UKC

I'm spending a few days a month in Manchester for work. As the days are getting longer, it would be interesting to nip out for an evening session. Are there any areas that can be reached by public transport assuming I get off work at five and I'm by Deansgate? I'm a resoundingly mediocre climber, so no point in recommending your V13 projects.

New Mills?? Maybe Hobson Moor at a push?? Best bet would be to post in Lancashire Rock Revival on facebook and see who's out and about, maybe even hitch a ride. They're a friendly bunch.

https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/longford_park_boulder-16118/

You could easily get the train (hourly) to Hathersage, Bamford or Grindleford and back for an evening.  I'm not a big boulderer (well, I am big, but not a boulderer) so can't comment on where's best but the Peak Bouldering Rockfax shows there as being some around e.g. Stanage/Burbage which isn't a ridiculously long walk from Hathersage, even more accessible if you happen to also be a runner, and the last train back is well after 11.

Pex Hill (https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/pex_hill_quarry-1057/#maps) could be an option, train to Widnes then walk up. Probably be about an hour from Manchester town centre. 

New Mills (https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/new_mills_torrs-149/#maps) as also mentioned would be easy by train. 

If you are prepared to walk/run uphill a bit then train to Greenfield and you could get out into the Chew valley.  45 minute walk to Wimberry (https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/wimberry_rocks-131/#maps), 30 minutes to Pots and Pans (https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/pots_and_pans_quarries-943/#maps). 

I used to get the bus from Bolton station to Brownstones in my student days, but that was a long time ago now

Train to Littleborough then walk up to Blackstone Edge? Though the walk up may break you a bit. 

Train to Littlebrough, walk to  Higher Chelburn or Pike Hill.

Train to Todmorden, walk to  Aqua vista Boulder.

Train to Bromley Cross, walk to  Ousel's Nest or  Jumbles.

Train to Bolton, bus up to  Wilton 1 or  Brownstones.

Train to New Mills, walk to  New Mills Torrs. (Definitely the easiest option, it’s a 2 minute walk and downhill on the walk in!)

Train to Stalybridge, walk or bus up to  Hobson Moor Quarry.

Train to Greenfield, walk to  Den Lane Quarry or  Wimberry Rocks.

There are other options from these stations, but the walk might be a bit further if that’s how you’re continuing your journey. Definitely worth asking on Lancashire Rock Revival for lifts, folk will be happy to help if they can! 

As suggested, train to Todmorden, Bridestones within reach.  Will happily give you a lift up there in the car if you do make it down, just drop me a message 

Thank you everyone! Hopefully, I’ll be lucky enough to be in Manchester on a sunny day.