Is Mayfield Park Manchester free to enter?

Yes, Mayfield Park is a free public park. It opened in 2022 as part of a major regeneration project and offers 6.5 acres of green space, including play areas and riverside walks, at no cost to visitors.

Where is the Alan Turing memorial in Manchester?

The Alan Turing Memorial is located in Sackville Gardens, situated between Whitworth Street and Canal Street. It is a bronze statue of Turing sitting on a park bench, easily accessible via a short walk from Piccadilly Station.

How long does it take to walk the Medlock Valley route?

The walk from Sackville Gardens through Mayfield Park and along the Medlock Valley typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. This allows for plenty of time to read the information plaques and enjoy the scenery in the park.

Can I see the River Medlock in central Manchester?

Yes, the River Medlock is visible in Mayfield Park. For many years the river was hidden under industrial buildings, but the park project 'daylighted' the water, creating a naturalized riverbank that you can walk alongside.

What is the giant Vimto bottle in Manchester?

The 'Monument to Vimto' is a large wooden statue located on Sackville Street. It commemorates the invention of the Vimto soft drink in Manchester in 1908 and is a popular landmark on local walking routes.

Is the Mayfield Depot open to the public?

The Mayfield Depot is primarily an event space and is not open for general walk-in tours. however, you can view its impressive industrial exterior from the street and the adjacent Mayfield Park, or visit during scheduled events like The Warehouse Project.

Is the walk near Piccadilly Station suitable for families?

Absolutely. Mayfield Park features one of the best public play areas in the city, and the wide, flat paths make it very stroller-friendly. The route is a great way for families to explore urban nature safely.

The Mayfield Park and Medlock Valley Explorer | Self-Guided Walking Tour

About This Guided Walking Tour

Discover a side of Manchester where industrial history meets modern urban renewal on this self-guided walk through the Piccadilly and Medlock Valley districts. For decades, the area surrounding Piccadilly Station was characterized by forgotten warehouses and culverted rivers, but today it is home to some of the city's most exciting green spaces and cultural landmarks. This walking route invites you to explore the evolution of the city at your own pace, moving from the poignant history of the Gay Village to the innovative design of Manchester’s first new city-center park in over a century. Your journey begins in the tranquil Sackville Gardens, a site of deep social significance and home to the memorial of Alan Turing. From here, the path leads you past quirky monuments like the giant Vimto bottle, celebrating one of the city's most famous exports, before heading toward the historic Star and Garter pub. As you move further into the Mayfield district, you will witness the scale of Manchester's industrial past at the Mayfield Depot, a former railway station that has found new life as a premier cultural venue. The highlight of this neighborhood stroll is undoubtedly Mayfield Park. Here, the River Medlock—once hidden beneath concrete—has been 'daylighted' and restored to create a 6.5-acre oasis of biodiversity. The park’s design cleverly incorporates salvaged industrial materials, blending the city’s manufacturing heritage with forward-thinking ecology. This walking tour Manchester provides an opportunity to see how the city is reclaiming its waterways and creating sustainable spaces for the future. Whether you are interested in the legacy of the Industrial Revolution or the latest in landscape architecture, this route offers a fascinating perspective on Manchester’s ongoing transformation. The walk concludes along the Medlock Valley Walkway, a peaceful path that feels miles away from the urban bustle, despite being just a short walk from the city's main transport hubs.

Tour Highlights & Things to See

The Alan Turing Memorial in Sackville Gardens
The oversized Vimto Statue celebrating Manchester's iconic soft drink
The historic and resilient Star and Garter pub
The massive Mayfield Depot industrial event space
The 'daylighted' River Medlock in the brand-new Mayfield Park
The peaceful urban nature along the Medlock Valley Walkway

Route Map

Numbers indicate the order of stops on the tour.

Tour Stops & Points of Interest (6)

1

Sackville Gardens

Welcome to Sackville Gardens, a peaceful retreat on the edge of Manchester’s vibrant Gay Village. This space is more than just a park; it is a site of remembrance and celebration. The most prominent feature here is the Alan Turing Memorial, a bronze statue of the father of modern computing sitting on a bench with an apple in his hand. Turing, who worked at the University of Manchester, was a war hero whose life was tragically cut short by the prejudices of his time. Nearby, you will find the Beacon of Hope, a steel sculpture dedicated to those lost to HIV/AIDS. The gardens serve as a quiet anchor for the community, offering a moment of reflection before you continue your exploration of the city's changing landscape.

2

Vimto Statue

Just a short stroll from the gardens, you will encounter one of Manchester's most whimsical landmarks: the Vimto Statue. Formally known as 'A Monument to Vimto,' this oversized wooden carving depicts a giant bottle of the famous purple soft drink surrounded by the fruits that give it its flavor. Vimto was invented right here in Manchester in 1908 by John Noel Nichols, originally as a health tonic. The statue marks the site of the original factory. It is a favorite spot for photographers and a quirky reminder of the city's entrepreneurial spirit. Take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship of the carving, which was installed in 1992 and has since become a beloved part of the local streetscape.

3

The Star and Garter

Standing proudly on Fairfield Street, the Star and Garter is a Grade II listed building that dates back to 1877. This Victorian pub has survived decades of urban upheaval, including the closure of the adjacent Mayfield station and the recent redevelopment of the surrounding district. It is legendary in the Manchester music scene, particularly known for its long-running 'Smiths Disco' nights. The building’s ornate brickwork and classic pub architecture provide a sharp contrast to the modern glass towers rising nearby. It serves as a resilient link to the Manchester of the 19th century, having transitioned from a railway hotel to one of the city's most iconic independent music venues.

4

Mayfield Depot

Look across the road to the massive, imposing structure of the Mayfield Depot. Originally opened in 1910 as a relief station for the overcrowded London Road station (now Piccadilly), it served passengers until 1960 and then operated as a parcel depot until the mid-1980s. After sitting derelict for decades, this cavernous industrial space has been reborn. Today, it is a world-renowned cultural venue, hosting massive club nights, food festivals, and art installations under the banner of The Warehouse Project. Its raw, industrial aesthetic—complete with rusted iron beams and expansive concrete floors—epitomizes the 'Manchester cool' that has made the city a global destination for nightlife and culture.

5

Mayfield Park

Step into Mayfield Park, Manchester's first new city-center park in over 100 years. This 6.5-acre site is a masterclass in urban regeneration. For over a century, the River Medlock was hidden under concrete culverts and industrial buildings. As part of this project, the river was 'daylighted'—brought back to the surface—and its banks were planted with thousands of trees and wildflowers. Notice the industrial touches throughout the park, such as the large steel beams used as decorative elements and the play area designed to look like factory equipment. It is a stunning example of how old industrial land can be transformed into a thriving ecological habitat that provides much-needed green space for city dwellers.

6

Medlock Valley Walkway

The final leg of your journey takes you along the Medlock Valley Walkway. This path follows the winding course of the River Medlock as it flows toward the city center. This area was once the heart of the world’s first industrial city, lined with mills and factories that used the river's water for power and waste. Today, the valley is a green corridor, supporting local wildlife including kingfishers and herons. Walking along this path, you can see the layers of Manchester’s history in the stone walls and old bridge abutments that still line the banks. It is a peaceful conclusion to your walk, demonstrating the city's commitment to creating a more walkable and nature-connected urban environment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A self-guided walk through Mayfield Park and the Medlock Valley is highly recommended. This route covers approximately 1.5 miles and highlights the city's industrial heritage and new green spaces, starting from the iconic Alan Turing Memorial in Sackville Gardens.