Wild Witness

Event

Wild Witness

12 September 2026

Castlefield Gallery

Book here for Wild Witness Walk

Book here for Wild Witness Gathering

FOR NATURE. FOR EACH OTHER.

Join artist Lucy Wright and Castlefield Gallery for Wild Witness, a free event in Manchester that brings together walking, creativity and collective action in celebration of nature.

Wild Witness is an artist-led day in two parts. You can join the Walk, the Gathering, or both. Whether you want to explore the city on foot or come together later for food, conversation and creative activities, there are plenty of ways to take part!

Manchester’s streets are made for parading. From protests to Pride, and from carnivals to brass band contests, processions have long brought communities together to celebrate, demonstrate and lay claim to public space. Wild Witness continues this tradition by inviting us to experience Manchester differently.

What if, instead of simply walking through the city, we walked with the more than human life already living alongside us? The plants growing through cracks in the pavement. The wildflowers reclaiming forgotten ground. The birds, insects and fungi making homes in canals, meadows, derelict buildings and overlooked corners of Manchester.

Together, we will walk as fellow citizens of a shared natural world, discovering new spaces and seeing more familiar places anew.

The Walk

11.00am to 3.00pm

Beginning at Castlefield Gallery, the walk will take us to some of Manchester’s best known civic, cultural and green spaces alongside its hidden natural places.

Lead artist Lucy Wright will bring the city and some of Manchester’s hidden and forgotten folk histories to life through music and dance. We’ll visit Manchester Art Gallery, gathering in the gallery and pocket garden before continuing through the city. We’ll explore canals, Piccadilly Gardens, the River Medlock, student neighbourhoods, wildflower plantbed meadows, greening projects and forgotten urban spaces where nature continues to thrive.

The Walk takes place during lunchtime, therefore be advised, the stop at Manchester Art Gallery will be the time to have your packed lunch!

Walk with a plant

Folk culture is powerful in shaping human understanding of our more-than-human companions. Historically, and to this day, folk traditions act as a bridge between communities and their ecosystems. We’d love you to bring a small plant to walk alongside us on the day.

Whether it is a favourite houseplant, herbs from your windowsill, something you’ve grown yourself or a cutting from a friend, your plant will become part of the procession. Together, we’ll walk with our more than human companions, recognising that we share this city with countless other forms of life.

If you don’t want to carry your plant all day, don’t worry. We’ll have a shared trolley so our plants can travel through Manchester together.

Route

The Gathering

3.00pm to 4.30pm

The day concludes at Hulme Community Garden Centre, where artists, community groups, environmental organisations, campaigners and researchers come together to share knowledge, skills and ideas for caring for nature.

Enjoy food, making, conversation, creative activities and practical demonstrations while meeting people from across Greater Manchester who are already taking action for the natural world.

Contributors include Whalley Range Climate Action Group, Stockport Fungi, Sustainable Communities, Hulme Friends of Ryebank Fields, and MUD with more contributors to be announced.

The Gathering is an opportunity to learn something new, make connections and discover practical ways to care for nature in your own neighbourhood.

Warm food and hot drinks will be provided.

Before you book

You can book a ticket for the Walk, the Gathering, or both.

Please note that the Walk and the Gathering have separate capacities, so if you’d like to attend both, you’ll need to book each part separately.

Please read our Detailed Access and Event Information Guide before attending. It includes details about accessibility, the walk route, photography and filming, refreshments, and what to expect on the day.

If you have any questions about accessibility, or would like to discuss how we can support your participation, please contact kacey@castlefieldgallery.co.uk.

Access information

The walk takes place outdoors across Manchester city centre and includes uneven surfaces, road crossings and some steep inclines. There are no steps on the planned route.

Regular rest breaks are built into the walk, volunteers and staff will be available throughout the day, and free water refill points will be highlighted along the route.

The Walk takes place during lunchtime, therefore be advised, the stop at Manchester Art Gallery will be the time to have your packed lunch. Remember to bring your packed lunch!

Warm food and refreshments will be available at Hulme Community Garden Centre.

Please wear comfortable footwear and dress for the weather.

Photography and filming will take place during the event. If you would prefer not to appear in photographs or video, or if you have any access questions, please contact kacey@castlefieldgallery.co.uk before the event.

Our Detailed Access and Event Information Guide can be found here