Walton Hall & Gardens
The reliable default: gardens, a children's zoo, a big playground and plenty of room to run. Pay for parking, nothing else.
Risley Moss
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Where
- Warrington, Cheshire
- Weather
- Mostly outdoors
- Booking
- Just turn up
A raised peat bog turned nature reserve on the edge of Birchwood, with woodland walks, ponds, bird hides and a visitor centre with toilets and baby changing. The ramped entrances make it workable with a pushchair.
It is a wilder walk than a country park without being hard work: flat, short loops and plenty to look at. The observation tower that used to be the finale was burned down in July 2017, and although a lower replacement structure has been planned for years, do not promise anyone a tower.
The timing catches people out. It is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, and at weekends and bank holidays 9am to 5pm from October to March and 10am to 6pm from April to September. It is closed on Fridays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Entry is free, and the council does not publish a parking charge.
Know before you go
- It is shut on Fridays, which is the day most people pick for a quiet term-time walk. Go Monday to Thursday or at the weekend.
- Bring binoculars for the bird hides. There is no longer a tower to climb for the view.
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★★★★★ 4.6 across 745 Google reviews.
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