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Greater Manchester Green Belt walk with CPRE Lancashire and Dr. Andrew Read

Take a walk in the Green Belt with CPRE Lancashire and GM Ringway creator, Dr Andrew Read, to learn about the countryside on your doorstep.

About this Event

Join us for a leisurely 10.3km walk from Sale to East Didsbury via the Sale Water Park, Chorlton Water Park, River Mersey and Fletcher Moss, all accessible via public transport.

Green Belt is the countryside on the doorstep for millions of city dwellers in the UK, and provides green space to escape from the city in order to run, cycle, walk dogs or just spend time with nature. However, the Green Belt is threatened by development and across Greater Manchester many community groups have come together to highlight threats to Green Belt sites. CPRE Lancashire supports the creation of the GM Ringway walk as a sustainable walking route offering access to green spaces and rural areas around the edge of Manchester, including some of the Greater Manchester Green Belt.

The purpose of this walk is to highlight the beauty and importance of the countryside, walking routes and urban green spaces of stage two of the GM Ringway. As well as the opportunity to talk to CPRE volunteers about our work to protect the Green Belt and to highlight alternative sites where houses could be more sustainably located, the walk will be led by Dr Andrew Read, who devised the GM Ringway as a sustainable long-distance path around Manchester. Dr Read’s aim was to come up with a truly sustainable long distance trail to highlight the beautiful countryside and green spaces of the region, and while leading the walk he will highlight points of interest.

Our meeting point will be close to the Sale Water Park Metrolink stop. After signing in, we will walk eastwards along the Mersey, and complete a circuit of the lake at Chorlton Water Park (toilet facilities).

We will then wander through Kenworthy Woods and rejoin the Mersey as it meanders peacefully north towards West Didsbury. Next comes a section along an old right of way, before we take the ancient tree-lined Stenner Lane towards Didsbury.

Fletcher Moss Park is the next destination; this part of the walk includes a lovely boardwalk section through damp woodland. After taking time to view the park’s landscaped botanical gardens, we can relax with drinks and, if wished, food at the Didsbury or Old Cock pubs.

From the end of the walk, it’s just a 10-minute stroll to East Didsbury Metrolink station at Parrs Wood for the return tram to Manchester or Sale Water Park (via Cornbrook).

Walkers will need sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing for Manchester in Autumn (waterproofs!). Bring a packed lunch or a snack and a drink. There are pubs near to the end of the route where walkers can seek additional fortification if necessary.

Register your (free) place via Eventbrite

Difficulty: Leisurely – mainly good paths with one or two muddy sections; mainly fine for pushchairs, though these will need to be lifted in a few places up steps. Unfortunately, this walk is not suitable for wheelchair users, but we are working on identifying wheelchair-friendly and accessible routes and plan to run an accessible walk in the near future.

Access: Public transport (Metrolink) to each end; very easy to take tram back to end. While dogs can’t be taken on the tram, those with dogs can easily take the direct bus back to Chorlton or Stretford.

The walk is open to all and there is no charge, but booking is essential. Full details will be sent out to attendees nearer to the time.

Photographs will be taken during the day which may be used in future publicity, publications or on websites. If you’d prefer for your photo not to be used please let one of our walk leaders know on the day and try and make sure you are not included in photos being taken.

Event Details

Location Sale Water Park
Sale, M33 2LX
Start Sunday 20 Oct 2019 11:00am
Finish Sunday 20 Oct 2019 4:00pm


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