Anderton Nature Park

Anderton Nature Park is located next to the historic Victorian boat lift and close to Northwich town centre. Many of the areas around Northwich are legacies of the old salt and soda ash industries, with disused lime beds and shallow pools created by subsidence. During the 1900s liquid, lime-rich waste was created by the local soda industry. Large areas of land were enclosed with ash clinker walls and filled with waste which gradually solidified. Today the salt, lime, ash and clinker all create different conditions which allow some unusual plants to thrive in the Anderton Nature Park. Look out for spectacular displays of orchids in June and July. Find out more about the rare and unusual plants on the waymarked wildflower trail around the park. Anderton Nature Park is part of the Northwich Community Woodlands, a fabulous area of countryside stretching from Northwich town centre to Marbury Country Park. Over 11km ( 7miles) of surfaced routes enable walkers, cyclists and horse riders to explore the area. The Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FOAM) are an active group who get involved in looking after both Anderton and Marbury Country Park and have a busy programme of walks, talks, conservation tasks and events. Contact the Rangers for further details.Accessibility:Access for all routes Toilets, including disabled toilets (High season only)Facilities:Car parking (pay and display applies). Locked at 5.00pm in winter, 8.00pm in summer - charges apply. Picnic area Multi-user routesExploring further afield:The park sits within the Northwich Woodlands, an area of 350 hectares of parkland to explore and discover. Its network of surfaced paths provides many routes accessible to all and appeals to a variety of users including horseriders, cyclists, nature lovers and families. The park also links in with the North Cheshire Way and a number of national cycling routes.How to get there:Walking or cycling: Anderton is within easy cycling distance of Northwich town centre via access at Carey Park, Leicester Street. The Rangers' office is 30mins walk. Public transport: Train services run from Northwich. Bus services run from Northwich and Warrington. For information contact, Cheshire Traveline: 0871 200 2233. By car: Marbury Country Park and Anderton Boat Lift are signed from Northwich centre and from Junction 10 of the M56.