Last weekend, I decided to finally take advantage of the crisp autumn sunshine and spend the day somewhere a bit different. I’d heard a lot of lovely things about Fletcher Moss Park in Manchester but, somehow, I’d never actually been. With two very excitable dogs—Biscuit, my cheeky little poochon, and Castiel, a bouncy cavapoochon who seems convinced the world is his playground—it felt like the perfect opportunity for a proper adventure.
Getting there was easy enough. I packed the usual dog-walking kit: treats, water bottles, spare poo bags, a tennis ball (which, spoiler alert, Biscuit ignored entirely), and a couple of towels for the inevitable muddy paws. By the time we parked up, both dogs were already beside themselves with excitement, pressing their noses against the car windows as if they somehow knew what awaited them.
Parking
We parked on Stenner Lane (postcode M20 2RQ) which is close to one of the entrances of the park. Parking is free.
If you’d like disabled parking, you’ll find two disabled parking spaces at the Millgate Lane carpark (postcode M20 2SD). Both of these carparks are close an entrance of the park. The Millgate Lane carpark is perfect for disabled visitors as the path leading into the park is flat.
The Park
The first thing that struck me about Fletcher Moss Park was its sheer size. Honestly, I hadn’t expected it to be quite that vast. There are big, open grassy areas, winding woodland paths, formal gardens, and little hidden corners that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a secret garden. It’s the kind of place where you can’t just “pop in for a quick walk”—you need time to properly explore it.
One thing I loved was how dog-friendly the park is in general. There were loads of other dogs around, everything from huge Labradors to tiny dachshunds trotting around in little jumpers. Biscuit made instant friends with a cockapoo named Bella, while Castiel tried (and failed) to befriend a very unimpressed whippet. It’s a sociable atmosphere without feeling overwhelming.
You’ll see plenty of dogs off their leads (mine still cannot be trusted to be off lead). There are spaces where dogs must be kept on their leads, but the opne fields and wide landscapes makes it the perfect palce to let the dogs run wild (if they can be trusted).
At one point, we found ourselves on a path that led down towards the river which leads onto a golf course. This was hands down my favourite part of the day. The path winds through woodland, and you can hear birdsong and the sound of the water as you walk.
The Parsonage Gardens
The dogs and I really enjoyed exploring the Parsonage Gardens.
There is another cafe in the gorunds but I was not sure if it wasdog friendly or not. The gardens themselves are extremely well cared for and full of colour, even in the middle of autumn. You’ll find lots of tree carvings and even old grave stones.
Cafe
After about 45 minutes of wandering and letting the dogs burn off their initial burst of energy, I decided it was time for a break. Thankfully, Fletcher Moss has a lovely little café tucked near one of the entrances. It’s called the ‘Truck Stop’ and sells a range of hot and cold food, hot drinks, cakes and even wine!
I grabbed a flat white and treated myself to a slice of lemon drizzle cake (because honestly, why not?). Biscuit sat politely by my feet, watching every crumb like a hawk, while Castiel sprawled dramatically on the floor as if he’d just run a marathon. I love moments like that—just sitting there, surrounded by trees, watching other dog owners come and go, feeling like part of a community.
The food was delicious and there is ample seating. If the tables and chairs in the immediate vacinity of the cafe are occuppies, you’ll find ample benches (honestly I have never seen so many benches) just outsode the cafe area.
Facilities
One thing worth noting, though, is that there’s only one accessible toilet in the park. The general toilets were closed and so this one disbaled toilet is used by everyone. It’s near the café, and while it’s clean and functional, it’s definitely something to plan around if you’re going to be there for a while—especially if you’ve got kids or mobility needs. It’s a minor thing, but still good to know in advance.
Why We’ll Be Back
By the time we looped back to the car, we’d been walking for nearly three hours. Both dogs were absolutely shattered—Castiel fell asleep before I’d even started the engine, and Biscuit curled up like a little cinnamon roll in the back seat. There’s something so satisfying about seeing them tired but happy after a good day out.
I think what I appreciated most about Fletcher Moss Park was how versatile it is. If you want a long, proper walk with your dogs, you can wander for hours. If you just fancy a coffee and a quick stroll, that’s doable too. There are peaceful spots where you can sit and relax, and busier areas full of families and other dog walkers. It manages to be huge without feeling impersonal.
Would I go back? Absolutely. In fact, I’m already planning a return trip when the leaves have fully turned—autumn there is going to be stunning. If you’re a dog owner in Manchester and haven’t visited yet, I can’t recommend it enough. Just make sure to bring some towels, keep an eye on where dogs are and aren’t allowed, and give yourself plenty of time to explore.
Biscuit and Castiel definitely give it their paw of approval.
