There’s something special about an autumn walk. The beautiful colours as the leaves start to turn and fall, getting wrapped up for the first time in months as the temperatures dip a little, the beautiful autumn sunshine if we’re lucky enough and the promise of a hot chocolate when you get home.
There are plenty of parks and walks locally and further afield to enjoy the splendor of autumn and here are some of our favourites to inspire you.
Reddish Vale Country Park –Reddish Vale Road. SK5 7HE
Needs no introduction really! A firm favourite of many, it’s not too far from the town centre and is easily accessible on foot, by car and public transport and is also free. With Woodland for the kids to explore, riverside walks and bridle and cycle trails, there’s something for everyone. Spanning 161 hectares along the River Tame and designated as a local nature reserve, it’s a beautiful spot for an autumn walk.
Etherow County Park – George Street, Romiley. SK6 5JD
Etherow is located in Compstall between Marple and Romiley in the heart of of the Etherow/Goyt Valley. There is a car park and a cafe and a variety of longer/shorter walks. The lake is a great circular and flat walk for little legs/pushchairs. You can download the nature walk guide for Etherow here.
Woodbank Park – Turncoft Lane, Offerton. SK1 4JR
Situated close to Vernon Park so you could visit both in the same day, Woodbank is a great park for a stroll with the kids. The park connects with the River Goyt and the Goyt Way and footpaths can lead you though Poise Brook or towards Otterspool and Bredbury, and Fred Perry Way also passes though the park. There is a children’s play area for those who want a little more adventure to their walk and a nature trail that has been restored by the Friends of Woodbank Park. There are two car parks.
High Lane Park – off Windlehurst Raod, High Lane. Sk6 8AE
High Lane Park lies adjacent to the Macclesfield Canal and the park offers easy access onto the canal path and beyond to the Middlewood Way. If you follow Stockport Mumbler over on Instagram you’ll probably have seen some of our lovely canal walks on my stories. It’s one of our favourite places as the kids also love the play areas in the park itself, as well as looking at the wildlife and the narrow boats down on the canal path. There is a car park situated at the entrance to the park on Windlehurst Road.
Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens – Didsbury, M20 2RQ
Part botanic garden and part wildlife habitat, Fletcher Moss is simply beautiful. Stretching to the River Mersey in one direction and Stenner Woods in the other, it’s popular with walkers and families alike. There’s a lovely tea room selling food, cakes, and hot and cold drinks – and I can confirm the wraps are amazing! There is a nature trail through Stenner Woods and an extensive network of paths around the area of Fletcher Moss, round Milgate Fields and along the River Mersey and the autumn colours are absolutely stunning.
Alderley Edge – Wilmslow Raod, SK9 7QA
Stunning views, beautiful scenery and a place of myths and legends! There are a few walks you can do at Alderley. The Woodland Walk is considered an easy walk but it is a long one at 4.5 miles! Alternatively you could do the much shorter Wizard Walk which is just 1 mile and is an easy access circular walk – so good for little legs! The Wizard Tea Room is open 9am-5pm, 7 days per week currently offering takeaway drinks, cakes and bakes.
Macclesfield Forest – Trentabank Visitor Centre, SK11 0NS
A working Forrest now owned by Untited Utilities due to its four reservoirs, the forest is mainly made up of pine trees and there is a herd of red deer which you may be lucky enough to encounter. There are plenty of walking routes including this 30 minute circular walk which is signposted from the car park.
There is a pay and display car park at the Visitor Centre near the Trentabank reservoir.
Delamere Forrest – Northwich CW8 2HZ
Located between Manchester and Liverpool, Delamere has the perfect Autumn Walks and is really family friendly. As well as some great easy walks, there is a brand new visitor centre which includes a cafe and toilet facilities, a new car park and improved access. The Gruffalo Trail has an augmented reality app which you can download before your visit and make the Gruffalo Trail really come to life as you interact with your favourite characters as they appear alongside you in the forest!
Lyme Park – Disley SK12 2NR
Explore the vast estate and surrounding park and woodland at Lyme this autumn and you will find yourself ina sea of beautiful colour. From October onwards, the red deer will also be rutting as the breeding season begins. Keep you eye out for the male deer clashing antlers and testing each others strength. The cafe, house and gardens are all open and there is no need to book, however the Crow Wood play area remains closed for maintenance. Lyme is run by the National Trust who have increased car parking prices across all sites so do check before your travel, or alternatively use public transport – Disley Train station is 1/2 a mile from the park.
Dunham Massey – Altrincham WA14 4SJ
A vast estate with woodland walks and autumn sights and sounds galore. Dunham is spectacular in the autumn and you might be lucky enough to spot the fallow deer roaming around. The cafe and toilets are open. Prices are per person and not per car as this is a National trust site.
