The South Manchester park with an animal sanctuary and something very unexpected

Trafford's largest municipal park is located in Stretford and borders Chorlton-cum-Hardy

It's at this time of year, as the blossom comes into full bloom, the temperatures pick up and a bit of sunny weather puts all us in a better mood, that we crave afternoons spent by the water or surrounded by green space.

Whether we're early birds and venturing out for a morning run, fancy a trip with the kids to a playground, or its warm enough for a picnic, Greater Manchester's parks are some of the best spots to get our fix.

It's understandable though, that while there so many across the region, we end up going back to the same ones time and again. But if you fancy venturing a little further, or to another area of Manchester over the Easter bank holiday weekend, there's one that's not too far from the city centre, and major transport routes.

Longford Park, Trafford's largest municipal park, is located in Stretford and borders Chorlton-cum-Hardy on its eastern side - making it, at the very least, a scenic route between the two hubs.

Explore a little further though, and you'll see there's a lot more to this green space than a quick cut through. A group of local people formed Friends of Longford Park, to work with Trafford Council to improve and promote the park as a 'vibrant local facility for all age groups'.

The current layout dates back to 1857 when Longford Park and its associated grounds were constructed and laid out by famous cotton merchant John Rylands.

It was laid out in the style of Chatsworth House and Pevsner in 1969 described the ground's hall as "the only surviving example of the Italianate style of architecture in the Manchester district", according to the book and resource, The Buildings of England South Lancashire.

After he died, his wide Enriqueta continued his work on worthy causes, but after her passing, the estate was sold to Stretford Urban District Council and was opened as a public park in 1912.

Accessible via four entrances and with car parking available on site, it features a number of buildings, amenities and recreational facilities. Head in from Cromwell Road and you will quickly come across the Longford Cafe which features both indoor and outdoor seating, fresh coffee, cakes and breads.

Surrounding the cafe is the bowling green and the playground for younger children. A play area for older children including a climbing boulder can be found towards The Quadrant exit.

Just beyond the cafe and play area you'll find Pets' Corner - a small animal sanctuary run by volunteers. Open from dawn to dusk every day whatever the weather and time of year, visitors are always welcome.

As part of the planned regeneration of Longford Park, Pets' Corner is due to undergo an extensive redesign and for that reason they are not taking on any new animals or replacing any, but they are home to two goats, six ducks and eight chickens.

Dotted around the park are a number of gardens and recreation spaces too including the Japanese Gardens, community allotment, wildlife garden and Manchester bee sculpture - the latter which is dedicated to those injured and killed in the Manchester Arena attack.

The wildlife garden was originally set up in 2000 to provide an area of natural beauty and relaxation. In 2014, after a few fallow years, when the dogwood was allowed the freedom to roam, and with the help of the TCV and a grant, Friends of Longford Park were able to start the revitalisation.

If you're into your sports, you're well served here too. Its home to Trafford Athletics where the Stretford Parkrun sets off from as well as a gym, plus tennis and basketball courts.

As of February 2024, there were plans to transform the park further with a BMX new pump track and improvements to tennis courts and football pitches.

Trafford Council’s cabinet agreed to accept a £3.1m contribution from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), with the rest of the money coming in ‘matched funding’ by the council from various sources, for the project.

One thing you might not expect to find here is a 18-hole disc golf course though. But over by the playground for older children, people can also get involved in the sport that is similar to traditional golf, but instead of a ball and club, players throw flying discs at a target, usually a metal basket, to complete a hole.

One player, who was bowled over by the facilities, wrote on Tripadvisor: "One of the best disc golf courses in the country.

"Two years ago a group of my friends on a whim went and played a round of disc golf, we’ve played every week since then, started playing in tournaments, been on two trips to Latvia to play over there.

"Go to the cafe, rent a disc each (£1 each), and go play a round. If it’s your first time play the green tees."The course is well run by volunteers and the Manchester disc golf community, who do such a great job in the upkeep. Manchester is very lucky to have Longford Park."

There's been a lot of events and activities past and present run and promoted by Friends of Longford Park too, from monthly health walks and gardening groups, to outdoor theatre and the community cycling club.