16 of the best pram friendly walks in Cheshire
Whether you are a wheelchair user, pushing a pram, or have an older child with a scooter or bike, it is often very tricky and sometimes almost impossible to enjoy an outdoor adventure in Cheshire. Often these well-trodden trails can be muddy, filled with potholes, and sometimes even hazardous to anyone other than the most experienced daily joggers and dog walkers.
Whilst on maternity leave with both my children, I really struggled to think of new routes within Cheshire that I could easily push my pram one-handed whilst holding that much-needed cup of coffee! Now my children are older, the challenge comes in finding somewhere outside that they can safely scoot or ride their bikes, away from roads and traffic, come rain or shine.
Over the last couple of years, I have been able to discover some fantastic countryside walks and more urban trails in Cheshire. So along with my own ideas and some brilliant suggestions from my followers at @girlabout.cheshire, I have condensed these into an easy-to-reference list of the best pram friendly walks in Cheshire to enjoy with the family.
These routes have been tried and tested but if you come across a problem with accessibility on any of these walks or you find any new accessible walks whilst out on your adventures in Cheshire, please let me know. You can do this by tagging me in your photos and by using the hashtag #makingmemoriesincheshire so I can save and share with the Girl About Cheshire Community.
Walton Hall & Gardens, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 6SN
Starting with a place I know well! Walton Gardens close to Warrington has a network of paved paths perfect for all. Along with accessible walks, there is also an excellent enclosed playground, a Children’s Zoo, two toilet blocks, a café, crazy golf, formal gardens, and a new high ropes course.
Close to the playground and zoo, there are rolling lawns to allow for safe biking/scootering during the Summer months and picnic areas/benches throughout. Parking is plentiful and is available to pre-pay using the RingGo app, or with cash on arrival.
Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4SJ
This National Trust property, close to Altrincham, is accessible throughout. The paved paths start at the car park and carry on past the reception/café area and into the parkland. The two main avenues afford stunning views across the estate and are perfectly accessible to all.
The pretty formal gardens are free to access for National Trust members and have a hard stone pathway around them. The car park is vast and free to National Trust members, non-members pay approx. £7 per car to park. Keep an eye on the website for a schedule of events throughout the year.
Castle Park, Frodsham, Cheshire, WA6 6SE
Castle Park is located just off Frodsham’s quaint high street, a short drive from Runcorn and Warrington. This park is a real hidden gem and one of my favourite pram-friendly walks in Cheshire.
Set within 9 acres, there are several paved walking trails, some hilly, around the formal gardens, open lawns, wooded areas, and surrounding the vast children’s play area. There are toilets, picnic tables, a café, and ice cream parlour all within easy reach. The parking is free and there are approximately 30 spaces so ensure you arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Grappenhall Heys to Grappenhall Village, Appleton, Cheshire WA4 3DS
This picturesque walled garden, close to Appleton, was once part of the wider Grappenhall Heys Estate and now stands as an oasis surrounded by new-build housing. Open Tuesday to Sunday the walled garden itself is paved throughout however, there are some wide steps up to the kitchen garden and café area.
You can easily walk (scooters/bikes to be pushed) along the flat paved path past the two ornamental ponds before exiting through the opposite gate. From here turn left and then right down the paved path towards the cobbled Grappenhall village centre. This pram-friendly walk takes you alongside Grappenhall Cricket Club before crossing the road and down the bridleway opposite.
Once you come out the other side, you are greeted by the picture-postcard village of Grappenhall itself. Enjoy a drink in one of the two local pubs while listening to the church bells of St.Wilfrid’s play (don’t forget to look for the Cheshire Cat on the side wall of the Church).
Victoria Park, Bishop Road, Widnes, Cheshire WA10 6TX
The Green Flag awarded Victoria Park in Widnes is everything a great municipal park should be – wide open footpaths, an accessible café and toilets together with a vast children’s play area complete with water park for the summer months.
There is also an abundance of lawns and plenty of benches throughout. Appealing to all ages, there is a climbing wall, basketball court, butterfly house, skate park, an ornamental lake, and the fantastic Espositos café serving breakfast, lunch, and ice creams. Parking is free on the roads surrounding the park, please be mindful of residents at busy times.
Nantwich Riverside Loop, Cheshire CW5 5ED
This three-mile circular route, begins in the market town of Nantwich and is accessible in parts. From the aqueduct, follow the Welsh Rows towards the riverside walk. The trail runs alongside the River Weaver in this section towards Nantwich Lake. At this point, you can choose to enjoy a coffee and a sit down before looping back to the beginning via the delightful town centre or you could, if able, continue across the fields.
This section of the walk is not accessible to wheelchair users or those with prams however as it crosses several styles and incorporates steps. Alternatively, you could choose to begin at the aqueduct again and follow the Shropshire Union Canal (muddy in parts) which runs down to Green Lane Bridge. Parking is available at Nantwich Lake and in the town centre itself.
