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St John's Gardens

WildlifePicnicFamily

Public accessFree entryDogs welcome

Getting here

53.47795, -2.25296

Open directionsv

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🧺Good picnic destination in summer — open space and facilities for a relaxed day out
☕92 Degrees — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🧺Good picnic destination in summer — open space and facilities for a relaxed day out
☕92 Degrees — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

Good to know

£Free to visit — no entry charge
🐕Dogs welcome

Bike parkingCaféParking· PaidPicnic spotToilets

Best for

11 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Picnic day out

Very strong match

picnic area, café, toilets, car park; Urban park — open green space

Free

Family friendly

Strong match

café, toilets, picnic area; Urban park — family destination

Free

Bird watching

Strong match

Birds — Rock Dove, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow +41 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Rock Dove, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow +41 more · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Western Honey Bee, Eristalis pertinax, Harlequin Ladybird +56 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Western Honey Bee, Eristalis pertinax, Harlequin Ladybird +56 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Butterfly-bush, Black Spleenwort, Oxford Ragwort +87 more · last seen 2026; Plants — Butterfly-bush, Black Spleenwort, Oxford Ragwort +87 more · last seen 2026

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

12 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Cheshire Ring Canal WalkWalking route

Named route

Medlock Valley WayWalking route

Named route

Irwell Sculpture TrailWalking route

Named routeRegional walking route

Irwell Sculpture Trail (spur)Walking route

Named route

Trans-Pennine Trail (Ashton-upon-Mersey to Stockport)Walking route

Named routeRegional walking route

🚴

Cycling

300 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Route 60Cycling route

Named routeRef 60National Cycle Network

Greater Manchester regional route 85Cycling route

Named routeRef 85Regional cycle route

Broughton CyclewayCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

Media City LinkCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

Link between Trans-Pennine Trail and Bridgewater WayCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

Route 86Cycling route

Named routeRef 86Local cycle route

Wildlife to spot

23,959 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

23,959 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds47 species

summerautumnwinter

2026

Rock Dove · Lesser Black-backed Gull · Carrion Crow · Magpie · Black-headed Gull +42

Rock DoveColumba livia2025
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
MagpiePica pica
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2025
Mute SwanCygnus olor2025
Great TitParus major
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
RobinErithacus rubecula
CootFulica atra2025
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
House SparrowPasser domesticus2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
RavenCorvus corax2025
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2025
Common GullLarus canus2025
RookCorvus frugilegus2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
Greylag GooseAnser anser2025
BuzzardButeo buteo
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus
RedwingTurdus iliacus
Mergus merganser merganserMergus merganser merganser2025
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2025
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2025
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus2025
DunnockPrunella modularis2025
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2025
Ring-necked ParakeetPsittacula krameri2025
GoosanderMergus merganser2025
Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2025
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
JackdawColoeus monedula2025

🦌

Mammals3 species

summerautumn

2026

Grey Squirrel · Noctule · Common Pipistrelle

Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis
NoctuleNyctalus noctula2025
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2025

🐸

Amphibians1 species

summer

2025

Common Frog

Common FrogRana temporaria

🐝

Insects59 species

summerautumn

2026

Western Honey Bee · Eristalis pertinax · Harlequin Ladybird · Green Shieldbug · Common Red Soldier Beetle +54

Western Honey BeeApis mellifera2025
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax
Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis2025
Green ShieldbugPalomena prasina2025
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva2025
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata2025
Eupeodes lunigerEupeodes luniger2025
Hairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarum2025
SyrphusSyrphus2025
Bibio pomonaeBibio pomonae2025
22-spot LadybirdPsyllobora vigintiduopunctata2025
Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax2025
Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2025
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus2025
Dock BugCoreus marginatus
Red-tailed BumblebeeBombus lapidarius
Varied Carpet BeetleAnthrenus verbasci
VespulaVespula
Cream-spot LadybirdCalvia quattuordecimguttata2025
a weevilCurculionidae2025
Cartodere nodiferCartodere nodifer2025
Bradycellus verbasciBradycellus verbasci2025
Monotoma longicollisMonotoma longicollis2025
Omonadus formicariusOmonadus formicarius2025
Notiophilus biguttatusNotiophilus biguttatus2025
Rust-red Flour BeetleTribolium castaneum2025
Clambus simsoniClambus simsoni2025
Sericoderus brevicornisSericoderus brevicornis2025
Pea-leaf WeevilSitona lineatus2025
Rhyzobius chrysomeloidesRhyzobius chrysomeloides2025
Nut Leaf WeevilStrophosoma melanogrammum2025
Atomaria lewisiAtomaria lewisi2025
Ptenidium pusillumPtenidium pusillum2025
Omonadus floralisOmonadus floralis2025
Monotoma picipesMonotoma picipes2025
Ephistemus globulusEphistemus globulus2025
Rhinoncus pericarpiusRhinoncus pericarpius2025
Bembidion tetracolumBembidion tetracolum2025
German WaspVespula germanica2025
Sphaerophoria scriptaSphaerophoria scripta2025
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes2025
Coenosia tigrinaCoenosia tigrina2025
Common WaspVespula vulgaris2025
Limnophora triangulaLimnophora triangula2025
Tree SnipeflyChrysopilus laetus2025
Phaonia signataPhaonia signata2025
Potamia littoralisPotamia littoralis2025
Coenosia molliculaCoenosia mollicula2025
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2025
Buff-tailed BumblebeeBombus terrestris2025
Cabbage BugEurydema (Eurydema) oleracea2025
Volucella inanisVolucella inanis2025
Field GrasshopperChorthippus brunneus2025
Eristalis arbustorumEristalis arbustorum2025
Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2025
Hornet HoverflyVolucella zonaria2025
Scaeva pyrastriScaeva pyrastri2025
Melanostoma scalareMelanostoma scalare2025
Vine WeevilOtiorhynchus sulcatus2025

