[1] Start the walk at the entrance to Whitworth Park opposite the Manchester Royal Infirmary. Take the unofficial path that runs alongside the art gallery.
(A) Focusing on modern artists including Henry Moore and Francis Bacon, the Whitworth Gallery was founded by Robert Darbishire in 1889, as The Whitworth Institute and Park and the gallery became part of the University of Manchester in 1958. Since then a new gallery, opened in 1995, won a RIBA regional award and it has become one of Greater Manchester's ten most-visited tourist attractions. www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/
Cut across the grass between the two small mounds where the playground is. Head toward the gate out of the park ahead of you on the right.Leave the park opposite the “mini market” and turn left onto Denmark Road.
(B)The offices of Get Walking are in the Active Lifestyle Centre on Denmark Road.
Head up to the corner by the lights and cross over Lloyd Street North and then turn left past the primary school. Take the first turning on the right by the church, Monton Street, and follow the road round past the Health Centre.
[2] At the end of Monton Street, which has quite a few trees on it, cross over Moss Lane East (or see the alternative route below) and go ahead along the continuation of Monton Street until you come to Great Western Street. Turn right onto Great Western Street. There is little greenery along this route with most gardens paved and no trees. Cross over Broadfield Street and Moss Side Park is on the corner.
(C) Moss Side Community Park (aka Broadfield Park), lies in the heart of Moss Side, traditionally home to Manchester's black Caribbean community. Notorious for rioting in the 1980s and subsequent gang crime, Moss Side has since benefited from substantial redevelopment and regeneration since the mid 1990s. It was also home to the author Anthony Burgess and the birthplace of political activist Emmeline Pankhurst.
Enter the park and continue parallel to Great Western Street then leave the park at the end.
As an alternative, turn right at Moss Lane East. Walk down approx 100 yards then cross at pedestrian crossing. Turn right and then left into Broadfield Road. Cross the road and enter Moss Side Park. Follow the unofficial path across the grass to the children's play area and then straight on to the exit on Great Western Street.
Continue along Great Western Street until you come to Princess Parkway. This is a very busy road so be careful crossing.
[3] After crossing Princess Parkway continue straight ahead along the pavement beside the grass towards the houses ahead of you. Cross the road (Quinney Crescent) and continue in a straight line along Great Western Street until you reach Moss Side Millenium Green. Come out of this little park and continue along Great Western Street. Turn left into Brentwood Street which has some nicely planted gardens. You will come to a small green space along Brentwood Road and turn right onto the path across this which brings you out at the Corner of Alexandra Road, Claremont Road and Whitnall Street. Cross Whitnall Street and then Claremont Road to get to the corner of Alexandra Park, where this walk finishes.
(D) Alexander Park was built from land purchased by Manchester Corporation from Lord Egerton for £24,000 in 1864. The Park was designed by Alexander Hennell in 1869 and opened to the public in 1870. ?A busy public recreation ground today, Alexandra Park hosts the annual Caribbean music festival.