[1] Leave hotel by Harpurhey entrance, turn left and walk down Harpurhey Road as it winds downhill.
[2] When you see a blue direction sign to Irk Vally Community School, Blackley and Heaton Park turn right down a ramp/steps and at the end of the railings follow the path straight ahead beside a fishing pond. After about 100yds turn left downhill towards the River Irk.
[3] Turn right and almost immediately left over a footbridge across the river. Turn left and follow the path round the playing field and along the side of the community school to reach Waterloo Street.
[4] Turn left then cross Waterloo Street at the pedestrian crossing. Turn left and continue down Waterloo Street to reach Crescent Road. Turn right and where safe and convenient, cross this road and walk uphill.
[5] When you reach a pedestrian entrance on the left, walk up the path through the wooded bank. At the top you emerge onto a large flat grassland. Walk along a rough path directly across this space. At the far side the track becomes stoned and wide enough for vehicles. Continue along this track keeping to the left. Just before you reach Woodlands Road, turn left on a concrete path that follows a small valley with a stream.
[6] At the end of the valley you emerge at Hazelbottom Road by the entrance to extensive allotments and you turn right. Walk across this road and continue to Smedley Lane and turn left. Along Smedley Lane, cross over when safe and turn right at the low blue gate just before the River Irk. Take the rough grass path and follow this path keeping the river on your left.
[7] Pass under the large Queen's Road Bridge. On the left you will find a wooden pedestrian bridge over the Irk. Cross over and follow the path upwards and you will join Hendham Vale.
[8] Turn right as you continue along this road, then turn left and you will reach the Queen's Road entrance to Queen's Park.
(A) Queen's Park is a large gently steeped green space located on one of North Manchester's main access routes. It is a formal park with rose gardens and used mainly for walking, hosting community festivals and events, children's play and school 'Nature Hunts' which are held on a regular basis.
The park holds a very significant place in the history of Manchester's Parks as one of the city's two first parks opened on the same day in 1846 (along with Philips Park).
[9] Before you exit the park via the left entrance onto Rochdale Road look at the empty plinth to your left and turn left walking away from Manchester. You soon reach Harpurhey Road and the Sundown Hotel.
(B) After the renowned Lancastrian dialect poet, Ben Brierley, died in 1896, a memorial statue was erected in Queen's Park, but it has now disappeared leaving an empty plinth but a very interesting inscription about schools/ladders.