Damhead is about five miles north of the city centre. It's on the south side of Victoria Avenue near is junction with Rochdale Road, next to Boggart Hole Clough. It is close to the M60 motorway round Manchester - so there's good access to other parts of the city and the north west. See detailed map
Living in Dam head
Dam Head is mostly a residential area, but there is a choice of shops, including a supermarket, and a post office on the Rochdale Road/Victoria Avenue crossroads. It's just over a mile away from Middleton where there are more shops and local facilities. There are regular buses along Rochdale Road to the city centre, Middleton and all the leisure and sporting facilities at Heaton Park. Boggart Hole Clough is a big local attraction. It's one of Manchester's largest parks, with bowls, fishing, boating, football pitches, playground, running track, multi-courts and woodland walks. There's a brand new play park for under-fives with swings, mini-roundabout, climbing frame and more, in the middle of the estate.
A new gym on Victoria Avenue in neighbouring Charlestown has the latest facilities and fitness programmes to suit everyone! The nearest indoor sports facility is at Middleton baths about a mile and a half from the Rochdale Road/Victoria Avenue crossroads, or the new leisure centre and swimming pool in Harpurhey. The nearest library is under a mile away, on Victoria Avenue in Higher Blackley.
Learning In Dam head
Local primary school children usually go to Crosslee school on Whitemoss Road East. There are other schools in neighbouring Charlestown (Charlestown Primary school on Booth Hall Road and St John Bosco Catholic school on Hall Moss Road) or in Blackley. Older children usually go to Plant Hill High school on Plant Hill Road, or Our Lady's Catholic school on Alworth Road - both in Higher Blackley across Rochdale Road.
Find out more about this area's schools and how well they perform. Go to Manchester Schoolfinder.
There is a children's centre for pre-school children, and an adult and toddler group on Belthorne Avenue in neighbouring Charlestown, and a day nursery across Rochdale Road on Hill Lane. See detailed map
Find out more about council-run nurseries in this area. Go to Finding a Children's Centre.
Find out more about adult education.
Housing in Dam head
There is some private housing near Rochdale Road but most Dam Head homes are rented from the City Council or are former council homes that have been bought by their tenants. There are about 1,000 council homes here on two main estates - one built in the 1930s, the other in the 1970s. All council homes are managed by Northwards Housing. More than half are two or three bedroom houses. Most of the rest are flats in small blocks, with a handful of larger houses and bungalows. See detailed map
Northwards Housing has a £130 million improvement plan that will bring all homes, and local environments, up to decent modern standards by 2010. Every Northwards home will benefit from some of this work by 2008.
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