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Clifton Country Park

Greater Manchester  >  United Kingdom

Clifton Country Park's lake has become an oasis for waterfowl.

Aggiunto* da Michael Clyne
Ultimo aggiornamento 2 marzo 2026

Descrizione

Created when gravel from the River Irwell floodplain was extracted and used for the nearby M60 motorway, Clifton Country Park's lake has become an oasis for waterfowl. Martin pescatore, Airone cenerino and Cormorano can be spotted throughout the year, while winter sees the water fill with visiting Alzavola, Quattrocchi and Canapiglia. Stroll around the lake during spring and you can even watch the delightful courtship dance of the Svasso maggiore.

From the 1700s until the early 20th century the area was used for coal mining, and it was here that the famous engineer, James Brindley, first made his name in the 1750s. Brindley was invited to see if he could devise a way to overcome the sinking of what became known as the Gal Pit and did so ingeniously with the use of a weir on the River Irwell, underground tunnels, an inverted syphon, a leat, a waterwheel and another tunnel. You can still look down into this mineshaft today, though it's worth noting it is now full of water again.

Clifton Country Park didn't just play an important part in Lancashire's industry, but also its culture. The site was a favourite haunt of L.S. Lowry, providing access to the wider valley which he painted and drew throughout his life.

Dettagli

Accesso

Clifton Country Park is located in the Irwell Valley at Clifton, Greater Manchester. Access from Clifton House Road, Clifton, M27 6NG. By car: From Swinton, travel along Manchester Road (A666 towards Kearsley) until the country park is signposted. Turn right down Clifton House Road, then turn right down Dow Brow and under the railway bridge. From Kearsley, follow Manchester Road (A666) until the country park is signposted. Turn left into Clifton House Road, then turn right down Dow Brow and under the railway bridge. Press P on the map for directions.

Public transport: Number 22 bus service from Bolton to Stockport. The bus stop is opposite Clifton Cricket Ground.

The pathway around the lake is is about 1,5 km and accessible for all. The walking route shown on the map is 5 km in total and also runs through the rest of the country park.

Terreno e habitat

Stagno , Alberi e cespugli sparsi , Prateria/pascolo , Parco

Caratteristiche dell’area

Terreno piano

Percorso ad anello

Si

È utile un cannocchiale?

Può essere utile

Buona stagione per il BW

Tutto l'anno

Miglior periodo per visitare

Primavera

Percorso

Sentiero ampio

Grado di difficoltà del percorso a piedi

Facile

Modalità di accesso

A piedi , Bicicletta , Macchina , Sedia a rotelle

Capanno/torretta di osservazione

Si

Link

Visualizza siti in questa area pubblicati su Birdingplaces

Mappa

Le 5 migliori specie

Altre specie che si possono osservare qui

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