There is something about Autumn that makes me what to put on my wellies or walking boots and head out for a nice long walk. Autumn time is quickly becoming one of my favourite seasons, the leaves are falling, the colours are changing and there is a fresh feel to the air. It's took me a while to figure out where are the best Autumn walks in the North West but these are definitely our favourites.
Merseyside
Calderstones Park
Postcode - L18 3JBCalderstones Park offers visitors 94 acres of woodland, lake and fields. Visit the beautiful Japanese and old English gardens and make sure you do not miss the one thousand year old tree.
Opening Times - 24 hours a day all year round.
Children's Play Area - Yes, there is a children's playground and also a woodland climbing area for older children.
Cafe - Yes, The Reader Cafe offers the choice of breakfast and lunch, sandwiches, snacks, salads, soups and desserts. Take some time out and enjoy two bookshelves full of books to read while eating.
Toilets - Yes
Parking - Yes there are two main car parks
Anything else - The park recently updated its facilities with The Storybarn an imaginative play space for children and families to discover their love of books, an ice cream parlour and miniature railway.
For more information visit The Storybarn
Sefton Park
Postcode - L17 1APSefton Park is an ideal location for an Winter Walk. It boasts over 200 acres of landscape including paths to follow, an array of trees and even statues of Peter Pan and an Eros fountain.
Opening Times - 24 hours a day
Children's Play Area - Yes, includes a range of outdoor play equipment including slides, swings and roundabout.
Cafe - Yes, the Aviary cafe offers hot and cold refreshments and the lakeside cafe offers coffee and ice cream.
Toilets - No
Parking - Yes, there are a couple of parking areas and also on street parking too.
Anything else - There is no charge to enter the park. The park has a boating lake, the palm house, caves and waterfalls and a bandstand. Fishermen are welcome but you will need an angling licence.
Croxteth Park
Postcode - L11 1EHThe largest of the parks is Croxteth Park offering over 500 acres of woodland, paths, ponds, streams and trails. There is also the chance for you to test your navigation skills whilst orienteering.
Opening Times - 7am - 7pm for the inner park
Children's Play Area - Yes, there are two palygrounds to accommodate all ages.
Cafe - The park has two cafe's. One is situated in the main grounds and the other cafe is within the farm.
Toilets - Yes, situated in the main grounds and within the farm.
Parking - Yes
Anything else - The park has a
Country hall and Walled Garden
Children's Farm.
Farm: Daily 10:00am – 5:00pm
Last entry 4:00pm
£5 per person
Children Under 1 Go Free
Birkenhead Park
Postcode - CH41 4HYBirkenhead Park has influenced park designs all over the world and was the inspiration for Central Park in New York. The park is a must for a Winter walk with beautiful landscapes, unusual trees and wildlife.
Opening Times - 24 hours a day, all year round. The visitor centre is open 9am-4:30pm 7 days a week except for 25th and 26th December and 1st January
Children's Play Area - Yes, There is a children's play area located just by the Ashville Road entrance to the park with modern facilities. There is also a small rockery meant for climbing and a regular ice cream truck
Cafe - Yes, inside the visitor centre
Toilets - Yes, inside the visitor centre
Parking - There is no car park however there is on street car parking.
Anything else - Two lakes available for angling but a permit is required. Architecture Trail, Sports at the park including boules, cricket and tennis and guided ranger walks
Greater Manchester
Heaton Park
Postcode - M25 2SWHeaton Park claims to be the biggest and best park in the North West with specific walks and run trails suitable for all the family so it is a must for a Winter walk.
Opening Times - 8am till dusk
Children's Play Area - Yes, there are two play areas designed for children.
Cafe - There are 4 separate cafes offering takeaway only
Toilets - Yes
Parking - Yes, chargeable to a maximum of £3 per day
Anything else - There are a range of activities and facilities also available including donkey rides and Treetop high ropes.
Tramway museum and tram rides. You can visit the museum and take a tram ride on most Sundays and bank holidays. Tickets £2, children £1 and a family ticket for £5. The museum is near the Middleton Road entrance.
Between April and September, you can hire a rowing boat or a pedalo to explore the Lake and the wildlife around it. Boat hire is available:
Monday-Friday 10am to 5.30pm (last boat goes out at 4.30pm)
Saturday/Sunday 10am to 8pm (last boat goes out at 7pm)
Click for more information and to book Treetop Trek
Alexandra Park
Postcode - M16 7JLAlexandra Park boasts 60 acres of grassland and a £5 million transformation in 2014.
Opening Times - From dawn to dusk
Children's Play Area - yes, there are two play areas. One suitable for toddlers and another for older children.
Cafe - Yes
Toilets - Yes, during cafe opening hours
Parking - Yes, parking is available.
Anything else - There is a boating lake which is home to many ducks.
Cheshire
Delamere Forest
Postcode - CW8 2HZDelamere Forest is the largest woodland in Cheshire boasting 972 hectares. It is managed by Forestry England for all to enjoy.
