- Picnic @ Ashton Canal ParkAshton Canal Park, Manchester
I'm going to go for a picnic in the park if the weather holds.
We'll meet at Piccadilly Station for the 5 min tram ride over.Despite being a small city park it's usually fairly peaceful.
There is a bit of a litter issue (no bins) so I'll bring some bags.I love to munch outside so I'll bring:
- Picnic mat
- Grapes
- Pringles
- Mini Pork Pies
- Chicken Skewers
- Cans of Lemonade
- CookiesIf you want to join bring:
- Something to munch
- Something to drinkIf it rains, my flat is near Ancoats Marina; I don't mind hosting.
In that case it would be at Chips, New Islington, M4 6BU.
See Event Chat if unsure.There's a Sainsburys in the station if you need supplies.
Photos and discussions will be on Discord as ever. - Holidays @ Isle of ManPiccadilly Station, Greater Manchester
The Isle of Man is a peaceful island off the coast of Liverpool.
I have family on the island and have visited extensively.Almost nothing here is step-free and some rain is guaranteed.
I'm just posting what I'm doing:Outward - Tue 11/06
- Train: 11:07 Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street (50 mins)
- Walk: 12:00 Lime Street to St Nicholas Place (30 mins)
- Ferry: 13:30 Liverpool to Douglas (3 hours)
Return - Fri 14/06
- Ferry: 15:00 Douglas to Liverpool
- Walk: Liverpool Docks to Lime Street Station
- Train: Liverpool Lime Street to Victora
Ferry costs £ 25.00, Douglas Hotels - tend to fill up early.
I'm in the Sefton but most are < £ 100 per night.Stuff to do? These are my favourite places:
Manx Electric Railway links to east-coast landmarks and trails:
- Dhoon Glen - Waterfall fern trail down to a beach
- Laxey Wheel - Ludicrously oversized working waterwheel
- Groundle Glen - Fairytale wooded waterfall valley
- Ballaglass Glen - Stream-hopping wooded fern glen
- Glen Mona - Clifftop coastal walk into Ramsay
- Snaefell Mountain - £ 30 taxi, walk up & take a tram down
- Douglas, Laxey & Ramsay - Fishing towns with beaches
Manx Steam Railway links to south coast landmarks and trails:
- Castle Rushen - Picturesque castle over the harbour
- Silverdale Glen - Leafy forested valley and boating lake
- Peel Castle - Expansive ruined castle on its own mini island
There are a few other areas only accessible by Taxi:
- Glen Helen - Wooded gardens with bridges over waterfalls
- Glen Mooar - Clifftop walks with waterfall pools and valleys
- Archallagan - Forest of a Thousand Trails (pictured)
- Jurby Motor Museum - 500 vehicles (cars bikes hovercraft)
If you want to come with, you're welcome to book your own stay.
If not, you'll find photos and discussions on Discord as usual ^^ - Meals @ Freight IslandFreight Island, Manchester
Freight Island is a food court, partly outdoor and indoors.
There's a wide range of drink and food choices as well as seating.If the weather holds this will be a great outdoor space.
If it rains, most seats are under covered anyway.After a while we may go for a wander around Mayfield Park next door.
It's not very large but most people don't know it's even there.Train/Tram: 7 min walk to Piccadilly Station.
Bus: 15 min walk to Piccadilly Gardens.
Car: There's a carpark literally outside.Discussions and photos will be on Discord as ever.
- Walks @ Didsbury Village to Sale Water ParkThe Fletcher Moss, Manchester
We did this recently and people enjoyed it, so going again.
10% Roads, 10% Botanical Gardens, 80% Riverside footpaths.Nearest Tram: Didsbury Village
Starting at the aptly named Fletcher Moss pub.Has beer garden when warm and indoor seating when chilly.
I'll walk down Wilmslow Rd to Fletcher Moss Gardens (1 km).
Will then go around the botanical gardens (1 km).There's a cafe here, giving people time to explore the gardens.
Will pause for 30 mins and then do the rest of the walk.We path through Stenner Woods to the River Mersey (1 km).
From there it's along the river to the Sale Water Park (6 km).
Pause at Jackson's Boat for a lemonade and a rest.Sale Tram stop is a short walk from the finish (0.3 km).
Some beautiful parks for a picnic in future too, if it's warmer.As always, photos and discussions will be on Discord
Route Map will be under photos. Pets welcome 😊 - Walks @ New Mills & Sett Valley TrailStation Works, High Peak
New Mills is a small town on the edge of the Peak District.
Reachable by train from Piccadilly and good for walks.There's a viaduct, mill and riverside / valley walking route
12:00 - Meet at Piccadilly Station (optional).
12:18 - Train to New Mills (30 mins - optional).
13:00 - Meet at New Mills Central Station (event start).4 km walk along the Sett Valley Trail to Bluebell Wood.
