Platt Fields Park Playground
🏟 Playground & park · Fallowfield, Manchester
Platt Fields Park Playground
A 170-acre Fallowfield park built around a boating lake, dug by hand in 1908–09, with separate play areas for under- and over-5s, a zip line, a BMX track and a skatepark.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Open daily, dawn to dusk · Free · No booking needed
📍 Location & directions
Address: Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6LA
Plus Code: 9C5VCQWG+W5
About Platt Fields Park Playground
Platt Fields Park was created after Manchester City Council bought the Platt Hall estate in 1908 for £59,975. Over the winter of 1908–09 more than 700 unemployed men laid out the park and dug the boating lake by hand, and it was formally opened on 7 May 1910 by the Lord Mayor. Platt Hall, a Grade II* listed Georgian mansion of 1764, stands within the roughly 70-hectare park and housed Manchester's Gallery of Costume from 1947 to 2021. For families there are two play areas near the Lakeside Centre — one for under-5s and one for over-5s — with swings, climbing walls and a zip line, plus a BMX track and skatepark, tennis courts, a boating lake and the Platt Fields Market Garden café.
⭐ What makes this place special
- A boating lake dug by hand over the winter of 1908–09 by more than 700 unemployed men
- Two dedicated play areas — one for under-5s and one for over-5s — near the Lakeside Centre
- A BMX track and skatepark on site, alongside tennis courts and a 5-a-side pitch
- Grade II* listed Platt Hall (1764) stands within the park
- The Platt Fields Market Garden café for refreshments
🏞 Facilities
- Free entry
- Parking: On-site car park with disabled bays
- Toilets on site
- Café / refreshments
- Accessibility: Car park includes disabled bays; accessible toilets at the Lakeside Centre
- Dogs: Allowed in the park; not permitted in the children's play areas
🧒 Ages & play
- Ages: Two play areas — one for under-5s and one for over-5s
- Play area for under-5s
- Play area for over-5s
- Swings
- Climbing walls
- Zip line
- BMX track
- Skatepark
📍 Nearby places to play
- Birchfields Park Playground · approx 0.6 miles · Longsight
- Fog Lane Park Playground · approx 1.6 miles · Withington
- Mayfield Park · approx 1.9 miles · City Centre
Browse all places to play in Manchester →
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is Platt Fields Park worth visiting?
Yes — a 70-hectare park built around a boating lake, with two play areas (one for under-5s, one for over-5s), a BMX track and a skatepark.
Is Platt Fields Park free to enter?
Yes, it is a free public park managed by Manchester City Council.
Does Platt Fields Park have a café?
Yes — the Platt Fields Market Garden café, plus toilets at the Lakeside Centre.
What's on at Platt Fields Park?
The park hosts funfairs and events during the year. For current dates, see the official Manchester City Council page (we don't list individual events).
Is there parking?
Yes — an on-site car park with disabled bays.