Manchester: Fletcher Moss Park and Parsonage gardens

Hello to everybody!

I hope that everyone is off to a good start in the new year.

On the second day of the year, I spent a day in the Fletcher Moss botanical gardens to kick off my new year.

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Since it was a Sunday service on public transportation and there were more train strikes, I chose to go there because it seemed like a good choice that was not too far from home.

This prompts me to remark that, except for enjoying and living in the present, I haven’t set goals for this year. Aside from that, I want to start driving again this year because strikes and cancellations on public transportation have been making it difficult for me to get to some places. Do you have any new goals for this year?

Fletcher Moss Parsonage and Gardens

Fletcher Moss Parsonage and Gardens is located in Didsbury, Manchester, and is one of the city’s best-lived green spaces.

Fletcher Moss Park was named after Fletcher Moss, an alderman who gifted his house, known as the parsonage, along with its gardens to the city of Manchester Council but continued to live there until his death in 1919.

The Parsonage is the second-oldest building in Didsbury, dating from around 1650. The house was used by the city council for many years but has since become a community centre with the help of lottery funding.

What to see here

There are separate areas here to see that are all linked in with the same park, so as well as the parsonage and gardens, there is also the Fletcher Moss Park and botanical garden, the nature reserve of Stenner Woods, Millgate Fields, and the River Mersey.

The botanical garden

The botanical garden is a gorgeous, tranquil sanctuary that is changeable with the weather, but no matter what time of the year you visit, it is always beautiful with so many beautiful plants. rock features and mini waterfalls palm trees, and a floating pond.

I’ve been here twice now, once in the spring and once in the winter, and both times were equally beautiful.

Stenner Woods and nature reserve

The wooded area isn’t particularly large, but it is a perfect place to get lost in nature. There are wetlands here, but there is also a wooden boardwalk to avoid getting your feet wet. There are also fallen trees that have been left there deliberately by the wardens, which just add to the natural environment. I couldn’t help but think how adventurous this would be for children as I walked around. I also saw little love hearts with pictures on them; I think these had been part of the Christmas trail, which I really enjoyed spotting.

There are a variety of species of birds that flock here all through the year; these include wrens, robins, blackbirds, thrushes, treecreepers, Sand Martins, blackcaps, and many more.

Millgate fields and River Mersey

There are also the millgate fields and the River Mersey, which make for a nice scenic walk along with other areas such as Withington, Charlton, and Northernden.

So if your in Manchester and fancy getting any from the city for a little while, I’d say this would be a great choice, and what’s more is that this place is right next to Didsbury Village, which is lined with numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants, which is perfect for grabbing a coffee or a bite to eat after your visit to Fletcher Moss Park.

I hope you enjoyed my blog today.

Thanks for visiting

Stay blessed 🙏🏾

Natalie ❤️

Dec 28

Manchester: Manchester Cathedral

Comments 16

I can’t quite believe I’ve never visited Manchester Cathedral before, given the number of times I’ve walked past this building and never even given it a thought to even take a look inside. Isn’t it ironic how little attention we pay to things and places that have always existed in our own cities or towns?

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Manchester Cathedral is in the heart of the city and has been one of its main attractions for more than 600 years. There was a new calling for a new collegiate church to be built, so in 1421 it was Henry V who signed a royal charter for permission for the rebuild, and then in 1847 a new Manchester diocese was created and this church became a cathedral.

One day, as I went for a walk around the city, I decided to visit the inside of Manchester Cathedral.

I was surprised as I entered because I hadn’t quite imagined it would be as big as it was from the outside. It’s actually a really beautiful cathedral, and the interior is a great example of mediaeval carved woodwork in the North of England; the stained glass is more modern as the church suffered damage in World War II. It also had more renovations after it was damaged in the 1996 IRA bombing.

It’s a great place for anyone who enjoys architecture and would like to learn more history about our vibrant little city.

Unfortunately, I didn’t take many photos as my battery was running low. Maybe I’ll visit again and post a few more.

If your visiting Manchester City Centre, do take a look inside. You can find the cathedral at Victoria St., Manchester M3 1SX.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look at our cities’ little cathedral. Stay blessed 🙏🏾

Natalie ❤️

May 09

Greater Manchester: Dovestone Reservoir

Comments 16

One of my favourite places to recommend when visiting Manchester is Dovestone Reservoir. This beautiful piece of paradise is located on the edge of Oldham above the village of Greenfield, on Saddleworth Moor in Greater Manchester, and is at the edge of the Peak District.

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It is one of the most spectacular beauty spots near Manchester and is a popular place for walkers, hikers, runners and perfect for a family day out.

To be transparent here, there are a number of reservoirs. I am unsure of just how many and have only visited three times. With this being said, I can’t be too precise, therefore. I will only speak of the locations I visited. I still have a lot yet to discover here.

Main reservoir and surrounding areas

Down at the bottom is the main reservoir and plenty of beauty spots to have a picnic. If you don’t fancy walking around these spots alone, make it a worthwhile visit.

Yeoman Hey Reservoir

Yeoman Hey Reservoir circular walk is a steady, level, nice walk that is great for people of all ages, and anyone with a wheelchair or pram. The route offers scenic views of several reservoirs and stunning landscapes.

Just beyond Yeoman Hey there are parts that are a little rugged and a slightly inclined surface. However, the path remains.

You’ll start to come to some stunning overlooking views, as if you have had quite a hike when you really haven’t.

More advanced route for hikers

Chew Valley and Reservoir

Chew Valley can be reached through Dovestone Reservoir Car Park, walking by Dovestone Reservoir and the adjacent woodland, then taking the path route to the right. The climb will start from here.

