My Guide to Family Friendly Walks in Cheshire & Beyond
Updated: 5 days ago
Family Walks in Cheshire. I love a good walk, and even better if it has a beautiful view or a trig point. Sometimes children can find walking boring or tough going so I've tried to include walks which are interesting and not too challenging. Most of these walks my own daughters have done growing up, who are now 12 and 15. A cafe or a place to get an ice cream is always a bonus on a walk and my girls love a trail to find things along the way.
Here are some of my favourite child friendly walks
I have included a brief description of each place and if you want to find out even more please click on the photo as this will take you to my full review of the walk
Book Guide - We used the Cheshire - 40 Favourite Walks Book for a lot of these routes, it is a great book and handy to keep on you while doing your walks. If you would like to purchase your own copy here is a link
Aff Link} https://tinyurl.com/DOMOCheshireWalkBook
Astbury Mere Country Park - Congleton, Cheshire
📍Sandy Ln, Congleton CW12 4FP
The former sand quarry, at Astbury, offers a gentle stroll around the lake. Its about 1.5km round, going past the watersports centre. The path is wide and flat so perfect for bikes and scooters too. GG’s Coffee Hub is open every day serving drinks, ice creams and cakes just by the carpark apart from 25th, 26th 31st and 1st Jan. Car Parking is 60p for up to 2 hours. Pram friendly
📍South Down Drive WA14 3HR
A short 2.6km circular walk in Ashley in Altrincham but it takes you to "Into The Woods Bushcraft and Coffee Shack". It is a fab woodland playground, rustic cafe and hangout literally in the woods. Come rain or shine they will be there to bring you the finest coffee, woodfired pizza and entertainment. Bring the family and explore the ancient woodland and take cover if need be under our parachute shelters.
Biddulph Grange Garden National Trust - Stoke on Trent
📍Grange Rd, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent ST8 7SD
Biddulph Grange has the most extraordinary gardens. You can meander along long, wide paths, tiptoe through dark tunnels, tread carefully over rockery stepping stones, listen to little, trickling streams, and explore one of the largest stumperies in Britain.
Biddulph Grange Country Park - Stoke on Trent
📍41 Grange Rd, Stoke-on-Trent ST8 7SB
Right next door to the National Trust site of Biddulph Grange you will find a gorgeous walk which has free parking, toilets and a cafe which is open Sat - Tues.
A massive 73 acres park of woodland and open meadows. Take the path through the trees and walk along the stream. The stream weaves through the trees with so many small waterfalls, it really is a beauty spot. There is a central lake. Along the well constructed paths you will find a number of different routes to follow.
Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve - Holmes Chapel, Cheshire
📍Davenport Lane, Congleton CW12 4SU
The heath is an easy circular walk, with suitable paths for little ones to take their scooters or bikes. You can also feed the ducks and pop over the road to The Little Cow Shed for a coffee, flavoured milk or ice cream. Pram friendly
📍Stone House Lane, Bulkeley, Malpas, SY14 8BJ
Bulkeley Hill woods are managed by the National Trust. With a number of different walks taking in these woods, you can do a small 3km circular or a longer walk taking in Bickerton Hill or Raw Edge. The woods offer a sheltered walk with amazing views of Cheshire.
Chester Walls in Chester, Cheshire
📍 Watergate Street Car Park CH1 4JH
The city walls are the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain, parts of which are almost 2000 years old. Walking the complete circuit (2.9km) gives amazing views down into the city and gives a fantastic insight into Chester's long history. Park at Watergate Street Car Park CH1 4JH. At the Water tower you can go down some steps and you will find a children's playground. Come down from the walls for a bite to eat at one of the many cafes in Chester.
Delamere Forest - Cheshire
📍Barnsbridge Car Park WA6 6NY (FREE)
Delamere Forest is a large wood in the village of Delamere in Cheshire, England. The woodland, which is managed by Forestry England, covers an area of 972 hectares (2,400 acres) making it the largest area of woodland in the county. It's a great place for families to explore on foot and bike. There are fun activities such as a Gruffalo trail plus a large cafe.
