Wildlife spotting tours in Manchester

“I'd initially booked a two week jaunt to South Africa for my Dads 60th and after months of uncertainty we got the call that it couldn't go ahead. Despite this, Black Opal had stayed in touch throughout the entire experience, reassuring us that they would do everything in their power to make it happen. Alas, it was out of their hands. Black Opal quickly arranged an alternative trip to Murrayfield to at least watch the Lions on home soil and what a day it was, we saw all of the players board the buses prior to playing and a stellar 3 course meal with guest speakers. We had great seats and the atmosphere was as good as we could of expected. Black Opal accommodated a payment method they did not previously accept for me to pay for the entire trip and we got great rates for the initial trip to South Africa and the revised trip to Edinburgh. I'd not used a travel operator before, but I can assure you reading this and Black Opal I do not intend to go elsewhere ever again for sports excursions. Special mention to Ben Collis for the initial handling of my enquiry but my utmost thanks and appreciation goes to Kathryn Morris who was instrumental in the handling of our initial trip when it was in limbo and arranging our trip to Edinburgh. I cannot recommend this group enough.”

“Amazing place especially if you love reservoirs! Great for dogs though sheep, toilets at car park, sailing in warmer times so many routes back again in 2wks!”

“Great outdoor safe,fantastic countryside walks well worth a visit”

“Love the place, can't wait to go back in Summer. Nice place to go with kids and walk your dog”

“I haven't been to the park for a while, I really enjoyed it. Lots of areas have been deliberately left to go wild. There is also a lovely new playground. Lots of work going on to improve it.”

“Nice easy walk around the lake (takes about 20mins) which can be made longer by by going off around the forest and following the river. Went in March so was all a bit brown but can imagine it’s lovely in Summer.”

“Really great place to walk or jog. Also beside the river, so it's good to bring some seeds for the birds.”

“Lovely place to explore with paths in many directions. It's often so peaceful and quiet.”

“A wonderful park...BMX track which we enjoyed watching people use, different areas of the park including an area with sandpit, swings, slides, climbing apparatus, a zip line that was unfortunately broken, a small pond with ducks and a fantastic interactive game with silver poles that had built in touch screen games such as 2 people one is red one is blue and when your colour lights up on pole you hit it to turn it off - never seen before and it was a huge hit!!”

“Really nice national trust park. Has a Cafe and lots of fresh farm produce shops available. Also has a farm and garden but I think they cost extra. Lots of wildlife to be seen along the trails. Only complaint is a lot of the trails are shared with cars and due to the location you often hear planes flying very low.”

“Free to enter, pay and display parking. Very interesting Victorian engineering. Visitors centre, children's play area, café & gift shop. Staff are all very friendly and helpful. Breakfast is very good.”

“If you like lake or that kind of water body, This place is a beauty. So serene. We picked some wild blackberries too.”

“Such a nice walk. See the lake, ponds and resivoir. Lots of different paths to take. Walked through the cow field with no bother at all and petted the horses. Some lovely views.”

“This park has a great bakery called pollen, worth a visit for fresh pastries, bread and good coffee. There's also a brewery next door called cask now the weather's better, for a drink in the sun. Great spot for a run or just sitting outside and watching the world go by.”

“Really good place to visit with free parking. We took 2 children age 5 and 8 with bikes, spent time looking at the nature reserve then took a long ride along the old railway track. Very enjoyable visit and we plan to go back or to different sections of Middlewood Way.”

“Great short walk - about an hour or two - that brings you through a wood. If you like flat and a walk that families and older people could do, it is really worth the travel to get to.”

“Lovely lady behind the counter came out with biscuits for my two dogs, and made sure they had water! Lovely pasty and tea. Many thanks”

“A lovely park,so well maintained and Lydia's cafe is lovely.Very friendly staff.”

“Highfield Country Park worth visit & must visit to keep a park. In 2017, plans for redeveloping an area of Highfield Country Park were passed by Manchester Council. Friends of Highfield Country Park objected to this decision but were overruled. The park is suitable for all the family to go there for a good time picnics, walk, cycling and to explore the park. Probably you need a few visits to cover the whole park.”

“Love this place but please, if you're visiting, do take your litter and other waste with you. It's an enchanting place with probably a few little folk as there's Scarlet Elf Cups on the elder trees but it definitely doesn't have dog poo or coffee cup fairies!”

“Fantastic bike track, although a little difficult for younger kids. Definitely worth a return visit to complete as only managed half way round when little legs go tired.”

“It is a great place to walk the cocuguni dog and get some air.”

“great for walking .lots of paths . we go up to lyme park for spot of lunch .”

“Amazing service. My boys look, smell and feel beautiful. One of my dogs has skin allergies, Garden Tails were equipped for this and used the appropriate products. Gosia treated my fur babies like her own. Thank you so much”

“The park is decent for taking the kids in play area or for adults to walk and exercise.”

“Lovely park my kids love it could do with some more things adding eg. Slides rope swing monkey bars sand pit and brightening up...”

“Best coffee today ! Café overall is very pleasant and friendly with wide range if delicious cakes and nibbles. But if you go regularly you know usually if coffee will be good based on barista on duty.”

“A walk to check out the area for a promenade play. Realky good. A loveky walkway all around the lake meandering between the trees and shore. Hope we get the gig.”