Plan your visit
🦅Birds🦉Wildlife🐶Dogs
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome42 ha
Getting here
53.29252, -2.93175
Open directionsv
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
- 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
- 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required
🌤️ Visiting this summer
- ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
- 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
- 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required
Best for
6 activities🦅Bird watching
Strong match
Nature reserve
Dogs allowed — nature reserve
🍂Seasonal nature
Good match
Nature reserve — seasonal wildlife and habitats
🧺Picnic day out
Moderate match
Nature reserve — public outdoor space
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km5 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
North Cheshire WayWalking route▾
Named routeListed length 114kmRegional walking route
Wirral WayWalking route▾
Named routeRegional walking route
Canalside TrailWalking route▾
Wirral Circular TrailWalking route60 km▾
Named routeRef WCTLength 60 kmRegional walking route
Mersey WayWalking route▾
Named routeLocal walking route
56 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Route 563Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 563National Cycle Network
National Cycle Network Route 5Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 5National Cycle Network
Route 71Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 71Regional cycle route
Cheshire CyclewayCycling route▾
Named routeRef 70Regional cycle route
Route 56Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 56National Cycle Network
Traffic Free ChesterCycling route▾
Named routeLocal cycle route
Photos
15 photos from nearby open sources
Rivacre Valley Country Park
Photos
Rivacre Valley Country Park
✓ Public accessFree entry🐶 Dogs
Good to know
- £Free to visit — no entry charge
- 🐕Dogs welcome
Weather for this location
Next 14 daysNearby places
Useful places within 5 km
Events & activities nearby
Switch provider to compare local events, tours and bookable activities.
Wildlife to spot
10,067 records from NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot
10,067 records · NBN Atlas🐦Birds40 species
winterspring
2025Magpie · Blackbird · Woodpigeon · Wren · Blue Tit
+35 more speciesHide species list
All 40 birds recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- MagpiePica pica
- BlackbirdTurdus merula
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
- RobinErithacus rubecula
- Great TitParus major
- Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone
- StarlingSturnus vulgaris
- DunnockPrunella modularis
- Common GullLarus canus
- Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
- Corvus corax coraxCorvus corax corax
- Coal TitPeriparus ater
- Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major
- NuthatchSitta europaea
- Stock DoveColumba oenas
- JackdawColoeus monedula
- SiskinSpinus spinus
- House SparrowPasser domesticus
- Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus
- Herring GullLarus argentatus
- RedwingTurdus iliacus
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea
- KestrelFalco tinnunculus
- SwiftApus apus
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos
- SwallowHirundo rustica
- Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
- TreecreeperCerthia familiaris
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
- GreenfinchChloris chloris
- Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
- British Lesser Black-Backed GullLarus fuscus graellsii2024
🦌Mammals6 species
springsummerautumn
2026Red Fox · Mole · Grey Squirrel · Field Vole · Pygmy Shrew
+1 more speciesHide species list
All 6 mammals recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- Red FoxVulpes vulpes
- MoleTalpa europaea2025
- Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2025
- Field VoleMicrotus agrestis2024
- Pygmy ShrewSorex minutus
🐸Amphibians3 species
summerautumn
2024Frog · Common Toad · Common Frog
Eristalis pertinax · Clover Seed Weevil · Common Red Soldier Beetle · Elder Aphid · Common Darter
+61 more speciesHide species list
All 66 insects recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax
- Clover Seed WeevilProtapion apricans
- Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva
- Elder AphidAphis (Aphis) sambuci
- Common DarterSympetrum striolatum2024
- Black SnipeflyChrysopilus cristatus
Hogweed · Guelder-rose · Yellow-rattle · Raspberry · Rubus tuberculatus
+1 more speciesHide species list
All 6 plants recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- HogweedHeracleum sphondylium
- Guelder-roseViburnum opulus
- Yellow-rattleRhinanthus minor
- RaspberryRubus idaeus
- Rubus tuberculatusRubus tuberculatus
- Italian Lords-and-LadiesArum italicum
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot
10,067 records · NBN Atlas🐦Birds40 species
winterspring
2025Magpie · Blackbird · Woodpigeon · Wren · Blue Tit
+35 more speciesHide species list
All 40 birds recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- MagpiePica pica
- BlackbirdTurdus merula
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
- RobinErithacus rubecula
- Great TitParus major
- Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone
- StarlingSturnus vulgaris
- DunnockPrunella modularis
- Common GullLarus canus
- Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
- Corvus corax coraxCorvus corax corax
- Coal TitPeriparus ater
- Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major
- NuthatchSitta europaea
- Stock DoveColumba oenas
- JackdawColoeus monedula
- SiskinSpinus spinus
- House SparrowPasser domesticus
- Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus
- Herring GullLarus argentatus
- RedwingTurdus iliacus
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea
- KestrelFalco tinnunculus
- SwiftApus apus
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos
- SwallowHirundo rustica
- Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
- TreecreeperCerthia familiaris
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
- GreenfinchChloris chloris
- Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
- British Lesser Black-Backed GullLarus fuscus graellsii2024
🦌Mammals6 species
springsummerautumn
2026Red Fox · Mole · Grey Squirrel · Field Vole · Pygmy Shrew
