Platt Fields Park is about 25 hectares of nature and tranquility just off Wilmslow Road. Large enough to amble deep into and escape the thrum of the city and 3km of pathways around its perimeter for walking or running. There’s a lake with a boathouse that is also premises to a bicycle workshop, a BMX track as well as the Nico Ditch, part of an historic defensive excavation possibly dating from around 700AD.

The longest stretch of urban cycling and walking route in England, the Fallowfield Loop, runs just to the south and roughly parallel to Wilbraham and Moseley Roads. 10km of tarmacked track that used to make up the rail route from Sheffield to Manchester Central, looping through Fallowfield, Chorlton-cum-Hardy and Traffford. The tracks were in use from 1892 until 1988. The old Fallowfield station building is now in use as the café for Sainsburys supermarket.

Map location of Fallowfield.

The neighbourhood started its life as “a desirable estate for gentlemen and their families” in the words of Samuel Brooks, the banker that purchased the original 63 acres for development in 1832. This was Manchester during the Industrial Revolution and there would have been an increasing demand for quality housing in pleasant country surroundings located within easy access to the whirring engine room of manufacture in and around the city centre.

Brooks attached certain conditions to building in his estate and in 1991 the area was designated a conservation area as a way of preserving the gracious, spacious attitude of the area with its many remaining large houses, wide roads and abundant large and mature trees.

Map location of Whalley Range.

The city centre is packed with traditional pubs, imaginative restaurants, markets, on-trend cafés and enticing shopping. Housed in the stone and red brick edifices of the age of steam and in the modern developments and neck-craning skyscrapers of the digital era. Canals, museums, universities, galleries and shipping basins redeveloped into TV and media studio precincts are there for the exploring.

Move out to the surrounding neighbourhoods like Fallowfield, Whalley Range, Salford, Chorlton, Didsbury and Trafford: villages and towns in their own right. Uncover football, cricket and pop music history; parks and river walkways and cycle routes, mansions built on industrial wealth, gourmet weekend food stalls. Ideal places to base yourself whilst working, visiting or studying.

The venerable yet jaunty Ascensor da Bica (or Elevador da Bica) the most famous landmark in this area – here it is pictured in it’s celebratory garb in honour of the Day of Independence gained on the 25 de Abrl. It is normally painted the famous “Carris” yellow.

Location-wise you cannot get more central than the Bica neighbourhood. For transport it’s 5 minutes walk to  2 different metro stops (one at Cais do Sodre and the other at Baixa / Chiado), 5 minutes walk to the train to Cascais, 15 minutes walk to the train to Sintra, 2 minutes to the Tram 28 stop and many different buses which can be taken from Casi do Sodre.

Up the road from the Ascendor da Bica find Adamastor at the Miradouro de Santa Catarina with beautiful views over the Tagus river. This, viewpoint (Miradouro) Santa Catarina Lisbon is a popular gathering place.

From this vista point you have the most breathtaking views on the Tagus river, the 25th of April Bridge and the Cristo Rei monument. It’s named Adamastor because of the large stone statue of the mythical figure ‘Adamastor’ which presides over the space. This viewpoint is ideal for sunset picnics – pick up a bottle of VInho Verde, Brie cheese and bread from the Mini Preco or Pingo Doce and enjoy the sunshine and view for free.

River Tegus or Tejo is only an 8 minute walk away – nice to go running & cycling along. One can also go for drinks at the many riverside bars and restaurants.

Of course for nightlife there is famous Bairro Alto which is on the border of Bica, and for shopping and sitting around looking cool, there’s Chiado, also only a 5 minute walk away.

And then of course there’s the Bica neighbourhood itself with many small typical restaurants (toscas) and local bars.