The best autumn walks
EMMA GILL PICKS THE BEST WALKS AROUND THE REGION FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THIS AUTUMN
IT might be getting a bit chillier, but autumn is often one of the most picturesque times of year to take a walk in the great outdoors.
From conker collecting to crunching those wellies through crisp autumn leaves, you can’t beat a bit of fresh air with the kiddie winks.
But when you have got little people with you, you haven’t always got time to be hunting for the right places to go.
That’s why we’ve done the job for you - by asking parents to recommend their best family walks in and around Greater Manchester.
Even better than that, we’ve included those with a cafe stop too or at least somewhere to get a brew and a bite to eat - even if it is just an ice cream your child wants on a cold and rainy day. Why wouldn’t they?
Here’s our list of places recommended by families - and if you’ve got one to add to the list email the details, with photos too if possible, to emma.gill@trinitymirror.com.
Lyme Park, Stockport
A stunning National Trust estate, Lyme Park sprawls across 1,400 acres of moorland and deer park on the edge of the Peak District.
It’s a firm favourite with families for its super play areas as much as its spectacular scenery.
Danielle Garcia, mum to twins Oliver and Lola, regularly takes the pair to play at the park and sent us these photos of them enjoying the equipment there.
They love the Crow Wood Playscape with its giant slide, badger den and rope walks.
If you’ve got older ones you might be up for a ramble across the rugged uplands, or for a more leisurely walk, perhaps with a buggy in tow, you could enjoy the Edwardian rose garden, ravine garden or herbaceous borders next to the lake.
The park is more than equipped for families with kids of all ages. There are toilets and baby change areas at The Timberyard area and also up at The House, there’s a buggy park, also located up at the house - £1 refundable deposit to use - and even front-carrying baby slings and hip-carrying infant seats for loan from the Ticket Office.
You can take a picnic along, but if you fancy heading indoors for a while then the Timberyard Cafe sells hot and cold snacks, soups and a range of cakes.
From now until the end of July 2019 the park opens Friday to Tuesday 8am to 8pm. The car park costs £8 per car. For more details visit the website . ■ Lyme Park, Disley, Stockport, SK12 2NR
Hollingworth Lake, Oldham
Hollingworth Lake is a popular spot for walkers and families with kids.
There’s lots to do throughout the year, including a regular programme of guided walks, special events, crafts and outdoor activities.
But it’s also just a great place just to take a stroll and is buggy friendly too.
Jessica Howard is a regular visitor with her two sons and said: “There’s a cafe at the visitor centre where you can also park.
“There’s also a cafe half way round - the Pavilion Cafe - and loads of places on Lake Bank - Olive & Pickle Deli Cafe is nice.
“Take some food for the ducks and pack a jacket because it can get windy in some of the exposed areas.”
The visitor centre is just off Rakewood Road, and has a permanent exhibition of local wildlife and heritage, a gallery of artists’ work and an information desk.
As well as a cafe, there is a small shop, toilets, and free-to-use mobility scooter hire (booking required).
In summer, April 1 to September 30, it’s open Friday to Wednesday from 10am to 3.30pm. In winter, from October 1 to March 31, it’s open the same hours but Friday to Tuesday.
■ Hollingworth Visitor Centre, Rakewood Road, Littleborough, OL15 0AQ
Clifton Country Park, Salford
The country park and nature reserve is part of the Irwell Valley and offers a vast expanse of beautiful countryside on the edge of Salford.
As well as the children’s play area, with climbing frames and wooden play equipment, there’s a large climbing boulder for kids to tackle.
You can then enjoy a lakeside walk venturing round the entire lake if those little legs can make it round and you can cross a green bridge to reach a stream lined with pebbles for that all important stone skimming.
Swipe right through the gallery below to see more photos from Clifton Country Park
There are some real animals to spot - horses usually greet you near the fences at the car park - and you can head to the lake to see ducks, geese and other wildlife.
Many of the paths are level making it accessible for prams and there are carved wooden characters for little ones to spot along the route, including the popular Gruffalo.
