Although Manchester is known for its predominantly rainy conditions, when the sun comes out there’s nothing better than spending the summer in the city! There are so many things to do and get involved in but to narrow it down, here are some of my favourites…

Students exploring Manchester's canals

1. Take a trip on the river cruise in Salford Quays

Only a short walk away from our Media City campus, you can ride the Manchester City River Cruise for as little as £12. For one hour, the boat takes you from MediaCity all the way up to Spinningfields, and they also have a open roof top for you to sit on in the sun as you take in the beautiful river and landmarks. Sometimes they will also host different events on the boat too, like dining experiences and specific music nights, so keep your eyes open for these as they’re definitely not one to miss!

Image of students socialising with drinks at the table

2. Visit Freight Island in Depot Mayfield

Freight Island is your one stop shop for for amazing food, music and summer events. With their huge outdoor seating area and large range of different food and drink vendors, it’s the perfect place to hang out with your friends and spend some quality time in the sun during the summer months. DJs are often playing here in the general area and to make things even better, tickets are not needed as it’s free to enter, so it feels like you’re at a little festival with no extra cost! They also hold some special events here all year round (some are ticketed) so it’s always worth checking out what they have on.

Four people on a bridge.

3. Take a scenic walk along Castlefield Viaduct

On top of Castlefield Viaduct there is a gorgeous hidden garden. The Viaduct was obtained by National Trust and is now home to lots of greenery, amazing wildlife and blooming flowers. It’s a perfect activity to do in the summer and it’s absolutely free to visit, so it’s great if you want to enjoy a summer in Manchester on a budget!

4. Visit the Kargo MKT in Salford Quays

Located inside the Lowry Outlet Shopping Centre, the market presents a huge selection of food vendors so it’s a great place to relax after a day of shopping and try a range of different foods and cuisines. They have a large outdoor seating area overlooking Salford Quays, so it’s a really nice place to just sit in the sun with your friends or family and spend some quality time together. You also have the perfect spot here to watch the sunset – what’s more to love?

Photograph of two people sat outside on some grass in a park.

5. Visit Mayfield Park

After opening in 2022 and being transformed into a stunning green park, it’s a beautiful fresh space to visit with friends and family right next to Freight Island. The park offers a beautiful trail including river walkways and a modern play area for kids! On top of this, it’s also a free area to visit, so why not bring a picnic and relax on the green in the sun for an inexpensive but enjoyable summer day out.