Getting There
Leave the M58 at junction 3 and take the A570 St Helens, Eastbound 3rd exit, Westbound 1st exit.
At the roundabout take the 2nd exit, signed A570 St Helens.
Get into the right hand lane and immediately turn right at the brown sign for Siding Lane Nature Reserve and the car park is on the left hand side.
Return to M58 Junction 3
Turn right out of the car park. At the end of the lane turn left onto the dual carriageway.
At the roundabout take the 2nd exit signed M58 to return to the motorway.
Siding Lane Nature Reserve
Length of walk: 20-35 minutes
As the name suggests, this walk is in woodland created from former railway sidings which carried coal from the Rainford Colliery. The colliery closed in the 1920's and the nature reserve was opened in the 1980's. A footpath through the woodland is signed from the car park, and the paths are clear and easy to follow. Wellies are a good idea in wet weather.
Go through the nettley bits of the path to reach the open ground beyond and this turns out to be a really good dog walking spot.
Check out the scope of the park on the information board near the car park, and enjoy the ramble.
There is a path suitable for wheelchair users and this runs from the car park to the pond and back.
Facilities
Free car park, WC+disabled, ranger centre, information board, dog poo bins.
Useful Links
Siding Lane Nature Reserve
Visit website