Cheshire
Disabled Access, Wheelchair walks, Easy Access, Access for All, Mobility, Walks on Wheels, Miles without Stiles - whatever the term the following is all about accessibility to the countryside and green spaces of Cheshire.
Walks Greenspaces and Countryside
Anderton Nature Park and Anderton Boat Lift - Access for all routes - Toilets, including disabled toilets (High season only)
Ashton's and Neumann's Flashes (Northwich) - Access for all routes - Its network of surfaced paths provides many routes accessible to all and appeals to a variety of users including horse riders, cyclists, nature lovers and families.
Biddulph Valley Way - Walkers, cyclists and horses riders will enjoy the flat well surfaced path of the Biddulph Valley Way. It is ideal for pushchairs and wheelchair users too.
Black Bear Park (Warrington) - Paths are level and well surfaced and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. A wheelchair access point can be found at the Loushers Lane entrance to the park and there are kissing gates along the length of the park.
Congleton Park - Green Flag Award - ACE believes this site is accessible though no info on the council website
Culcheth Linear Park - Although control gates preventing motorbikes have been installed, these are fitted with RADAR locks enabling wheelchair and electric/mobility cars to use the site. The main track and other paths are constructed of rolled stone or shale
Lymm Dam - Wheelchair access is on the eastern side of the dam. Fishing platforms can be reached from the A56. Parking at Crouchley Lane will allow access to 1km of well surfaced, even paths around meadows on the east of the dam. This gives excellent views over the middle dam and offers access to benches and picnic tables along the paths and in the meadows.
Middlewood Way (Macclesfield) - The Middlewood Way is mostly level and wheelchair-accessible. To help you plan your visit, we have attempted to show on the map (see map and guide for more info) easy access points and areas of the Middlewood Way that may be difficult for wheelchairs.
Paddington Meadows (Warrington) - Wheelchairs can access Paddington Meadows from Larkfield Avenue and follow the surfaced path round to the wildflower meadow. Access controls along the way are wheelchair friendly. The path around the riverside edge is not surfaced, uneven in places and unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs. Pushchairs and buggies should find most of the site accessible with care. Seating is provided at regular points.
Peel Hall Park (Warrington) - Peel Hall Park has mainly level tarmac paths suitable for prams and wheelchairs. The car park gives the easiest access for wheelchair users.
Queen's Park (Crewe) - Under Major reconstruction - though ACE believe the site is accessible there is no info on the council website
Salt Line and Borrow Pit Meadows (Alsager) - The Salt Line is a wide, well surfaced trail and generally flat, with plenty of seats and benches along the route. Access points along the Salt Line are being improved in order that disabled users may gain access by means of ramps. The new improved surface should ensure access all year round for all.
Shakerley Mere (Winsford) - The path is level with a good surface and so is ideal for people of all abilities and with pushchairs.
The Moor (Knutsford) - ACE believes the site has been awarded a Green Flag but there is no info on the council website regarding accessibility
Timbersbrook Picnic Area - There is a car park at Timbersbrook Picnic Area and a surfaced path goes round the edge of the picnic area where there are four picnic tables, two of which are wheelchair accessible.
Trentabank (Macclesfield Forest) - The majority of walks from here are uphill; however there is a short stone surfaced track suitable for wheelchair users opposite the car park entrance which provides a good viewpoint of the reservoir and its birdlife, including the heronry.
Victoria Park (Warrington) - Level surfaced paths give easy access to the bowling greens and arena. A lift is available in the arena stand along with disabled toilet facilities. There is also a disabled toilet in the outside toilet block which is accessible with a RADAR key.
Walks for All in Cheshire East - PDF to download - with details of 10 accessible walks
Walks for All in Cheshire West' - PDF to download - with details of 10 accessible walks
Weaver Parkway (Winsford) - The cycleway is wheelchair accessible, assistance may be required on other paths but access is being improved all the time.
Wheelock Rail Trail (Sandbach) - The trail is up to 3 metres wide and is a well surfaced flat trail, with local access points in Wheelock. There is no official car parking for this facility.
Whitegate Way (Winsford) - A totally accessible section, ideal for wheelchairs and pushchairs, has been developed from Whitegate Station.
Country Parks
Astbury Mere Country Park - The Easy Access Trail is approximately 1.5km (1 mile) long and is suitable for everyone.
Marbury Country Park (Northwich) - over 3 miles (5km) of easy access path, which are ideal for wheelchair and pushchair users.
Nature Reserves
Brereton Heath LNR - Further sections of the lakeside path have recently been upgraded to make them more ‘user friendly’ for those visitors with wheelchairs or buggies.
Helsby Quarry LNR - The north-eastern loop is suitable for assisted wheelchair access.
Marshall's Arm LNR (Northwich) - The main path through the site is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, a RADAR key is required to enter off Saxons lane. All other entrances have sloping paths and some steps. There is NO car park.
Risley Moss LNR (Warrington) - Choose one of three short way-marked trials and explore the reserve on pathways suitable for prams and wheelchairs. For the disabled visitor there are resting points at regular intervals around the reserve along with wheelchair accessible picnic tables and two easy access bird hides. The visitor centre is also accessible for wheelchairs and there are disabled toilet facilities inside.
Stanney Woods LNR - Stanney Woods has excellent easy access for all, with a well surfaced network of level paths.
Other Useful Links
Accessible Chester - Info on parking etc for disabled visitors to Chester
Cheshire - info from Disabled Holiday Information
Cheshire & Warrington Sports Partnership - is a local network of agencies and organisations committed to working together to increase participation in sport and physical activity.(including disability sport)
The Wheelchair User's Guide for Accessible Chester and Cheshire - A 48 page guide on Accessible Cheshire.
Warrington Disability Partnership (WDP) - is an independent, user led Social Enterprise committed to valuing everyone's life skills, experience and individuality to enable positive change.