St Michael’s Flags and Angel Meadow Park

I used to live but a stone’s throw from this glorious little park and made a point of walking through it every day on the way to work — a little slice of wonderment minutes before hitting the big ugly backside of the city.
Many glorious summer afternoons were spent on this (shockingly) well maintained and lovely little island of peace mere moments away from the hustle and bustle of the Printworks side of town — I’d often sneak down with my guitar and a couple of cold ones (shh don’t tell anyone) to play the evening away. The park is obviously a favourite with local residents too — which is unsurprising when so much of the surrounding area is made up of converted mills and the like — which leads to it feeling nicely appreciated but never overcrowded in the warm balmy summer evenings.
It’s not just a pretty little park though, there’s bags of history in its 7.4 acres and there’s enough helpful but unobtrusive signs around to make sure you’re fully apprised of the fact that… there used to be a church exactly where you’re stood. Wow!
I even saw someone walking their cat on a lead here once; if that’s not a testament to quality, then I don’t know what is…
Wait hang on… who walks a cat?!

This lovely, small sea of rolling green grass sits a short walk from my flat, and provides an oasis of calm when faced with the bustling city centre just a few streets away.
It was recently restored to the tune of several hundred thousand pounds, but the result is simple and peaceful. There are just a few benches, paths and sparingly planted trees on this old site that used to house a church and was on the edge of the Victorian slums that took over the surrounding streets during the industrial revolution.
The park is seen as the «gateway to the Irk Valley,» an area of green that allows you to follow the river through the heart of North Manchester.
For me, it’s a great place to do a spot of sledging in the snow or to get some fresh air every once in a while.