Greater Manchester is set to bask in another sunny day today, with highs of up to 27C forecast by the Met Office. Weather like this calls for one treat in particular: ice cream.
Scoops of the cold stuff are best enjoyed while strolling around a beautiful park, or even just lying on the grass. While an appearance by an ice cream van can't always be guaranteed, one Greater Manchester park has a more permanent option.
In the heart of Mesnes Park is Frederick’s Ice Cream Parlour, found inside the magnificent Pavilion. The stunning Victorian building has been home to an ice cream parlour ever since it was originally built.
It’s known for its incredible selection of flavours, ranging from classic options like raspberry ripple and rum & raisin, to more adventurous options like Jaffa Cake and Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding. As well as serving up ice cream, it also has a range of home-cooked fresh food including hot meals, sandwiches, salads and toasties.
There are hot and cold drinks, including slushies and milkshakes. The ice cream parlour is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
Once you’ve secured your frozen treat, take some time to explore the beautiful Grade II-listed park. Dating back to 1879. It’s one of the oldest parks in Greater Manchester and it’s full of Victorian charm.
It features formal flower beds, wide paths and grass lawns, which are perfect for enjoying a picnic. The pavilion isn’t the only striking detail at the park. Just in front of it is the Colebrookdale Fountain, although what you see today is actually a replica of the original fountain, which was removed from the park in 1921.
For those who are feeling up to it, the park has its own outdoor gyms, and there’s two playgrounds for kids to enjoy. On one side of the park is a large duck pond which has an interesting rockery and waterfall feature at the northern end. There’s a couple of benches nearby making it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the view.
