Manchester's Hidden Gems for Quiet Moments
If you live in a city, in any region of the country, you won’t be a stranger to overcrowded parks and lively cafes that limit quiet time alone to the four walls of your bedroom. Sometimes, there's nothing more beneficial to us than getting up, getting out and reconnecting with the world around us.
But sadly, more often than not, the thought of this can seem drastically unappealing. When you’re feeling anxious, sad, or overwhelmed, busy environments can quite easily make you feel worse, ultimately cutting you off from society and convincing you that the external world is something to be fearful of.
It's not, but it’s probably going to take a little more persuasion before socialising is something that you start to enjoy again. Taking it one step at a time, here’s the best of Manchester's hidden gems for quiet moments.
Peel Park
Peel Park is located towards the north of Manchester, in a nearby city called Salford. From the city centre, you can reach Peel Park in just 15 minutes by tram, or in 30 minutes if you’d prefer to walk. Peel Park, even during the hotter summer months, rarely gets overcrowded and is certainly big enough to find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed. There are various benches scattered around the park, but you may want to take a blanket or cushion for extra comfort.
New Islington Marina
Heading back into the city, and just a short walk from Manchester’s Northern Quarter, you will find a quiet, waterside retreat where you can watch barges pass by as they travel along the canal waters. Within the New Islington neighbourhood, there are also a number of friendly cafes serving hot drinks and light bites if you get peckish. The New Islington Marina is just a ten-minute walk from Piccadilly, so it offers the perfect location to unplug and reset, even if you don’t have much time.
Chorlton Green Market
Spending time by yourself doesn’t mean you have to do nothing at all. In fact, finding a quiet activity can be a useful distraction if you’re feeling caught up in your thoughts and emotions. It’s good to support local businesses where you can, and Chorlton Green Market is the perfect place to start. This relaxed street market is located just south of the city centre. On the final Saturday of each month, you can peacefully explore their vintage craft market with pop-up food and art stalls too. Although it might feel intimidating to be around other visitors of the market, the experience might serve as a way to gently push you beyond your comfort zone and connect with the Chorlton community and residents.
The Reading Room At Manchester Central Library
In any city, you can always rely on a library to provide a secluded and quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed. Luckily, in Manchester, there are a few different libraries you can choose from. The Manchester Central Library is a public library used by students of the city’s universities, as well as the general public. Within the library itself, situated on the first floor, you will find a space lined with bookshelves and comfortable seating where you can sit and either work or read for as long as you need. The reading room is a calming spot filled with plenty of natural light from the glass above it.
St Mary’s Church
Visiting a church can be a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and can be surprisingly restorative and calming. You can find St Mary’s Church on Mulberry Street, and enjoy its fascinating architecture and history just a short distance away from Manchester’s city centre. St Mary's, like many other churches in the city, is open during the day and is typically quietest during the mid-afternoon. You won’t be expected to take part in any religious activities when visiting the church. Everyone is welcome to enter, sit quietly, and enjoy a moment of peace if they wish.
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