walking

Manchester: November in 15 images

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November in the north of England. Is it all cold, miserable and wet weather as the dark nights take hold?

Here in Manchester I spend most days capturing the city’s architectural growth and how weather shifts from one day to the next.

I’m armed with my trusty 12-year-old Fuji or Samsung mobile, now a handy mainstay after a reluctance to use it as a camera.

They produce different results, but my eye often looks upwards and maybe doesn’t see the Manchester that many people expect.

Here’s November through my lens. I’m heading to warmer climes as it draws to a close – more on that next time.

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Mike Osborn on a Manchester photo walk with his Fuji X-E1 camera.

A November photo walk in Manchester with my trusty old Fuji X-E1 camera

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Coastal hike: St Annes to Fleetwood

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My Manchester home is a great base for visiting the sights of North-West England.

After countless day trips to the seaside and hills, I stayed a few nights at St Annes on Lancashire’s Fylde Coast.

There was no rush to catch the train home, I saw sunsets turn into summer nights and I had time for a long coastal photo hike after some shorter efforts on day visits.

From my base in St Anne’s I walked the 20km (12 miles) north to Fleetwood. It was a very warm day with a blue sky etched with some white candyfloss clouds.

Was there a lot to see and photograph? See for yourself – the gallery follows my route. Continue reading below for some hike highlights.

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ST ANNES: With its vast beach and far distant tide, this was a tranquil (if warm) start to the trek. Just a few dog walkers to share the sand with, not far from the might of Britain’s best-known seaside resort.

BLACKPOOL: Walking towards a large glitterball on the town’s South Shore means you have arrived. With three piers, a vast tower and plenty of visitors on a sunny day, it can be an assault on the senses but sparkles under the blue sky.

CLEVELEYS: Calmer compared to the razzmatazz of Blackpool, this beachfront has the elaborate architecture of sea defences and a giant seashell sculpture which is losing its lustre to the sea.

ROSSALL: More of a long stretch of coastal footpath with beach and open sea attached, this is a peaceful place to walk. At the end you’ll see the curious and unexpected Rossall Point watchtower.

FLEETWOOD: I tracked inland to see this town’s boating lake, which hides the sea and shimmers in the hot sunshine. A brief look at the impressive Mount Church before finding the tram stop to take me back south.

Staying for the sunset

I rode the entire Blackpool tram line from Fleetwood to Starr Gate, then faced a considerable walk back to my base on St Annes Promenade. After some refreshing drinks and refuelling, dusk and then sunset arrived.

The beach was busy with other sunset watchers, but not crowded. The pier created a focal point while silhouettes darted here and there.

This was the reason for staying over and not rushing back to Manchester. A little staycation with no flights, passports or other travel worries.

A summer sunset on St Anne's beach on the Lancashire coast.

The sinking sun over St Anne's Beach in Lancashire, featuring the pier's old jetty.

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Wirral: Spring has sprung

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When the first signs of Spring show, my instinct is to get out of the city and enjoy some fresh air.

A few weeks ago this took me from Manchester to the Wirral Peninsula near Liverpool, a place I’ve visited many times.

The little town of West Kirby on Wirral’s western edge is blessed with water, wide beaches and open skies. Is this a good place to end your winter hibernation? CONTINUE READING BELOW

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The first place I visited in West Kirby was the war memorial, an energetic walk uphill. The site, which offers views across the peninsula and Irish Sea, was bathed in buttery yellow gorse blossom.

One place that I always visit and photograph is the Marine Lake and the walkway that encircles the water. Little figures of walkers and a huge bright sky always create memorable frames.

To the north at the mercy of the tide is Hilbre Island and expanses of sand alongside shifting waters.

I also took my sun-kissed walk around the corner of the peninsula, skirting Hoylake promenade and sands which have been rewilded from beach to greenery.

This is an outing that never fails to energise and lift the mood, especially when it felt like an end to a long winter.

Walkers enjoy an early Spring walk around the Marine Lake path in West Kirby, Wirral.

West Kirby walkers enjoy Spring skies

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Manchester v Liverpool: A tale of two cities

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A visit from my photographer and blogging friend Kiki saw us take two photography walks around two great British cities over two days.

My home city Manchester was closely followed by a trip to Liverpool on a couple of chilly December days, mainly peering up at architecture.

Is it possible to compare the two cities? Is one more photogenic than the other?… CONTINUE READING BELOW

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What was Kiki’s take on Manchester and Liverpool? Find out here

Our wander around Manchester city centre was extensive, taking in everything from the industrial red brick of Ancoats to New Jackson’s gleaming skyscrapers.

Of course this was very familiar territory for me, although accompanying a visitor alters your vision and perspective.

It was all very different in Liverpool which isn’t very familiar to me. I also became a tourist and allowed my eyes to be drawn to majestic buildings, from the iconic old Liver Building to a good dose of Art Deco magnificence.

Christmas tree lit up at night in Manchester city centre.

Season’s greetings to all from Manchester city centre’s Christmas tree

I’d say that if you’re heading to Manchester, you’ll be spoilt for choice with new and tall buildings which have rocketed up during the past decade.

The parts of Liverpool city centre we walked around are full of grand, traditional architecture – but it’s a place that needs further exploration. Comparisons to my own adopted home city are tricky to make.

So is Manchester more photogenic than Liverpool? I couldn’t possibly comment. It’s best to visit north-west England and spend time in both its great cities. Just take a camera and keep looking up!

Do you have stronger opinions? Let me know!

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Coastal walk: Lytham to Blackpool

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The weather forecast promised a warm September day in northern England.

I hurriedly booked train tickets from Manchester to the genteel Lancashire seaside town of Lytham St Annes, and planned to walk along the coast to colourful, brash Blackpool.

I took this trip on a beautiful autumn day in 2023, but the route was reversed.

Did going from south to north make all the difference? KEEP READING BELOW

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When I arrived at Lytham, I headed straight for the promenade where the tide was far out and sandscape glistening in the sun.

The curve of Granny’s Bay was full of people enjoying the warmth and dog walkers enjoying the sea’s absence.

I did the same at St Annes Beach, wandering far out on the golden sands, beyond the resort’s perfect row of bathing huts. Visiting the stranded pier and its famous old remnants had to be done.

St Annes Pier in Lancashire taken with the tide very far out.

St Annes Pier surrounded by sand not sea

The genteel coast eventually gives way to the bold bulk of Blackpool. Unlike last year, the tide was sloshing against the Brutalist coastal defences so there would be no walk along the beach this time.

I enjoyed peering up at the concrete monuments and huge mirrorball of the New South Promenade with a perfect view of famed rollercoaster The Big One – and the resort’s iconic tower.

So this time I finished my walk among the hum and buildings of Blackpool, unlike the relative calm of Lytham’s coast. As for the photographs, I was blessed with another year of stellar skies and finding relative minimalism by the sea. 

This is a coastal escape from the hustle and bustle of inland Manchester, no matter which way you walk.

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