Friends of the Medlock Valley
Nature, community, heritage: the hidden gem in the heart of Manchester
About us
FOMV is a grass-roots community group dedicated to promoting, improving and defending one of Manchester’s best-kept secrets. Since the 1960s, the lower reaches of the River Medlock have been quietly transformed from an industrial wasteland into thirty acres of mature woodlands, wildflower meadows and peaceful riverside habitats, all lying on public land just a stone’s throw from the city centre. When our group was founded in 2021, the area was neglected and unloved, blighted by pollution and antisocial behaviour. Our mission is to make it the city’s most cherished and ecologically important green space by improving infrastructure, increasing footfall and protecting its biodiversity for years to come.
If you visit the valley today you will find a sculpture trail, a network of new ponds and our community allotment, as well as landscaped areas with benches and a young orchard. We have worked in partnership with Manchester City Council, Step Up MCR, One Manchester, and since August 2024 have begun a new collaboration with the University of Manchester as part of a project called “Rewilding our Industrial Past”. This site hosts a blog following the activities of this scheme and is also here to provide information for visitors including maps, local history and ways to help out. Please also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for further updates and examples of our work.
Visit Us
Our work is focused on the area between Pin Mill Brow, Viaduct Street and Palmerston street. The valley continues upstream until it reaches the Etihad campus with further large green spaces along the way. Our allotment is located behind Aden Close and the sculptures can be found in the area around the pin on the map below. Please contact us on Facebook or Instagram if you want to get involved with our activities.
From the blog
FOMV 