I have put together a list of local parks and countryside, these are just some of my family’s favourite places to visit on a weekend and during the holidays. This is just a few of our favourites, there are many more fantastic outdoor places to visit in our local area.
I hope you enjoy looking at my family photos of us spending some quality time together and generally having fun out and about. I mention feeding the ducks at many of the parks, probably like your children my three love to feed the ducks. Please remember that it is advised not to feed them bread as it is harmful for them. Porridge oats, chopped lettuce or rice is just a couple of healthly ideas! There is some fab information and advice on what to feed ducks on the Canal and River Trust website.
Daisy Nook Country Park
Daisy Nook Country Park is 40 hectares of varied landscape, in Failsworth, Oldham. There are waterways, a lake, a canal, woodlands and wildflower meadows. The park is a great habitat for wildlife and bird-spotting. There are plenty of ducks to feed along the canal path. Facilities also include a visitors centre with a cafe and toilets. There is a playground and a sand area shaped like a boat.
We love going to Daisy Nook, it’s great for us as we can walk from our house or go straight from school for a treat. We like to pop in the cafe for an ice cream when it’s sunny or a hot drink in the winter.
In the Easter Half Term, there is always an Easter funfair in Daisy Nook!
Dovestones Reservoir
Dovestones Reservoir is on the edge of Oldham and the Peak District National Park.When walking around Dovestones Reservoir, you can see some fantastic views and enjoy lots of fresh air! There are several different paths you can take but the main footpath is great for little legs as it’s not too long and fab for scooters/bikes and prams.
Near the car park there is always plenty of ducks for the little ones to feed. The car park is pay and display so don’t forget your change. There is usually an ice cream van and burger van also. Toilet facilities can be found at the car park too.
It does get busy, especially on sunny days and bank holidays, just a word of warning. It’s such a lovely walk I can see why it does.
Etherow Country Park
Etherow Country Parks lies in the heart of Etherow/Goyt Valley. It is one of Stockport’s most visited park, it’s 240 acres of greenspace offers a wide variety of plants and wildlife – the park is home to over 200 species of plants and more than 100 species of birds. Such a great place to feed the ducks, my little ones love it as there is always so many!
There is a cafe and toilets, plus you can also purchase bird seed too! The car park is pay and display. We have also watched people use remote control boats on some occasions when we have been. My eldest loves to watch these boats. (Also a great place for Geocaching if that’s something your in too)
Uppermill Canal Path
We love to visit Uppermill Village in Saddleworth. We tend to park at the Sports centre then decide on a route depending on our time or how strenuous we are feeling. The canal path is a lovely walk, some of which isn’t pram or wheelchair accessible. There is always lots of ducks and maybe you will see a canal boat. In the Spring and Summer months, you are able to take a canal trip from Saddleworth Museum and Gallery car park.
Along the path there are several cafes, including The Limekiln are Brownhill Vistors Centre and Grandpa Greene’s Ice Cream Parlour. There is a fab children’s park in the centre of the village and lots of lovely cafes and tea rooms in case you are looking for a treat.
Hollingworth Lake
We love to visit Hollingworth Lake in Littleborough. There is a pay & display car park right at the waters edge, but we usually end up in the other flow just a little further up the road. We usually start our walk near the pub, which in the Summer months, their outdoor benches are full with people enjoying the sun and the view. There is a children’s playground about half way around and several paths off the circulation route round. We like to get fish and chips and eat them on a bench on the water front. Such a lovely day out.
Dunham Massey
Dunham Massey is less than a 40 minute drive from my house and we are regular visitors. There’s a huge deer park with long flat paths which are great for prams and bikes. The kids love to spot the deer from a far as well as climbing the trees and exploring the dens. Dunham doesn’t have a play area, but kids have never noticed, there’s always so much to do! We are National Trust Members, so go as much as we like as parking and the gardens are all included in our monthly fee.
The garden is great to see in all seasons and we tend to always pay the gardens a visit every time. My kids love to take part in their garden trails, they are always well organised and very entertaining. We have taken part in Reindeer trails, searched for owls, wellies, flowers to name just a few.
Lyme Park
Lyme Park is another House and Garden owned by the National Trust. It’s not to far from Stockport and is another one of our favourite places to visit.the gardens are beautiful, we love to walk around them, there’s always a trail on so keeps my eldest happy. His favourite trail at Lyme Park would have to be the Lego Trail last year.
There’s also a big lake with plenty of ducks, a cafe and tea room (we had an amazing afternoon tea there last year too) a fantastic wooden playgroup that is pretty big, a woodland walk and plenty of land! We have headed to Lyme Park before in the snow for sledging and went really high up into the hills for kite flying.
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Out and about mummy 