Even though it’s the middle of winter, it doesn’t mean you can't get out into the fresh air and enjoy a walk. Going for a stroll when the weather is chilly can blow away the cobwebs, clear your mind and leave you feeling energised.
Luckily there are lots of beautiful green spaces where you can have a wander, right here in Greater Manchester. There’s one in particular which feels like you’re in the middle of the countryside - despite being inside the M60.
Reddish Vale Country Park is a 161 hectare park in Stockport, only a stone’s throw away from the town centre. The sheer size of the park and its range of features - grassy meadows, ponds and wooded areas - means you feel a world away from the urban areas which surround it.
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It is dominated by an impressive, 16-arch viaduct which was built in 1875 to carry the Hope Valley Line over the Tame Valley. Every now and then a train passes over the viaduct, a reminder that it's still very much in use despite its age.
The country park was originally home to a calico print works, which expanded significantly in the 19th century and became a major employer in the area. The works were closed in 1975 with the buildings turned into industrial units, before being demolished in the late 1990s.
Today you can still see remnants of the park’s industrial past, from former mill ponds to a stunning weir located at the southern end of the park. The land has now been transformed into a haven for wildlife.
The site of the former calico print works is now a butterfly garden, while a variety of waterfowl have made habitats in the mill ponds. The park is a popular spot for bird watching, with geese, herons, grebes, and cormorants among those you’ll find there.
Meandering through Reddish Vale is the River Tame and you can follow paths along the bank of the river. There are lots of routes you can explore throughout the park, passing through the grassy meadows and by wooded areas.
In the north of the park is a fishing pond, although you will need a licence to fish there. Reddish Vale Farm is a small animal farm and horse riding school located inside the park, although it is operated privately and currently closed for the winter.
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