A chunk of former industrial land in Oldham, Greater Manchester, has just become the UK's largest urban farm. Northern Roots, a 160-acre green space next to Alexandra Park, opened its first phase on Saturday 19 September after five years of development and a £12.9 million investment.
The centrepiece is Snipe Clough Farm, a four-acre working agriculture site, but there's plenty more: a farm-to-fork cafe, outdoor play areas, a forestry skills centre and a web of walking trails. The site also has dedicated spaces for school visits, community events and performances, with a programme ranging from beekeeping courses to textile classes. From 24 September, regular opening hours run 9am to 4pm, Thursday to Sunday.
Run by the Northern Roots charity in partnership with Oldham Council, the project has bigger ambitions than a pleasant day out. It aims to boost wildlife habitats by 25 per cent and lock away 30,000 tonnes of carbon by 2050, and it's targeting 300,000 visitors a year by 2030. For Oldham, it doubles as regeneration: local jobs, health and wellbeing benefits, and education all wrapped into one green site.
Anna da Silva, the charity's chief executive, has framed it as an investment in nature as social infrastructure — something that improves health, supports biodiversity and local businesses, and brings people together. Oldham Council sees it as a landmark moment for a borough it calls one of the greenest in the region.
For travellers, this is a good excuse to look beyond Manchester city centre. Oldham sits at the foot of the Pennines, and Northern Roots pairs nicely with a wander around Alexandra Park or a walk along the nearby Huddersfield Narrow Canal. Entry to the green space is free to access during opening hours, and the cafe makes it an easy half-day trip — roughly 30-40 minutes by tram from central Manchester. It's also a solid shout for families: the play areas, animals and hands-on classes are aimed squarely at locals and visitors alike.
If you're in Manchester on a Thursday-to-Sunday window and fancy something outdoorsy that isn't a Peak District hike, this is a fresh, low-cost option that shows what English mill towns can do with their leftover land.
