The Greater Manchester park that's a piece of the countryside ‘in the middle of suburbia'

Yahoo

23-04-2025

To the west of Prestwich is Drinkwater park, an area of woodland and meadows which feels like it could be in the middle of the countryside - despite lying inside the M60.
Flowing through the park is the River Irwell, while a reservoir can be found hidden among the trees.
The park is criss-crossed with walking trails and forms part of the Prestwich Forest Park, which also includes Philips Park, and Prestwich Clough, among other areas.
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Managed by Forestry England, Drinkwater Park offers a completely different experience compared to Greater Manchester's Victorian-era municipal parks. Drinkwater Park is a bit wilder and you won't find flower beds or manicured lawns here.
Instead it's a place where tree branches form green tunnels over paths and deer can occasionally be seen through the trees.
An array of wildlife call the park home, from the frogs and toads that breed in its wetlands, to the waterfowl that congregate at the reservoir.
It's a popular spot for walkers, runners, dog walkers and cyclists with the National Cycle Network 6 passing through the area.
Surrounded by residential areas to both the east and west, the park provides an escape for those who live nearby.
It's received hundreds of five star reviews on Google, many commenting on how rural it feels. One visitor, Susan Abrams, wrote the following: 'A beautiful large piece of countryside (it stretches for miles, going from one park through to the next) filled with trees, wild flowers, a river and wildlife, nestled in the middle of suburbia.
'What more could you ask for? So pretty. Perfect for walking, cycling, picnicking, chilling etc. I found the map on my phone very useful.'
Another reviewer, Karen Hill, wrote: 'Given that this is on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by residential areas, it is usually surprisingly quiet and peaceful. Lots of lovely walks and it's popular with dog walkers, fields for sports, wooded areas, ponds, a river and stream.'
As well as being a green oasis, the park also has an interesting history. The land itself was bought by Peter Drinkwater, a prominent Manchester textile mill owner in the 1790s and he would stay at Irwell House, built on the banks of the river, during the summer months.
The land, including Irwell House, was left to his daughters after Peter's son died and it was then bought by Salford and Prestwich councils in 1902. Irwell House was then converted to a smallpox hospital due to its isolated position, but it was later abandoned and fell into disrepair.
In 1958 the house was damaged in a fire during a civil defence exercise and it was then demolished a few years later. Today you can still see the foundations of the building, the remains of a few walls and what's left of the overgrown gardens as nature reclaims the site.
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