Stockport Air Raid Shelters
A labyrinth of tunnels carved under the town centre that sheltered thousands in the Blitz, explored with a self-guided audio tour. Atmospheric in the best way for 7-and-ups.
Etherow Country Park
- Cost
- Free, pay and display parking
- Ages
- 2 to 11
- Where
- Stockport, Greater Manchester
- Weather
- Mostly outdoors
- Booking
- Just turn up
One of the first country parks in Britain, designated back in 1968, and 240 acres of it wrap around the old mill village of Compstall. For children the point is the water: the lake and channels are heaving with ducks, geese and swans, and the flat main path runs right along it. Over 100 bird species have been recorded here, though your lot will mostly be interested in the loud ones.
Entry is free and the only cost is the pay and display car park. The cafe by the visitor centre does the honours afterwards. A model boat club sails on the water and anglers work the edges, both by club membership, so there is usually something happening to watch. Beyond the lake the woodland paths climb properly, which suits older legs and walks off a Sunday lunch.
What it costs: Free entry. Parking is pay and display, charged every day 8am to 10pm: £1 for an hour, £1.40 for two, £2.60 for four, £4 all day.
Know before you go
- The cafe, toilets and visitor centre all sit by the car park, so the walk starts and finishes somewhere useful.
- Free motorised wheelchairs can be borrowed for visitors who need them - book through the visitor centre, especially at weekends.
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★★★★★ 4.6 across 3,275 Google reviews.
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