🌿

Plants90 species

summerautumn

2026

Butterfly-bush · Black Spleenwort · Oxford Ragwort · Shaggy Soldier · Yarrow +85

Butterfly-bushBuddleja davidii
Black SpleenwortAsplenium adiantum-nigrum
Oxford RagwortSenecio squalidus
Shaggy SoldierGalinsoga quadriradiata2025
YarrowAchillea millefolium2025
Sea-buckthornHippophae rhamnoides2025
Black NightshadeSolanum nigrum2025
Hart's-TongueAsplenium scolopendrium
SnowberrySymphoricarpos albus2025
Bristly OxtongueHelminthotheca echioides2025
Wild TeaselDipsacus fullonum2025
Herb-RobertGeranium robertianum2025
Purple-loosestrifeLythrum salicaria2025
ColtsfootTussilago farfara
Pampas-grassCortaderia selloana2025
Common MallowMalva sylvestris2025
BroomCytisus scoparius2025
HawthornCrataegus monogyna2025
Mexican FleabaneErigeron karvinskianus2025
Giant HogweedHeracleum mantegazzianum2025
MugwortArtemisia vulgaris2025
Fern-leaf YarrowAchillea filipendulina2025
Ivy-leaved ToadflaxCymbalaria muralis2025
Tree-of-heavenAilanthus altissima2025
Ivy BroomrapeOrobanche hederae2025
Common NettleUrtica dioica2025
Blue EryngoEryngium planum2025
CorncockleAgrostemma githago2025
Black MedickMedicago lupulina2025
Summer SnowflakeLeucojum aestivum
Hairy Bitter-cressCardamine hirsuta
Shepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastoris
Wavy Bitter-cressCardamine flexuosa
Danish ScurvygrassCochlearia danica
Wall-rueAsplenium ruta-muraria
Maidenhair SpleenwortAsplenium trichomanes
Sea SpleenwortAsplenium marinum
Red CloverTrifolium pratense2025
ColumbineAquilegia vulgaris2025
Oxeye DaisyLeucanthemum vulgare2025
Mediterranean SpurgeEuphorbia characias2025
Red ValerianCentranthus ruber2025
Lamb's-earStachys byzantina2025
GorseUlex europaeus2025
Japanese RoseRosa rugosa2025
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2025
DogwoodCornus sanguinea2025
Hare's-foot CloverTrifolium arvense2025
White MelilotMelilotus albus2025
Bear's-breechAcanthus mollis2025
Portugal LaurelPrunus lusitanica2025
BeechFagus sylvatica2025
Garden Lady's-mantleAlchemilla mollis2025
Pink-headed PersicariaPersicaria capitata2025
Lesser PeriwinkleVinca minor2025
Welsh PoppyPapaver cambricum2025
Small-flowered Crane's-billGeranium pusillum2025
ElderSambucus nigra2025
Hedera helixHedera helix2025
White DogwoodCornus alba2025
SpindleEuonymus europaeus2025
FirethornPyracantha coccinea2025
Rosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifolium2025
Hoary MustardHirschfeldia incana2025
Himalayan BalsamImpatiens glandulifera2025
Greek MallowSidalcea malviflora2025
Smooth Sow-thistleSonchus oleraceus2025
FennelFoeniculum vulgare2025
NipplewortLapsana communis2025
SowbreadCyclamen hederifolium2025
Fat-henChenopodium album2025
Cherry LaurelPrunus laurocerasus2025
FeverfewTanacetum parthenium2025
HornbeamCarpinus betulus2025
Maidenhair FernAdiantum capillus-veneris2025
White CloverTrifolium repens2025
Sweet ChestnutCastanea sativa2025
WeldReseda luteola2025
Wild CarrotDaucus carota2025
False-acaciaRobinia pseudoacacia2025
Hemp-agrimonyEupatorium cannabinum2025
Norway MapleAcer platanoides2025
RowanSorbus aucuparia2025
MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria2025
Spear ThistleCirsium vulgare2025
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense2025
Silver MapleAcer saccharinum2025
Greater PlantainPlantago major2025
SelfhealPrunella vulgaris2025
Red Dead-nettleLamium purpureum2025