+1 more speciesHide species list
All 6 mammals recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- Red FoxVulpes vulpes
- MoleTalpa europaea2025
- Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2025
- Field VoleMicrotus agrestis2024
- Pygmy ShrewSorex minutus
🐸Amphibians3 species
summerautumn
2024Frog · Common Toad · Common Frog
Eristalis pertinax · Clover Seed Weevil · Common Red Soldier Beetle · Elder Aphid · Common Darter
+61 more speciesHide species list
All 66 insects recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax
- Clover Seed WeevilProtapion apricans
- Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva
- Elder AphidAphis (Aphis) sambuci
- Common DarterSympetrum striolatum2024
- Black SnipeflyChrysopilus cristatus
Hogweed · Guelder-rose · Yellow-rattle · Raspberry · Rubus tuberculatus
+1 more speciesHide species list
All 6 plants recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- HogweedHeracleum sphondylium
- Guelder-roseViburnum opulus
- Yellow-rattleRhinanthus minor
- RaspberryRubus idaeus
- Rubus tuberculatusRubus tuberculatus
- Italian Lords-and-LadiesArum italicum
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
2024
2024
Wood MouseApodemus sylvaticus2024Wood MouseApodemus sylvaticus20242024
2024
Sepsis cynipseaSepsis cynipsea2024Sepsis cynipseaSepsis cynipsea2024Hypera nigrirostrisHypera nigrirostrisHypera nigrirostrisHypera nigrirostrisOrchesia undulataOrchesia undulataOrchesia undulataOrchesia undulataHarlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridisHarlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridisCartodere bifasciataCartodere bifasciataCartodere bifasciataCartodere bifasciataAtomaria rubellaAtomaria rubellaAtomaria rubellaAtomaria rubellaBlack ClockPterostichus madidusBlack ClockPterostichus madidusPlagiodera versicoloraPlagiodera versicoloraPlagiodera versicoloraPlagiodera versicoloraNebria brevicollisNebria brevicollisNebria brevicollisNebria brevicollisNotiophilus biguttatusNotiophilus biguttatusNotiophilus biguttatusNotiophilus biguttatusAnaspis maculataAnaspis maculataAnaspis maculataAnaspis maculataCis castaneusCis castaneusCis castaneusCis castaneusLimodromus assimilisLimodromus assimilisLimodromus assimilisLimodromus assimilisOcys tachysoidesOcys tachysoidesOcys tachysoidesOcys tachysoidesIschnopterapion lotiIschnopterapion lotiIschnopterapion lotiIschnopterapion lotiEpuraea melanocephalaEpuraea melanocephalaEpuraea melanocephalaEpuraea melanocephalaHairy Spider WeevilExomias pellucidusHairy Spider WeevilExomias pellucidusCommon Furniture BeetleAnobium punctatumCommon Furniture BeetleAnobium punctatumLoosestrife WeevilNanophyes marmoratusLoosestrife WeevilNanophyes marmoratusBembidion lamprosBembidion lamprosBembidion lamprosBembidion lamprosCartodere nodiferCartodere nodiferCartodere nodiferCartodere nodiferAtomaria testaceaAtomaria testaceaAtomaria testaceaAtomaria testaceaClay-coloured WeevilOtiorhynchus singularisClay-coloured WeevilOtiorhynchus singularisSericoderus brevicornisSericoderus brevicornisSericoderus brevicornisSericoderus brevicornisCortinicara gibbosaCortinicara gibbosaCortinicara gibbosaCortinicara gibbosaEledona agricolaEledona agricolaEledona agricolaEledona agricola2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctataVaried Carpet BeetleAnthrenus verbasciVaried Carpet BeetleAnthrenus verbasciHelophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulusDark-edged Bee-flyBombylius majorDark-edged Bee-flyBombylius majorCuliseta annulataCuliseta annulata2024Culiseta annulataCuliseta annulata2024Agathomyia wankowicziiAgathomyia wankowiczii2024Agathomyia wankowicziiAgathomyia wankowiczii2024Red-tailed BumblebeeBombus lapidarius2024Red-tailed BumblebeeBombus lapidarius2024Eristalis nemorumEristalis nemorum2024Eristalis nemorumEristalis nemorum2024Azure DamselflyCoenagrion puella2024Azure DamselflyCoenagrion puella2024Xylota sylvarumXylota sylvarum2024Xylota sylvarumXylota sylvarum2024Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus2024Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus2024Xylota segnisXylota segnis2024Xylota segnisXylota segnis202410-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata202410-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata2024Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2024Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2024Cheilosia illustrataCheilosia illustrata2024Cheilosia illustrataCheilosia illustrata2024Botanophila fugaxBotanophila fugax2024Botanophila fugaxBotanophila fugax2024Opomyza petreiOpomyza petrei2024Opomyza petreiOpomyza petrei2024Platycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanus2024Platycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanus2024Alder Leaf BeetleAgelastica alni2024Alder Leaf BeetleAgelastica alni2024Awkward ClusterflyPollenia rudis2024Awkward ClusterflyPollenia rudis2024Minettia tabidiventrisMinettia tabidiventris2024Minettia tabidiventrisMinettia tabidiventris2024Face FlyMusca autumnalis2024Face FlyMusca autumnalis20247-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata20247-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata2024Red-shinned Woodlouse-flyTricogena rubricosa2024Red-shinned Woodlouse-flyTricogena rubricosa2024Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius2024Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius2024Scathophaga stercorariaScathophaga stercoraria2024Scathophaga stercorariaScathophaga stercoraria2024Melanostoma mellinumMelanostoma mellinum2024Melanostoma mellinumMelanostoma mellinum2024Common Flower BugAnthocoris nemorum2024Common Flower BugAnthocoris nemorum2024Sepsis fulgensSepsis fulgens2024Sepsis fulgensSepsis fulgens2024Scathophaga lutariaScathophaga lutaria2024Scathophaga lutariaScathophaga lutaria2024Pithanus maerkeliiPithanus maerkelii2024Pithanus maerkeliiPithanus maerkelii2024Plagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorumPlagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorum2024Plagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorumPlagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorum2024Notch-horned ClegHaematopota pluvialis2024Notch-horned ClegHaematopota pluvialis2024Chrysogaster solstitialisChrysogaster solstitialis2024Chrysogaster solstitialisChrysogaster solstitialis2024