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Smithills Country Park

✦ Ancient woodland10 ha

📷 Anthony Parkes · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsForaging
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome10 ha

Getting here

53.60422, -2.45899

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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
  • 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
  • 🐕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
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat
Parking

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Robin +73 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Robin +73 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Plants — Bilberry, Common Bistort, Hogweed +11 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Heather, Bilberry, Rhododendron +97 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Hornet Hoverfly, Cercopis vulnerata, 7-spot Ladybird +18 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Hornet Hoverfly, Cercopis vulnerata, 7-spot Ladybird +18 more · last seen 2026

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

5 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Warpers Trail - Witton Weavers WayWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Full walk - Witton Weavers WayWalking route
Named route
Rotary WayWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
GM Ringway Stage 13Walking route18 km

GM Ringway Stage 13 - Bury to Bromley Cross

Named routeLength 18 kmRegional walking route
GM Ringway Stage 14Walking route21.9 km

GM Ringway Stage 14 - Bromley Cross to Blackrod

Named routeLength 21.9 kmRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

44 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Regional Route 80Cycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
Moss BankCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Bradley Fold CyclewayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Lancashire Cycleway (Southern Loop)Cycling route
Named routeRef 91Regional cycle route
Route 55Cycling route
Named routeRef 55National Cycle Network
Greater Manchester Route 80Cycling route
Named routeRef 80Regional cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Gated Track in Smithills Country Park

📷 Anthony Parkes · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Gated Track in Smithills Country Park

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Moss Bank ParkUrban park1 km→🌱Queen's ParkUrban park2.9 km→🌱Nelson ParkUrban park3.6 km→🌱Longsight ParkUrban park3.8 km→🏞️SEVEN ACRESCountry park4.4 km→🌱Seven Acres Country ParkUrban park4.4 km→

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