We’re travelling up to the northern powerhouse that is Manchester this week, as we attend the Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Show at Manchester Central, held from 12-15 January. A reminder that free tickets are still available here!
To celebrate the event, we thought we’d explore the great city itself, and although there aren’t any campsites directly in the centre of Manchester, we’ve found some with great travel links into the city. For good measure, we’ve also thrown in a few sights to see.
Burrs Country Park Campsite - Woodhill Road, Bury BL8 1DA
Located on the site of what was once an historic mill, Burrs Country Park Campsite can be found situated around the River Irwell. Located just to the north of Bury town centre, it’s an easy journey to the campsite, and rail fans will be pleased to know that the East Lancashire Steam Railway also passes by.
The park itself is a lovely place to wander around, but if you’re looking for a bit more to do with your day, Bury tram-stop is about a 25 minute walk, with the actual journey itself taking just 30 minutes.
Around Bury, there are many other idyllic Lancashire towns, all of which have history from the Industrial Revolution.
Moving over to the east of the city, we head into the lovely town of Oldham for our next campsite. Situated just 3/4 of a mile from the centre of the market town, the extensive bus and tram links into Manchester put you at a 15-20 minute journey away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
Take a short journey on the tram not far from the campsite and you could find yourself at BBC Media City, the Lowry Gallery, Old Trafford, or many other places. Surrounding the campsite you’ll find plenty of beauty spots, such as the Medlock Valley and the Leesbrook Nature Park, and you’ll never be short of a good old fashioned pub or two!
Staying within Oldham, we’re pushing right out towards the edge of Greater Manchester, as we find ourselves in the picturesque parish of Saddleworth. With historical landmarks, walks, pubs and all sorts nearby, you’ll have plenty to do at Well-i-Hole, with a farm close to the site to provide entertainment for children.
If you’re looking for a different kind of thrill, why not take a bike up onto the Saddleworth Moors themselves? With seemingly endless hills in front of you, the views on offer could be perfect for those looking for something a bit more active.
Just a half an hour train journey from Victoria Station in the heart of Manchester city centre, you’re not too far away from any potential retail therapy.
Rounding off our Mancunian foursome, we travel over to Rochdale, just to the north-east of city centre. Again, there are extensive transport links in and out Manchester, as well as a short trip into Rochdale. Hollingworth Lake itself is well worth a visit, complete with scenic views across the 130-acre reservoir.
With museums, shops, sports teams galore, restaurants, and an abundance of architecture and culture, Manchester is a fantastic place to visit, and these campsites will provide a much cheaper stay than the bourgeois hotels in the main hub of the city.
If you don’t want to stay in Greater Manchester, there’s plenty of Camping and Caravanning Club Sites, such as those at Crowden, Leek or Hayfield, and Caravan and Motorhome Club campsites, such as those at Buxton, Hebden Bridge, Royal Vale and Castleton, all on offer across West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and the Peak District.