[1] Turn left out of the centre onto Pilgrim Drive and follow the passage to Ashton New Road. Cross at the traffic lights, turn left and walk along until you reach Rowsley Street. Turn right and walk around the edge of the Sport City complex, past the ‘Main Road’ pub, to turn left at a bridge just before the entrance to the Metrolink site.
[2] Just across the bridge, turn right and walk along New Viaduct Street. At the end, turn left into Broxton Street and then right onto Bradford Road. Continue until you reach the junction with Hulme Hall Lane. Turn left past the large gas holder, then cross Alan Turing Way at the lights and walk towards the cemetery.
[3] Enter Philips Park Cemetery by the main entrance.
(A) Philips Park was Manchester’s first municipal public cemetery, built in 1866. It was badly damaged in 1872 by flooding from the River Medlock and 40-50 bodies were washed away. The site was divided into separate areas for different denominations. Link to cemetery layout
[4] The tarmac paths meander but stay to the central path, passing a second smaller entrance to the cemetery, until you reach gate posts that are inscribed “Roman Catholic entrance.” Turn right and follow the path to leave the cemetery area.
[5] Heading downhill, you will see a large sign welcoming you to ‘Bank Bridge Meadow’. Continue along and you will soon cross a channelled river. Then walk up the hill across the meadow, veering to the right, to reach the community allotments/orchard where you turn left into (B) Philips Park. Turn right when you reach a series of arches and right again at the end of the arches, to exit the park on your left into Fairclough Street. Alternatively a walk straight across the grass from the allotments will bring you to the same place.
[6] Opposite, you can see the Velodrome (C), the National Cycling Centre. Turn right and walk down Fairclough Street bearing left at the end into Archer Street. Walk along this short street to turn right into Stuart Street. Turn left if you have time to look at the Velodrome.
[7] Follow Stuart Street and at the end, you will see the entrance to Philips Park on your right, by the Ashton Canal. Turn right onto Alan Turing Way and walk downhill to cross, using the pedestrian controlled traffic lights, and enter Sportcity Way. Walk ahead and then turn left, over the bridge, past the Manchester Tennis Centre (D) and walk towards the City of Manchester football stadium (E), bearing left at the City Store. Can you work out where the strange phrase ‘Pride in Battle’ comes from? For answer, see Notes section.
[8] Walk around the stadium and exit at the far end onto Ashton New Road. Cross at the pedestrian lights in front of Gate 8a and walk down the tarmac path, past the School of the Resurrection, to return to the centre.