10 Scenic places to discover in and around Warrington

Nestled between Manchester and Liverpool in the heart of northern Cheshire you'll find Warrington. It's a bustling town known for its busy high street, great restaurants and a vibrant cultural scene. But you may be less familiar with some of the Warrington area's wonderful green spaces. We've compiled this list of scenic places in and around Warrington for you to explore.

Lymm Dam

Lymm Dam is situated on the edge of the beautiful village of Lymm, not far from Warrington.  It was made in the 1800s by Lord Lever and it consists of an upper dam surrounded by countryside and a lower dam in the picturesque village of Lymm.

This beauty spot is the perfect place to visit for a nice leisurely walk around the picturesque lake.  It’s ideal for dog walking and nature spotting and a particularly great place to visit in the autumn when the trees turn into sumptuous autumnal colours.

Perfect for families with properly laid pathways, and the walk can be extended to include the canal and disused railway.  It’s also a short walk into the village for that all important beverage or bite to eat after your stroll.

There is plenty of free parking available and picnic benches if you’re wanting to take your own food.

Lymm Dam, Hollybank House Lymm Road, Warrington, WA13 0UG

Woolston Park

A 54-acre designer park, just off Hillock Lane, Woolston, the park has received awards for its layout. Of recent, the original linear design, created along the banks of Spital Brook, has given way to include 3 modern and safe play areas, a larger pond that has attracted more wildlife and new boardwalks to the pond, built to facilitate wheelchair use.

The park is a breath of fresh air for its regular dog-walkers, picnickers, joggers, cyclists and playing children. The open meadow, wetlands, grasslands, woodland walks and hidden gardens are definitely worth a visit and if the weather is dry why not take a picnic.

Woolston Park, Somerset Way, Warrington, WA1 4LN

Walton Hall & Gardens

Walton Hall and Gardens estate has a very rich cultural heritage and history. Warrington Borough Council bought Walton Hall and Gardens in 1941 during World War II, opening the hall to officers and troops.

It’s the former home of Lord and Lady Daresbury and is set within acres of tranquil and idyllic parkland which can be enjoyed all year round.  Enjoy taking a walk in the woodland and experience the beautiful colours of the trees with hues of red, orange and gold.

Other facilities include a Children’s zoo, playground, adventure golf, pitch ‘n’ putt and Heritage Café.

Walton Hall Gardens Walton Lea Road, Higher Walton, WA4 6SN

Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden

A wonderful hidden gem near Warrington where you can enjoy a nice walk around this walled garden and woodland.  It’s extremely peaceful, well maintained and consists of a fully working kitchen garden and an ornamental pleasure garden with 3 ponds. It’s perfect to walk around with your furry friends and also has a café serving local produce and a great selection of homemade cakes. (Dogs are allowed outside).

Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden, Witherwin Avenue, Grappenhall, Warrington, WA4 3DS

Sankey Valley Park

Sankey Valley Park is a public park and covers over 1½ miles between Sankey Bridges in the south and Callands in the north. The valley follows the course of Sankey Brook and the now disused Sankey Canal. The park is enjoyed by walkers, cyclists and anglers and the central section of the park is family orientated with children's play features, a maze and lawned areas. Bewsey Old Hall sits on the edge of the central section of the park. The Trans Pennine Trail passes around 500 yards (460 m) from the southern tip of the park.

You will find lots of wildlife, fauna and nocturnal inhabitants including foxes, owls, mice, hedgehogs and bats. More rarely seen species such as stoats and weasels, treecreepers, kingfishers, water voles and reed bunting have all been spotted in the park.

It’s a lovely place for a family walk and you can take a stroll along the canal bank or have a longer walk and include the wooded area.  It’s a great place for dog walkers!

Sankey Valley Park, Hayscastle Cl, Warrington, WA5 9UR

Culcheth Linear Park

The Linear Park was created from the disused cutting that once carried the Lowton - Manchester branch line of the local railway network.  It’s a lovely place to visit with lots of interesting trees and wild flowers.  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 with woodland walks.

There are several side-paths feeding off to other parts of the village and plenty of 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.

Culcheth Linear Park, Wigshaw Lane, Warrington, WA3 4AB

Paddington Meadows

One of the few remaining waterside meadows in Warrington, Paddington Meadows also contains some of the oldest examples of hawthorn hedge boundaries in Cheshire.  Explore 30 hectares of meadow grassland and enjoy the beautiful variety of wildlife, from birds such as Lapwings, Skylark, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk, and Goldeneye Ducks to mammals such as badger, Fox and even the occasional Seal has been spotted in the River Mersey. Enjoy the quiet walks around the footpaths throughout the site, ideal for dog walking and families, perhaps stop for a picnic on one of the historic grassland meadows.

Paddington Meadows, Paddington Bank, Kingsway North, WA1 3NE (Also accessible via Larkfield Avenue)

Appleton Dingle

Appleton Dingle is one of the few remaining areas of ancient semi-natural woodland. It is a fantastic place to have a leisurely walk any time of the year to see the wild flowers, woodpeckers, nuthatches, warblers and other types of birds. Other water and woodland wildlife can be seen in the area, including moths, butterflies, foxes and four types of bat depending on the time of year.  Don’t forget your wellies as it can be quite muddy in the autumn and winter months.

The Dingle, Warrington, WA4 3HL

Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve

A site of special scientific interest and a designated local nature reserve with a Green Flag Award.

The area has large areas of mature woodland to explore, comprising mainly of oak, ash and hazel. Fungi and many species of wildflower, including red campion and foxglove are abundant along the trail edge as well as in meadow areas that act as a haven for butterflies, bees and other insects.

As many as 60 species of breeding birds and 50 visiting species can be observed on the moss in a good year, from the Mossland Hide, the Woodland Hide or the Observation.

On the ground, adders, slow worms and lizards hunt for prey whilst at the decked observation ponds newts, frogs, toads and dragonflies can be spotted.

Dotted close to the footpaths, around the reserve are many wooden sculptures created by artists and local people. The main path up from the car park to the visitor centre is quite steep, but there is a gentler access route from near the main gates.

Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve, Birchwood, Warrington, WA3 6QS

Rixton Clay Pits Local Nature Reserve

Once a brick quarry, this is now a special area for conservation mostly because Great Crested newts breed here.  The area has lovely woodland and meadow walks and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the rich mix of wild plants.  It covers around 80 acres and is a wildlife haven with well maintained paths which take you to ponds, quiet corners, bridges and board walks enabling visitors to have access to the reserve.  Look out for viewing platforms and information boards throughout the conservation area pointing out the wildlife and plants you may see on your visit.  Walks start from the Visitor Centre where you can also pick up leaflets about the reserve.  The trailed walks are signposted and it’s perfect for a refreshing family walk.

Rixton Claypits, Warrington. WA3 6EB