The visitor centre houses a toilet and there’s now a newly-opened cafe there too, which is also dog friendly and open Wednesday to Sunday from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
There’s usually an ice cream van there too - even in the chillier weather. ■ Clifton Country Park, Clifton, Salford, M27 6NG
Alderley Edge Woodland Walk
Mum Louise Gormley recommended the Alderley Edge Woodland Walk, which she enjoys with her threeyear-old son Oliver.
The walk begins at Alderley Edge railway station and lets visitors ‘explore a site of important archaeological and geological significance’, with ‘spectacular views,
intriguing legends and an ancient mining history’.
Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leads when livestock are in the nearby fields.
Louise said: “It is just a walk through the woods really. But it’s really pretty, nice to explore and it has a picnic area with tables. It’s a good choice for a few hours.”
Visit the National Trust website for more details on the trail.
Mum-of-two Natalie Nuttall is also a fan of The Edge and recommends stopping off at The Wizard Tearoom after a walk.
The family run tearoom, open daily from 9am to 5pm, is housed inside a beautiful National Trust building and serves tea, coffee and homemade food from locally sourced suppliers. ■ Alderley Edge, Wilmslow Road, Alderley Edge, SK9 7QA Rivington Pike, Bolton Rivington Pike has long been a popular choice for families wanting to head high for some fresh autumn air.
It’s a favourite place for mum-of-two Zoe Ogden, who likes visiting with her husband and children Harry and Jacob.
She parks in the free car park at Curley’s Fisheries before walking up to the Pike - and it makes the perfect place to stop off for some food afterwards.
The baby change facility at Curley’s will come in handy for those with little ones too.
And the new ice cream parlour at Curley’s is already proving a big hit, selling a range of Frederick’s luxury ice cream including dairy, gluten and fat free flavours. There is even ice cream that’s suitable for dogs.
Curley’s is open 9am to 8pm and the ice cream parlour is open Monday to Thursday 12pm to 5pm and Friday to Sunday 12pm to 7pm. ■ Wallsuches, Horwich, BL6 6PP Dove Stone Reservoir, Greenfield, near Oldham Dove Stone Reservoir is part of the Peak District National Park and a great place to take in some scenery.
There’s the main walk plus a sailing club, Chew Brook, where you can explore rocks and paddle in the stream, picnic areas, an RSPB spot where you can look through telescopes to see the peregrine falcons - the RSPB nature team also does quizzes and badge making activities at weekends and bank holidays.
Mum Christina Stocks likes to take a trip there with son Ethan.
She said: “It’s a really peaceful and picturesque area, and it’s great for getting out, walking in the fresh air and enjoying the spectacular views and wildlife.
“You can say hello to the ducks splashing about in the water and watch the boats and the windsurfers. You’ll also meet lots of dogs and their owners, as it’s a very popular spot for dog walking.”
The path around the reservoir is accessible for both pushchairs and wheelchairs. Although there are public toilets, there are no baby change facilities.
If you want to grab a bite to eat there’s a burger van and an ice cream van there.
There are two public car parks, both of which are pay and display. ■ Greenfield, Saddleworth, Oldham, OL3 7NE Burrs Country Park, Bury Whether walking or bird watching there are plenty of reasons for families to take a trip to Burrs Country Park.
Jenny Brookfield lives nearby and regularly takes her two sons Robson and Joey there.
She said: “The park has different trails to walk around near the River Irwell, you can feed the ducks and there’s a bit of an exercise trail thing for kids.
“It also has a station for the East Lancashire Railway, so you can hop on or off, or just stand there to watch the steam train.”
For the more adventurous there is an assortment of outdoor pursuits available at Burrs Activity Centre.
There are plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic or you could try out the park’s new cafe The Lamppost, which opened at the end of June and is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
It bills itself as ‘a cafe for wet wellies, soggy shorts and muddy paws... with the best coffee and cake in town’.
In fact, four-legged friends are so welcome there, that as well as serving coffee, cakes and sandwiches to grown-ups, it also sells Woofins, special muffins that they bake for dogs. ■ Burrs Country Park, Woodhill Road, BL8 1DA Healey Dell Nature Reserve and Tea Rooms, Rochdale Healey Dell is a beauty spot and wildlife sanctuary, two miles from Rochdale town centre on the way to Whitworth and Bacup.
