Top of the copse: woodland walks near Manchester

There are two very different Alderley Edges. One is a chi-chi town of footballers and wealthy socialites, the other – this one – is a red sandstone escarpment with amazing views over Cheshire and a hippyish vibe.

Alexandra Park, or Alex Park as it’s known, was once rather shabby but has now been restored to something approaching its former glory.

The classic vista of the grand 17th century house overlooking the River Derwent is the most famous image of Chatsworth, but this Peak District visitor attraction offers much more than a stately home tour.

Its parkland, gardens, farm, adventure playground, shops, restaurants and places to stay bring more than 600,000 visitors a year to this beautiful corner of Derbyshire. It’s a testament to the size of the estate (35,000 acres) – and its careful management – that you can enjoy a day out at Chatsworth without feeling overwhelmed by crowds.

Chorlton Ees is a bit of a wild gem in such a densely populated area. If you’re lucky you could spot a woodpecker, herons or a kingfisher. At dusk there are plenty of bats flying around, too.

Dunham Massey is one of the National Trust’s most visited properties, bringing in over half a million people in 2023. We reckon at least 80% of them were Mancunians escaping the city for their nearest bucolic country park.

If you want a woodland walk complete with den-making, wildlife, picnic spots, and beautiful views, Etherow Country Park on the edge of Stockport ticks the boxes.

Haigh Woodland Park is a good mix of cultivated prettiness and ancient woodland with plenty of things to do.

If you’re craving greenery but don’t want to stray too far out of the city, Heaton Park, on the Manchester-Bury border, is one of your best options.

Lyme Park is a huge estate with a Medieval herd of red deer, stunning views and a handsome Regency house.

Now a National Trust property, Lyme Park has something for visitors of all ages. Jane Austen fans may know it best as Pemberley, the home of Mr Darcy, where he emerges dripping wet from the lake in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

Quarry Bank Mill makes a change from the stately homes in pretty gardens National Trust blueprint. It’s an industrial gem but you’ll still find picturesque riverside gardens, woodland and rolling countryside.

Not far after the road descends from the summit of the Snake Pass (the road between Glossop and Sheffield), you’ll find an area of Forestry England land known as Snake Woodlands.

With its sweeping panoramas of seasonal golds, reds and browns, Tandle Hill Country Park is one of the best places to catch autumn colour in Greater Manchester.

Tatton Park is a historic estate on the edge of Knutsford, home to an opulent neo-classical mansion, landscaped gardens, woodland, a farm, a huge deer park and a medieval Old Hall.

Head to Walton Hall & Gardens for landscaped grounds, woodland walks, a grand house, and a whole host of fun things to do. The manicured lawns and historical features make it a popular choice for weddings, whilst the alpacas and mini golf make it a good bet for days out with the kids.

You can spend a pleasant few hours wandering through Worsley Woods, a 30-hectare woodland with well-marked trails, ponds, a children’s playground, and paths into the pretty village of Worsley.

Wythenshawe Park is so much more than just a playground and a bit of green space. For a start, there’s a lot of green space – 109 hectares to be precise, and it’s a mix of woodland, open grassland and wildflower meadows. (Also the playground is one of the better ones.)