← Back⚽ Playing field

Smedley Fields

📷 Kevin Waterhouse · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifePitchesBirds

Dogs welcome

Getting here

53.50535, -2.23208

Open directionsv

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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
⚽Playing fields is at its best in summer here
🛝Playground 116m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
⚽Playing fields is at its best in summer here
🛝Playground 116m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

Good to know

🐕Dogs welcome

ParkingPlayground

Best for

6 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

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

Free

Playing fields

Very strong match

Playing field

Free

Bird watching

Strong match

Birds — Rock Dove, Magpie, Woodpigeon +38 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Rock Dove, Magpie, Woodpigeon +38 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Broad-leaved Dock, Herb-Robert, Giant Hogweed +91 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Broad-leaved Dock, Herb-Robert, Giant Hogweed +91 more · last seen 2025

Free

Foraging

Strong match

Plants — Hawthorn, Hazel, Red Oak +11 more foraging species

Varies

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Green Shieldbug, Helophilus pendulus, Red-tailed Bumblebee +34 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Green Shieldbug, Helophilus pendulus, Red-tailed Bumblebee +34 more · last seen 2025

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

11 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Cheshire Ring Canal WalkWalking route

Named route

Medlock Valley WayWalking route

Named route

Irwell Sculpture TrailWalking route

Named routeRegional walking route

Irwell Sculpture Trail (spur)Walking route

Named route

Rochdale WayWalking route

Named routeRef RochRegional walking route

🚴

Cycling

207 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Route 60Cycling route

Named routeRef 60National Cycle Network

Broughton CyclewayCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

Media City LinkCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

Chadderton Coal and Mineral Yard branch cyclewayCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

Route 86Cycling route

Named routeRef 86Local cycle route

Irwell River ParkCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

🚵

Mountain biking

2 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Philips Park Waterdale TrailMountain bike route

Named routeLocal cycle route

Philips Park Figure 8 trailMountain bike route

Named route

Wildlife to spot

3,530 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

3,530 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds43 species

winterspringsummerautumn

2025

Rock Dove · Magpie · Woodpigeon · Lesser Black-backed Gull · Carrion Crow +38

Rock DoveColumba livia
MagpiePica pica
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
BlackbirdTurdus merula
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
House SparrowPasser domesticus
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2024
Herring GullLarus argentatus
JackdawColoeus monedula
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2024
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2024
Coal TitPeriparus ater2024
Great TitParus major2023
RobinErithacus rubecula
NuthatchSitta europaea
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
Common GullLarus canus2023
SwiftApus apus2023
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2024
Ring-necked ParakeetPsittacula krameri
JayGarrulus glandarius2024
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2024
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2024
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2024
Willow TitPoecile montanus
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2024
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2023
GoosanderMergus merganser2023
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2021
CootFulica atra2021
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2023
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2023
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2023
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2023
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2022
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2022
Mute SwanCygnus olor2021
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2021

🦌

Mammals8 species

springsummerautumn

2026

Hedgehog · Red Fox · Grey Squirrel · Otter · Common Pipistrelle +3

HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2022
Red FoxVulpes vulpes2025
Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2025
OtterLutra lutra2022
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2022
Wood MouseApodemus sylvaticus
Pipistrelle Bat speciesPipistrellus2023
Brown RatRattus norvegicus2021

🦎

Reptiles3 species

summer

2025

European Pond Terrapin · Red-eared Terrapin · Pond Terrapin

European Pond TerrapinEmys orbicularis
Red-eared TerrapinTrachemys scripta subsp. elegans2022
Pond TerrapinTrachemys scripta2022

🐸

Amphibians1 species

summer

2025

Common Frog

Common FrogRana temporaria

🐝

Insects37 species

summer

2025

Green Shieldbug · Helophilus pendulus · Red-tailed Bumblebee · 7-spot Ladybird · Eristalis pertinax +32

