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Country parks and natural attractions
Country parks, country walks, woodlands, cycleways, nature reserves

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Alderley Edge 

Alderley Edge
Dramatic red sandstone escarpment with great view. Woodland Walk and links to Hare Hill.  Ancient copper mines. 
01625 584412
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Alyn Waters Country Park

Gwersylltnear Wrexham
Woodland, grassland and riverside walks, 2 mile cycleway & sculpture trail offers safe cycling for families & access for wheelchair users. Adventure playground
01978 762122
countryparks@wrexham.gov.uk
www.wrexham.gov.uk

Anderton Nature Park

Anderton nr. Northwich
Wildlife haven transformed from industrial wasteland, next to the historic Victorian boat lift. Wildflower trail & dragonfly pond.
01606 77741
marbury@cheshire.gov.uk
www.northwichcommunitywoodlands.org.uk

Arrowe Country Park

Arrowe Park
Large area of parkland with kids' adventure playground pitch and putt, football and tennis. Small visitor centre.
Free access public park
0151 678 4200
www.wirral.gov.uk

Astbury Mere County Park

Congleton
Good views from Astbury Mere Country Park to Congleton Edge and Mow Cop. Visitor Centre
01260 297237
astbury@cheshire.gov.uk
www.cheshire.gov.uk/countryside/

Biddulph Valley Way

Congleton
Traffic free walking and cycling route along disused cycle track.
www.congleton.gov.uk

Bidston Hill

Bidston Hill
Large wood and heathland. Windmill. TamO'Shanter Urban Farm.
0151 653 9332 (farm)
www.wirral.gov.uk

Black Bear Park

Warrington
Start of Trans Pennine Trail. Routes suitable for buggies, bikes and wheelchairs. Wildlife haven.
www.warrington.gov.uk

Brereton Heath Country Park

Holmes Chapel
Easy walking trail through woodland with views of lake. Permanent orienteering course - maps available from the Rangers. Angling and canoeing  by permit.
01477 534115
brereton@cheshire.gov.uk
www.cheshire.gov.uk/countryside/

Burtonwood Nature Park

Warrington
Wildlife haven. Good place for a picnic and birdspotting.
www.warrington.gov.uk

Caldy Nature Park

Caldy Valley
Caldy Nature Park is a small area of wetland, woodland and meadows close to Chester City centre.
caldy@clocsen.org
www.clocsen.org/caldy/welcome.html

Clwedog Valley & Trail

See also Minera Lead Mines below

Wrexham
Walking trail & picnic spots. Nant Mill Visitor Centre and Minera lead mines. Giant reconstruction of a mole tunnel, complete with worms! Children's play area, easily accessible stream and picnic site.
mineraleadmines@wrexham.gov.uk
countryparks@wrexham.gov.uk
www.wrexham.gov.uk

Culcheth Linear Park

Culcheth
Nature park with footpaths and opportunities for nature spotting.
www.warrington.gov.uk

Delamere Forest Park

Delamere
Extensive woods with walking trails, picnic spots, lakes. Permanent orienteering course: maps £1 from visitor centre. Bike hire on summer weekends,  Seasonal events  inc. Xmas tree sales & Santa's grotto.
01606 889792
www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland 

Dibbensdale Local Nature Reserve and Brotherton Park

Wirral
Hidden valley of ancient woodland. Bird watching. Educational facilities.
0151 334 9851
www.wirral.gov.uk

Eastham Country Park

Eastham
Good views over Mersey. Woodlands, picnic areas. Tea garden. Visitor Centre. Bird watching and orienteering. Two pubs on waterfront.
0151 327 1007
www.wirral.gov.uk

Farndon Picnic Area

Farndon
Farndon Picnic Area is an attractive spot on the bank of the River Dee.
www.cheshire.gov.uk/countryside/

Formby Point

Formby
Formby beach, dunes, red squirrels, woodland walks, natterjack toads. One mile walk from train station
01704 878591
formby@nationaltrust.org.uk
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Greenfield Valley Heritage Park

Greenfield near Holywell
Country park with easy walks round woods and millponds. Abbey ruins. Picnic areas. Also Heritage Park Farm Museum with animals to touch, adventure playground, shop and cafe.
01352 714172
www.flintshire.gov.uk

Gronant and Talacre Dunes

Gronant
Sand dunes and large open beaches. Lighthouse. Site of Special Scientific Interest. Views across Dee estuary. Bird watching. NB Beach is a tidal zone: beware of tides and leave plenty of time to get off beach. Nearby bucket & spade shops, fish and chips etc.
01352 719177
www.flintshire.gov.uk

Heswall Dales Local Nature Reserve

Heswall
Lowland heath. Views across Dee to Welsh hills. No facilities but can be combined on circular walk with Thurstaston Visitor Centre.
0151 342 7088
www.wirral.gov.uk

Hilbre Islands Local Nature Reserve

Hilbre Islands
3 tidal islands. Only accessible on foot at low tide from Dee Lane West Kirby. Must check tides before crossing. Must be accompanied by adult. Check with Visitor Centre in Thurstaston before setting out.
0151 648 4371
www.wirral.gov.uk

Little Budworth Country Park

Little Budworth
Remnant of the ancient hunting forest of Mara and Mondrum.  Lowland heathland with heather, woodpeckers & bats. Heathland Trail & pond.
01606 593133
weaverparkway@cheshire.gov.uk
www.cheshire.gov.uk/countryside/

