Sometimes we all need to get a nice big helping of fresh air to blast away those work blues or for…read moreme likely hangover. Luckily we're spoilt for choice here. One such place I love to go is Potternewton Park. It's out of the city off Harehills Lane and is well maintained. You've got formal gardens and picnic areas for a start. The active among you can also feel the deep burn with a game of tennis. Lesser assertion is needed for a cheeky spot of bowls and there is often some football going on. What it's also good for is bringing the community together with some annual events. The West Indian Carnival and Reggae Concert is a must. It's a vibrant mix of costumes, music and food and is great when the sun basks down and lights up a beautiful summer's day. If you feel like some greenery and open space then look no further.

Potternewton Park is a great green space in the Chapel Allerton/Harehills area. The surrounding…read morestreets are full of beautiful old style terraced houses and so it's a lovely addition to the area for the local children and teens to go for a wander. I've driven past it so many times on the way to work it seemed only right to stop by and check it out. At the top end there are some really lovely shrubbery arrangements, which I realise isn't the thing most people are interested in, but I quite enjoyed sitting and eating a sandwich with all the greenery around me. Further down there is a play area for the younger kids, which certainly looks more exciting than the likes of parks from when I was a kid, and there are basket ball courts and a skate area for the older ones too. As an adult there is simply a large expanse of beautiful green parkland for an afternoon stroll/sunny picnic. All in all it's a lovely place to visit if the busy roads and city life is stressing you out.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Fancy a picnic in Manchester? Don't look at me like I've escaped from a mental unit, there's plenty…read moreof places to take a basket, blanket and a punnet of Scotch eggs in the city. If you don't believe me, you've clearly never seen the rural idyll that is Heaton Park. Easily accessible by the Metrolink from the city centre, Heaton Park in Prestwich is historical, green and gorgeous. It's home to a golf course as well as Heaton Hall, a beautiful manor which you can view by partaking in guided tours, the exciting kind where people wear costumes. There is literally far too much going on here for me to include in this little introduction but some noteworthy events include Oasis's huge homecoming gigs where they decked Heaton Park out like a festival. Technologically it was a nightmare, but good old Noel Gallagher promised refunds if they didn't get the sound sorted. Another thing you must, MUST do in Heaton Park is try and catch an open air Shakespeare production. They make the most incredible use of the surroundings, but an insider's tip is to bring a mackintosh, umbrella and perhaps even a flask and foldable chair. The former two are obviously due to the inclement Manchester weather, the latter... well, we all need our home comforts. Actually, add some kind of chewy sweets to that list, you choose your favourites. Just don't rub it in, the poor actors have to do this in all climates and are probably dying for one of your Skittles. Anything more I can add? Relay races for dogs (I'm totally serious, it's an opportunity for dog owners to meet and interact), health walks, horse riding, learning activities... the list goes on and on, and look out for the festivals and music performances. Heaton Park is a buzzing, thriving community all its own, so if you fancy some fresh air and culture, hop on the tram and bring sensible shoes. You'll love it here.

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.

Thank heavens for Head Over Heels! Finally a children's play area that doesn't stink of smelly…read morefeet! I have been coming here for years with children and it is a well organised, well designed soft play area for birth to 10 years old. The infants' section is small but integrated with the larger children's area and toddlers race around on the equipment without a care in the world. The bigger play area is a large fairy tale castle like structure with three levels of fun and a great ball pit where the rugrats can have a ball shower. What sets Head Over Heels apart from other indoor play areas is that parents can watch children from the sidelines on soft leather couches as opposed to on harsh plastic chairs that other places seem to favour. The restaurant is lovely if not a little expensive and they do panninis, pizzas, an all day breakfast , and a nice cappucino and cake which you can indulge in as the older children zoom down the red astro slide. Head over Heels is just a nice, clean and well air-conditioned place for kids and adults alike and £5 is a small price to pay for peace whilst your little ones are occupied for an hour and a half. My children have held several parties here and the staff have been amazing. For £11 per child, the party group have 60 minutes play downstairs and then go into a disco room while parents can relax in the restaurant watching their children on tv screens. Then its off to the separate party area where they are served healthy snacks including: fish goujons, cucumber, carrot sticks, grapes, olives and pizza. Each guest takes home a balloon and a party bag and have a good night's sleep afterwards. It is advisable to book a few months in advance if you are interested in having your child's party here though as it gets booked up early. This place is head over heels above any other the kids have been to. Well worth a visit!

Will not be coming here again. Not only do I think it's way overpriced, £58.80 for my three…read morechildren plus meals and entry for myself. the fact that I got charged and extra £6.50 upon leaving is out of order. I hadn't been aware that I had incurred extra staying charges, my ticket start time was 15:30 and the end time was 18:00 and seeing as my children had left the play equipment at 5pm to go to the cafe and have the meal I paid for with their entry. I was absolutely shocked that upon leaving I was charged more money. I spent more money on the cafe too £21 I never would have stayed in the cafe till after 6 if I knew I would get charged for just sitting in there and even more so, the manager had the cheek to ask me to come again. That put me off big time. At one point my kid got lost because it was so busy which took over 30 minutes to find her. In fact about 3 kids got lost. It's way too over crowded in there. I even called ahead to check if it was busy and got told no only to arrive and be told there was no space so I had to book and come back 30 minutes other. Staff were lovely but I am not a happy customer.

This is everything you would expect from a good, community centred independant cafe. The coffee is…read moregreat and the selection of food is brilliant (including a lovely selection of home baked cakes). There is always a warm and friendly welcome and a very full and varied selection of craft and community meetings and events. Rivers Meet is well worth a detour

Local cafe come craft shop. Not exactly hip and trendy but not a greasy spoon either. Down to…read moreearth, welcoming, laid back and serves good reasonably priced food. Tea served in proper china cups. Paninis from £2.80. Homemade soups and a nice array of homemade cakes. A great little find, ideal for a quick well-priced snack. It's almost cheaper to come here than to cook your own. I've been here a number of times and never been disappointed. Newspapers and magazines, leather sofas, open fire. You can even pick up some needlework items should you wish. For what it is, with no pretences, 5 stars. Even the music was pretty good today; Marvin Gaye, Byrds, Scott Walker.