Of the many Urban Countryside sites in the Mersey Valley, Chorlton Water Park is virtually the only one that can be considered a city park. The Park is great for walking, cycling, and angling, but its value to bird life and its status as a Local Nature Reserve reflect that it is managed for wildlife as well as people.

Chorlton Water Park stands on what was the site of Barlow Hall Farm. Up until the 1950s the farmer flooded the field to increase the fertility of the land. He recalled that ‘the sluice gates were never opened for the first flood as this brought down the rubbish: the second flood brought down rich mud’. Gravel was excavated from the site and used in the construction of the M60 motorway in the 1970s. The gravel pit was subsequently flooded; creating the lake that is central to the Water Park today.

As the trees have grown and the grasslands developed, the Park has become increasingly valuable for wildlife. Until Salford Quays was redeveloped, large numbers of pochards roosted on the lake during the day, heading to the Quays to feed on bloodworms –a type of midge larvae- at night.  Although many of the pochards have found new places to feed further afield, the lake remains a nationally important wintering site for water birds.

The lake is well stocked with coarse fish and well-spaced fishing platforms are situated around the water’s edge. The fishing season runs from May to December and fishing permits can be obtained from the Wardens. They are cheaper to buy from the Office or Information point than the bank side. Contact 0161 8815639 for further details.

Many of the paths are accessible by horse and the Trans-Pennine Trail runs through the Water Park. An orienteering course is set up around Chorlton Water Park. Maps are available from the Information Point and the Visitor Centre at Sale. There is a small playground for young children.

Chorlton Water Park is a Local Nature Reserve. It is also a holder of the Civic Trust’s Green Flag Award -recognising the high standard of environmental value and community involvement- and the UK Man and the Biosphere Urban Wildlife Award for Excellence.

At Chorlton Water Park, you can follow one of 5 Health Walks in the Mersey Valley.
Follow the signs, which will take you on a circular route around the lake of about a mile in length. The well-surfaced paths are accessible to wheelchairs and push chairs; and there are no unexpected steep hills. You will find benches situated at intervals along the route should you need to rest a while, or you just want to sit and enjoy the countryside.

Chorlton Water Park lies at the End of Maitland Avenue, where you will find a car park, toilets and the Information Point.

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