Glade
← Back🌲 Conifer forest

Bens Gorse

2 ha

📷 Norman Caesar · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Free entryDogs welcome2 ha

Getting here

53.50795, -3.01794

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🐴Horse riding listed as facility — is at its best in summer
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Horse riding

Best for

8 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Shoveler, Wigeon, Black-tailed Godwit +71 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Shoveler, Wigeon, Black-tailed Godwit +71 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Purple Toadflax, Italian Alder, Borage +45 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Purple Toadflax, Italian Alder, Borage +45 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Green Shieldbug, Hairy-footed Flower Bee +34 more · last seen 2026; Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Green Shieldbug, Hairy-footed Flower Bee +34 more · last seen 2026

Free

Horse riding

Horse riding listed as facility

Varies

Mushroom foraging

Fungi — Violet Bramble Rust, Coleosporium tussilaginis s. lat., Umbellifer Mildew · last seen 2025; Fungi — Violet Bramble Rust, Coleosporium tussilaginis s. lat., Umbellifer Mildew · last seen 2025

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

6 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Trans-Pennine Trail (Southport to Liverpool)Walking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Sefton Coastal PathWalking route

These popular, well-used, cycle-friendly paths pass through the National Trust site of Formby, connecting the 1.5 miles between Lifeboat Road and Victoria Road car parks.

Named routePoint-to-pointRegional walking route
King Charles III England Coast Path: Cleveleys to LiverpoolWalking route
Named routeRef ECPNational walking route
Kirklake Trail, FormbyWalking route800 m
Named routeLength 800 mDuration 00:30Point-to-pointLocal walking route
Lost Resort Trail, FormbyWalking route2 km
Named routeLength 2 kmDuration 00:30Round tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

122 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Waterloo to BootleCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Route 810Cycling route
Named routeRef 810National Cycle Network
Outer OrbitalCycling route
Named routeRef OLocal cycle route
Trans Pennine TrailCycling route
Named routeRef 62National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route32 m
Named routeRef 62Length 32 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route133 m
Named routeRef 62Length 133 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Old Kissing Gate

📷 Norman Caesar · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Old Kissing Gate

1 / 15

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱The Crescent GardenUrban park3.9 km→🌱The Marine GardenUrban park4.1 km→🌱Marine GardenUrban park4.1 km→🌱Moorside ParkUrban park2 km→🌱Coronation ParkUrban park2.2 km→🌱Blundellsands ParkUrban park2.8 km→

Own or manage this place?

Claim this listing to keep details accurate, add photos, and highlight what makes it special — free.

Claim this page

How was your visit?

How useful was the information on this page?

id: 8d047454-01a7-47c8-aed5-a48337ceef85