Starting at Queens Park, Off Rochdale Road and Queen’s Road

Finishing at Ardwick Green Park, Ardwick Green South

[1] Exit Queens park at the Queens Road Gates. Straightaway, look right and you will see the footpath, Hendham Way (with pointer sign to Cheetham Hill, Irk Valley and Lower Crumpsall). Take this path, but a short way along it, turn sharp left following the blue sign to the City Centre. Follow this path which leads under Queens Road. Keep on the main path (do not go down the steps on the right). At the end of this path turn right along Collyhurst Road. (There is a housing estate on the left and an open view across the Irk valley to the right). Continue along Collyhurst Road. You will soon come to some school railings, on the left of St Saviour School. At the end of the railings turn left into Eggington Road (there is no street name).

[2] Walk along Egginton Road on the right hand side of the road and you will see St Malachy’s School. Go past this school and go past the sports pitch next to it. Very soon after the pitch there is an opening in the railings. This is the side entrance to an open space called Sandhills. Walk into Sandhills, a lovely green space. Follow the footpath through Sandhills, ignore a path leading off to the left down some steps. (There may be brambles across the path). At the end of the path turn right and walk through the gates and under the railway arch (notice the decorative railings). Walk along the small cobbled street to the end, and turn left into Collyhurst Road. (Before you turn left it is worth looking right. Look down the road on the other side to see a remarkable piece of sculpture – the diving/sinking submarine!). Continue along Collyhurst Road and you will soon come to another green space with a path to the leftleading up into it.

[3] Follow the path up, bearing right along the line of Collyhurst Road and admire the hill. Keep Collyhurst Road in sight and go back down to it using the steps you will come to on the right. For anyone who prefers not to do the climb they can stay on Collyhurst Road. Rejoin Collyhurst Road, and continue walking along it as it becomes Danzic Street. (Beware of branches, brambles and litter on the pavement).

[4] Keep walking along the road until you come to some railway arches. Look for Irk Street – the sign is on the railway arch. Follow Irk Street under the arch and walk along it. At the end it opens out into a space where cars are parked. Once in this space look for some stone steps on the right. (Beware nettles). Walk up the steps and enter St Michaels Flags and Angel Meadow Park. Turn right onto the footpath and follow it to the other end of the park. There are lots of points of interest in this little park with clear information boards and maps – the route taken around the park does not matter as long as the correct exit is taken.

[5] Exit the park onto Angel Street. Turn left going towards Rochdale Road. Cross over Rochdale Road by the crossing lights very near Angel Street (caution, heavy traffic). Turn left up Rochdale Road and walk towards the block of flats just ahead of you. There are in fact two blocks of flats, with a tiled path with tropical green planting going between the buildings. Walk into this green space and follow the tilted footpath through it, walking through the open gate at the end.

[6] Cross over Mason Street and continue along Goulden Street. (Notice the unusual chimney to the left). Turn left at Chadderton Street then right, along Bendix Street, coming out onto Oldham road. Cross over Oldham Road using the lights that are just slightly to the left. Once across Oldham Road turn into Sherratt Street which forms part of the junction you have just crossed. Walk along Sherratt Street and turn left at George Leigh Street.Turn right at Bengal Street. At the end of Bengal Street turn left into Redhill Street and cross over to the other side of the street. You will see just ahead of you the canal bridge.

[7] Turn left on Redhill Street and Cross over the bridge and look for the footpath immediately on your right, that leads down to the canal (rough cobbles). Follow this little path as it leads down to the canal towpath. Turn right along the canal towpath – going under the bridge.

[8] Walk along the tow path (caution, deep water), soon you will come to a more open green area surrounding the canal and see a footbridge. When you arrive at the foot bridge do not cross it, but turn right and follow the footpath leading away from the canal towards some black railings. Pass through the gap in the railings into a green area. Keep walking in the same direction. When you reach the road (unmarked Woodward Street) just cross over and walk between the grey bollards and into an area where there is a childrens playground.

[9] Keep going in the same direction – there is a tall block of flats to your right. Ahead there is a basket ball pitch. Pass through the railings. Walk through the basket ball area and you will then be able to see some traffic lights at a road junction (junction of Bradford Road and Beswick Street). Cross over Bradford Road using the lights and head down Beswick Street. Almost at the end of Beswick Street, turn right at Frost Street and at the end cross over Merrill Street and Every Street. (This busy, somewhat confusing junction is being developed at the moment and looks like there will be a metro line running along the road. However, at the moment there are no lights so care must be taken crossing over Every Street).

[10] Look for the footpath that is facing you, and follow it into the green wooded area that is following the course of the river Medlock. Keep going on this path – there is a housing estate on the right, and the woods on the left. When the footpath forks take the left hand fork which leads down hill between green railings. At the bottom, turn sharp right and continue along the foot path (the river being on your left). This is a very secluded path and not recommended for lone walking, especially in the evening.

[11] The path comes out onto Gurney Street, cross over the street and turn left towards the bridge, cross over the bridge and immediatly after the end of the bridge there is a footpath (finger footpath sign – Ardwick). Follow the path along the river course – the river is now on your right. This path comes out on Palmerston Street. Cross over the road and follow the path facing you (footpath sign to Ardwick). The path leads slightly up hill, with the river on your right. Keep right when the path forks, following the river. Keep on this path – it eventually goes down hill and you are soon back at river level again. The path comes to an abrupt end when is joins an older, wider path. Turn right onto this wider path and walk the short distance towards the main road, which is Pin Mill Brow.

[12] Here you come into a very busy and unattractive area (fortunately it does not last long – and the route taken is chosen for speed and safety out of this busy area – rather than its green qualities). Come up onto the road (Pin Mill Brow), and facing you is a set of traffic lights. Cross over Pin Mill Brow using these lights and turn left. Walk along the road untill you get to Fairfield Street. Cross over Fairfield Street (there are no pedestrian lights here) and turn down Chancellor Lane. A little way along Chancellor Lane, turn right into William Street. Walk along William Street, turn left at the end into Mill Green Street. Come out of Mill Green Street.

[13] Cross over Dark Street and turn right. You will see in front of you a line of railway arches. Walk towards the arches and take the quiet road going under the railway arches which either is, or leads to Union Street. Walk along Union Street and turn right when you get to Brydon Avenue (low branches and cars on the pavement). At the end of Brydon Avenue turn left (Cotter Street) and almost immediatly turn right into Paddock Street. Walk along Paddock Street until you get to Thirsk Street (on the left). Turn down Thirsk Street. You will see a large clock tower ahead of you. Walk along the street towards the tower (St Thomas’s), then walk through the little alley way emerging into Ardwick Green North. Cross over and turn right.

[14] Walk along the railings until you get to the park entrance, this is Ardwick Green. Walk through the gates and follow either path to the other end of the park. (The park is small and long, so the walker can choose whichever way they want to go through the park.)

[15] Emerge at the other end of the park onto the roundabout near the Apollo venue.