Length of walk: 30-40 minutes

The brightly painted headstocks near the entrance show that this recently created nature park was once a coal mining site. There’s no trace now of the industrial past, and the area has fast become a local dog walkers’ favourite. An information board near the car park gives the background story, and also provides a guide to the birds and small mammals which can now be found in the grounds.

This is an easy circular route, with metal paths ensuring access for all.

We made an anti-clockwise orbit, passing the waterfowl lake (not for dog swimming) and then meandering around the outside edge of the park. Jem found some excitable spaniels to play with, and a session of competitive mud-rolling by the dogs probably spoiled the spaniels’ chances of a rosette in the dog show that was going on when we visited!