Explore Manchester’s best playgrounds this Half Term!
With half term just around the corner, it’s time to grab your coats (it is Manchester after all…), pack the picnic and head out to sample some of the best parks the North West has to offer.
Manchester is secretly a playground powerhouse, home to a wide range of amazing and inspiring play areas for everyone to enjoy.
Here is a list of some of our favourites, and some that we’ve been lucky enough to work on.
Mayfield Park - Manchester
Nearest Tram Stop - Piccadilly
What3Words - ///hills.sofa.spin
Mayfield is Manchester’s newest park in over 100 years. It’s just a short walk from Piccadilly station. Opened in 2022 on a transformed industrial brownfield site, it combines an envious play area built around and over the rejuvenated River Medlock. Known as the “Play Yard”, the award-winning playground features 10 metre tall towers shaped like industrial chimneys and a signature slide that crosses over the river. The park also features quiet areas and banked grassed areas to relax on. If you’re hungry and fancy something to eat, you can always visit Freight Island next door which features a vast array of street food. There’s something for everyone.
Heaton Park - North Manchester
Nearest Tram Stop - Heaton Park
What3Words - ///tall.gossip.kept
Located in the southern part of Heaton Park near the boating lake, the Lakeside Play Area is a modern, woodland themed play area that opened in 2020. The play area features a wide range of challenging and creative play elements that encourage children to explore the natural environment. While you’re in the area, you might be interested in the seasonal boat hire on Heaton Park Boating Lake, or visiting the Animal Centre located in the north of the park.
Ancoats Green - Ancoats, Manchester
Nearest Tram Stop - New Islington
What3Words - ///wakes.rank.ample
Ancoats Green recently underwent a significant multi-million pound redevelopment, which reopened in May 2025 as the “green heart” of the Ancoats Neighbourhood. The park was an underused grassland which has been redeveloped and celebrate’s Manchester’s industrial heritage.
The play area features unique nods to the areas history as a hub for flint glass works, including a striking 10 metre bottle shaped tower that features scramble nets and slides. Children can enjoy a variety of equipment featuring a wheelchair accessible rounabout, swing sets and inground trampolines.
Beyond the play area, the park includes 30,000 square feet of wildflower planting to encourage local wildlife.
Chorlton Water Park - Chortlon, South Manchester
Nearest Tram Stop - Barlow Moor Road
What3Words - ///maple.fresh.spoke
Chorlton Water Park was renovated in 2018 to bring a refreshed play area to one of Manchester’s popular water parks.
The play area features a large multiplay unit featuring multiple towers connected by bridges, leading to an exhilarating 2.7m tunnel slide. There’s a popular 5 arm revolver and group swings which cater to the older age range too.
Beyond the play area, there’s pond dipping platforms and a wide range of walking and cycling trails around the park.
There’s no formal cafe at Chorlton Water Park, but the Tibetan Kitchen often has a pop up during the weekends, and ice cream vans are frequent fixtures.
%20WEB-6.jpg)
Wythenshawe Park - Wythenshawe, South Manchester
Nearest Tram Stop - Moor Road
What3Words - ///intro.toys.paid
Wythenshawe Park is a destination park in south Manchester, spanning over 100 acres of diverse landscape. Gifted to the city in 1926, the park blends historical architecture with a wide range of facilities making it a central hub for walk, events and play.
The play area was refurbished in summer 2025 after a £150,000 upgrade. It’s conveniently located next to the park’s community farm. A significant portion of the playground is dedicated to accessible play, featuring a wide range of equipment. There’s a wheelchair accessible roundabout, a Giant Spinning Disc along with a 5 Way Revolver. There’s a large multiplay unit too themed as a castle to ignite children’s imaginations.
If your hungry or in need for some light refreshments, the Courtyard Cafe is close by for snacks and drinks.
We love seeing your snaps at the play areas that we’ve helped design and transform. Don’t forget to tag us in any that you visit!
