MCR Strollers
The MCRstrollers walking group was set up in 2010 as a walking group for the health and wellbeing of staff, students and the local community, and are led by trained volunteers from the University of Manchester.
Our walks incorporate local green spaces, places of historical or horticultural interest, local charities and community projects to keep the walks varied and engaging. Our walking routes include the Gaskell House, Whitworth Park, Whitworth Art Gallery, Victoria Baths, the University Tree Trails and the Rochdale and Ashton Canals. We have also been welcomed and received talks over the years at the Pankhurst Centre, Gaskell House, Manchester Museum and from park and canal experts from Manchester City Council.
As we are in the middle of the Oxford Road Corridor we can easily provide a variety of accessible walks at differing paces. On average our walks last 45 minutes but we also have a number of 30 minute and 90 minute walks to encourage more participation.
Walking has been described as the perfect exercise and helps give you a healthy body and mind and you can also connect with new people and regular walkers. Various studies have shown that just 20 minutes of walking a day can have many health benefits.
Everyone is welcome to come along at anytime. The walks are free and are the perfect way to get out of the office, get active, meet new people and learn something new!
Please email mcrstrollers@manchester.ac.uk to join the mailing list to receive the walkers update with details of walks.
Community
- We have taken part in a number of walking festivals
- We have fundraised in three Maggie’s Manchester Culture Crawls for their cancer centre by the Christie Hospital, raising over £2,000.
- We have led a Memory Walk to raise awareness of Dementia.
Contact us
For more information or to access our weekly walks update please email mcrstrollers@manchester.ac.uk. Follow us on Twitter @MCRstrollers or on Facebook @the_mcrstrollers
Self guided walks - on campus
The University Tree Trail
There are 3 digital routes for the University Tree Trail, covering North Campus, South Campus and Whitworth Park.
Visit uomtreetrail.co.uk
Self guided walks - Oxford Road Corridor
Oxford Road Corridor have partnered with Jonathan Schofield, Blue Badge Guide since 1996 and Editor-at-Large of Manchester Confidential, to create routes around Oxford Road that reveal the area’s fascinating history. Three 45-60 minute self-guided walks are available to below and include links to printer-friendly PDFs of the tour with a map to follow.
Route 1 - Civic Splendour, Mills and Warehouses
Beginning at the northern end of the Oxford Road Corridor, this tour reveals the history of some of Manchester’s most iconic buildings, cultural spaces and historic pubs. Learn more about Manchester’s industrial roots, the slums of ‘Little Ireland’ and the fascinating story behind the city’s most ‘sinister building’. Tour map
Route 2 - Technology, Art and Innovation
From the serene surroundings of All Saints Park to the imposing sight of the biggest university building in the North, this route takes you around Manchester Met’s campus and back again via new neighbourhoods and advanced materials. Tour map.
Route 3 - Architecture, Ideas, Healthcare and Politics
This route will guide you through the University of Manchester and NHS Foundation Trust campuses to Whitworth Park. On your way, you’ll tread in the footsteps of numerous Nobel prize winners, cross paths with cultural giants and enjoy some of Manchester’s most beautiful architecture. Tour map.
Self guided walks - Other
St Peter's House to Hulme Community Garden Centre
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/630712?units=km (1.5 miles)
Elizabeth Gaskell House, Children’s Hospital Gardens and Whitworth Park
Follow the Plotaroute map that takes between 40 – 50 minutes for medium paced walkers.
Gaskell House, Victoria Baths and Whitworth Park
MCR Strollers Photo Album
Favourite photos of the MCR Strollers walks.