Get a breath of air!

It's very easy to get stir crazy this time of year.

You need to get the kids out of the house but you've no money left after Christmas and the weather looks distinctly uninviting.  Well, be brave, wrap up warm and get out for a family walk or cycle ride. The weather is rarely as bad as it looks once you're out there and the whole family will feel better for bit of fresh air.

This month's newsletter has some great suggestions for family walks, buggy-friendly paths and child-friendly bike routes in the North West.

Family walks

Sutton Manor - The Dream
St Helens
Young woodland with fantastic views across to the Pennines, Clywdian hills and Snowdonia. Tracks leading to the Dream sculpture. Uphill but not too steep.
www.forestry.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.
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Delamere Forest Park

Delamere
Extensive woods with walking trails, picnic spots, lakes. Permanent orienteering course: maps £1 from visitor centre. Also great for cycling.
www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland 

Formby Point

Formby
Great walks on marked paths through woodland and dunes to Formby beach. And you can get there on public transport as it's just one mile walk from Formby train station.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

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, waterfalls, squirrels. Ewloe Castle in the middle.
www.flintshire.gov.uk

Hartshead Pike
Medlock Valley, Ashton under Lyne
Tower on 267 metre high hill with great views. Lots of paths and wildlife.
www.tameside.gov.uk/countryside/medlock

Loggerheads
Near Mold
Big open park next to small river. There are some caves and a very narrow gauge bridge to walk over. Easy to follow paths, café. Near Moel Famau if you are feeling energetic.
www.clwydianrangeaonb.org.uk/loggerheads-and-moel-famau/

Family cycle routes

Alyn Waters Country Park

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

Biddulph Valley Way
Congleton
Traffic free walking and cycling route along disused cycle track.
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Bidston Hill

Large wood and heathland. Windmill. Network of paths and cycle tracks including a 2km perimeter cycle trail.
www.forestry.gov.uk

Yarrow Valley Country Park
Chorley
Nature trail and paths for cycling and horse-riding. Ponds with lots of wildlife, angling and canoeing. Visitor centre. Picnic areas
www.chorley.gov.uk

Pedal Peak District
Derbyshire
Explore the Peak District National Park by bike. Variety of cycling routes for all abilities.
www.pedalpeakdistrict.org.uk/families

Buggy friendly paths
 

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

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

Croxteth Local Nature Reserve

Croxteth
Grassland, ponds, river and wetlands with lots of birds, dragonflies, water voles etc. Surfaced paths.
www.croxteth.co.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.
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Shakerley Mere
Shakerley
Lake with paths suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Picnic areas.
www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

For more ideas on places for a family walk:
 

Country parks and natural attractions

Family friendly beaches

Animals, farms & zoos

Private parks & gardens

Discounts, offers and competitions