1 km walk back past the Reservoir to the Sett Cafe.Brief stop to refuel / use the facilities as needed.
Then turn around and walk 3 km back to the Torr Vale Tap.
It's about a 15 min walk from there back to the station.Paths are solid, we don't expect mud. Might sit on grass if dry.
Route map under photos, expect discussions etc on Discord. - Walks @ Manchester City Centre to Media CityWhitworth Locke, Civic Quarter, Manchester
This is a picturesque 5 km route and tends to be quite peaceful.
45% Tow Path, 50% along the River Irwell and 5% on roads13:00 - Start at Whitworth Locke by the Canal / NCP Car Park
14:30 - Arrive in Media City outside the Lowry
15:00 - Leave Media City outside the Lowry
16:30 - End at Whitworth Locke by the Canal / NCP Car ParkTrain: 5 min walk to Oxford Road, 10 min to Deansgate/Piccadilly
Tram: 5 min walk to St Peter's Square
(also a Tram Stop in Media City for those unable to walk back)Explore while we pause for drinks at Alchemist or chips at Turtle Bay
Mossy paths and no railings in parts so wear sensible shoes.
It's Manchester so an umbrella would be useful. Pets allowed 😊Photos and Discussions will be on Discord as usual.
- Walks @ Didsbury Village to Sale Water ParkThe Fletcher Moss, Manchester
We did this recently and people enjoyed it, so going again.
10% Roads, 10% Botanical Gardens, 80% Riverside footpaths.Nearest Tram: Didsbury Village
Starting at the aptly named Fletcher Moss pub.Has a beer garden when warm and indoor seating when chilly.
I'll walk down Wilmslow Rd to Fletcher Moss Gardens (1 km).
Will then go around the botanical gardens (1 km).There's a cafe here, giving people time to explore the gardens.
Will pause for 30 mins and then do the rest of the walk.We path through Stenner Woods to the River Mersey (1 km).
From there it's along the river to the Sale Water Park (6 km).
Pause at Jackson's Boat for a lemonade and a rest.Sale Tram stop is a short walk from the finish (0.3 km).
Some beautiful parks for a picnic in future too, if it's warmer.As always, photos and discussions will be on Discord
Route Map will be under photos. Pets welcome 😊 - Activities @ Scavenger HuntHotel Motel One Manchester-St. Peter's Square, Manchester
Devised five separate 5 km routes around the city centre.
Each route has 14 stops and most we've used for events.Locations are venues, some are open, some might not be.
Starting at Motel One (St Peter's), all are accessed via pavements.Follow clues & take a photo of some of your group there:
- +1 Point if you can only get a photo from the outside.
- +2 Points if you can get a photo from inside the venue.
- -1 Point if you need to ask me for a clue.
Will send people off in groups periodically.
No prize for speed so walk at your own pace.Tram: 1 min walk from St Peter's.
Train: 10 mins to Deansgate, 15 min walk from anywhere else
Bus: 5 min walk from Piccadilly Gardens.As usual there'll be photos and discussions on Discord
- Walks @ Manchester City Centre to Media CityWhitworth Locke, Civic Quarter, Manchester
This is a picturesque 5 km route and tends to be quite peaceful.
45% Tow Path, 50% along the River Irwell and 5% on roads13:00 - Start at Whitworth Locke by the Canal / NCP Car Park
14:30 - Arrive in Media City outside the Lowry
15:00 - Leave Media City outside the Lowry
16:30 - End at Whitworth Locke by the Canal / NCP Car ParkTrain: 5 min walk to Oxford Road, 10 min to Deansgate/Piccadilly
Tram: 5 min walk to St Peter's Square
(also a Tram Stop in Media City for those unable to walk back)Explore while we pause for drinks at Alchemist or chips at Turtle Bay
Mossy paths and no railings in parts so wear sensible shoes.
It's Manchester so an umbrella would be useful. Pets allowed 😊Photos and Discussions will be on Discord as usual.
- Walks @ Manchester City Centre to Media CityWhitworth Locke, Civic Quarter, Manchester
This is a picturesque 5 km route and tends to be quite peaceful.
45% Tow Path, 50% along the River Irwell and 5% on roads13:00 - Start at Whitworth Locke by the Canal / NCP Car Park
14:30 - Arrive in Media City outside the Lowry
15:00 - Leave Media City outside the Lowry
16:30 - End at Whitworth Locke by the Canal / NCP Car ParkTrain: 5 min walk to Oxford Road, 10 min to Deansgate/Piccadilly
Tram: 5 min walk to St Peter's Square
(also a Tram Stop in Media City for those unable to walk back)Explore while we pause for drinks at Alchemist or chips at Turtle Bay
Mossy paths and no railings in parts so wear sensible shoes.
It's Manchester so an umbrella would be useful. Pets allowed 😊Photos and Discussions will be on Discord as usual.