Colliers Wood

The entrance on Hadbutt Road (off Manchester Road) is temporarily closed.

Visitor information

Colliers Wood provides a mix of stunning woodland walks and open grassland views

As a former coal mine, Colliers Wood forms an interconnected area of woodlands and grassland surrounding Higher Folds. The various footpaths offer quite a lot of opportunity for exploration and discovery.

There has been recent planting near Cooling Lane which is now coming into fruition. From Queensway, there is access to an area once used by bird watchers.

Colliers Wood is located approximately ten miles west of Manchester. 

At a glance

  • Walking trails
  • Orienteering
  • Dog walking

Things to do

Orienteering at Colliers Woods

Try your hand at orienteering, a map reading challenge for all levels.

The aim for everyone is to navigate between control points marked on an orienteering map. If you are a little more competitive the challenge is to complete the course in the quickest time.

If interested in using the course please contact Delamere.

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Walking at Colliers Wood

Walking in the woodland is the perfect way to get some fresh air and explore some of the area's most beautiful landscapes.

Colliers Wood has a range of paths that run through the woodland including the Jubilee Legacy walk.

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Nearby forests

Grassland

Viridor Wood

Popular with walkers, cyclists and wildlife watchers, there is a network of over 5km of trails around the woodland, and visitors can enjoy the striking wooden viewpoint created by artist Richard Caink.

Part of the Abram Flashes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh National Nature Reserve, Viridor Wood features a mix of woodland, grassland and fishing lakes.

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Barn Owl

Horrocks Wood

A number of paths link together areas of open grassland and young woodland across this hillside site.

The young trees provide incredible displays in autumn, and at dusk you may well see hunting barn owls.

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Lakeside path at Drinkwater Path

Drinkwater Park

Situated in Greater Manchester, Drinkwater Park is home to a diverse mix of native woodland, open meadows and borders the River Irwell. It is connected by a superb network of paths making it the perfect location for a leisurely stroll, blood-pumping run or if you just want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. 

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Footpath through trees at Sutton Manor

Sutton Manor

Sutton Manor is a 230 acre site located in St Helens next to the M62 on the former Sutton Manor Colliery. At its highest point it is over 200m above sea level.

In 2001 the former spoil heap was transformed into a community woodland and wildlife haven for the local community and visitors to enjoy. Over 2 million trees were planted!

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