Spring is finally here, which means green spaces come alive once more with colourful blooms and blossoms after a long winter. As the days grow longer and the weather gets better (although we can’t promise the weather part), it’s the perfect time to get outside and explore the gorgeous countryside we have right on our doorstep. Wander through woods carpeted with bluebells, take a stroll through daffodil-filled country estates, or explore stunning gardens as they burst into life. Wherever you choose to go, you’ll certainly be rewarded with beautiful scenes at this time of year. There are some gorgeous walks you can do at this time of year, allowing you to make the most of the season. If you’re hoping to see daffodils while on your walk, they usually bloom from February through until May, while bluebells tend to appear from late March to early May. READ MORE: The National Trust places to see daffodils in and around Greater Manchester this spring After spending months cooped up in doors, a good walk outside can energise you and quite literally put a spring in your step as we look forward to summer. The weather isn’t always guaranteed, so it may be worth bringing a waterproof along with you. If you fancy a springtime stroll, take a look at the walks in and around Greater Manchester we've rounded up below. Rufford Old Hall The grounds of Rufford Old Hall are full of beautiful blooms (Image: James Maloney/Lancs Live) A stone’s throw away from Ormskirk, Rufford Old Hall is a picturesque Tudor building surrounded by breathtaking gardens and woodland. Golden daffodils can be seen across the garden, while the Beech Walk Paddock is where you’ll find a sea of purple crocuses. If scenes of bluebells are what you’re after, then the North Woods are the place to go. As well as manicured gardens and magical woodland, you can also walk along the Leeds and
Liverpool canal, which flows by the outskirts of Rufford Old Hall. Rufford Old Hall, 200 Liverpool Rd, Rufford, Ormskirk L40 1SG Hardcastle Crags Another hotspot to see bluebell blooms is Hardcastle Crags, located just north of Hebden Bridge. It’s an atmospheric wooded valley with a 19th century mill nestled in the centre and in the spring the woods and valley sides are covered in the purple flowers. Walkers are spoilt for choice with routes at Hardcastle Crags as there are over 15 miles of footpaths which meander across the valley. For those who are up for a challenge, hike to the top of the valley where you’ll be rewarded with incredible views. Gibson Mill, Midgehole Rd, Hebden Bridge HX7 7AW RHS Garden Bridgewater RHS Garden Bridgewater comes to life in the spring (Image: Neil Hepworth / RHS Bridgewater) There’s no better place to head to in Greater Manchester for a spring-time stroll than RHS Garden Bridgewater. The Worsley-based site features beautiful designed gardens, woodland, lakes and a meadow waiting to be explored. Visit the garden for a walk this spring and you’ll discover daffodils blooming in the orchard, as 20,000 bulbs planted over the last two years emerge from the earth. In the Community Wellbeing garden these are followed by tulips and alliums later in the season. In the Worsley Welcome Garden you can catch gorgeous pink camellia flowers while the Bee and Butterfly garden becomes a hive of activity with pots full of hyacinths, daffodils and tulips. If you time your visit just right you may see the delicate blossom of the cherry trees in the Paradise Garden. Occupation Rd, Worsley, Manchester M28 2LJ Fletcher Moss No list of spring-time walks would be complete without mentioning Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens. Located off a main road in Didsbury village, the garden is transformed in the spring as flowers bloom in every colour imaginable. Winding paths lead you through the scenic rockery, lined with a huge range of shrubs and trees. The gardens then give way to a picturesque rose garden and Stenner Wood, where you can follow a walk that takes you to the River Mersey. Stenner Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2RQ Rivington Terraced Gardens Take a wander among the mysterious ruins of Rivington's Terraced Gardens (Image: Manchester Evening News) If you’re looking for a walk that’s a bit different, then head to Rivington Terraced Gardens on the outskirts of Bolton . It’s an intriguing place with mysterious ruins, caves and waterfalls located on a series of terraces on the western slope of Winter Hill below Rivington Pike. Created by soap magnate Lord Leverhulme in the 1920s, the gardens were abandoned for decades, allowing nature to reclaim them. They’re now being restored, but the years of neglect - along with half-finished follies - create a magical landscape where plants and man-made structures sit side by side. It’s especially beautiful at this time of year as nature awakes from its wintry slumber. Belmont Rd, Rivington, Bolton BL6 7SJ Chatsworth Estate A stone’s throw away from Bakewell, Chatsworth Estate boasts a breathtaking 105-acre garden and 1,000 acres of
Parkland, so you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to walks. The garden itself is full of delights to discover, including the Rose Garden and Paxton’s Rock Garden, while the wider estate is perfect for a longer hike. In the spring the estate bursts with colour as daffodils sprout up across its lawns and in the woodland. Some of the best places to see these iconic flowers are on the lawns by the Emperor Fountain and Canal Pond, and along the banks of the River Derwent. Bakewell DE45 1PP For more of the latest What's On news, click here.