Manchester Parks and History Cycle

This cycle route starts you off at some historical sites and then guides you to some of Manchester’s parks. The route is roughly 24.5km and can be extended if you choose to ride around the parks. The route is mostly paved and best suited for intermediate to advanced cyclists due to sections of busy road. You can hire a bike from Bee Active, Beryl, or Manchester Bikes. If you have your own bike and need parking, you can use Parkopedia or JustPark to help you out. If you need parking, booking at least 2-3 days in advance is advised.

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Whitworth Hall is ceremonial and was built between 1898 and 1902. The hall is named after Manchester engineer Joseph Whitworth. Whitworth was talented, having developed new methods for making metal planes accurately, and contributed to Charles Babbage’s revolutionary calculating machine. After working and learning in London, he moved back to Manchester and set up a machine tool-making business, including lathes. He created a reputation for himself by creating a measuring device that is accurate up to 10 nanometres and his system of standardised screw threads.

Leaving Whitworth Hall, turn right down Oxford Road, then left into Rusholme Place, which becomes Oxford Place onto Daisy Bank Road. Just after the fifth road on your left, turn left up the pathway toward Olney Street, then onto Olney Street and turn right on Heathersage Road towards the Victoria Baths.

Leaving the Baths, continue down Heatehrsgate Road, then turn left toward Chelford Close, then turn right onto Chelford Close. Turn right onto Plymouth Grove, then immediately left onto Winterford Avenue. Turn left onto Stockport Road, then immediately left onto the pathway. After about 220 metres, turn left toward Warmington Drive and continue on Warmington Drive.

The Manchester Victoria Baths was first opened in 1906 and was a municipal bathing institution for roughly 87 years. The facilities provided an opportunity to swim, bathe, and play. The Baths were well-loved and well-used by residents, describing it as a “splendid” “water palace [which citizens] “can be proud [of].” Some people of note who began their swimming careers at the Victoria Baths include Sunny Lowry, the fifth British woman to swim the English Channel, and Olympic swimmer John Besford, who won the bronze Eagle Trophy commissioned by Hitler on the assumption that German swimmer Ernst Kuppers would win. In the winter months post-war, the water was drained, and the venue was used for social events such as dances, bowls, and finding love.

In the 80s and 90s, the pool became a sports hall for five-a-side football, badminton, netball, and basketball. The baths were closed in 1993 and neglected; then restorations began in the late 90s and early 2000s after support efforts and the BBC Restoration win. Since then, the venue has been used for an array of events, has become a popular film spot, stained glass window restorations, and hosted creative market fairs. See their website here to keep up to date on their events.

Turn right onto Coverdale Crescent, then left toward Hyde Road and continue onto Bennett Street. Turn right onto Rostron Avenue and follow the curve of the road to the left. At the end of the road, turn right onto Trowtree, then left onto Reabrook Avenue. Turn right onto Kniveton Road, left onto Wenlock Way which becomes Gorton Lane, to find The Monastery on your right. Leaving the Monastery, turn left, then right onto Crossley Street.

The Monastery Manchester was built in 1872 but was sadly left to ruin after a project that didn’t come to fruition. Thereafter, the Monastery was vandalised, stripped, and left derelict. In 1996, volunteers decided to save this Grade II listed building and purchased it for just £1! Funds were then raised for the restoration, and after a few years, the Monastery served as a commercial venue for hire, hosting weddings, conferences, private meetings, etc. Even after the pandemic, the Monastery continues to host recreational and beneficial events such as crafting workshops and free legal advice sessions. See their calendar here to stay up to date.

Turn right onto Glencastel Road, then left around the curve over Hyde Road onto Mount Road. Curve with the road to the left, then turn right onto Stanley Grove. After about 1.2km, turn left onto Chell Street, right onto Brook Terrace, left onto Stockport Road, and then immediately right onto Stamford Road.

Turn left into Birch Hall Lane, right onto Birchfields Avenue, right onto Birchfields Road, then towards the circle in the park. Follow the path along the wooded area that will lead you onto Brighton Grove. Turn left onto Wilmslow Road or continue through Platt Fields Park. Exit toward Hart Road, then left onto Yew Tree Road and right onto Wilbraham Road.

Platt Fields Park originally opened in 1910 and has since served as a preferred event site that can cater to large-scale international and small-scale local events. On the grounds, you will find the Platt Hall, which houses Manchester’s Costume Gallery, which is free and open to the public. Other facilities include tennis courts, which are available for booking, a BMX track, a skatepark, a boathouse, and a children’s play area.

Turn left onto Princess Road. As Princess Road splits, follow it to the left to turn left onto Barlow Moor Road. Turn right onto Oaker Avenue, which becomes Borrowdale Crescent. Turn right onto Craigmore Avenue and sharp left onto Mersey Crescent.

Turn left back onto the pathway along Princess Road. Keep a slight left onto National Cycle Route 62, turn right under the bridges, and then right again to get back onto the path along Princess Road. Keep to the right, then turn left onto Willenhall Road, right onto Yew Tree Lane and left onto Rackhouse Road into Wythenshawe Park.

Wythenshawe Park has a long history. Notably, Wythenshawe Hall which has origins dating back to the 1300s. The Hall was occupied by the Tatton family for centuries, only to be surrendered by Robert Tatton during a siege in 1644 after two cannons were brought from Manchester. The site evolved over the years to include a walled garden, glass houses, and an ice house, and by 1830, the grounds had been expanded to create a parkland, including plantations. Since Lord and Lady Simon purchased the hall and parkland, the space has served as a place for fun and learning. Facilities include a horse stable, cycle hub, bee club, horticultural centre, and pump track. You can visit their website here to keep up to date on the events and activities.

Leaving the park, retrace your route onto Princess Road.

After about 3km on Princess Road, you’ll find Alexandra Park on the left.

Alexandra Park was opened to the public in 1870 and has since served as the site for numerous political demonstrations, including the Women’s Suffrage Demonstration in 1908, Quakers collecting signatures for peace at the park gates in 1916, and events organised by Rock Against Racism. Today, the annual Manchester Caribbean Carnival is held here. Another interesting feature of the park is that there is only one road that runs straight; the other pathways are all curved or rounded.

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Resources:

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