Brierley Country Park

A very big park with plenty of entrances. There are lots of trails, a fishing pond. I walked around the edge mostly, and there are some stunning viewpoints. Everyone was so respectful and put their dog on the lead. There is a park for kids & a cafe as well. Well worth the visit.

Really Beautiful!

I came here as a bit of an adhoc walk after dropping the husband off in the city centre. It's really open and honestly really stunning. There are a few carparks at different entrances so I'd recommend googling to see if there's 1 more convenient to you (in the picture is where I parked, there is also street parking beside the carpark). We went on a Saturday (Bank Holiday!) at about 2:30pm & it was relatively busy, but we were able to park easily enough and people are respectful with their dogs. There are plenty of routes (see picture!) & bins for poops! & also a small coffee shop, I didn't go in as it was too busy for my dog to cope. I'd definitely go again! It was a lovely find.

Great Beach!

Don't be put off by the initial pebble beach look! There is so much sand when the tide is out & theres no massive dunes to climb up like in other beaches.

We came here a few times during our stay nearby & we were amazed at both the size and also how quiet it was. The beach goes on for miles. Lots of shells to *look* at & also skeletons (?) Of urchins. Definitely worth a visit - knackered the dog out every time!!

Plenty of trails & walks

We did the bigger wildwood trail. It bypasses the major oak initially but you do pass it on the way back!

There are plenty of trails to do, but at least 3 are signposted with the wildwood trail being the bigger. You can download a map to plan your route if needed, but once we had decided the route, we just followed the paths. The woodland is fairly spaced out and there was plenty of opportunity for dogs to be off lead.

I didnt have any inconsiderate encounters with any dogs we met and if they saw my boy on the lead, they put theirs on.

We went shortly after there had been some rain and although slightly boggy in places, there were plenty of paths around to avoid bog! There is a cafe & visitor centre. There's a little shopping village which you can walk through.

I'd highly recommend it as a walk. The car park is a bit annoying, and people do inconsiderately park, making it hard to maximise the availability to park. Add on people ignoring the one way system to try and beat you to a space. There is a £5 pay and display (which you can do on your mobile). if you're an rspb member, it's free. I can imagine it gets incredibly busy in the summer months/ half term. I believe there is some residential nearby with no street parking limits.

Really enjoyed it!

It feels like you're driving forever! I'm not even sure where we parked. I think it was near an offlead for dogs area (near the garden).

There was some tree trimming going on at the time - which made the dog a little on edge at the time, but can't be helped & it wasn't a ruiner.

We went in Jan 2025 & mid week. It was still relatively busy. You get given a map of the park when you pay (or scan your card if you're a NT member). There was the snowman trail on at the time which was good.

Dogs to be kept on leads in most areas, although not everyone listened to this!

The dog cafe is incredible, but expensive. We bought 2x toasties, a latte, tea & and sausage roll & this was £26 odd. But it was really enjoyable.

There are so many different walks and trails it'll probably keep you busy for a few walks! It was a little muddy, but nothing offensive.

It was a really good walk!

Both sides available Out of season

We went in Jan 2025. So out of season, meaning that both beaches were accessible for dogs. It is signposted to say when and where dogs are (or arent) allowed. The beach is really big & spacious. My dog was able to be offlead and although able to see dogs, he was able to disengage and remain close.

It was relatively busy for a freezing cold January day! Most of the shops are closed but there are at least 2 coffee shops & places to sit for a warm drink and snack.

Overall, we had a really good time. There are toilets which you need to pay 40p to use (they accept contactless). Parking, we parked near the caravan park & out of season - this is free.

Really worth a trip overall, the only downside (which I think most beaches have) is the steep hills getting to and from the beach - but unlike most beaches, these are concrete & easier to walk up /down than sand dunes

Delicious Food!!

Highly recommend! We went after a day at Formby Beach. There's plenty of parking & lots of tables outdoors, so very dog friendly.

There's also a bit of a play area for the kiddos.

Food is also delicious!

Can be a lengthy walk!

When we went, they closed the car park on Victoria Road, but we found free parking on a street near the Red Squirrel Trail in the woods.

There are multiple car parks that you have to pay for, unless you're a national trust member. The reception is ZERO. So I'd recommend that you bring cash as the app may not work. The parking (I believe) is about £9 odd.

Depending on where you park, the walk to the beach can be lengthy and you have to clamber over some dunes. There are no clear signs or paths to the beach so make a mental note.

There are a load of bricks / broken building on the beach which leads you to the "path" to the Victoria Road car park - thought it was worth mentioning.

The beach is MASSIVE and absolutely worth a visit. It's dog friendly all year round and honestly, despite my legs about falling off. I really had an amazing time. I went on a bank holiday and although busy.... There was so much room for so many people and dogs.

Definitely will go again!

Great Walk - weather & trail choice depending!

We went when it was warm & dry, so really thoroughly had a good time! There are so many trails to choose from. Dogs should be on leads, but there were a handful who had theirs offlead - however respectfully put them on the lead when passing (thought worth a mention for our reactive doggos out there). The place is busy during holidays & massive that you can still enjoy a private walk. I've included a picture of the trail I did, there aren't many bins so please keep that in mind when your has number 2, as you'll be carrying it a while! There are some horses but the no horse zones are clearly marked on the trail posts. The route I took isn't going to be wheelchair / mobility friendly, but there are lots of routes you can take & still enjoy the fabulous views.

Dogs aren't allowed in the water & it is fenced off for the most part, but there were a few entrances & we saw some people in there at one point. But the water entrances are relatively off the path so if you're adhering to the lead rules.. this shouldn't be a problem.

The parking was a bit of a faff if you don't have a national trust membership or the paybyphone app already. It wouldn't allow me to register with the app or online so I had to call the number- and that was painful!! So bring cash or download the app in advance.

Overall, a lovely place and even on a morning (friday), during the summer holidays, it was really an enjoyable day!

Busy! But lovely.

So first things first, there are multiple entrances. I went to the car park on Longdale Lane. Its buuuuusy! There is a drinks van there as well with picnic tables.

People are respectful and put their dogs on lead if they see yours on one. People are happy to chat. It was a lovely walk. So many trails, you could easily go without seeing anyone.

Small but a nice walk.

Unless it's dry, it's probably a bit of a boggy walk. There are some designated gravel paths but for the most part, it's a man made path, which can understandably get a bit mucky during wetter weather. If you search for Washdyke Lane, this will give you a small lane which you can park on for free. I dont think it gets majorly busy as its not massive. There are 2 seconds to Dob park. A wooded area on the right and then the bigger, more open section on the right.

There is 1 bin at the gate entrance so you'll have to carry your poops for the remaining duration of the walk.

There are plenty of trails throughout the park so you could easily do different walks when there. There is an open part of the field so the dogs can have more of a run around.

I'd definitely go again!

Colliers Wood

Known to me as Colliers Wood. Lovely park with a short or long route. If you google Colliers Wood, there's a pdf that you can download. The long route is around a 50 min walk. It's very enclosed thankfully so if your dog slips off, there's a slim likelihood they'll get out of somewhere. There is also a public pathway through a field which was nice. A water area for the birds, dogs on leads around this area. Plenty of bins and seats throughout. There is a car park near the entrances off Engine Lane. If full, engine lane is a massive road so you can park there. If your dog is noise sensitive, please be mindful that it is beside an industrial estate so could be overwhelming.