There are several options for Etherow Country Park walks. It’s one of my favourite pram-friendly walks Manchester but there are also a few options for extending the walk that are less suited to pushchairs but are perfect for families. Read on to find out more including where to find the fairy den.
Etherow Country Park walks
Where is Etherow Country Park?
Etherow Country Park is situated in Stockport, Greater Manchester between Marple and Romiley. There is a pay and display car park with 85 spaces with a small (10 space) overflow car park across the road. There are toilets and a cafe in the car park.
Etherow Country Park
The park is 240 acres of a nature reserve with over 200 species of plant and more than 100 bird species. The River Etherow runs through the site along with two mill ponds. You’ll also find a large weir and 2 woodland areas to explore. The paths around the ponds are perfectly maintained for buggy-friendly walks. If you go off into the woodland areas, these are less suitable for pushchairs but great for kids.
The Fairy den at Etherow Country Park
If your kids love fairies half as much as mine, then you need to hunt down the fairy den. It’s not hard to find. When you get to the weir at the end of the mill ponds, take the path to the right that heads up into Ernocroft woods.
At the top of the short steep section you will come to a sign for the tramway track. This takes you down a path on the right and a little way along you will come across the fairy den.
The fairy den is full of all sorts of fairy trinkets and toys. My kids love looking at it all.
Pram-friendly walk at Etherow Country Park
The path around the main mill pond is flat and perfect for pushchairs. It is approximately 1.5 miles around this lake and young children will enjoy seeing all the ducks on the pond. You will also get to see the impressive man-made weir at the opposite end of the lake from the car park. If you have an all-terrain pushchair, you can probably make it around Ernocroft woods to find the fairy den but be warned it can be muddy in this area.
Join the Family walks North West Facebook group to be part of a community sharing the best walks for families across the region. Click here.
Child-friendly walk at Etherow Country Park
Keg woodland at the opposite side of the river and mill ponds to Ernocroft woods is less suitable for prams but it is a lovely place to walk with older children. The valley on this side can be steep in places but it is filled with ancient woodland species. There is also Keg pool which is a quiet stretch of water which is home to wildfowl and many animals and aquatic plants.
Find a printable nature trail with a map of the different paths throughout Etherow Country park here.
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More ideas for days out and walks nearby
- Find more family walks in North West England here.
- For something completely different, how about visiting the Greater Northern Warehouse with kids.
- or Inflata nation Manchester.
- Find the best Parks to visit in Manchester here.
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