Green ShieldbugPalomena prasina
Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus
Red-tailed BumblebeeBombus lapidarius
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax2024
Field GrasshopperChorthippus brunneus2022
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus
Common Rose FusehornArge pagana
Syritta pipiensSyritta pipiens
Chrysotoxum festivumChrysotoxum festivum
Norwegian WaspDolichovespula norwegica
Sphaerophoria scriptaSphaerophoria scripta
Eupeodes corollaeEupeodes corollae
Plagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorumPlagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorum
Violet Ground BeetleCarabus violaceus
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata
Alder Leaf BeetleAgelastica alni
Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum
House-flyMusca domestica2024
Vine WeevilOtiorhynchus sulcatus2024
Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2024
Tenthredo arcuata/brevicornis/notha/schaefferiTenthredo arcuata/brevicornis/notha/schaefferi2024
Broad DamselbugNabis (Nabicula) flavomarginatus2024
Apolygus spinolaeApolygus spinolae2024
Leopoldius signatusLeopoldius signatus2024
Little SnipeflyChrysopilus asiliformis2024
Meligramma trianguliferumMeligramma trianguliferum2024
HydropsycheHydropsyche2024
Phantom or ghost midgesChaoboridae2022
caddisfliesTrichoptera2022
Non-biting midgesChironomidae2022
Broad-bodied ChaserLibellula depressa2022
Brown HawkerAeshna grandis2022
Common Water-BoatmanNotonecta (Notonecta) glauca2022
Lesser Water-BoatmanCorixidae2022
Rosemary BeetleChrysolina americana2021

🌿

Plants94 species

spring

2025

Broad-leaved Dock · Herb-Robert · Giant Hogweed · Butterfly-bush · Ivy-leaved Toadflax +89

Broad-leaved DockRumex obtusifolius2024
Herb-RobertGeranium robertianum2024
Giant HogweedHeracleum mantegazzianum2023
Butterfly-bushBuddleja davidii2023
Ivy-leaved ToadflaxCymbalaria muralis2023
Yellow IrisIris pseudacorus2023
HawthornCrataegus monogyna
HazelCorylus avellana
Red OakQuercus rubra2024
Large-flowered Hemp-nettleGaleopsis speciosa2024
Wood AvensGeum urbanum2024
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2024
Oxford RagwortSenecio squalidus2023
Japanese KnotweedReynoutria japonica2023
Traveller's-joyClematis vitalba2023
Common Field-speedwellVeronica persica2023
Common BistortBistorta officinalis2023
Dotted LoosestrifeLysimachia punctata
Meadow Crane's-billGeranium pratense
FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea
IvyHedera helix
Spotted-laurelAucuba japonica
Greater PeriwinkleVinca major
Early CrocusCrocus tommasinianus
ColtsfootTussilago farfara
Water-violetHottonia palustris2024
BittersweetSolanum dulcamara2024
Male-fernDryopteris filix-mas2024
Lady-fernAthyrium filix-femina2024
Peruvian LilyAlstroemeria aurea2024
GroundselSenecio vulgaris2024
White CloverTrifolium repens2024
Smooth Sow-thistleSonchus oleraceus2024
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2024
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris2024
CleaversGalium aparine2024
Wavy Bitter-cressCardamine flexuosa2024
Prickly Sow-thistleSonchus asper2024
Senecio vulgaris subsp. vulgarisSenecio vulgaris subsp. vulgaris2024
Shepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastoris2024
SnowdropGalanthus nivalis2024
False-acaciaRobinia pseudoacacia2023
Welsh PoppyPapaver cambricum2023
PrimrosePrimula vulgaris2023
Red Dead-nettleLamium purpureum2023
Sticky Mouse-earCerastium glomeratum2023
Black MedickMedicago lupulina2023
Common Dog-violetViola riviniana2023
Purple-loosestrifeLythrum salicaria2023
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2023
ElderSambucus nigra2023
Lady's BedstrawGalium verum2023
CowslipPrimula veris2023
Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolata2023
Meadow FoxtailAlopecurus pratensis2023
Ground-elderAegopodium podagraria2023
FeverfewTanacetum parthenium2023
Field Wood-rushLuzula campestris2023
Cut-leaved Dead-nettleLamium hybridum2023
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris2023
HonestyLunaria annua2023
Common NettleUrtica dioica2023
Common WhitlowgrassErophila verna2023
HogweedHeracleum sphondylium2023
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis2023
WeldReseda luteola2023
Hedge BedstrawGalium album2023
Bird CherryPrunus padus2023
Shining Crane's-billGeranium lucidum2023
Dusky Crane's-billGeranium phaeum2023
Horse-chestnutAesculus hippocastanum2023
Bee OrchidOphrys apifera2022
Oxeye DaisyLeucanthemum vulgare2022
Red CloverTrifolium pratense2022
Russian ComfreySymphytum asperum x officinale = S. x uplandicum2022
Veronica hederifolia subsp. lucorumVeronica hederifolia subsp. lucorum2022
Cherry LaurelPrunus laurocerasus2022
Bush VetchVicia sepium2022
Burnet RoseRosa spinosissima2022
Red ValerianCentranthus ruber2022
RaspberryRubus idaeus2021
Black NightshadeSolanum nigrum2021
Caucasian WingnutPterocarya fraxinifolia2021
Scarlet OakQuercus coccinea2021
DewberryRubus caesius2021
Wild TeaselDipsacus fullonum2021
Californian PoppyEschscholzia californica2021
Viper's-buglossEchium vulgare2021
Summer JasmineJasminum officinale2021
Hedgerow Crane's-billGeranium pyrenaicum2021
Common MallowMalva sylvestris2021
DogwoodCornus sanguinea2021
Black CurrantRibes nigrum2021
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus2021

