Visitor information
Opening hours
How to find us
Parking & prices
Facilities & access
Contact details

Opening hours

Open every day except Christmas Day

Our car park opening hours are as follows:

Summer opening times: 8:00am to 8:00pm.

Winter opening times: 8:00am to 5:00pm. 

Times change the Monday after the clocks change.

Opening times for the visitor welcome point, toilets and other on site businesses may vary.

 

 

 

How to find us

How to find us
Linmere, Delamere, Northwich
Sat Nav Postcode: CW8 2HZ
By Car

From the A556 take the B5152 and Delamere forest is a mile and a half down the road.

 

Or go car-free

By Public Transport

We welcome car-free visitors and offer free admission to those arriving by public transport or bike – plan your journey at Good Journey.

The forest is served by Delamere train station.

 

OS Grid Ref
SJ 548 705

53.2294015, -2.6773882

Parking and prices

Parking charges apply at Delamere Forest

Payments can be made by cash or card. Members park for free with their annual pass.

There are three car parks available at Delamere Forest. 

Please park in one of the official car parks when visiting Delamere Forest. Parking outside the forest can be dangerous for both you and other road users, damaging to verges, inconsiderate to our neighbours and can make it difficult for emergency and local services. 

Main Visitor Centre car park - adjacent to the central facilities. It has a number of accessible parking spaces and is close to the start point for all the trails. ANPR (number plate recognition) pay when you leave. For more information about our ANPR system click here. If you want to avoid queues at the parking machines why not use the Glide mobile parking app? You can download it before you arrive on Google Play or on the App Store

Treetops Car Park - close to Delamere train station with regular trains running between Chester and Manchester.  It's favourable location is only a mere 5 minute walk away from our forest centre, which boasts numerous visitor facilities.  If you'd prefer to go cash-free you can use the RingGo* parking app at this car park. Download before you arrive on Google Play or the App Store.

Whitefield Car Park is located off the B5152 and is the most suitable car park for horse-boxes due to its ample parking space. It has picnic facilities and is close to the trails. Pay and display. If you'd prefer to go cash-free you can use the RingGo* parking app at this car park. Download before you arrive on Google Play or the App Store

*There is a small convenience charge for using this service.  See RingGo online for full terms and conditions and VAT receipts.

If you arrive car-free there is no charge, find out more.

 

 

Parking Charges

The money you pay for parking helps us to look after the forests. Read how
Forest Centre Car Park
Up to 1 hour £3.00
Up to 2 hours £5.00
All day £8.00
Treetops Car Park
Up to 1 hour £3.00
Up to 2 hours £5.00
All day £8.00
Whitefield Car Park
Up to 1 hour £2.00
Up to 2 hours £4.00
All day £6.00

Coaches/Minibuses charges

Forest Centre Car Park and Treetops Car Park 

Minibus - £8.00

Coaches - £10.00

Other vehicles:

Motorbikes - £2.00

Horseboxes - £10.00

Cars & trailers - £6.00

Whitefield Car Park:

Minibus - £8.00

Coaches - £5.00

Other vehicles:

Motorbikes - £1.00

Horseboxes - £6.00

Cars & trailers - £4.00

 

Thank you for paying to park. We use the money you spend on parking to look after the nation’s forests. We don’t make a profit and rely on the support of our visitors and members, so every penny you spend is invested by Forestry England back into the management of our woodlands and is needed to make Delamere Forest a great place for a day out.

Additional information

Regular visitors can save money by becoming a Member - Find out more about our membership offer
Number of accessible parking spaces: 16
Card payments accepted
Coaches/Minibuses welcomed

Facilities and access

  • We look forward to welcoming visitors back to Delamere Forest without legal restrictions. Please remember to take personal responsibility for your health and hygiene and respect others if they wish to continue with some safety measures, such as wearing a mask or social distancing.
  • Be kind and patient to our staff, volunteers and onsite business partners. They are working hard to help you to get the best out of your visit.

