By Liv Clarke
As we say goodbye to June and head into July, the weather is very much in full summer mode. This week is kicking off with a toasty start as the Met Office forecasts highs of 30C in Greater Manchester on Monday, with sunny spells throughout the day. As we start July, it won’t be quite so hot, but it will still be pleasantly warm with highs of 23C predicted for Tuesday. Sunny spells and mild conditions are forecast for the week ahead – perfect weather for getting out and enjoying a walk in the parks and green spaces we have across Greater Manchester. One the outskirts of Leigh is a country park with a huge lake at its centre. Pennington Flash is the only National Nature Reserve in the whole of Greater Manchester, and one of the eight local sites that make up The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh. It’s a breathtaking location with views across the 70-hectare lake and tree-lined walking trails and cycle paths. The park is a haven for wildlife and is home to the UK’s most endangered small bird, the willow tit and more than 230 bird species have been recorded on site. Throughout the nature reserve are bird hides, offering visitors a chance to spot the creatures which call this park home. In 2023 a new play area opened up at the nature reserve, with swings, slides, climbing frames and a central ‘toddler lake’ blue area for younger children featuring play equipment modelled on swans and boats. Horse riding and angling is also permitted in designated areas while sailing and windsurfing are available at Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club. If you’re after a refreshment during your visit, then check out the Hide Coffee House and Cafe, which serves up coffee, breakfast, lunch, cakes and snacks. It’s open daily from 9am to 7pm during the summer months. For more of the latest What’s On news, click here. Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That’s why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable , highlighting the best of what we do – bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don’t miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you’ll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@men-news.co.uk or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.