Marbury Country Park to the Flashes

Difficulty
Traffic Free
Distance
5.1 miles / 8.3 km
Time
1h 30m
Start
Marbury Country Park car park, Marbury Lane, Anderton
Map
OS Explorer 267 Northwich & Delamere Forest
Terrain
Mostly level, surfaced paths
Barriers
One gate and three kissing gates
Accessibility
-
Toilets
Marbury Country Park (near swimming pool)
Contact

Marbury Country Park: 01606 77741
Car park open: 9am - 8pm in summer (1st April - 30th September), 9am - 5pm in winter (1st October - 31st March). Out of hours parking also available. Charges: up to 3 hours: £1, all day: £2. Orange badge holders free. Permits available, contact 01606 308482

Stroll through splendid woodlands carpeted with bluebells in the springtime, or relax under the shade of the lime avenues. Wander along the mere with splendid views over the water to the church at Great Budworth, or explore the arboretum and community orchard. Children will enjoy the play area, close to the picnic area.

Many of the features of the Country Park, including the lime avenues and the arboretum, are a legacy of the days when Marbury was a grand estate. The last hall, built in the 1850s, was a fine looking house modeled on the French chateau at Fontainebleu, with an imposing carriage drive entrance.

Ashton's and Neumann's Flashes were the last parts of what is now Northwich Woodlands to be reclaimed from industrial use and their legacy is an influence on the plants and animals that can be found here. The presence, in some parts, of salt, has allowed many seaside plants to establish whilst the lime beds have helped to create the perfect habitat for the rare dingy skipper butterfly. Enjoy bird watching from one of the bird hides or survey the wider landscape from four viewpoints.

More Northwich Woodlands

  1. Exit the car park.

  2. Turn right away from Marbury Lane.

  3. Turn right again.

  4. Turn left at the crossroads, signposted 'Mere' and 'Big Wood'.

  5. Bear right where the track divides in two.

  6. Turn right on to the bridleway around the edge of the wood, and follow it round to the right.

  7. Bear left to remain beside the edge of the wood.

  8. At the T junction near Marbury Lane turn left, signposted 'Hopyards Wood'.

  9. At Marbury Lane turn left.

  10. Cross the Trent and Mersey Canal.

  11. Turn left on to a track signposted 'Dairy House Meadows' and 'Neumann's Flash'.

  12. Bear right where the track splits.

  13. Cross a stream then turn left around the pool.

  14. On nearing New Warrington Road, bear left to follow the path beside it. This path bends round until it is beside Wade Brook, then eventually beside Marbury Lane.

  15. Join the lane and turn right, then follow it all the way to the track after where you first joined it.

  16. Turn right up this track.

  17. Turn left at the crossroads.

  18. Turn left just before the toilets.

  19. Turn left into the car park.