📍Helsby Quarry Car Park, Alvanley Road, Helsby, Cheshire. WA6 9PU
There are many walks you can do at Helsby Hill in Frodsham, Cheshire. The main two which I have explored, both take in the Helsby Hill Trig Point and the impressive views over Cheshire and towards the Wirral. The 2km walk is suitable for children as its not too long while still being an adventure to get to the top of Helsby Hill to reach the Trig Point and back down. While the 7km walk is obviously much longer, it is also along some roads, through woodland and to the iron age Hillfort so a bit more of a challenge.
Knypersley Reservoir - Stoke on Trent
📍Brown Edge, Stoke-on-Trent ST8 7QY
Tucked away in Greenway Bank Country Park just south-east of Biddulph, Knypersley Reservoir is a great walk for all the family. It’s ideal if you enjoy being by the water but want a route that keeps everyone interested, especially children. The paths are easy to follow and there’s plenty to see along the way, including finding a real life Rapunzel Tower hidden among the trees, along with a secret waterfall. With a 3.5km circular path suitable for pushchairs which is easy to follow and free parking,
Lymm Dam Circular Walk - Lymm, Cheshire
📍Lymm WA13 0AP (FREE)
Nestled in the picture postcard village of Lymm, Cheshire, Lymm Dam is the perfect destination for a short 1.5km family-friendly walk. This picturesque location offers a peaceful waterside stroll with hidden paths, ducks to feed and a coffee van. The flat, pushchair friendly walk takes you around the historic reservoir and through woodlands with options to head into the town for a bite to eat. Free Car Park for Lymm Dam, Lymm WA13 0AP
Lud’s Church and The Hanging Stone Walk - Wincle, Macclesfield, Cheshire
📍Danebridge, Wincle, Macclesfield SK11 0QE
Tucked away in the beauty of the Staffordshire Peak District, there is a walk taking in Lud’s Church and the Hanging Stone. This corner of the Roaches is full of contrasts: the dark, moss-covered chasm of Lud’s Church, and the exposed gritstone perch of the Hanging Stone, offering sweeping views across the Cheshire Plain. The walk is a circular route around 8km (2.5 hours) with a mix of clearly marked and well trodden flat paths and craggy rocky paths that test your stamina and agility.
Lymm Railway line -Altrincham to Lymm - Cheshire
📍Transpennine Trail car park WA14 5RF
Part of the Transpennine Way
We park in the Transpennine Trail car park WA14 5RF. You can get straight onto the trail from this carpark. The trail is along an old railway line. It is a lovely, long, well surfaced wide path with no risks of cars and perfect for pushchairs, bikes, and scooters.
You can come off the trail at multiple locations to get something to eat.
Lovell Quinta Arboretum - Swettenham, Cheshire
📍Swettenham Lane, Swettenham Village, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 2LF
Quinta Arboretum is a stunning nature reserve originally developed from grassland by Sir Bernard Lovell. It's home to a plethora of different trees and home to lots of wildlife. It is known for its snowdrops in February but great for a walk throughout the year.
Mow Cop & Old Man of Mow - Cheshire
📍Mow Cow Castle car park (ST7 3PA)
Mow Cop Castle is a folly at Mow Cop in the civil parish of Odd Rode, Cheshire. It is designated as a Grade II listed building on the National Heritage List for England. This short walk lets you explore the history of Mow Cop, taking in the ruins of the castle and the Old Man of Mow, a distinctive rock feature in the landscape. Along the route you'll discover why this site is important to the Primitive Methodists, and see some impressive views over the Cheshire and Staffordshire countryside.
