Marbury Country Park to the Flashes

Difficulty
Easy
Distance
5.1 miles / 8.3 km
Time
2h 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.


Your comments:

Cllr Geoff Settle 19/04/2012 07:21

Hi Jean,
I am Warrington new Mersey Forest member.
I would just like to add that I have been a member of the Friends of Peel Hall Park for the last 2 years and seen a tremendous change in the park.
I remember the many times that I have had to call out street scene to get fly tipping removed, dragged stuff out of the small ponds for collection, rung up about burnt out cars and general litter. The antisocial behaviour has reduced a great deal, the horse trail re-instated and the new toddler's area is currently being installed.
I remember the young children of St Bridget's writing to the Mayor and complaining bitterly about the litter. The helped clear it and once that was gone they came back and planted hundreds of bulbs. There has always been an issue about parent parking on Capesthorne Road outside the primary school and I have written numerous letters to the school and asked why parents don't use the car par but opposite. Now the car park is visible parents are beginning to use it.
As Chair of Warrington Nature Conservation Forum and local ward councillor I wear a couple of hats and always try to get a balance in an urban environment.
I believe that the work that the Friends of Peel Hall have instigated has revived the Park, which had deteriorated, and helped ease community problems. The large amount of young people playing and burning off some excess energy is in part a testament to the projects. The school has also throughout got involved with events and initiatives such as the lantern walks, creation of their nature trail and other things like are coming up like the annual July Peel Hall Park Fun Day.
Regards
Cllr Geoff Settle

The Mersey Forest 08/03/2012 08:31

Here is Warrington Borough Council's reply:

Peel Hall Park Tree Felling

The thinning works in Peel Hall Park are as a direct result of consultation feedback from the community. Warrington Borough Council works in partnership with the Friends of Peel Hall Park to make the park a safe and welcoming place for local children and adults alike.

The car park area was a magnet for antisocial behaviour. This included daily fly tipping occurrences and day time drugs misuse approximately 100 meters from St Bridget's Primary School

Cheshire Police were asked for support and advice; they strongly recommended that the tree screens were removed to allow surveillance of the Park from Blackbrook Avenue and Capesthorne Road.

The friends group with the assistance of the council have created new play facilities for local children aged 10 years and over. The group have also secured monies to build a new toddler's play area due to be constructed this year.

We trust that this response explains the background to the works currently being undertaken in the Park.

The Mersey Forest 06/03/2012 13:05

Thanks for your comment Ms Hall - as discussed with you on email, this has been forwarded to Warrington Borough Council for them to advise.

jean hall 28/02/2012 07:09

This is a joke..hundreds of trees being felled in North Warrington (this is still ongoing) for no proper reason that I have been given as yet. Peel park has been destroyed. Where will it end? When are the council going to replace these trees? Or is it just for the privileged over the water in Thelwall etc.!!
I would appreciate a proper explanation please...