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

3,530 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds43 species

winterspringsummerautumn

2025

Rock Dove · Magpie · Woodpigeon · Lesser Black-backed Gull · Carrion Crow +38

Rock DoveColumba livia
MagpiePica pica
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
BlackbirdTurdus merula
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
House SparrowPasser domesticus
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2024
Herring GullLarus argentatus
JackdawColoeus monedula
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2024
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2024
Coal TitPeriparus ater2024
Great TitParus major2023
RobinErithacus rubecula
NuthatchSitta europaea
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
Common GullLarus canus2023
SwiftApus apus2023
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2024
Ring-necked ParakeetPsittacula krameri
JayGarrulus glandarius2024
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2024
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2024
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2024
Willow TitPoecile montanus
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2024
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2023
GoosanderMergus merganser2023
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2021
CootFulica atra2021
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2023
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2023
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2023
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2023
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2022
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2022
Mute SwanCygnus olor2021
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2021

🦌

Mammals8 species

springsummerautumn

2026

Hedgehog · Red Fox · Grey Squirrel · Otter · Common Pipistrelle +3

HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2022
Red FoxVulpes vulpes2025
Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2025
OtterLutra lutra2022
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2022
Wood MouseApodemus sylvaticus
Pipistrelle Bat speciesPipistrellus2023
Brown RatRattus norvegicus2021

🦎

Reptiles3 species

summer

2025

European Pond Terrapin · Red-eared Terrapin · Pond Terrapin

European Pond TerrapinEmys orbicularis
Red-eared TerrapinTrachemys scripta subsp. elegans2022
Pond TerrapinTrachemys scripta2022

🐸

Amphibians1 species

summer

2025

Common Frog

Common FrogRana temporaria

🐝

Insects37 species

summer

2025

Green Shieldbug · Helophilus pendulus · Red-tailed Bumblebee · 7-spot Ladybird · Eristalis pertinax +32

Green ShieldbugPalomena prasina
Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus
Red-tailed BumblebeeBombus lapidarius
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax2024
Field GrasshopperChorthippus brunneus2022
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus
Common Rose FusehornArge pagana
Syritta pipiensSyritta pipiens
Chrysotoxum festivumChrysotoxum festivum
Norwegian WaspDolichovespula norwegica
Sphaerophoria scriptaSphaerophoria scripta
Eupeodes corollaeEupeodes corollae
Plagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorumPlagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorum
Violet Ground BeetleCarabus violaceus
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata
Alder Leaf BeetleAgelastica alni
Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum
House-flyMusca domestica2024
Vine WeevilOtiorhynchus sulcatus2024
Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2024
Tenthredo arcuata/brevicornis/notha/schaefferiTenthredo arcuata/brevicornis/notha/schaefferi2024
Broad DamselbugNabis (Nabicula) flavomarginatus2024
Apolygus spinolaeApolygus spinolae2024
Leopoldius signatusLeopoldius signatus2024
Little SnipeflyChrysopilus asiliformis2024
Meligramma trianguliferumMeligramma trianguliferum2024
HydropsycheHydropsyche2024
Phantom or ghost midgesChaoboridae2022
caddisfliesTrichoptera2022
Non-biting midgesChironomidae2022
Broad-bodied ChaserLibellula depressa2022
Brown HawkerAeshna grandis2022
Common Water-BoatmanNotonecta (Notonecta) glauca2022
Lesser Water-BoatmanCorixidae2022
Rosemary BeetleChrysolina americana2021

🌿

Plants94 species

spring

2025

Broad-leaved Dock · Herb-Robert · Giant Hogweed · Butterfly-bush · Ivy-leaved Toadflax +89

