Sale Water Park is a large public park in Manchester, best known for its lakeside walks, water sports, and wildlife areas, making it a popular outdoor leisure destination. 

Sale Water Park | Parks & Water Sports in Manchester

• Opening Hours:
  • Dawn to dusk (park access)
  • Trafford Water Sports Centre: typically 9am-5pm (weekends, bank holidays, and school holidays)
• Location: Rifle Road, Sale, Greater Manchester, M33 2LX, United Kingdom
• Booking: Park entry is free; water sports and activities may require booking with Trafford Water Sports Centre
• Website: Sale Water Park

Sale Water Park is centred around a large artificial lake formed from former gravel extraction works, now transformed into a scenic green space with woodland, wetlands, and riverside paths. It sits close to the River Mersey and connects to nearby green corridors, making it ideal for longer walks and nature routes.

The park is especially popular for outdoor activities on the water. The Trafford Water Sports Centre offers sailing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and group training sessions. The calm lake environment also supports open water swimming events run by organised groups at scheduled times.

On land, visitors can enjoy a flat circular walking route around the lake, picnic areas, birdwatching at nature reserves such as Broad Ees Dole, and relaxed green spaces for families and dog walkers. The park is also a well-known cycling and jogging spot due to its accessible terrain.

Facilities include cafés, toilets, a visitor hub, and parking areas, with Sale Water Park Metrolink stop located directly at the entrance for easy public transport access from Manchester city centre and Manchester Airport.

Photo credit: Visit Northwest