Culcheth Linear Park

Difficulty
Easy
Distance
1.5 miles / 2.5 km
Time
1h 00m
Start
Culcheth Linear Park car park, Wigshaw Lane, Culcheth
Map
OS Explorer 276 Bolton, Wigan & Warrington
Terrain
Mostly level but unsurfaced paths in places
Barriers
Three squeeze gaps
Accessibility
Category 5 Explain
Toilets
-
Contact

Rangers: 01925 765064

Culcheth Linear Park is managed by Warrington Borough Council.

The Linear Park was created from the disused cutting that once carried the Lowton - Manchester branch line of the local railway network. The park is maintained by Rangers who have their base at what was the old Culcheth Station. The platform and buildings were cleared away in the 1960s, and few traces remain of what was once a busy station, linking the village with the industrial towns to the north and to Manchester. Destinations beyond these could also be reached via the village's second station at Newchurch Halt.

A children's mosaic has been created at the foot of the stone wall shown in this photograph, but it is often overgrown and overlooked by many visitors to the Park.

The Linear Park offers a level, comfortable walk to where the line once crossed the main Manchester-Liverpool line. There are several side-paths feeding off to other parts of the village.

The wide, flat area of what was the station yard is now a popular picnic area and favourite haunt of the village's dog walkers.

The eastern end of the park is tended less than the western end, and feels much wilder, and features narrower paths that meander through the cutting as it edges towards Newchurch Halt and the mosslands.

There are several benches carved from felled trees dotted along the length of the Park, ranging from small two or three seaters up to large 'works of art' size wood sculptures.

  1. From the car park head west away from the road and the houses.

  2. At the in-use railway line, turn around and retrace your steps back towards the car park.

  3. At the second road that crosses the line after the car park, turn around again and return to the start point.