It's early days yet, the official opening isn't until 26th August, but a lot of this newly…read moredeveloped attraction is up and running. There has been a livery stable here for a long time and this included a saddlery and farm shop. Now Swithens farm are about to launch their petting corner, play barn, improved farm shop and cafe. The shop stocks local produce including meat from the farm as well as a strange assortment of household items, the produce seems competitively priced and is obviously nice and fresh. A selection of sausages and burgers are also for sale crafted by the resident butcher. I haven't yet tried the cafe but a glance at the menu shows reasonable prices (coffee £1 and a full breakfast £3.50). Trust me, I WILL be trying it out. The staff are friendly and there are lots of smiles (will they stand the test of time?) I suppose there might be some explaining to do when your child finds out that the burger they enjoyed was the mummy of the calf they were just petting :/ I will be checking Swithens Farm out again so expect an update.

Visited Swithens Farm after having been recommended it on the Streetlife website…read more My goal was to find a local farm shop selling lots of locally grown produce, as an alternative to buying from supermarkets. Despite some high hopes, Swithens Farm didn't live up to that goal. There was very little fruit and veg available (half a box of Apples, a few lettuces and some sprouts was about it). The rest of the farm shop was stuff you would expect to find in the supermarket (Coca Cola, Crisps etc).

It's time to venture north west out of the city and a quick stop off at Horsforth Hall Park…read more Yet another gem of a park with lots to do for all age groups and people. We're not talking massive here but it's a perfectly formed package, just the way I like it. On this occasion I'm not treated to one of the summer bands or cricket matches that take place in the summer months but that gives me the chance to have a wander around the other things available. They've got something they call a trim trail. Now I'm not sure if that means people over a certain weight will be shot if they use it but I'm guessing not. Throw in a Japanese garden too. A big plus for the community is the specially designed outdoor integrated play facility allowing disabled and able bodied children under the age of eight to play together. It's good stuff and pleasing to know there are things out there literally for all. The children have a good playground to go at and the skate park is a popular attraction amongst the older ones. Another classy park and worth a trip out

Count Merlot and I walk here about once a week as it is our nearest park with pathways...so this is…read moreusually when i have forgotten my wellies and hence don't want to walk in the woods! There is lots of parking with access for people in wheelchairs and/or pushchairs. there is a skate park; a japanese garden, bandstand, a few geocaches (although I think they are premium ones) a cricket ground, a garden boules green, an indian restaurant (that must be open in the evenings as i have never seen it open) and my favourite tree. a japanese maple. it is just glorious. This park is lovely in spring with the blossom trees and bluebells; in summer when all the kids are playing (nicely, i might add); autumn when leaves are changing and the need for a more solid than mud pathway is needed and winter when the snowmen spring up like something from a doctor who Christmas special. The only thing i don't like is that there are regular gypsy fairs on. I hate fairs with their unsafe rides and "games" that you can't win. their crazy dogs that bark and bite at everything.

Don't be put off by the rather small 'shop front' of Kids Clubhouse, it's actually huge inside!…read more Once you go upstairs there is an e-n-o-r-m-o-u-s play frame. The main part of it is probably best suited to kids between about 3 and about 11, and there's a baby/toddler section that is for the under 4's. Having said that, my 2 year old Mini Bo loves adventuring in the main playframe with me when it's quiet and the bigger kids are at school, I don't really let him in the main part with bigger kids charging around! We come here quite regularly with the Mini MacDoos, Little Missus' school is just down the hill from here so most of the kids in her class seem to have their birthday parties here - in fact we had her 5th birthday party here earlier this year too. Only barrier to 5 stars is that the food they serve there is a touch pricey and just 'ok'. Other than that it's a great way to have fin with the little ones!

It is not so much the place itself more the staff. Some training in how to deal with children,…read moreespecially chldren who have special needs would certainly not go amiss. I was furious today as I was trying to deal with my autistic son's meltdown (which does include bad language and I am mortified by this but I try so hard to deal with it and not let it upset people and I do apologise where I can for it). I think this guy thought he was impressing a group of mums as he came over and directly at my son raised his voice and told him to stop swearing. Under no circumstances would you go up to a child in the middle of an autistic meltdow n and be confrontational with them, especially with a less than sensitive attitude. It takes me a lot to not only get my son out of the house but to actually have the courage to take him somewhere. I did complain to the manager and said that this man had no right to speak to my son directly like that and if there was an issue he should have spoken to me quietly about it and not confront either of us in the way he did. The manager was no help saying she couldn't believe her member of staff had done this and that she wasn't there and over he came again all obnoxious saying that he did have the right to speak to my son like that. Wonderful customer service - NOT. From either the manager or her staff. All he kept saying was "there were babies there"! As the group of other mums left it was all "bye and thank you for coming". You need better training and to be more inclusive! My son can no more stop his autism than I can stop the rain from falling.

