Medlock Valley Way

The Medlock Valley Way traces the River Medlock as it threads through the eastern edge of Manchester, offering a surprisingly green corridor into the heart of the city. Starting near The Bush Inn and the closed Bay Horse pub, the route drops into Clayton Vale, a restored post-industrial greenspace where woodland and meadow have reclaimed former colliery ground.

From the Ten Acres Lane Bridge the path continues into Philips Park, one of the country's earliest municipal parks, passing a memorial to rangers Hugh Thompson and Charles McLaughlin. Beyond the Forge Lane Bridge you skirt the site of the former Bradford Colliery, once a major deep mine, before reaching the Bradford Inn and the community-run Ridgeway Street Community Gardens.

The final stretch follows the Islington Branch of the old canal system, drawing you steadily westward past the redeveloped Mayfield district and into Manchester city centre. It is a walk of quiet contrasts, with river, woodland, wildflower gardens and industrial heritage giving way to the bustle of the modern city.