Best remote walks

THE BEST REMOTE WALKS IN THE NORTH WEST

The North West may be better known for its large industrial towns and cities, but this region is surprisingly rich with natural beauty spots, rolling hills and serene views.

Runcorn Hill Park - Runcorn

Located right in the heart of the town of Runcorn, it is hard to believe that such a natural beauty spot can exist so close to an urban location. If you appreciate a little peace and quiet on your walks, do not let the central location of Runcorn Hill Park put you off. Hilltop views of Runcorn’s stretching greenery and the ruins of Halton Castle are all yours for the taking.

Ainsdale and Birkdale Sandhills - Southport

Southport offers a different kind of hiking experience,

Lyme Park - Stockport

Who would have thought a National Trust site, featuring a grand Elizabethan-era mansion with a large estate could be found so close to the town of Stockport? The stunning Lyme Park is located just south of Disley in Cheshire, just a 25-minute drive from Stockport. Not only do the formal gardens take minimum effort to walk around on foot, but the very same grounds were used to shoot scenes from a BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, making Lyme Park the ideal place to take a romantic stroll with your partner. To add to the site’s overwhelming sense of beauty, the grounds also feature a deer park, as well as being home to some highland cows.

with stretching sand dunes, spacious beaches and views of the Irish sea replacing the muddy footpaths and rocky mountains you may find elsewhere. As well as the sandhills, there is a nature trail to explore which is home to some rare and interesting species of plants and animals including lots of wild rabbits. This fun day out for the whole family is easily accessible from most major towns and cities in the North West, with regular transport links from Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton and Wigan. 7