Opening Times - Summer opening times: 8:00am to 8:00pm. Winter opening times: 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Children's Play Area - No
Cafe - Yes. There is a cafe at the visitor centre near the main car park and also The Station cafe near the railway.
Toilets - Yes.
Parking - Yes, there are a number of payable car parks.
Anything else - Go Ape, Gruffalo Orienteering, bike trails and walking trails
Walton Hall Gardens
Postcode - WA4 6SNWalton Hall Gardens is set within acres of tranquil and idyllic parkland, steeped in local history and is the perfect space to pop on your wellies and head out for an Winter walk.
Opening Times - September - June 10:30-4pm. July and August 10:30-8pm
Children's Play Area - Yes, a large play structure suitable for all ages.
Cafe - The Heritage Cafe is open 9-5pm for takeaway only.
Toilets - Yes
Parking - Yes, chargable.
Walton Hall and Gardens operates a pay and display car park.
Daily charges:
Mon-Fri: £3.00
Sat-Sun and bank holidays: £4.00
Coaches: £8.00
Anything else - There issue much to do and see at Walton Hall Gardens including
The Children’s Zoo
Summer opening
10.30 am – 4.00 pm
Last admittance at 3.45 pm
Adventure Golf
10.30 am – 4.30 pm
Last tee off 4.00 pm
Thomas The Tank Engine Land Train
Lancashire
Williamson Park
Postcode - LA1 1UXWilliamson Park is home to the iconic Ashton Memorial and 54 acres of beautiful parkland with enchanting woodland walks, play areas and breathtaking views to the Fylde Coast, Morecambe Bay and the Lake District fells and mountains.
Opening Times - October to March: 10am - 4pm. April to September: 10am - 5pm
Children's Play Area - Yes
Cafe - Yes. The Pavilion Cafe is serving takeaway
Toilets - Toilet facilities are open next to the Ashton Memorial and in Wyresdale Road Car Park but remain closed in the café.
Parking - There are two pay and display car parks in Williamson Park - at the Quernmore Road entrance (15 spaces, including disabled parking) and at the Wyresdale Road entrance (100 spaces). Please note that from the Wyresdale Road car park there is quite an uphill walk to the park facilities.
Up to 1 hour £1
Full day £2
Evening after 5.30pm £1
Anything else - Entry to Williamson Park grounds and the Ashton Memorial is free. Entry to the Butterfly House and Mini Zoo (available for purchase at the gift shop)
Adult £4
Child £3 (under-3s free)
Family (2+2) £13
Concessions/students £3.50
Avenham & Miller Parks
Postcode - PR1 8JTAvenham & Miller Parks are located in the heart of Preston's city centre, yet feel far removed from their urban surroundings. The parks are connected by beautiful and scenic paths, creating one large and diverse park with a lot to offer.
Opening Times - Listed as Always Open
Children's Play Area - Yes
Cafe - Yes, The Pavilion Cafe offers hot and cold drinks, lunch options and children's menu.
April - September: Monday - Sunday: 10am - 5pm
October - March: Monday - Sunday: 10am - 4pm
Toilets - Yes
Parking - Yes. A 40-space car park for Avenham & Miller Parks can be found on South Meadow Lane, opposite The Continental Pub (PR1 8JN). There are also a number of city centre car parks to choose from, which include disabled parking.
Anything else - The park's paths circle this large green space and offer serene views from all angles. This includes views of the park's Japanese Rock Garden - a beautiful and exotic garden area created in the 1930s. Miller Park has many fascinating and historical points of interest. These include its listed water fountain, rock features, spiralling gardens, and a large basalt rock from the Giant's Causeway.
Cumbria
Grizedale Forest
Postcode - LA22 0QJGrizedale forest in the heart of the Lake District World Heritage Site, offers the perfect Winter day out for everyone
Opening Times - The forest is open 7 days a week, dawn til dusk
Children's Play Area - Yes. Grizedale Visitor Centre has a large children's play area and there are a couple of picnic benches surrounding the structure.
Cafe - Yes, at the visitor centre for takeaway only.
Toilets - Yes, there is a large toilet block by the main car park and also toilet facilities in the visitor centre.
Parking - Yes. Visitor Centre and Kennels car parks have a pay on exit system with the current charges
Up to 20 minutes £0.00
Up to 1 hour £2.20
Each additional 20 minutes £0.45
All day £8.00
Moor Top and Bogle car parks - currently no charge
Anything else - There is a Go Ape at Grizedale Forest, Bicycle hire, 10 walking trails and 9 cycle trails to follow.
Tarn Hows
Postcode - LA21 8AQTarn Hows offers an accessible circular (1¾ miles) walk through beautiful countryside with majestic mountain views.
Opening Times - From Dawn to Dusk
Children's Play Area - No
Cafe - No, an ice cream operates most days in the car park.
Toilets - Yes, they are situated in the main car park
Parking - Yes. Tarn Hows and Glen Mary car parks are open operating pay and display.
Anything else - There are accessible paths at the lakes edge so wellies would be ideal for little paddlers.
These are 12 of the best Autumn walks in the North West and I would love to hear from you if you had any others to share.
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