Broad-leaved DockRumex obtusifolius2024
Herb-RobertGeranium robertianum2024
Giant HogweedHeracleum mantegazzianum2023
Butterfly-bushBuddleja davidii2023
Ivy-leaved ToadflaxCymbalaria muralis2023
Yellow IrisIris pseudacorus2023
HawthornCrataegus monogyna
HazelCorylus avellana
Red OakQuercus rubra2024
Large-flowered Hemp-nettleGaleopsis speciosa2024
Wood AvensGeum urbanum2024
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2024
Oxford RagwortSenecio squalidus2023
Japanese KnotweedReynoutria japonica2023
Traveller's-joyClematis vitalba2023
Common Field-speedwellVeronica persica2023
Common BistortBistorta officinalis2023
Dotted LoosestrifeLysimachia punctata
Meadow Crane's-billGeranium pratense
FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea
IvyHedera helix
Spotted-laurelAucuba japonica
Greater PeriwinkleVinca major
Early CrocusCrocus tommasinianus
ColtsfootTussilago farfara
Water-violetHottonia palustris2024
BittersweetSolanum dulcamara2024
Male-fernDryopteris filix-mas2024
Lady-fernAthyrium filix-femina2024
Peruvian LilyAlstroemeria aurea2024
GroundselSenecio vulgaris2024
White CloverTrifolium repens2024
Smooth Sow-thistleSonchus oleraceus2024
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2024
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris2024
CleaversGalium aparine2024
Wavy Bitter-cressCardamine flexuosa2024
Prickly Sow-thistleSonchus asper2024
Senecio vulgaris subsp. vulgarisSenecio vulgaris subsp. vulgaris2024
Shepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastoris2024
SnowdropGalanthus nivalis2024
False-acaciaRobinia pseudoacacia2023
Welsh PoppyPapaver cambricum2023
PrimrosePrimula vulgaris2023
Red Dead-nettleLamium purpureum2023
Sticky Mouse-earCerastium glomeratum2023
Black MedickMedicago lupulina2023
Common Dog-violetViola riviniana2023
Purple-loosestrifeLythrum salicaria2023
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2023
ElderSambucus nigra2023
Lady's BedstrawGalium verum2023
CowslipPrimula veris2023
Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolata2023
Meadow FoxtailAlopecurus pratensis2023
Ground-elderAegopodium podagraria2023
FeverfewTanacetum parthenium2023
Field Wood-rushLuzula campestris2023
Cut-leaved Dead-nettleLamium hybridum2023
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris2023
HonestyLunaria annua2023
Common NettleUrtica dioica2023
Common WhitlowgrassErophila verna2023
HogweedHeracleum sphondylium2023
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis2023
WeldReseda luteola2023
Hedge BedstrawGalium album2023
Bird CherryPrunus padus2023
Shining Crane's-billGeranium lucidum2023
Dusky Crane's-billGeranium phaeum2023
Horse-chestnutAesculus hippocastanum2023
Bee OrchidOphrys apifera2022
Oxeye DaisyLeucanthemum vulgare2022
Red CloverTrifolium pratense2022
Russian ComfreySymphytum asperum x officinale = S. x uplandicum2022
Veronica hederifolia subsp. lucorumVeronica hederifolia subsp. lucorum2022
Cherry LaurelPrunus laurocerasus2022
Bush VetchVicia sepium2022
Burnet RoseRosa spinosissima2022
Red ValerianCentranthus ruber2022
RaspberryRubus idaeus2021
Black NightshadeSolanum nigrum2021
Caucasian WingnutPterocarya fraxinifolia2021
Scarlet OakQuercus coccinea2021
DewberryRubus caesius2021
Wild TeaselDipsacus fullonum2021
Californian PoppyEschscholzia californica2021
Viper's-buglossEchium vulgare2021
Summer JasmineJasminum officinale2021
Hedgerow Crane's-billGeranium pyrenaicum2021
Common MallowMalva sylvestris2021
DogwoodCornus sanguinea2021
Black CurrantRibes nigrum2021
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus2021

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Kevin Waterhouse · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Smedley Lane Playing Fields

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🌱Peel ParkUrban park3.2 km→🌱Peel ParkUrban park3.2 km→✦Peel ParkHistoric site3.2 km→🌱Crescent MeadowUrban park3.3 km→🌱Heaton ParkUrban park3.6 km→🌱Heaton ParkUrban park3.6 km→

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