Great park. Nicer than the main Royton park. Quieter, more spacious and it doesn't seem like your…read morein Royton A good play area to kids, great for riding bikes, jogging etc. Great for picnics as well, however on the downside is there is no toilets.

Update: Mini Macdoo's 3rd birthday party was superb. Great value for money, extremely friendly…read morestaff, lovely food for the kids, even advised me against getting the tea & coffee "package" for the grown ups as given the size of the party just having a tab for the grown ups would be cheaper - and it was! Great fun for the kids, super service for the grown ups. Full marks!

Unfortunately I've never been able to see Oasis or The Stone Roses perform here…read more However, I've had the pleasure of strolling the grounds of this historic park. It is so big and it has so much! A huge playground, bowling greens, football (soccer) pitches, etc. There's a lake with ducks. You can rent a boat to row on the lake. There are cafes. There's an animal section. Lots and lots of places to picnic. Can't forget Heaton Hall! A wonderful way to spend the day.

A last minute decision on a damp, drizzly winter Sunday, but a good one. Forgot how vast this place…read moreis! Walked down the hill past the hall and round the lake, slowing to admire the signets and stop the dog munching all the food left for the birds! Round the other side of the lake, the woods are incredibly quiet; it's easy to forget you're right on the edge of such a large city and the motorway is about a mile away. This is the highest point in the city and the views are amazing.

A lovely open plan green park not too far from the hustle and bustle of Rusholme and the university…read moreareas, yet nonetheless surprisingly quiet and peaceful. Birchfields Park was acquired by the City Council in 1887 for £9,930 from local landowner Sir William Anson! Isnt that interesting! Cheers manchester Citty Council. I like talking about the history of park that I review, but in this case there is literally diddlie squat to say about it. Its got a boring history. The most notable thing is a huge boulder in the middle of the park, which turns out to weight an amazing 13 tonnes! Meaningless boulder aside, the park is a great place for walks, picnics and football. Its also quite alright for children, unlike some of Manchester's more dodgy green spaces.

*ahem* And now...a haiku:…read more Birchfields Park is big The summer destination Many festivals Thank you, thank you. No need for fan mail. The park has a habit of getting swamped whenever it rains enough, but if you happen to get lucky and have a stretch of good weather, Birchfields is a good place to spend a summer-style day. Barbecues, people playing in the park, little kiddos running all over the place, this is a typical park when the sun comes out. It's fairly large as well so you're bound to find a spot to park yourself. There's often festivals or other events held here, so if you check out the local calendar you'll be able to attend some, convenient if you're living nearby.

Reasonably priced excellent place for kids to have fun with a lovely cafe and good facilities I…read morehave a two year old and 11 year old and both didn't want to leave after a full two hours play this is definitely a great venue activity to take the kids too

From the owner: Play Factore has established itself as the children's fun Mecca of the North. The state of the art,…read morefamily indoor play centre entertainment centre houses the largest play frame in Europe along with a host of other unique attractions that really are second to none. Based in Manchester next to the Trafford Centre, providing a complete day out for families shopping in the area and planning to entertain the children. The indoor play centre has been carefully thought out and is built, designed and structured to provide children with a state of the art active environment for all ages. This has been made possible through the tallest standing indoor slide in the World, complete indoor laser quest arena, full Go-Kart track, an extensive toddlers soft play area and the hugely popular Just Dance sessions. Where children can enjoy learning the dance moves to their favourite chart hits.

The area surrounding the Etihad (Manchester City's football stadium) has been getting a face lift…read moresince the 2002 Common wealth games. Since the conclusion of the games it has seen extensive development. The Manchester sports and leisure trust has thus gone from strength to strength and as a result Mancunians have benefited massively. These benefits include the best sporting facilities and equipment available (some free of charge) across a host of venues including this one. The tennis courts indoor and out are of the highest quality, arguably the best in Manchester. The outdoor hard courts in particular (given the amount of rain Manchester gets) are of an exceptionally high standard. So much so that some of the Manchester City's multi millionaire footballers can often be spotted enjoying a few games here. The backdrop of the canal and the stadium is picturesque on a hot summer's day. So I highly suggest you visit the website: http://www.manchestersportandleisure.org and register for a membership so you can start reaping the rewards for being a Mancunian.

If you fancy yourself as the next Agassi, you might be interested to know that Manchester Regional…read moreTennis Centre offers 6 indoor and 6 outdoor courts that you can book without having to pay an expensive yearly membership. Even if you're an amateur you can hire rackets and balls too before deciding if it's worth investing for real. Prices per court, per hour start at just £4.80, not bad at all considering your alternative are park courts that aren't maintained half as well.