Trail Information
Route Options You can explore the trail all at once or break it into shorter sections:
· Full Trail: 5.5 km
· Green Route: 1.5 km
· Blue Route: 2 km
· Red Route: 2 km
Follow the coloured routes on the map to choose how far you would like to walk.
Safety Notice This trail takes place in a residential area and includes crossing some roads. We have designed the route to avoid busy roads wherever possible, but please take care, follow the Highway Code, and cross only where it is safe to do so. Children should be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. GRIT Studios and project partners cannot accept responsibility for the safety of participants while using this trail.
The Green Route
· Our route starts at 92 Barcicroft Rd – SK4 3PJ
· Turn right and walk around the corner onto Brassington Rd; head to number 2 Brassington. Next head to number 13 Brassington. Then carry on to number 20 Brassington Rd.
· At the top of the road, turn right onto Kingsleigh Rd and carefully cross over the road to the metal railings. Along the metal railings you will find 16 separate tiles.
· At the end of the railings, cross over the road, turn left, cross to the island and across to Tesco. You will see a large display of tiles on the front of Tesco.
· Turn right and walk past Tesco to Costa Coffee, can you see any tiles?
· Continue walking and look out for the launderette. What can you see?
· Walk towards the traffic lights and then follow the pavement around the corner to the left onto Burnage Lane, can you spot any tiles here, past the shops? Clue – look for some big rocks…
· Cross over the Delivery road of Tesco’s and keep your eyes peeled for another tile on the fence.
· Continue on the pavement and cross over Lavister Ave onto the other side of the road.
· Keep your eyes peeled for another tile at the entrance to the common (grass area on the left) – it’s quite a few steps!
· Follow the edge of the common, walking down Burnage Lane (don’t go into the common) look out for another tile on the black kick fence.
· After the common, your next tile is further down Burnage Lane at Hol-Med.
· Next keep walking down the road and head towards 677a Burnage Lane. Can you find some tiles here?
· Your next tile is near the bus stop just before Berwick Ave. Once you’ve found it, carefully cross over Berwick and carry on down Burnage Lane.
· There’s a lovely tile hidden at Didsbury Foot Clinic – can you spot it?
· Next head to 709 Burnage Lane and then on 747 Burnage Lane.
· The final tile on Burnage Lane is on the wall of Printers Close.
· At the top of Burnage Lane use the crossing to safetly turn right onto Parrs WoodLane/Didsbury Road. Carefully walk down the grey fence to the park and ride entrance for the tram – can you see our tile?
· Take the crossing to the opposite side of the Didsbury Road and turn right.
· Walk past the green fencing on the edge of Parrs Wood Environmental Centre. Can you find some tiles along the green fence? One on the green gate, two on the wooden fence at the end.
GREEN ROUTE COMPLETED!!
The Blue Route
· Enter the Parrs Wood complex by Wacky Warehose. Keep your eyes peeled along the black railings infront of the bowling (2 tiles here).
· Next head to the bench near the entrance to the cinema. You might need to sit down and rest your legs. Whilst you’re there keep your eyes peeled on the bench for 6 more tiles.
· Continue walking past the Parrs Wood restaurants towards Nuffield Health (Gym), can you see any tiles on the wall near the defib machine?
· Walk past the entrance of Nuffield Health and look out for another bench with 6 tiles. Once you’ve found these tiles, use the zebra crossing to head over to the bridge.
· There are no tiles on the bridge. Carefully walk over the bridge to the other side of Kingsway. As you leave the bridge, look around the entrance to the car park of the Khandaker Indian restaurant, you might spot some tiles here!
· With your back to the khandoker tiles, turn right and walk down Kingsway. Be careful, it’s a very busy road! Just before Gawsworth Ave, you’ll spot a green utilities box. Can you see a tile?
· Next turn right down Gawsworth Avenue towards the bridge. After the bridge, look on the right for 1 tile.
· Look for 3 more tiles near the railings on Mr Malik’s “Gawsworth Stores”. Mr Malik is our friendly local newsagent.
· Then walk to the end of the road and turn right onto Parrs Wood Road; a slight detour but a great spot to find the tiles on 463 Parrs Wood Road – one of Francis house residential properties.
· Turn round and walk back down Parrs Wood Road and cross over Gawsworth Ave and Mellington Ave.
· Then cross the road to the other side of Parrs Wood Road. Head towards number 472 Parrs Wood Road.
· Continue walking until you reach the United Didsbury United Methodist Church. Can you find 2 sets of tiles on the wall here?
· Follow the wall of the church around to the right onto Kingston Road and head towards 65 Kingston Road where there will be a tile.
· There’s a bit of a walk now, up Kingston Road towards The Towers Business Park. Keep going you’re nearly there! When you see some green railings keep your eyes peeled for some a tile near the big gates.
· Walk to the end of Kingston road and look on the road sign on the corner for a sneaky tile, then take a right.
· Further along the black railings you will find one more tile on the gatepost.
· Once you reach the end of the railings and the giant TOWERS letters, cross at the pedestrian crossing over onto Didsbury Park.
BLUE ROUTE COMPLETED!
The Red Route
· Have a look around Didsbury House Hotel perimeter wall – can you see a tile? Then make your way down to number 11 Didsbury park and number 13 Didsbury park.
· At the end of Didsbury Park, turn left onto Sandhurst Road and very carefully cross over the road into Didsbury Park (the actual park!)
· Around the edge of the perimeter of the park, you will find 18 tiles. Head past the play park and past the football pitch then exit the park and make your way up the hill onto the Poppy Path.
· Once on the Poppy Path, take a left and walk over the bridge. Keep going and keep your eyes peeled for 12 more tiles, including a sneaky one at the end.
· At the end of the Poppy Path take a right onto School Lane. Continue to the giant pencils, where it’s safe to cross over the road to Saint Catherine’s. Can you see any more tiles along the wall?
· Continue down School Lane towards the Parrs Wood Pub, keeping your eyes peeled for 4 more tiles on their wall too.
· Then use the crossing to cross safely onto Parrs Wood Road.
· Walk up over the hill keeping your eyes peeled for some 7 more tiles in two locations.
· Soon you’ll come to Francis House Hospice, the final set of tiles in your route.
· Well done, you’ve completed the whole trail!
About Francis House
From its base in Didsbury, Francis House Children’s Hospice supports children and families across Greater Manchester, while nearby homes at 463 and 92 provide residential care for young adults with life-limiting conditions.
The Rainbow Road Trail was created with local schools, families, artists and community groups to celebrate creativity, friendship and belonging. Each tile along the trail was designed and made by members of the community.
Together they form a colourful path linking places where people live, learn and spend time together.
www.francishouse.org.uk
About GRIT Studios
GRIT Studios is a Community Interest Company (not-for-profit), providing affordable studio and workshop space in the Greater Manchester area to the city’s grafters and crafters.
