the road behind and follow the Irk (plus reservoirs) to Manchester General Cemetery and Queens Park in Harpurhey. Then we will head into “town” (Manchester city centre) along Collyhurst Road, admiring industrial and new development sites. Our next postbox is iconic and survived the devastating IRA bomb in 1996. The final two post boxes are also jazzy colours... on Mount Street and Liverpool Road, where we will finish the walk. Then there will be an option for beverages at one of the establishments nearby.

The walk is very flat, mainly heading down towards Manchester. Boots recommended as some off-road sections were rather muddy on the recce. Quick lunch stop in Queens Park (bring your own food!).

This walk will be led by Jennie Harrison. It is graded Slight/Leisurely: Walks for reasonably fit people with at least a little country walking experience. May include unsurfaced rural paths, with some sustained ascents or descents. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are recommended.

FAQs:
What to wear? Walking boots/shoes are recommended as paths are expected to be muddy. Bring waterproofs and warm clothing.
A hot flask with your favourite drink is always a good idea this time of year. Bring enough water, some snacks and food for lunch.

Can I bring a dog? Please note it’s assistance dogs only on this walk.

Can I drive to the walk start? You’re more than welcome to meet us at Bowker Vale tram stop — just make sure to arrive before 11:00am. The walk will start on time, we cannot wait for late arrivals, sorry. We will wait for the tram from Manchester. Please note that this is a linear walk so we will be finishing in the city centre, not Bowker Vale.
Many of our members are not on Meetup, so the RSVP list will be smaller than the total number of attendees. Typically around 30 people join each walk, so there's plenty of people to chat with.

Itinerary:
10:50 - Meet at Bowker Vale tram stop (Bury line). Sunday service on the Metrolink is every 15 minutes. The tram starts at Piccadilly and calls at stops throughout the city centre, including Victoria. As a guide, you will probably want to be catching a tram at Piccadilly by around 10:25am or Victoria around 10:35am to make it on time.
11:00 - Walk starts at Bowker Vale tram stop
15:00 (approx) - Walk end at on Liverpool Road in Manchester City Centre (nearest tram stop Deansgate-Castlefield). Optional post-walk drinks at a nearby pub.

Recommended tickets:
The easiest way is just to tap-on/tap-off the tram using your contactless card or device. If you're buying a paper ticket then Bowker Vale is in Zone 2.

Details:

• Walk rating: Slight/Leisurely (Suitable for new walkers)
• Linear Walk
• Distance: 6.5 miles
• Ascent: 50m

For more information, please see our page at https://www.madwalkers.org.uk/walks/
Disclaimer
By taking part in these walks, you acknowledge that you do so entirely at your own risk. You are solely responsible for your personal safety, decisions, and actions throughout the event. Participation is completely voluntary.
By attending, you agree that your wellbeing is your own responsibility. The organiser cannot be held liable for any loss, injury, or damage that may occur.