There’s a beautiful and tranquil Japanese Lake hidden in one of Lancashire’s top walking spots.

If you’ve ever ventured up Rivington Pike you’ll know just how busy that place gets, especially if the sun makes an appearance! 

Tucked away around halfway up the path to the peak is one of Britain’s best lost gardens (according to Countryfile in 2014).  

The Japanese Lake is part of the Rivington Terraced Gardens built by the founder of the former Lever Brothers company – now known as Unilever – Lord Leverhulme, inspired by one of his trips to Japan. 

Constructed between 1905 and 1925, The Terraced Gardens were originally filled with Japanese tea houses, lanterns, and exotic plants, and had two gorgeous waterfalls. 

In the unexpected tranquil oasis, only the lake and stone bases of the tea houses remain, but it is still a gorgeous stop on a walk! 

The Gardens are part of 45 acres of hillside between Rivington Pike and Rivington Hall Barn, which has a number of interesting features. 

You’ll find the Pigeon Tower – once home to Lady Leverhulme’s sewing and music room on the top floor. The second and third floor housed dovecotes. 

You’ll also find Lever Bridge at the northern end of Rivington Terraced Gardens, crossing Roynton Lane – the main pathway through the gardens. 

The bridge is based on one Lever saw on a trip to Nigeria. It’s known as the Seven Arch Bridge with one large arch crossed by six smaller ones. 

The Rivington Terraced Gardens remained open during the pandemic, with staff asking the public to take their litter home, including dog waste bags, or to use the bins provided in all the car parks. 

There are three main entrances to the gardens; Belmont Road, another at the former Bolton Lodge and the third at the north-west corner of the gardens with a path leading across the meadow from Rivington Hall. 

The main way to the gardens is via Roynton Lane, which runs through the middle of the site. 

The garden is split into two distinct areas, the eastern area is more formal with lawns and lakes and contains vegetation from ornamental planting, including species such as Berbeis.

The other side is slightly more steep with trees such as Chestnut and Beech. Between the two areas is a terrace bath with irregularly-shaped flags. 

Petite Spanish dishes – or Tapas, to the rest of you – have boomed in popularity these last few years, and it isn’t difficult to see why.

Long gone are the days of painstakingly ordering one dish (or maybe two at a push) from a tantalisingly good menu – with tapas, you can load up on pretty much everything the menu has to offer, and you won’t get judged for it at all.

So, here’s a list of Manchester’s most highly regarded tapas joints – you’re welcome.

@barsanjuan / Instagram

Bar San Juan 

To start the proceedings, we have Bar San Juan, a fantastic Chorlton gem that serves up arguably the best tapas dishes in the whole country.

The owners recently forked out to have an extension added, so there’s plenty of space to sit and enjoy some authentically Spanish tapas – oh, and they have a cracking wine list, too.

Bar San Juan, 56 Beech Rd, Manchester M21 9EG
www.barsanjuan.info

La Bandera

Located smack in the middle of town, this King Street icon has some seriously good tapas on offer, alongside some more unheard of Mediterranean dishes – the lamb skewers and scallops and chorizo dishes are undeniable stand-outs.

La Bandera, 2 Ridgefield, Manchester M2 6EQ
labandera.co.uk

@elgatonegromanc / Instagram

El Gato Negro

Every Manc will recognise this award-winning King Street haunt – owner Simon Shaw has spent years perfecting the menu at El Gato, which serves a delicious variety of meat, cheese, fish and vegetarian dishes. 

The restaurant has won an abundance of awards over the years and, once you’ve sampled their menu, it isn’t difficult to see why.

El Gato Negro, 52 King St, Manchester M2 4LY
www.elgatonegrotapas.com

Abeja Tapas Bar

Abjea actually stands for ‘bee’ in Spanish – a subtle representation of the connection the owners of Abeja Tapas Bar wanted to create with the people of Manchester.

The Oxford Road gem is a space where people can enjoy art exhibitions and cultural activities while also indulging in a food sharing experience from Andalucía cuisine.

Abeja Tapas Bar, Hatch, Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7ED
abejatapasbar.com

@porta_salford / Instagram

Porta Tapas Bar

We’re well and truly spoilt for choice with two Porta Tapas Bars to choose from – one in Altrincham and one in Salford.

The restaurants take heavy inspiration from small independent bars in Madrid and Barcelona, with their menus bursting with delicious fresh meats and fish. 

