Agüerooo! The Green Hat-Trick

Entering the Ashton

From Piccadilly, head up Ducie Street till you see the decorative brick and wrought ironwork on your right. This conceals an entrance to the Ashton Canal. The small basin still has an old crane used to unload cargo. You follow the path to the left and find yourself heading down the Ashton Canal.

The Ashton Canal

Follow the Ashton Canal for a couple kilometres. You will see signs to leave the canal for Phillip Park, so don't worry too much about getting lost.

The first notable point of interest is the lockkeeper's cottage. A beautiful old building, perched on a bed of wildflowers in spring and summer. Overlooked by a modern repurposed mill, it is quite a site.

Ashton canal was once a busy industrial age canal. As such, you regularly see old mills, and examples of Prime Victorian design in the subtle spaces. This design, mixed with modern glass towers, makes for a great contrasting site and is a dream for any budding photographers.

Phillips Park

Phillips Park is only a hundred yards from the canal, but the main road is best crossed on the canal, as the pedestrian crossings are few and far between. Head into the park, towards the lake. You can circle the whole park, or head straight to the other side. The exit of the park you need is the leftmost arch of the old brick viaduct.

This is a very popular park, with a well-supported Parkrun, and the first of our green hat-trick. This park is an example of modern park design and usage, having a play area, a BMX track to try and engage modern kids, and field space for dog walkers or young romantics. It is a well executed quintessential park design of Britain.

Clayton Vale

Crossing the road after the arch, you enter Clayton Vale. This route follows a large loop up the right side of the area and back down the river. The tracks here criss cross, so bear in mind you will exit Clayton Vale the same you enter now, and you be able to find your way back easily.

Clayton Vale, the second of our hat-trick, was once the ash tip of the Manchester Power Station. Since being cleaned up, it is now a nature reserve, with wildlife a plenty, including Kingfishers. It makes a great picnic area half way along the route, and has an old railway viaduct you can access (pictured).

As a nature reserve, the space is designed very differently from the Park you just left.

The Etihad Stadium

Once you exit Clayton Vale, head down Bank Street, and you can cut through Velopark. Head towards the left of the stadium, which stands tall and proud over any view you have. You can the circle around the concourse, which is open to the public every day, and once you see the tram stop, there is a footpath running parallel to the tram tracks.

The Etihad is one of the biggest landmarks in Manchester, and though isn't green space as such, is well worth a visit (much as it pains me, a proud Bolton fan, to admit).

The Velopark you pass through is also a famous landmark, built for the Commonwealth Games. It is a huge sporting campus, and home to several national sporting institutes, such as cycling, squash, tennis and athletics.

The River Medlock

Following the path down to Holt Lane tram stop, you cross the road and immediately ahead is another path that follows the River Medlock. Follow the river downstream till you encounter Manchester Ring Road.

When I walked this route, the 2024 floods had just hit, and there was still some damage. So please forgive the unflattering photos. This area is a thin green space running down the river between some heavily built-up areas. Surprisingly, the birdlife here is brilliant, including finches, kingfishers and various other river birds.

Mayfield Park

Exiting onto the Mancunian Way, this is the least green part of the route. It's not long, but uneventful. Cross over and follow the road dead ahead down until you come to the railway bridge. Turn right off Mancunian Way, passing under the bridge, and you should see signs for Mayfield Park. The park runs along the river, and you pass straight through it. Take the time to meander through rather than beelining.

This park, the third and final of the green hat-trick, is by far the newest. A well-designed garden, more similar to a show garden than a park, though it does include a play area. It represents the use of green space more for relaxation and maintaining a clear headspace, than for being active. It's a beautiful area with some art installations as well.

Returning to Piccadilly

The return to Piccadilly is simple. Exit the other side of Mayfield Park, downstream, turn right up the road, passing Freight Island, and you will have Piccadilly station ahead of you.