Marbury Country Park - Northwich, Cheshire
📍Comberbach, Northwich, CW9 6AT
At Marbury Country park you can wander along the mere with views over the water to the church at Great Budworth, or explore the arboretum and community orchard. Plus there is a great newly built play area and there is usually a coffee van by the park too. Parking is £1.50 for 3 hours. Pram friendly
Millennium Walkway in New Mills - Derbyshire
📍Torr Top Street car park, SK22 4BS
The Millennium Walkway itself is quite spectacular. It is a 160m long walkway that links New Mills, the Torrs and the Riverside Park. The Millennium Walkway is suspended from the side of the gorge, above the point where the river flows over a large weir. New Mills also has High Lea Park with a fab play ground and gardens. The town is filled with cafes and pubs for a spot of lunch after your walk
Old Pale Hill - Delamere, Cheshire
📍Yeld Ln, Tarporley CW6 0TB (FREE)
Old Pale Hill at Delamere Forest in Cheshire is a lovely place to walk as a family, it is a short walk on a wide stoney path through woodland and has great views of 7 countries. There is a historic stone with an engraving on which is educational to the history of Old Pale Hill. It is near Delamere Forest cafe, toilets and car park.
Pennington Flash in Leigh, Greater Manchester
📍Leigh WN7 3UG
Pennington Flash is one of the jewels in the crown of Wigan Borough. With a Beautiful Lake, Walks around the Nature Reserve, an amazing Adventure Playground and a Cafe.
With a 5km walk around the lake which is a mix of walking in the Nature Reserve and along to road. Or keep within the Nature Reserve for shorter walking routes.
Parking £2.50 all Day
Quarry Bank Mill - National Trust - Wilmslow, Cheshire
📍Styal Rd, Wilmslow SK9 4LA
One of Britain's greatest industrial heritage sites, showing how a complete industrial community lived. Here you can discover the story of mill workers, mill owners and how the Industrial Revolution changed our world forever. With beautiful gardens, a mill to explore, a children's playground, cafe & extra events on through out the year.
Quarry Bank to Carrs Park Wilmslow, Cheshire
📍Styal Rd, Wilmslow SK9 4LA
A lovely 6 km, there and back family friendly walk along the river, starting at the National Trust Quarry Bank and following the River Bollin to the Carrs Park in Wilmslow. There’s a playground area for the kids and it’s only a 10 min walk into the centre of Wilmslow if you want to get lunch. In the park is Cafe Azul serving takeaway items.
River Weaver Circular - Northwich, Cheshire
📍Yarwood Close, Northwich, CW8 1ET (FREE)
The River Weaver provides a flat river bank walk in Northwich, Cheshire.
The footpath is in excellent condition and frequently used for both walkers and runners. For most of the 7km route they are hard surfaced and don't have any styles making is great for pushchairs, scooters and bikes too.
Rudyard Lake - Leek, Staffordshire
📍Lake Rd, Rudyard, Leek ST13 8XB
Rudyard Lake is a lovely location for getting outside in Leek in Staffordshire. You can go for a family walk around the lake which is 7.5km with interesting features such as a boat house to go inside with an amazing view over the water and a railway line to follow and even an old castle style building to find. There is a miniature steam railway which runs along one side of the lake, lots of watersports available and 3 different cafes.
Rhs Bridgewater Gardens - Worsley, Manchester
📍Worsley, Salford, Greater Manchester. M28 2LJ
RHS Bridgewater Gardens is a fantastic day out for all the family. The gardens are lovely to walk around with colours bursting from the flower beds and there is plenty to explore weather you are a gardening enthusiast or just someone who enjoys spending time outside. One of my favourite areas is the Chinese Streamside gardens which is full of twisting paths and beautiful bridges. You can also walk around the lake, and the highlight of the gardens for kids is the woodland play area.
Styal Woods - Wilmslow, Cheshire
📍Styal Rd, Wilmslow SK9 4LA
Park at the National Trust Quarry Bank carpark and instead of walking down to the mill turn right towards Styal Village. Here you will find some gorgeous cottages and then you can head into the woods and along the River Bollin. The path is very up and down with lots of steps and bridges, so it is not suitable for pushchairs or scooters. After your walk head to Quarry Bank cafe for some yummy treats.
