A Walk in the Park

By Lizzie Gibbons

A short bus ride away from the MMU campus, and an even shorter one from the student hubs of Fallowfield and Withington, you will find Fletcher Moss. A huge, 90-acre park in Didsbury, Fletcher Moss is home to botanical gardens and a nature reserve. Both make for beautiful photography spots. The park also boasts tennis courts and a football pitch, making it a great day out for families.

What’s more, you can find a café and an ice cream parlour tucked away in the scenery for if you fancy a refreshment-fuelled break.

The family of green parakeets populating the Stenner Woods area of the park highlights the growing population of these birds in South Manchester.

Every Saturday at 9am, the park hosts Parkrun, a jogging route which follows the River Mersey. This 69-mile-long river runs between Stockport and Liverpool, through Stenner Gardens, a partially flooded woodland, and onto Millgate Fields.

End a warm day in the park with a pint at The Didsbury or Ye Olde Cock Inn, two pubs with huge beer gardens conveniently located right next to the park. A short walk away from the park you can find Didsbury village, where the streets are filled with hidden gems.

During the summer, the park can be seen full of students enjoying the sun. There is a small ‘beach’ on the banks of the River Mersey, which is popular with sunbathers - a rare find in the inland city of Manchester.

The village is a melting pot of upscale and cheap as chips restaurants, cafes and arguably the best selection of charity shops in Manchester. Notable recommendations include the sushi takeaway ‘Zumu’, ‘Nueve’ Tapas Bar and popular student pub, ‘The Famous Crown’.