Yesterday me and the three took a trip to Heaton Park in Manchester. It’s a place I used to love visiting as a child. It’s a huge park, the biggest in Manchester and the largest municipal park in Europe. There is lots to do and see and always something happening during the school holidays. The park is free to enter. I was recently quite shocked to find that some certain parks charge an admission fee for general entry.
The weather was having a rather funny turn (usually happens when I decide to go somewhere) one minute it rained the next it went sweaty hot so it was a case of coats on one minute and off the next.
Regardless of the strange weather it was still a lovely day and a nice yet tiring walk around. My friend and her child also came along.
The park is really easy to get to with regular bus services from Manchester center plus there is also a very quick tram on the metrolink and only took us 10 minutes from Manchester and we was there.
In the park and also free of charge is a small farm with animals such as pigs, goats, horses, rabbits and birds. This was Izebellas first time at a farm and she seemed quite curious looking at everything.
There are a fair few old architectural buildings and monuments across the park. The main one being Heaton hall which unfortunately is now shut to public viewing. I loved walking around the inside when younger. It is still good for photographs tho.
There are lots of beautiful gardens to walk through and explore as well as the dense acres of forest and greenery containing many squirrels and birds and probably lots of other wildlife.
There are two adventure play parks for children (possibly more I’m not too sure). We went on the larger one which has lots of equipment for children of varying ages. There is a huge metal snake slide which looks a little scary, not something I would attempt to climb but Ryan and Jordanna loved it. Also a sand pit which we avoided with the drizzle.
Next to the park is a huge picnic area. I had made sandwiches and remembered the picnic blanket, nothing worse than grass stains on white pants or grass up your bum ha.
The picnic area is really large. Lots of room for playing football, walking dogs or just sunbathing after eating. As Izebella found out, also room for running off from mommy.
There is even a boating lake. You do have to pay for the boats and I didn’t think it a good idea taking 3 children out onto a deep lake. I used to have fun on these boats years ago tho.
Finally we walked back down to the funfair which is on throughout the school holidays. Wristbands were £7.99 and Ryan and Jordanna went on about 10 rides each so certainly got their money’s worth.
We found a lovely cafe in the park which is next to the farm bit. The cafe sells hot food, sandwiches, snacks and drinks and I found it very reasonably priced. Just £1.50 for a coffee and £2 for a latte. Hot meals start from £3 upwards. I had bought packed lunch so didn’t bother buying food. I probably will next time now I know costs and what they sell.
We also spotted a colourful long wagon train that goes around the park. I am not sure if this is free as we did not go on it.
There is much more that we did not explore at Heaton park including I believe a tram museum and several other gardens. We were out a good 8 hours including traveling time and had a really good day.
I even managed to get a photograph of me and the three altogether.
Heaton park has it’s own website here where more information and history about the park can be found.