The climb up is quite a challenging one, but the foot path makes it more manageable.

You will truly feel at one with nature surrounded by all the mountain landscapes.

Just before the reservoir, you will reach Chew Valley and its incredible beauty.

Chew Valley reservoir is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places. The reservoir is in an elevated position and sits 1,600 feet above sea level with views of the moorlands and hills.

Useful information

Getting here

I will use Manchester City centre as the starting point

By Car: It’s around a 45 to 50 minute drive depending on traffic. There are two car parks which pay and display and cost £4 for the day. As with many places, you will have to arrive early to get a place. Other than this, there are plenty of street parking in the surrounding areas.

By Bus: Get the train to Greenfield Station, than the 350 bus from Greenfield Station to Dovestones. This route will take just over one hour and 30 minutes.

Another option is to take a bus, either the 84 or the 83 from Oldham Street in Piccadilly. Take the bus to Oldham Town Centre, then take the 350 bus to Dovestones. This journey will take around two hours (buy a day saver for £5.50).

Facilities

There are toilets here including a disability toilet (RADAR key required)

There are no shops here, although there is usually an Ice cream van located in the Dovestone car park.

There is also a sailing club

I hope you have enjoyed my blog today.

Thank you for visiting today

Stay blessed 🙏🏾

Natalie ❤

Apr 03

Manchester: A new love for an old place

Comments 10

Nowdays I often think of how incredibly fortunate I am to be from one of the best cities here in the UK. But, I must admit I have not always felt this way. Instead, its been a kind of love hate relationship thing. Loving the place for all my connections such as family and friends, but hating how incredibly tired and bored I had become of it, truly believing the next cities were much better.

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It wasn’t until Covid came along that I found this new revitalised love for my city.

As challenging as covid has been it has left many of us with silver linings such as teaching us to love harder, to be kind, to appreciate and have gratitude for all we have been taking for granted. Reconnecting with my city has been one of my many silver linings.

Coming up on Nattytravels…

As part of my new reconnected love and appreciation for Manchester, it will now have a well deserved spot on my blog. The blogs will consist of places I have been to revist and new discoveries in the city.

Also in the next up and coming months I’m excited to announce I will be starting to travel abroad again after three very long years 🙌🏾. So you’ll be seeing more blogs on places abroad.

For all those who have been enjoying the UK blogs, I will still be continuing to travel the UK, therefore there will be plenty more👍🏾.

Thank you for all your support

And on this note I would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your continued support here at Nattytravels, regardless of all the incorrect typo’s 🤣.

I really do appreciate it.

Thank you ❤🙏🏾

Mar 20

Manchester,England: The world’s first industrial city, and more interesting facts

Comments 26

Hi all! Welcome back to my blog. I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend.

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In this blog, I would like to introduce Manchester, my home city. Have any of you ever visited? If so, what did you think? Be sure to leave your comments.

Location

Manchester is one of UK’s most popular cities. It is located in the north West of England and is the fifth largest city in the UK.

Here are a few of my favourite facts about Manchester

The World’s First Industrial City

It was the world’s first industrial city which led the way to transforming people’s lives in the area and across the world.

You can still see several of the old warehouses, mills and signs in and around the city

Due to it’s astounding growth of the cotton industry in the early 19th century it became a major global centre for trading and manufacturing. Textiles was the driving force, but it soon emerged to producing all kinds of products.

Manchester’s Symbol ‘The Worker Bee’

The Bee was adopted from the period when the city first became the global centre and leader in the Industrial Revolution. At the time it had been described as being like a hive for activity due to it’s hard working population, this was the motif behind it. Since this time, the Bee symbol has been the feature of the city and you’ll be sure to spot several symbols in and around the city .

Britain’s first ever black professor worked at Manchester University

Sir W. Arthur Lewis became Britain’s first ever black professor at aged 33, he was a Saint Lucian economist who come to work at Manchester University in 1948. Not only was he a professor, but a Noble prizewinner who was able to persuade and negotiate with world leaders.

He helped post- war Afro-Caribbean people arriving and settling in the areas of Hulme and Moss Side by creating centres of support for them. These centres supported people for socialising and learning at the height of racism and prejudice views. One of the centres still exists today in the moss side area. Sir Arthur wasn’t a Mancunian born, but he will be forever in the heart of manchester for his work and courage, and is commemorated at Manchester University with a building named after him.

The Suffragette Movement was founded here

Emmeline Prankhurst founded the Women’s Social and Political Union, known as the Suffragettes Movement in 1903. Emmeline a local Women from Manchester and her members fought to enfranchise women here in the UK, using militant strategies. In 1918 women were given limited rights to vote, and full voting rights in 1928 just before the passing of Emmeline Pankhurst.

One of the first cities in the world to celebrate and commemorate LGBT

Manchester was one of the first cities in the world to commemorate LGBT people by commissioning a local artist to paint the city with rainbow tiles in to flagstones across the city. Manchester Pride is one of the UK’ s leading charities celebrating LGBT and helping individuals to thrive as well as fighting for equality. It has held one of the worlds leading pride festivals since 1985 every year which is centred around the vibrant gay village.

The place where Charles Rolls and Henry Royce first ever met

It was at Manchester’s Midland Hotel where Rolls and Royce first met, and just two years later the pair formed the Rolls Royce company. There is a statue at the hotel dedicated to this meeting.

Hope you enjoyed my blog today. Which was your favourite fact? Do you have a favourite you know of that is not listed here?

I appreciate your visit today

Have a fantastic week

Stay blessed 🙏🏾❤