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

23,959 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds47 species

summerautumnwinter

2026

Rock Dove · Lesser Black-backed Gull · Carrion Crow · Magpie · Black-headed Gull +42

Rock DoveColumba livia2025
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
MagpiePica pica
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2025
Mute SwanCygnus olor2025
Great TitParus major
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
RobinErithacus rubecula
CootFulica atra2025
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
House SparrowPasser domesticus2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
RavenCorvus corax2025
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2025
Common GullLarus canus2025
RookCorvus frugilegus2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
Greylag GooseAnser anser2025
BuzzardButeo buteo
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus
RedwingTurdus iliacus
Mergus merganser merganserMergus merganser merganser2025
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2025
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2025
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus2025
DunnockPrunella modularis2025
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2025
Ring-necked ParakeetPsittacula krameri2025
GoosanderMergus merganser2025
Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2025
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
JackdawColoeus monedula2025

🦌

Mammals3 species

summerautumn

2026

Grey Squirrel · Noctule · Common Pipistrelle

Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis
NoctuleNyctalus noctula2025
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2025

🐸

Amphibians1 species

summer

2025

Common Frog

Common FrogRana temporaria

🐝

Insects59 species

summerautumn

2026

Western Honey Bee · Eristalis pertinax · Harlequin Ladybird · Green Shieldbug · Common Red Soldier Beetle +54

Western Honey BeeApis mellifera2025
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax
Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis2025
Green ShieldbugPalomena prasina2025
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva2025
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata2025
Eupeodes lunigerEupeodes luniger2025
Hairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarum2025
SyrphusSyrphus2025
Bibio pomonaeBibio pomonae2025
22-spot LadybirdPsyllobora vigintiduopunctata2025
Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax2025
Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2025
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus2025
Dock BugCoreus marginatus
Red-tailed BumblebeeBombus lapidarius
Varied Carpet BeetleAnthrenus verbasci
VespulaVespula
Cream-spot LadybirdCalvia quattuordecimguttata2025
a weevilCurculionidae2025
Cartodere nodiferCartodere nodifer2025
Bradycellus verbasciBradycellus verbasci2025
Monotoma longicollisMonotoma longicollis2025
Omonadus formicariusOmonadus formicarius2025
Notiophilus biguttatusNotiophilus biguttatus2025
Rust-red Flour BeetleTribolium castaneum2025
Clambus simsoniClambus simsoni2025
Sericoderus brevicornisSericoderus brevicornis2025
Pea-leaf WeevilSitona lineatus2025
Rhyzobius chrysomeloidesRhyzobius chrysomeloides2025
Nut Leaf WeevilStrophosoma melanogrammum2025
Atomaria lewisiAtomaria lewisi2025
Ptenidium pusillumPtenidium pusillum2025
Omonadus floralisOmonadus floralis2025
Monotoma picipesMonotoma picipes2025
Ephistemus globulusEphistemus globulus2025
Rhinoncus pericarpiusRhinoncus pericarpius2025
Bembidion tetracolumBembidion tetracolum2025
German WaspVespula germanica2025
Sphaerophoria scriptaSphaerophoria scripta2025
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes2025
Coenosia tigrinaCoenosia tigrina2025
Common WaspVespula vulgaris2025
Limnophora triangulaLimnophora triangula2025
Tree SnipeflyChrysopilus laetus2025
Phaonia signataPhaonia signata2025
Potamia littoralisPotamia littoralis2025
Coenosia molliculaCoenosia mollicula2025
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2025
Buff-tailed BumblebeeBombus terrestris2025
Cabbage BugEurydema (Eurydema) oleracea2025
Volucella inanisVolucella inanis2025
Field GrasshopperChorthippus brunneus2025
Eristalis arbustorumEristalis arbustorum2025
Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2025
Hornet HoverflyVolucella zonaria2025
Scaeva pyrastriScaeva pyrastri2025
Melanostoma scalareMelanostoma scalare2025
Vine WeevilOtiorhynchus sulcatus2025

