Top 10 Dog Walking routes around Manchester City Centre

Lockdown has left us with the perfect opportunity to get outside and explore new walking routes with our four-legged friends. Walking is great for our mental health and of course our pups love the exercise! If you live in the city centre, you may feel that you have exhausted your options for walking routes, but there a number of hidden gems and green spaces that are close enough to the city centre whilst also allowing you to avoid the busyness of the city. Here’s our top 10 dog walking routes around Manchester city centre:

1. Angel Meadow Park
First up is the city centres largest green space, which also happens to be on MeadowSide’s doorstep. The park has an interesting history, which is preserved by Friends of Angel Meadow. Despite being minutes away from the busy neighbourhoods of the Northern Quarter and Ancoats, Angel Meadow offers park-side peace and is great place to bring your pup for a lunch time run-around away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With the recent installation of park lights, the park is now perfectly suitable for an evening dog walk too. Stay tuned for exciting pupdates from the park coming soon!

Angel Meadow Park, Old Mount St, Manchester, M4 4TF.

2. Whitworth Park
Situated just a 10 minute walk from Piccadilly is Whitworth Park, which was awarded a Green Flag award in 2014 for its status as a welcoming, safe, well maintained park with strong involvement from the local community. The park is super dog and family friendly, with an adventure playground and plenty of space to walk around or to stop for a picnic. A designated dog walking area is also being created, so soon pups will be allowed off their leads in the park.

Whitworth Park, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M14 4PW

3. Clifton Country Park
Running along the river Irwell is Clifton Country Park, a large nature reserve with a mixture of woodlands and meadows for your pup to run wild and free. You can download a map from the website and take your pick from a number of self-guided trails that are sure to tire both you and your dog out.

Clifton Country Park, Clifton House Rd, Clifton, Salford M27 6NG

4. Heaton Park
Undoubtably Manchester’s most well known and largest park, Heaton Park has plenty of attractions including cafes, a boating lake, children’s play area and an animal centre to keep the whole family entertained for the entire day! There is loads of space for you and your best friend to explore, ensuring you’ll be taking home a very tired pup at the end of the day! As unfortunately dogs aren’t allowed on the Metrolink, you will only be able to visit Heaton Park with your pooch via car.

Heaton Park, St Margaret’s Rd, Manchester, M25 2GT

5. Parsonage Gardens
A small but tranquil green space nestled within Deansgate, Parsonage Gardens is the ideal spot for a lunch time dog walk for those who live in the centre of Manchester. The gardens are an escape from the hustle and bustle of Deansgate and often frequented by a mix of dog walkers and city centre workers seeking a space to relax on their lunch breaks.

Parsonage Gardens, Manchester, M3 2LF

6. Sackville Gardens
Situated of Canal St, Sackville Gardens are the home of the Alan Turing memorial and The Beacon of Hope. The gardens are brought to life during Manchester Pride celebrations, but throughout the year they are a great place to stretch your legs with your furry friend and take in the nature and the memorials. The gardens are a bloom with cherry blossoms this time of year, so they provide the perfect opportunity for those Instagram shots of your pup!

Sackville Gardens, Whitworth St, Sackville St, Manchester, M1 3WA

7. St John’s Gardens
Formerly the site of St John’s Church, St John’s Gardens is a small city centre oasis with a deep-rooted history. The gardens are perfect for short dog walks, although dogs must be kept on their leads.

Saint John’s Gardens, Lower Byrom St, Manchester M3 4AP

8. Castlefield Urban Heritage Park
Another of Manchester’s parks which boasts an interesting history, Castlefield Urban Heritage Park was originally the site of an early Roman fort, and later the centre of the city’s industrial revolution. Now restored as a heritage park, there are plenty of canal side walks and open spaces for you and your pooch to explore. Along the canal there are also bars and restaurants with outdoor areas for you to rest all 6 of your weary legs after your daily exercise.

Castlefield Urban Heritage Park, Liverpool Rd, Manchester, M3 4JN

9. Platt Fields Park
Situated in Fallowfields, Platt Fields Park is popular with students, but its also a great place for a dog walk. Not only is the park home to its own lake, there is also an eco-garden and a community orchard, so there is plenty for you and your pooch to explore.

Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6LA

10. Clayton Vale
If you live around the Northern Quarter or Ancoats, you can access Clayton Vale by walking along the Ashton canal from New Islington Marina. There are trails of different length and difficulty level, suitable for all sized pups along with off lead areas for a fun game of fetch!

Clayton Vale, Edge Lane, Manchester, M11 4BR

If all this talk of walking is making you hungry, check out our favourite dog-friendly brunch spots here.