Shutlingsloe - Macclesfield, Cheshire
📍Trentabank Car Park, Macclesfield Forest, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 0NE
This is a brilliant walk for families who prefer a walk that's not just flat and boring. It takes you through Macclesfield Forest and up a 506 meter high mountain. With flat wide paths through Macclesfield forest before you start your accent up the stone slab path to the top. Amazing views from the top and a trig point. A there and back walk starting from Trentaback carpark is 5.5km long.
Solomon's Temple at Buxton Country Park - Derbyshire
📍Green Ln, Buxton SK17 9DH
At the summit of Grin Low Hill, in the Victorian spa town of Buxton stands Solomon's Temple. It is just a 20 minute walk from Poole's Cavern in Buxton Country Park and has impressive views of the town below and the rolling Derbyshire countryside. A great family friendly walk which is easy to follow and has fun sculptures to fine and a tower to climb.
Shakerley Mere - Holmes Chapel, Cheshire
📍Northwich Rd, Cranage, Knutsford WA16 9LB (FREE)
A great little walk around Shakerley Mere which is in between Holmes Chapel and Knutsford in Cheshire. You can enjoy a pleasant stroll around the Mere, with woodland to explore and nature at its best. Pack a picnic to have on one of the many picnic tables beneath the birch and oak trees or at weekends you can get a hot drink and cake from the coffee van which is there at weekends.
The Cloud in Congleton, Cheshire
📍Timberbrook picnic area carpark CW12 3PP (FREE)
This relatively short walk is really rewarding in terms of the wonderful views. Ascending from the Timbersbrook Car Park gives you quite a workout in climbing the 136 steps up the steep side of the hill and then further up Bosley Hill but it's worth it. Amazing views and to encourage those little legs there is a finish line trig point to touch.
Teggs Nose Reservoir - Macclesfield, Cheshire
📍Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP
A brilliant 4km walk with views. From the visitors centre head up past the old quarry with the quarry equipment display. At Teggs Nose summit there are amazing views across Macclesfield Forest. The path loops back down
taking you to the reservoir and the dam. The Nose Coffee Cafe is a lovely place to call into for a bacon butty, hot chocolate or to warm up by the fire.
Tittlesworth Reservoir - Leek, Staffordshire
📍 Leek. ST13 8SW
This 7.5km circular walk is one of our favourites. As you walk around the reservoir you walk near the waterside and along woodland trails with views of Hen Cloud and The Roaches.
There is a children's playground and cafe too making it perfect for all the family.
Tatton Park National Trust - Knutsford, Cheshire
📍Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN
An historical estate with a neo-classical mansion, 50 acres of landscaped gardens, 1000 acres of parkland, a working farm and medieval Old Hall, an adventure playground and cafe all in the heart of Knutsford, Cheshire.
White Nancy - Bollington, Macclesfield, Cheshire
📍 Palmerston St, Bollington, Macclesfield SK10 5PW
The White Nancy Circular Walk is a fantastic route northeast of Macclesfield that will take you uphill along Kerridge Ridge to visit White Nancy, a commemorative site to the victory at the Battle of Waterloo. Along the trail, you will be able to explore the area around the monument and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding Cheshire landscape. Further along the ridge you will find another trig before heading back down along the river to find a very pretty waterfall.
Wizard Walk in Alderley Edge, Cheshire
📍Macclesfield Road, Nether Alderley, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4UB
•Dog Friendly
Every time we walk here, we find a new route to take. Choose between the Miners Ramble which takes to to an old mine or the Donkey Trek leads you down into the valley and back up a big climb. The Wizard Wonder takes you to the icon view point where you can look over the Cheshire plains. There is a new and improved wooden assault course perfect for little climbers and explorers. The Wizard tearoom serves drinks, cakes and snacks with plenty of outdoor seating. Parking is free if a National Trust member.