🌿

Plants90 species

summerautumn

2026

Butterfly-bush · Black Spleenwort · Oxford Ragwort · Shaggy Soldier · Yarrow +85

Butterfly-bushBuddleja davidii
Black SpleenwortAsplenium adiantum-nigrum
Oxford RagwortSenecio squalidus
Shaggy SoldierGalinsoga quadriradiata2025
YarrowAchillea millefolium2025
Sea-buckthornHippophae rhamnoides2025
Black NightshadeSolanum nigrum2025
Hart's-TongueAsplenium scolopendrium
SnowberrySymphoricarpos albus2025
Bristly OxtongueHelminthotheca echioides2025
Wild TeaselDipsacus fullonum2025
Herb-RobertGeranium robertianum2025
Purple-loosestrifeLythrum salicaria2025
ColtsfootTussilago farfara
Pampas-grassCortaderia selloana2025
Common MallowMalva sylvestris2025
BroomCytisus scoparius2025
HawthornCrataegus monogyna2025
Mexican FleabaneErigeron karvinskianus2025
Giant HogweedHeracleum mantegazzianum2025
MugwortArtemisia vulgaris2025
Fern-leaf YarrowAchillea filipendulina2025
Ivy-leaved ToadflaxCymbalaria muralis2025
Tree-of-heavenAilanthus altissima2025
Ivy BroomrapeOrobanche hederae2025
Common NettleUrtica dioica2025
Blue EryngoEryngium planum2025
CorncockleAgrostemma githago2025
Black MedickMedicago lupulina2025
Summer SnowflakeLeucojum aestivum
Hairy Bitter-cressCardamine hirsuta
Shepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastoris
Wavy Bitter-cressCardamine flexuosa
Danish ScurvygrassCochlearia danica
Wall-rueAsplenium ruta-muraria
Maidenhair SpleenwortAsplenium trichomanes
Sea SpleenwortAsplenium marinum
Red CloverTrifolium pratense2025
ColumbineAquilegia vulgaris2025
Oxeye DaisyLeucanthemum vulgare2025
Mediterranean SpurgeEuphorbia characias2025
Red ValerianCentranthus ruber2025
Lamb's-earStachys byzantina2025
GorseUlex europaeus2025
Japanese RoseRosa rugosa2025
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2025
DogwoodCornus sanguinea2025
Hare's-foot CloverTrifolium arvense2025
White MelilotMelilotus albus2025
Bear's-breechAcanthus mollis2025
Portugal LaurelPrunus lusitanica2025
BeechFagus sylvatica2025
Garden Lady's-mantleAlchemilla mollis2025
Pink-headed PersicariaPersicaria capitata2025
Lesser PeriwinkleVinca minor2025
Welsh PoppyPapaver cambricum2025
Small-flowered Crane's-billGeranium pusillum2025
ElderSambucus nigra2025
Hedera helixHedera helix2025
White DogwoodCornus alba2025
SpindleEuonymus europaeus2025
FirethornPyracantha coccinea2025
Rosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifolium2025
Hoary MustardHirschfeldia incana2025
Himalayan BalsamImpatiens glandulifera2025
Greek MallowSidalcea malviflora2025
Smooth Sow-thistleSonchus oleraceus2025
FennelFoeniculum vulgare2025
NipplewortLapsana communis2025
SowbreadCyclamen hederifolium2025
Fat-henChenopodium album2025
Cherry LaurelPrunus laurocerasus2025
FeverfewTanacetum parthenium2025
HornbeamCarpinus betulus2025
Maidenhair FernAdiantum capillus-veneris2025
White CloverTrifolium repens2025
Sweet ChestnutCastanea sativa2025
WeldReseda luteola2025
Wild CarrotDaucus carota2025
False-acaciaRobinia pseudoacacia2025
Hemp-agrimonyEupatorium cannabinum2025
Norway MapleAcer platanoides2025
RowanSorbus aucuparia2025
MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria2025
Spear ThistleCirsium vulgare2025
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense2025
Silver MapleAcer saccharinum2025
Greater PlantainPlantago major2025
SelfhealPrunella vulgaris2025
Red Dead-nettleLamium purpureum2025

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Roy Hughes · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

St John's Gardens Manchester

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🌱Alexandra ParkUrban park3 km→🌱Crescent MeadowUrban park1.3 km→✦Peel ParkHistoric site1.6 km→🌱Peel ParkUrban park1.6 km→🌱Peel ParkUrban park1.6 km→🌱Platt Fields ParkUrban park3.9 km→

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