The River Spodden has carved its way through the woodlands down thousands of years, creating delightful scenery and spectacular waterfalls which once powered corn, wool and cotton mills.
A disused 1800s railway line is now a nature trail with magnificent views from a 100-foot high viaduct.
The Healey Dell Heritage Centre promises ‘a unique experience’ with its Victorian themed tea rooms with English cream teas served in vintage bone-china.
As well as the chance to spot some horses along their route, a highlight for little ones is a Fairy Grotto where children can meet the ‘Healey Dell Fairy Godmother’.
Car parking is available at Broadley Wood Lodge, off Station Road and at the Heritage Centre.
The tea rooms, serving breakfast, lunch, drinks and coffee, are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday and all Bank Holidays from 10am to 4.30pm. ■ Healey Corner, off Whitworth Road, Healey, Rochdale, OL12 6BG Etherow Country Park, Romiley The popular park lies at the heart of the Etherow/Goyt Valley, was one of Britain’s first country parks and features an impressive waterfall.
With more than 100 species of birds there are plenty to spot and you can download a nature walk guide online to help you find the best bits.
The Nature Trail path will take you alongside the Keg Pool, home to wildfowl and many different aquatic plants and animals.
When you’ve worked up an appetite you could either head to the nearby Strawberry Duck pub, next to Entwistle Station, or try out the newly-refurbished Etherow Park Cafe.
The cafe, open daily 9am to 4pm, prides itself on real artisan coffee supplied by Manchester’s Heart and Graft Roastery, plus a varied food menu featuring hearty sandwiches and pies and American Brunch at weekends.
The park’s visitor centre hosts a programme of fun activities throughout the year including special events such as Children’s Book Days. See the events page to find out what’s coming up. ■ Etherow Country Park, Compstall, SK6 5JD Longford Park, Stretford There’s loads to keep the family happy at Longford Park.
As well as being a lovely park to take a brisk autumn walk, there are well-equipped play areas suitable for all ages, Simply Cycling sessions on the athletic stadium track and a disc golf course - basically golf with frisbees.
Once you’re all suitably worn out you can take a rest at the newlyrefurbished Longford Cafe.
The former Caffeine and Co reopened in March following a makeover and re-design to offer an additional 20 seats inside and more tables outside.
The menu features an all-day brunch offering, mirroring that of its sister restaurant and bakery Blanchflower in Altrincham, with more breads, pastries and a choice of hot dishes.
There’s a wide range of coffees and teas and a kids’ menu including a sandwich, drink and cookie or fruit for £2.50, and cold milk or babyccinos for 50p.
For those driving to the park there is a large free car park beside the Trafford Athletics Stadium on the Eastern side with access from Ryebank Road. There is also a smaller car park inside the park that can be accessed from the Western entrance off Cromwell Road. ■ Longford Park, Stretford, M32 8PX Pennington Flash, Wigan If it’s a relaxing walk you’re after well, as relaxing as it gets when you mix kids and mud - then you can’t do much better than a trip to Pennington Flash.
Part of an impressive country park, the lake and surrounding marshland are home to a diverse group of mammals, birds and insects.
The term ‘Flashes’ refers to the lakes on the site which were formed over time as a result of the mining subsidence. They are a legacy of Wigan Borough’s industrial heritage and those at Pennington Flash are a stunning example of how the industrial past has developed a beautiful location for wildlife.
You can enjoy a walk around the lake, feed the swans and little ones can have a go on the play area.
If you’re feeling peckish then there are always food and ice cream vans at the site so don’t forget to take some cash along - for the pay and display car park too.
There’s nothing quite like tucking into a cone of chips while watching the sun go down on the lake. ■ Pennington Flash Country Park, Leigh, WN7 3UG If you’ve got an autumn walk with a cafe stop to add to the list, don’t forget to email the details, along with photos of your visit, to emma.gill@ trinitymirror.com.
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