Porta Tapas Bar, 50 Greenwood St, Altrincham WA14 1RZ
216 Chapel St, Salford, M3 6BY
www.portatapas.co.uk

Nueve Tapas

Described as a little taste of Barcelona in Didsbury, Nueve Tapas can be found – quite unexpectedly – nestled between a tanning salon and a butchers.

Their menu boasts an impressive selection of tapas, as it does with wine and that all-important sangria. They’re also offering a brunch menu, a must-have for those hungover weekends.

Nueve Tapas Bar, 9 Barlow Moor Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6TN
www.nuevetapasbar.com

The Premier League and the Champions League may have concluded for the season, but football fans fear not! 

Euro 2020 is finally set to take place after being postponed last year thanks to Covid-19 travel restrictions, and it’s set to be a good one.

The tournament kicks off in Rome this Friday, June 11th, with eleven more countries across the continent set to host matches until its conclusion at Wembley on July 11th.

England will meet Croatia (trigger warning for those who watched the 2018 World Cup) on Sunday, while the Czech Republic and our UK rivals Scotland will also go head-to-head in Group D.

@england / Instagram

Thanks to ongoing travel restrictions and a limited number of tickets being available, many football fans across the continent will struggle to attend – fans here in Manchester included. 

But a bleak month of watching football on your sofa doesn’t have to be the solution – because whether you’re supporting England, Wales, Scotland, or any European teams taking part, there will be plenty of bars, restaurants, and special venues across Manchester showing your match. 

Here are your options:

@cafefootballuk / Instagram

Cafe Football

It wouldn’t live up to its name otherwise, would it?

The Trafford Park establishment will be showing all televised games on several large screen TVs while serving up European inspired food, towers of beer, and giving away some brilliant prizes.

Tickets include a six pint beer tower, a six dish food platter, and two hour table time to watch the game. For more information and to buy tickets, you can visit the official Hotel Football website here.

99 Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester, M16 0SZ
0161 751 0430

Manchester Bierkeller 

Following its merge with Shooters Sports Bar, the Bavarian themed beer hall will be showing all the major games throughout the tournament.

Bierkeller is currently offering a £20 Major Sports Package for England’s game with Croatia on June 13th, which includes guaranteed entry to the venue, a reserved table for the duration of the game in view of the screens and TVs, and two bottles of beer.

Though be quick, tickets are selling out fast! You can make a reservation here.

The Printworks, Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS
0161 839 8293

@divebargrill / Instagram

Dive Bar & Grill

All sports bookings include a TV view of the game on ultra 4K HD televisions, comfortable leather seating and table service. 

Dive also offers a sports menu, which includes a selection of small plates and sides such as mini cheeseburgers and Dive fried chicken. Their drinks menu lists ice cold buckets of beer and bottles of prosecco – perfect for those post-match celebrations.

They are now taking bookings for June 11th – June 26th, though they have limited availability only, so make sure you’re quick!

Dive Bar & Grill, Tib St, Manchester, M4 1SH
0161 826 3080

Hard Rock Cafe 

Manchester’s Hard Rock Cafe is offering a hat-trick of offers during their Euros screenings: Children eat free with a purchase of an adult entrée with Merlin Entertainment Pass & UK Kids Pass, free dessert if you sign up to Rewards, Hard Rock’s membership programme and ‘Lift the cup for Happy Hour’ – Sunday -Thursday 4pm-7pm and Friday – Saturday 9pm till late.

Aneta Jarzmik, General Manager at Hard Rock Cafe Manchester, said: “We’re always the home of great music and food, but with Manchester’s passion for the beautiful game, we decided to also be the home of football for Euro 2020. We’ve created a family-friendly atmosphere and can’t wait to welcome fans.”

Hard Rock Cafe, The Printworks, Manchester, M4 2BS
0161 831 6700

Fan Park 2021

SecretCity

Tucked away in Trafford, SecretCity is the perfect place to enjoy the footy this summer – with the UK’s largest screens on hand to provide an exceptional viewing experience.

Tickets for their Euros screenings vary; guests can book a table for 1 group (up to 6 people) which includes viewing of the match. Their VIP Table for 1 group includes viewing of the match, section tables and queue jump, while their VIP Terrace for 1 person includes viewing of the match, one drink, one food voucher, and access to Q&A and an exclusive bar.

You can make your reservation here.

Phoenix Way, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M41 7TB

Walkabout

Manchester’s Aussie staple will be showing every single Euros match on their giant HD TVs throughout the month – so grab a VB, sit back, and enjoy the match with your finest cork hat.

Walkabout are taking bookings only for their Euros screenings.

27 Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS
0161 672 4660