Heaton Park Manchester

Our leader for this weeks walk was Anthony. The weather forecast was not good and Paddy has come prepared.

The cafe where we had our morning brew was in the old stables across the road from Heaton Hall. The hall itself was surrounded by fencing to keep the public out, as the BBC were doing some filming within the hall itself.

It was fashionable in the eighteenth century, when Heaton Hall was built, to have a Folly. Sir Thomas Egerton built this one on the highest point in Manchester, just behind the hall.

By standing on a bench I was able to get a photo of the modern skyline of the city. I'm sure there would be no need for such acrobatics in the winter time.

We next visited an outdoor enclosure alongside the hall, where several exotic and not so exotic birds and animals were housed.

The goat in the background, on seeing us, wasted no time in coming over to make our acquaintance.

With plenty of seats around, and 12 bells being upon us, we sat down for our vitals. A wood pigeon and a squirrel came to join us for dinner. Danny had brought some birdseed from home, to feed the wildlife. A rat scurried across the path, but having more important business, it didn't stop to join in the feast.

Behind the stables was a fairground, but no doubt due to the unsettled weather, the punters were staying away.

We set off downhill towards the boating lake, and before long came across a much larger fairground, but here again the fairground operators were being starved of revenue due to the weather.

Once past the fairground, we left the path and climbed a hill to the right of it, on top of which was a large rough hewn,  granite rock in the form of a bishops mitre.

It is here to commemorate the visit to Manchester in 1982 of Pope John Paul the second, when he celebrated Mass on this site. and was welcomed by 250,000 of the faithful.

                                                 Looking back to the fairground.

We didn't visit the boating lake, but set off towards the garden centre. On our way there, we passed a large area of meadowland, scattered with wild flowers and inhabited by several species of rare breeds of cattle.

           The garden centre had a cafe with colourful seating areas, both inside and out.

This was our last port of call before heading back to the cars. As it happened, Paddy didn't need his umbrella after all, but thanks for bringing it anyway Paddy, you saved us from a soaking. 😉. Thanks for introducing us to a varied and interesting park Anthony.