Loggerheads

Near Mold
Big open park next to small river . There are some caves and a very narrow gauge bridge to walk over.
loggerheads.countrypark@denbighshire.gov.uk
www.loggerheads.biz

Lumb Brook Valley

Appleton Thorn
Woodland nature reserve.
www.warrington.gov.uk

Lymm Dam

Lymm
Lake. Great spot for a picnic or to explore and scramble over sandstone rock outcrops. Fishing. Birdwatching.
www.warrington.gov.uk

Mersey Forest

Mersey area
Large community forest stretching from Formby to Northwich. www.merseyforest.org.uk

Mersey Forest Woodland

Ellesmere Port to Chester
Level surfaced towpath suitable for walkers and cyclists along the Shropshire Union Canal  from Ellesmere Port to Chester.
0151 357 1991
rivacre@cheshire.gov.uk
www.cheshire.gov.uk/countryside/

Minera Lead Mines and Country Park
 

see also Clwedog Valley above

Wrexham
Starting point for the Clywedog Trail. Restored beam engine house, winding engine and boiler houses. Try panning for lead. Picnic spots with scenic views.
01978 762122
mineraleadmines@wrexham.gov.uk
www.wrexham.gov.uk

North Wirral Country Park

Leasowe
Narrow park long north Wirral coast. Small visitor centre in lighthouse.
0151 678 5488
www.wirral.gov.uk

Paddington Meadows

Warrington
Nature reserve.
www.warrington.gov.uk

Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve

Birchwood
Nature reserve with an observation tower with great view. Picnic spots. Ponds. Visitor centre.
www.warrington.gov.uk

Rivacre Valley Country Park

Ellesmere Port
Woodlands with wild flowers & bluebells in spring. Brook with kingfishers. Picnic in meadow. Visitor centre. Special events.
0151 357 1991
rivacre@cheshire.gov.uk
www.cheshire.gov.uk/countryside

Rixton Claypits Local Nature Reserve

Rixton
Nature reserve with ponds and woodland.
www.warrington.gov.uk

Royden Park and Thurstaston Common

Thurstaston
Heath and woodland. Visitor Centre in Royden Park. Walled nature garden.
0151 677 7594
www.wirral.gov.uk

The Salt Line Walk

Congleton
Cycle and walk way along disused railway line.
www.congleton.gov.uk

Sandstone Trail

Frodsham to Whitchurch
Walk with good views along the sandstone ridge above the Cheshire plains.
http://www.cheshire.gov.uk/countryside

Sankey Valley Park

Warrington
Long park following canal. Maze and children's play features. Wildlife. Part of Trans Pennine Trail.
www.warrington.gov.uk

Shakerley Mere

Shakerely
Lake with good even path suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Picnic areas. Day fishing permits.
01270 764773
molyneuxj@cheshire.gov.uk
www.cheshire.gov.uk/countryside/

Stanney Woods Local Nature Reserve

Little Stanney
Ancient woodland of oak and silver birch. Walking trail.  Woodpeckers, jays & fungi. Special events and practical conservation tasks.
0151 357 1991
rivacre@cheshire.gov.uk
www.cheshire.gov.uk/countryside/

Stryt Las

Between Rhos and Johnstown, near Wrexham
SSSI wetland area with extensive pathways, a large lake and three small ponds.  Organised pond dips. Children's adventure playground including Norris the Newt!
01978 822780
countryparks@wrexham.gov.uk
www.wrexham.gov.uk

Tegg's Nose Country Park

Macclesfield
Tremendous views across the Cheshire Plain. Old gritstone quarry. Waymarked Tegg's Trail around the park. Drystone walls.
01625 614279
teggs@cheshire.gov.uk
www.cheshire.gov.uk/countryside/

Timbersbrook Picnic Area

Congleton
Wooded and open grassy areas on site of a former dyeing and bleaching works. Mill pool. Nearby steep climb to the top of The Cloud for views over the Cheshire plain and back towards Bosley Minn.
01260 297237
astbury@cheshire.gov.uk
www.cheshire.gov.uk/countryside/

Trans Pennine Trail

Across North of England.
Walking and cycling route from Mersey to Humber. Follows canals and old railway lines. Includes a number of nature reserves.
01226 772574
info@transpenninetrail.org.uk
www.transpenninetrail.org.uk

Ty Mawr Country Park

Cefn Mawr
By Dee, great views, walks to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Cefn Viaduct. Kids farm with rare breeds, donkeys, ponies, goats, ducks and geese.
01978 822780
countryparks@wrexham.gov.uk
www.wrexham.gov.uk

Weaver Parkway

Winsford
Walkway along the historic Weaver Navigation, reclaimed from former industrial land. Britain's only underground salt mine. Butterflies plus goldfinches.
01606 59133
weaverparkway@cheshire.gov.uk
www.cheshire.gov.uk/countryside/

Wepre Country Park

Connah's Quay
Large outdoor play area with bark chippings on floor. Walk through a wooded valley with railway sleepers to walk on through the boggy bits; can be very muddy. Loads of streams water falls squirrels. Ewloe Castle in the middle.
01244 814931
www.flintshire.gov.uk

Wirral Country Park

Thurstaston
Country & coastal walks, cycle rides, bird watching, nature trail. Beach. Visitor Centre with nature info. Family activities, picnic and BBQ sites. Cafe.
0151 648 4371
www.wirral.gov.uk/er

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