Platt Fields Park Manchester

In the heart of Manchester's sleep-deprived student district Fallowfield, Platt Fields park provides a green space and events schedule that acknowledges the need for time out.

Platt Fields wears many hats, depending on the day and season. Every Saturday morning from 09:00 it's home to the free 5km circuit, Parkrun. In the spring, it hosts Envirolution Festival and summer brings the city's Mega Mela. In November, the park is home to one of the city's much-loved bonfire and fireworks displays.

Its permanent features include the fantastic Platt Fields Market Garden, complete with a cafe, events and courses, a 'secret' Shakespearean garden, a BMX track, a skate park, basketball courts, an ancient ditch (seriously, it's a top-notch ditch) and an eco garden. It's even home to the city's only Gallery of Costume, housed in the beautiful Georgian mansion Platt Hall (currently closed for renovation).

Platt Fields is a hardworking park, but still offers a quiet escape when the need arises.

Sit on a bench overlooking the heart-shaped lake, have a picnic on one of the hills or sit and gaze at the park's Queen Elizabeth coronation fountain, now lovingly re-purposed as a planter.

Oh Platt Fields, how does Manchester love thee? Let us count the ways...