Wheelock Rail Trial - Sandbach, Cheshire
📍Lodge Road CW11 3HD
The Wheelock Rail Trail is a traffic free, well surfaced wide, flat path. A perfect walk for children with scooters and bikes in Sandbach, Cheshire. Starting near the postcode CW11 3HD. We parked on Lodge Road. Wheelock Trail is 2.5km long, with it being a there and back route you can just walk as far as you would like and turn back for a shorter walk.
The Whitegate Way - Winsford, Cheshire
📍Clay Lane, Marton, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 2QE
Once the site of a historic rail link for Cheshire’s salt industry, the Whitegate Way is flat, wide and straight, making it perfect for little cyclists, walkers and wheelchair users. Stretching for 10km from the heart of Winsford to Cuddington, the Way offers off road easy walking for all ages. Halfway along the old railway line is the main access point where you'll find a large free car park (CW7 2QE), toilets and a cafe. Pram friendly
Anderton Boat Lift
From the carpark (CW7 2QE) head to the canal tow path. Heading right we walked along the canal heading towards Uplands Marina, staying on the canal path we walked about 1.5 km till we reached a stone bridge. We then came away from the canal and got on to the path in the Nature Park which lead us back to the boat lift.
This walk was 3.5km but it's easier to do a longer or shorter walk around the Park as there are quite a few different routes and paths. The paths are flat but can get muddy so suitable shoes are a must.
After our walk you can go to the visitors centre. Inside there is a cafe, a gift shop and toilets. There is also a play area.
NT Speke Hall
Speke Hall is an outstanding example of a timber framed courtyard house of the 16th century. With its gardens with colourful boarders, orchard, kitchen garden and sheltered woodland its a lovely place to walk around. There is a woodland play area, interactive Giant Childe of Hale trail and a great hedge maze too to keep the kids entertained.
Address: Speke, Liverpool, L24 1XD
Nantwich Riverside Park
The riverside area of Nantwich offers a pleasant walk alongside the River Weaver and around Nantwich Lake within easy access of the historic town centre. Free car parking is available at the lake and in St Anne’s car park off Welsh Row.
Address: St Anne car park, Off Welsh Row, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5ED
Macclesfield Forest - Ridgegate Reservoir walk.
There are a few different walks around Macclesfield forest. The one we did was a 2km loop around Ridgegate Reservoir.
There is a pay and display car park at the visitors centre (postcode SK11 0NE). Which is £2.50 for 2 hours.
You head down out of the car park and walk around the reservoir in an anticlockwise route. Half way round is the Leather Smithy pub. This has outside seating where you can order a drink or food and look out over the water.
The second park of the walk is through the forest. There are a couple of different routes back to your car which can make the walk longer if you wish.
Dunham Massey National Trust
Enjoy a walk around the gardens and the house. If your lucky you will spot the deer in the Deer park. There are 2 cafes to choose from and there is always a trail on during the school holidays.
Biddulph Valley Way
For over 100 years trains ran along this track. Today walkers, cyclists and horse riders enjoy this tranquil route away from roads.
Car Park Off Brunswick Street, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 1RG
Salt Line and Borrow Pit Meadows
A lovely walk along a 3km disused railway, a well surfaced flat trail with embankments at either side as it cuts through farmland and woodland.
Suitable for scooters, bikes and pushchairs. With the occasional picnic table for stopping to have a picnic or simply to take in your surroundings. A car park it situated at the postcode CW11 4YB
Middlewood Way
The path runs between Marple and Macclesfield and is around 11 miles long.
While the entire route may be too long for younger children, there are plenty of shorter sections that are ideal for a wholesome family walk. The path is flat and easy to navigate, making it ideal for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Bollington Car Park, Adlington Road, Bollington, Cheshire,SK10 5JT
A walk to the Lantern at Lyme
You'll be rewarded with glorious views on this walk to a lesser visited areas of the park. You may also be able to see Lyme's red deer, who often spend their time in the east of the park.
Main car park, Lyme, Disley, Stockport, SK12 2NR
Little Budworth Country Park
This is a 2.8km circular walk through woodland and open heath. Parking is free in the small car park at the start of the walk
Coach Rd, Tarporley CW6 9EL
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