Catching a morning flight from Manchester Airport? Staying nearby makes sense. Not only can you avoid that painfully early alarm call, you’ll also get to see some interesting places that you’d miss if you were booked into a city centre Manchester hotel.
Our Manchester (Cheadle) hotel, for example, lets you explore the suburb’s independent shops and cafes, while still making sure you’re only three miles from check-in. It’s also close to popular Bruntwood Park, a 100-acre recreation space you can really get lost in. Exploring its mature woodland, hay meadows, ornamental gardens and waterways can make you feel like you’re deep in the countryside - great if you wanted to get back to nature. But it’s still a great place to visit if you didn’t pack your wellies. There’s a well-equipped play area, a quaint duck pond and an ice cream kiosk. Plus, there’s a raft of sporting opportunities to try your hand at, from BMX racing on its permanent track to golf on its 18-hole pitch and putt.
Bruntwood Park
Bruntwood Park
Bruntwood Park
What's on
There’s more to Bruntwood than trees - although there are lots of those, too. Find out all about parklife, Bruntwood style!
BMX track
Anyone can have a go on the BMX cycle track, free of charge. If you’re there on Saturday mornings, watch out for the BMX Club Sessions - they’re fun to watch.
Golf
The Pitch and Putt course is managed by Cheadle Golf Club and costs around £6.50 per adult - for that you get a ball, a 9-iron and a putter.
Children’s play area
A great place to visit if you have little ones, there’s a zip wire, rope pyramid and tyre swing to get to grips with, as well as a bouncy castle in the summer holidays.
Events
The popular ParkRun starts at 9am each Saturday morning. It’s free, but you need to register before you go. British Military Fitness also run Walkfit sessions.
Essential information
Leave at least half a day to enjoy everything that Bruntwood Park has to offer. Got longer to spend? Head into Cheadle to enjoy its village-like look and feel.
Top tip
On sunny days the car park gets incredibly busy, so consider walking there. That’s not a problem if you’re booked into the Premier Inn Manchester (Cheadle) hotel, because it’s just a five-minute stroll away.
Opening hours
The park is open every day from 8am to sunset and you’ll find it at Bruntwood Lane, Manchester SK8 1HX.
Facilities
There are toilets near the children’s playground - these are equipped with baby-change facilities.
Accessibility
Paths are flat and paved. You can hire a wheelchair or scooter by phoning Disability Stockport on 0161 439 4817.
Things to do near Bruntwood Park
Once you’ve finished enjoying the sights of Bruntwood Park, head into nearby Cheadle or neighbouring Cheadle Hulme - both have a historic, village-feel that make them seem very special. Cheadle's busy main street has a variety of independent shops, cafes and delis.
Love history? Stockport Air Raid Shelters are just two miles away and well worth a visit. Carved into the cliffs, this network of underground tunnels were used to shelter local people during the Second World War. Carefully preserved and full of artefacts, it’s worth paying the extra and getting one of the excellent audio guides.
Eating and drinking
The park has its own cafe, but if nothing there takes your fancy, why not head into Cheadle to see what’s on offer?
A lovely cafe inside a light-flooded conservatory, the Vinery serves great coffee, cake and freshly-cooked hot meals to order, and all with great views of the park. There is also a large patio area with plenty of outdoor seating - great for sunny days, when you can watch the kids play as you relax and enjoy the food. The Vinery is known for its beautiful breakfasts, sumptuous afternoon teas - and the staff, who can’t do enough for you.
If all that fresh air has worked up an appetite, head to Platform 5. One of the best restaurants in the village, its main selling point is the freshly made pizza, with innovative toppings (such as king prawn, chorizo and garlic mayo) all served with a great range of beers and cocktails. Large screens make it a busy place on football days, but that only adds to the atmosphere. Not a footie fan? There’s also a large outdoor terrace to escape to.
A short walk from Cheadle Hulme train station, Chiverton Tap is a gem of a micropub. Housed in what was a historic drapers shop, it serves locally produced ales and spirits, and is home to book and knitting clubs which help to make it the heart of the community. Incredibly popular among the locals (who call it the Chiv), the atmosphere on Friday and Saturday nights is buzzing. It even won Stockport’s CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2016.
Getting to Bridgewater Hall
Bruntwood Park is just 10 miles from Manchester city centre and four miles from Manchester Airport.
By car
The A34 runs from Manchester city centre to Cheadle. Once there, follow the brown tourist signs to Bruntwood Park and park in the pay and display car park which costs a maximum of £3 per day.
By bus
Bus routes 309 and 310 run from Stockport to near to the park. From Manchester city centre, hop on a 130 or a 42B to Macclesfield from the Hart Street stop, off Princess Street.
By train
The nearest train stations are Gatley at 1.8 miles away (for trains to Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Airport) or Cheadle Hulme at 2.1 miles away (for trains to Manchester Piccadilly or Crewe).