Five days out around Manchester

On average, it rains 50% of the time in Manchester. So on the days it doesn’t, it’s your duty to spend a few hours away from the library or the lab and explore some of the beautiful areas surrounding the city.

• Heaton Park, north Manchester

You might have visited for Parklife, but music and mud isn't the only thing on offer at Heaton Park. Just north of the city centre, this park is the largest municipal park in Europe and has a boating lake, an animal farm and an 18^th Century house to amuse you.

Getting there: You can take the tram from Shudehill Interchange to the Heaton Park tram stop in 15 minutes.

• Fletcher Moss, Didsbury

A favourite hangout for the residents and dogs of Didsbury, this park has ample space and zones for reading, watching the world go by or having a BBQ. The River Mersey runs through the park so you can play pooh sticks and watch the dogs jumping in the river.

Getting there: The 142 and 42 buses run there (with single journeys now costing £1). Get off at the stop opposite The Didsbury pub and walk into the park by the tennis courts.

• Delamere Forest, Cheshire

Mountain bike hire and GoApe and marked trails await you at Delamere forest. Great for those who want a day off, but don’t want to just sit around.

Getting there: Take the train to Delamere station from Manchester Piccadilly, the journey takes just over an hour and will cost £7 with a young person's railcard.

• Chorlton/Chorlton Water Park

This neighbourhood has more cafes, pubs and delis than you can shake a stick at. A short walk away is the Chorlton Water Park; a small lake by the side of the Mersey where local residents relax and eat ice cream.

Getting there: The 85 and 86 run from Piccadilly and Didsbury to Cholrton. You can also take the metrolink from Piccadilly Gardens and from Didsbury Village to Cholrton or St Werburgh's Road, from where the water park is a half hour walk.

• Dunham Massey, Trafford

This Georgian house was used as a military hospital in the First World War, where injured soldiers stayed for treatment. You can wander its beautifully manicured gardens and visit the house to find out what life was like for those who had returned from the trenches.

Getting there: Take the tram from Piccadilly Station towards Altrincham, leaving the tram in Altrincham. Find stop A on Stamford New Road and take the number 5 bus towards Warrington, alighting at Paddock Lane/Rope and Anchor Fields and walk the rest of the way to Dunham Massey.