1 Day Budget Guide to Prestwich

Less then 5 miles from downtown Manchester you’ll find Prestwich- a hidden gem with nature, charity shops, hip cafes and international restaurants all on the same street! Follow our 1 day budget guide to Prestwich to maximize your time and minimize your spending! With just a 20 minute tram ride to Heaton Park, we think Prestwich is an undiscovered spot you should definitely add to your Manchester agenda.

The red brick facade of the red lion pub. One of the pubs recommended as part of the 1 day budget guide to Prestwich ,UK
Leafy light green trees overlap to make a tunneled entrance at Heaton Park. Heaton park is one of the recommendations of free things to enjoy on our 1 day budget guide to prestwich

Getting to Prestwich from Manchester

If you’re already in the downtown Manchester area, you know that the transport is quite easy and efficient. The tram runs often ( ever 6-8 minutes) and a ride costs less then $3 USD. The Manchester public transportation system runs on a “tap in, tap out” bank card system so you don’t have to pay for a ticket in advance. Simply use your smartphone and you’re all set and ready to explore with our 1 day budget guide to Prestwich!

Best Free Things to Do in Prestwich

  1. The Parks: Prestwich is home to the LARGEST park in the Manchester area: Heaton Park. Heaton Park is like Central Park of NY. With over 600 acres of trails, you can spend HOURS exploring. We actually went to Heaton Park every day when we stayed in Prestwich for a week and were never board. From a pond to rent peddle boats, to a petting zoo and park side cafes, this spot really is a gem! If you happen to be in the area on a Saturday morning at 9:00, ParkRun ( which organizes free 5K runs globally) also organizes a run there too!).Did I mention that there are also adorable Highland cattle?
  2. Stroll through St Mary’s Gardens: This smaller park which is right at the edge of the main street features a beautifully manicured garden. The garden is also part of a larger trail network allowing you to walk for miles and miles car-free.
  3. Peruse the local markets: Prestwich is home to a variety of local markets including the Prestwich Farmer’s market which is on the first Sunday of each month. Chat with locals and support the community while finding local produce and some handmade goods.

Budget Friendly Food options in Prestwich

This is probably not your typical recommendation, but the grocery markets in Prestwich have really nice to-go options. Shout out to M& S which has a full café that you can even sit in and enjoy your food and a hot drink. Most ” to go” meals are between $4-7 USD- quite a steal.

If you’re looking for a more traditional suggestion, check out Istanbul Grills for a casual dining option or The Church Inn for pub favorites.

More Things to Do Around Prestwich

  1. Charity Shops! There are 5 different charity shops stuffed with second hand clothes and good to peruse all on the main street!
  2. Comedy: The 1st Sunday of the month, Prestwich hosts a comedy show at Macca’s Bar and Grill
  3. Tea: Treat yourself to some scones and tea at the adorable Time for Tea ( Wednesday- Sunday only)
  4. Pub Crawl– There’s no shortage of quant English pubs on the main street. Some of our favorites include White Horse & Red Lion ( both with solid happy hour deals!)

How we had FREE accommodation in Prestwich

Lastly, one reason we got to know Prestwich so well is because we got to stay there for FREE through a dog sit with Trusted Housesitters. If you love pets and you love free accommodation, then check our Trusted Housesitters to learn more about how you can travel for free! Prestwich is a great neighborhood to be based in to explore the greater Manchester area at a much more cost effective price point!

We hope you take advantage of our 1 day budget guide to Prestwich which we think is an under-rated spots with lots of budget-friendly options to enjoy the day. Let us know your favorite Prestwich spots!

Looking for suggestions on where to explore next?

Welcome! We're Vic and Pat- 30 somethings that have accumulated 10+ years of international travel experience who finally have the guts to share their experiences. We focus on budget couple travel in unique locations that aren't necessarily on a "bucketlist." We don't believe in taking time for granted and we do believe in living our life on the move. Sometimes we have long weekends, sometimes we have a 2 week holiday, sometimes we travel and work remotely for 2+ months at a time. Regardless of what chapter of life we're in, we want to show you how to stretch your budget, maximize travel hacks, and create memorable experiences.