Salt Line, Hassall Green, Cheshire CW11 4YB
Following the disused railway line, this pram-friendly 1.5 mile walk between Sandbach and Alsager is mostly flat and well surfaced throughout. The route runs parallel with the Barrow Pit Meadows which includes woodland, meadows, and grassland covering approximately 40 acres.
You can access Barrow Pit from various points along the Salt Line however it is inaccessible in parts to wheelchairs/prams. Parking for the Salt Line is located near Hassall Green and there are regular seating/picnic tables along the route.
Trans Pennine Trail, Statham Avenue, Lymm, Cheshire WA13 9AQ
This national coast-to-coast route is popular with walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. There are various sections of the trail, as it passes through Cheshire, that are accessible to wheelchair users and prams. Parking on Statham Avenue in Lymm and walking the trail towards Grappenhall is a relatively flat, surfaced section of the trail. As is the section between Latchford and Stockton Heath with the option to include Black Bear Park.
There are access control points along the route so be sure to check the website for the width of these before choosing this walk (they should be fine for most conventional prams and standard size wheelchairs). This is a lovely pram-friendly walk to combine with a stop at any of the pubs close to the trail including the Little Manor and Pickering Arms.
Black Bear Park to Victoria Park, Loushers Lane, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 2RD
Black Bear Park located in Latchford runs the length of what was the Black Bear Canal towards Victoria Park in Warrington. You can begin this pram-friendly linear walk at various points, opposite Morrisons in Stockton Heath Village (here the path offshoots from the Trans Pennine Trail) or at the playground on Loushers Lane.
The paved path is fully accessible and suitable in all weathers. Victoria Park includes a children’s play area, running track, skate park, various walking trails, and access to Howley and Latchford via the pretty pedestrian suspension bridge.
Marbury Country Park, Comberbach, Cheshire CW9 6AT
This public park located close to Northwich and the Anderton Boat Life is open to the public 9am-8pm (5pm Oct-March), there is ample pay & display car parking, toilets, and often a coffee/snack van in attendance. Throughout the park, there is a network of paved paths/hard surfaced routes as well as woodland trails.
The park also has a children’s play area, picnic area, bird hides surrounding the mere, and benches along the walking routes. The lime tree avenue is impressive regardless of the season and the wide-open lawns are perfect for young children to play and practice on their bikes/scooters.
It is also only a short drive to Anderton Nature Park for fantastic bird watching opportunities and stunning views of the impressive Anderton Boat Lift. There is a pay and display car park here and accessible canal side walks close by with a lovely picnic area.
Astbury Mere Country Park, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 4FP
Occupying the site of a former sand quarry, Astbury Mere Country Park is a 14-acre parkland and mere just 10 minutes’ walk from Congleton town centre.
There is an easy-to-access pram-friendly walk to follow around the mere as well as being fully wheelchair accessible with rental available from the visitor centre (ensure to make contact in advance). The park consists of a community orchard, watersports (seasonal), fishing (members only), and a mobile catering van during peak times.
Brereton Heath Nature Reserve, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 4SU
Like Astbury Mere, Brereton Heath Nature Reserve was a sand quarry and is now a nature reserve comprising a 15-acre lake and 50 acres of woodland surrounding.
There is a circular pram-friendly accessible trail as well as wildlife meadows and wetland areas. There is a pay & display car park, toilets, picnic areas, and a visitor centre. This walk is completely wheelchair accessible and suitable for mobility scooters also.
The Moor, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6DX
This relatively small local park, located in the centre of the pretty market town of Knutsford, is a safe area to take an accessible walk. The pram-friendly paved path runs adjacent to the Southern tip of Knutsford Mere and there is a pleasant, designated picnic area. The playground is vast and there is also a huge, grassed area perfect for children on bikes.
The Tatton Perk coffee van often visits on a Sunday (check social media for updates) and it is only a short walk onto the main high street, although there is a steep hill, and the paths are narrow. Pay & display car parking is available across the road on King’s Street.
Middlewood Way, Bollington, Cheshire SK10 5JT
The Middlewood Way is an eleven-mile traffic-free greenway from Macclesfield to Marple. It runs along the former railway line that once serviced the thriving coal-mining industry of the area. There is parking in Bollington and also at the Nelson Pit Visitor Information Centre in Higher Poynton, from where you can access the Macclesfield Canal at Poynton Marina.
The hard surface is flat throughout however there are currently resurfacing works to the path so check for updates on the government website before attempting. The popular village of Poynton is worth a stop on route and its shared space scheme allows for easy access to the high street.
This urban 1.5-mile pram-friendly linear walk offers a flat and accessible route along the disused Lowton-Manchester line of the local railway network. There are several benches and picnic spots along the route alongside artwork by local children.
Culcheth Linear Park, Wigshaw Lane, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 4AB
Queens Park, Victoria Avenue, Cheshire CW2 7SE
This vast, 45-acre park located in Crewe is fully accessible and pram-friendly from the main entrance on Victoria Avenue and from the three other entrances on Queens Park Drive. Within the park, there is an ornamental lake, a children’s play area, an outdoor gym, toilets, and gardens to enjoy.
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