The Warrington woods you may not have realised existed

And seeing as today as International Day of Forests, what better excuse to get out and stretch your legs.

And if you're worried about taking the little ones out with you, we've also marked the routes suitable for prams.

The Twiggeries

Described by the Woodland Trust as a large naturalistic green space between Manchester Road and Farrell Street.

Hard surfaced paths can be accessed off Farrell Street with an extensive wooded wetland area with decking for pedestrians.

There's also the potential to spot water voles along Padgate Brook.

 

Pic credit: Woodland Trust

Bewsey Farm Wood

Good for spotting woodland birds, butterflies and small animals, the wood is made up of mature oak, horse chestnut, beech, sycamore and ash trees.

Keep your eyes peeled in the spring for a good display of bluebells.

Charles Wood, off Canons Road, Great Sankey

If you're pushing a pram, Woodland Trust says this one has a tarmac footpath through this small block of woodland surrounded by houses, roads and footpaths.

You can spot oak, sycamore, birch, cherry, willow and alder trees.

Ladies Walk Wood

You can spot mature beech, lime, oak, sycamore and horse chestnuts in this wood set between Gullivers World Theme Park and a housing estate in the Westbrook area.

It is adjacent to Sankey Valley Park and is part of a larger area of public open space with a mix of woodlands, grassland, ponds and the old St Helens Canal which is a short walk from the wood through Sankey Valley Park.

A spokesman added: "In spring there are some nice displays of bluebells in the wood and there is also a heronry on a large pond near the middle of the wood by Bewsey Old Hall."

 

Pic credit: Woodland Trust

Twenty Acre Wood

If you're looking for a smaller version of the fictional Hundred Acre Wood in Winnie the Pooh, this one consists of mature oak, horse chestnut, beech, silver birch, sycamore and lime with an extensive surfaced footpath network running through the wood suitable for buggies and wheelchairs.

Radley Plantation

The Woodland Trust says this is 'a lovely quiet woodland with ponds around the edge where the trees make it look like a petrified forest'.

It's classed as an ancient woodland because it's more than 400 years old.

Lumb Brook Valley Millennium Green

If you need a break during your wander, there are good quality wooden seats and tables available for use towards the top of the hill.

Millennium links to the south with Lumb Brook Valley woodland and to the east with Grappenhall Heys - both of these woodlands are mature and the Woodlands Trust says they are well worth a visit.

 

Pic credit: Woodland Trust

Cinnamon Brow

Here you've got two small woodlands approximately 200 metres apart in the Cinnamon Brow area.

Both woods have a range of trees including oak, ash, beech, field maple, alder, willow and horse chestnut and there are several veteran oaks and ash which are remnants from when these were old farm woodlands before the area was developed.

Both woods have surfaced footpaths.

The Dell near Grappenhall

This site is made up of three very small blocks of woodland including Broom Cottage Wood - a Victorian landscaped woodland which has retained some of its original features including ponds, footpaths and ornamental planting.

A spokesman added: "The woods provide a refuge for wildlife in this suburban area."

Small Woods in Oakwood

The Woodland Trust says this cluster of urban woodlands is a 'tranquil place' where you can escape town life and get your daily dose of nature.

A network of accessible paths makes it perfect for a stroll with the buggy, a family picnic, or a visit to the pond to watch the ducks.

READ > 'I'm so proud to walk around with a wedding ring on my finger'

 

Pic credit: Woodland Trust

For further details about the woods listed above or to find woods in other areas of Warrington, visit woodlandtrust.co.uk/visiting-woods

Or to help the Woodland Trust recording signs of nature click here