Manchester is a beautiful exciting mess of a city but sometimes you might feel the need to relax, unwind and find a bit of space.

This is list of a few of the areas of natural beauty that surround the city usually only a few minutes away by bus or train. But don’t just take our advice. When I first moved to Manchester I spent days aimlessly riding on buses or trains looking for the unexplored spaces; parks full of squirels in autumn, the unseen beaches on the rivers that pass beneath the city, exploring is half the joy of travelling. The GMPTE Travel shop is a good starting point for public transport information or try their website www.gmpte.gov.uk

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In the city...
Heaton Park - 3 miles north of City it is the largest municipal park in Europe, with a large boating lake, magnificent trees, and plenty of space. Heaton Park can be reached tram station or by bus

Southern green belt land
The area to the South of the city is bordered by green belt land and runs from Cheshire to the Peak district. This area includes Chorlton water park and meadows, the Mersey canal, Fletcher Moss ornamental gardens in Didsbury and some great cycle routes. If you want a taste of the countryside but only have a few hours then head this way. Accesible by bus from various routes or Brooklands tram.

Alexandra Park
Personally I think this is the nicest park in Manchester, beautiful mature trees with a pond and wide areas of grass. Nice for smoking weed, playing frisbee or taking a stroll. On the border of Moss Side/Whalley Range

Plattfields and Birchfields Parks
Decent sized parks near student land with space for games and in Platt Fields a nice boating lake.

Canals
There are some great canals to find in Greater Manchester, secret paths through the urban jungle, good to explore by foot, bike or if you can blag, borrow or hire by boat. Brigdewater canal - from town to Altrincham and onto the wilds of Cheshire, the Huddersfield canal; from town through East Manchester via Greenfields into the Peaks.

Gardens
Community gardens are great; cultivated areas where people in the same area can grow their own food, experience co-operation and self sufficiency and help green the city. See a couple of examples;
Leaf Street Garden, Bentley Estate Hulme, www.redbricks.org.uk and Ridgeway St in Miles Platting c/o Merci, 0161 273 1736.
And if you are into gardening there are plenty of allotments in Manchester and you might want to check out Hulme Community Garden Centre, Old Birley Street Hulme 226 5565.

Further afield...

Winter Hill
A spot amidst the desolate beauty of the Lancashire moors. It overlooks Bolton off M61. You need a car to get there really.

Hebden Bridge
Northern hippy town, but lovely all the same, good walking in most directions. Whilst you’re there go to the Alternative Technology Centre open 10-17:00 Mon-Fri and Sat-Sun Afternoons. Every town should have one. 01422 842121. Trains from Victoria, 40 mins.

Tatton Park - a beautiful deer park. Take a tram to Altrincham, then get a bus.
Greenfields/Saddleworth moor - beautiful walks and reservoirs to swim in amoungst Alpine scenery. Trains from Victoria to Greenfields station, walk down through town and head for the hills.

Alderly edge
A beautiful woodland overlooking the city, witchcraft legends obscure the towns origins as a new Victorian town for Manchester’s rich but ignore the wealth and enjoy the greenery. Trains from Piccadilly take 15 minutes and cost £4.50 rtn.

Glossop
Good departure point to the high peaks for walking and cycling. Train from Piccadilly, takes 40 mins. Kinderscout - site of historic right to roam trespasses and what the Manchester ramblers song is about.

Lyme Park
Stately home in nice grounds and in a wild peak setting. Train to Disley from Piccadilly, 30mins.
Edale
In the heart of the peak district. Beautiful place to go walking. Trains from Piccadilly 2 hourly, takes 45 minutes, £6.60 rtn.

Buxton
Departure point for exploration of the beautiful surrounding areas including the Goyt valley. Train from Picc., 60mins.

Neolithic sites

For the antiquarian/hippy there are a number of ancient sites dotted around the peaks. Check out Arbor Low; the finest Stone Age ‘henge’ monument in the North of England, Dove Holes near Buxton and Mam Tor near Edale.

Arbor Low
119.161636 on the A515 south from Buxton to Ashbourne, its sign posted from the the left turn for Youlgreave
see http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/ for more
Arbor Low is a henge and barrow complex, with huge standing stones (all now fallen)

The Pikestones
Chambered long cairn, Anglezarke Moor, 109.627172. possibly walking distance from Adlington station.

There are plenty of minor Neolithic remains around Winter Hill, Rivington Moor and Anglezarke Moor, north west of Bolton (though none are particularly extensive or involve standing stones). Nearest stations: Lostock Jct and Adlington see http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/ for more information.

The seaside...
Southport is an amazing beach, a mile to the sea. Blackpool, love it! Enough said. Formby near Southport, take a look at the red squirrels.. North Wales coast, loads to explore including Shell Island, sweet.