For more information on planning your visit, take a look at our accessibility information:

Accessible toilet
Assistant dogs welcome
Baby changing facilities
Cafe
Changing places facilities
Cycle hire
Dogs allowed
Information point
Picnic area
Toilets
Visitor Centre

Contact details

A shady oasis in the midst of the agricultural landscape of the Cheshire Plain

Delamere Forest, south-west of Manchester, is a place to let off steam, escape the crowds and find peace in the heart of the forest.

Accessible by its very own train station, you’ll find easy-going trails for all abilities, a hike to admire the view across to Liverpool’s famous skyline, orienteering courses for all abilities or a bit of peace and quiet to watch the wildlife by the lake. Forest Holidays have a selection of stunning forest cabins, perfect if you are looking to escape the everyday. 

If you would rather get a bird’s eye view of the forest, treat your group to an outdoor adventure at Go Ape! If heights aren’t your thing, we have bike hire available to enable you to hit the trails and be sure to check out Delamere Forest Cafe for a wide range of delicious food and drinks. 

Delamere Forest has something for everyone!

Food and drink

tea and coffee enjoyed at a forest cafe

Delamere Cafe

Family run cafe serving a wide range of freshly made hot and cold food and drinks throughout the day. Locally sourced ingredients such as coffee roasted in Wirral.

Delamere Forest offers a fantastic opportunity for natural cycling.

There are two cycling routes marked out within the forest, both are classified as forest road routes. More advanced mountain bikers should spend some time navigating their way around the myriad of routes and trails within the forest.

Haven't got a bike but love cycling? Then head to Delamere Forest Bike Hire where 3-6 hour bike hire sessions are available along with sales and servicing. For information on training sessions, events and workshops, visit their facebook page. 

Did you know? Work on our new mountain bike trail has officially started - find out more.

Delamere Forest provides many gentle forest roads and trails ideal for the less-able or for families with children. There are dry sandstone paths, lots of mature trees to shade or shelter under and Blakemere Moss is an ideal lake for bird watchers. In addition, Old Pale provides a superb walk with spectacular views extending as far as Liverpool's famous skyline of cathedrals and harbour buildings.

Sleep under the stars in Delamere Forest in a cosy cabin that feels like home.

Cheshire is a fantastic holiday destination, but there’s only one place where you can spend a few nights deep in the heart of Delamere Forest.  Whether you need a weekend break or a long getaway, Forest Holidays provide the perfect location to relax, recoup and get lost in the wonders of the woods. 

With underfloor heating, log burners, incredible views and even your own outdoor hot tub, this is a holiday that you aren't likely to forget. Venture out into the local area and find your own family favourites and hidden gems. Because the forest is more than just a place to stay -  there are endless possibilities.

With a dedicated Forest Ranger on location, you can also plan a programme of unique experiences to discover the wonders and secrets of the forest.

Be the first to stay in our new White Willow Premium cabins new to this secluded location and with a design inspired by nature.

Stay in one of Britain's most beautiful forests, offering a retreat from the everyday. Find out more about Forest Holidays and book your stay now.

Go Ape locations in our forests are now open. Pre-booking is essential. More information is available on the Go Ape website.

Go Ape Forest Segways are the best fun you can have off-road, on two eco-friendly wheels, without having to pedal!  

You will receive training and get the chance to practice before you head out, with a safari guide, on our trails. You will use a mixture of twisty trails and wide open, straight tracks on this circular, hour long adventure.

See further information and book direct with Go Ape.

Nearby forests

Footpath through trees at 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!

Grassland

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.

field with rocks

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. 

Owl sculpture at Sefton Meadows

Located near Liverpool, Sefton Meadows offers the perfect opportunity to escape the city! The woodlands are made up of three sites, Jubilee Woods, Roughlys Wood and Brooms Cross. 

Keep your eyes peeled for the Barn Owl sculpture which can be seen at Jubilee Woods! The site is also often visited by Hunting barn owls and they are likely to be spotted around dusk. 

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