Not just for dogging
A walk on the mild side
Peregrine Moss
Naturalist, naturist and landscape consultant
Peregrine writes about wild places, changing landscapes and the relationship between nature and industry. He is particularly interested in places where wetlands, woodland and wildlife have reclaimed ground once shaped by human activity.His work celebrates the overlooked landscapes that sit beyond the familiar beauty spots, and the unexpected pleasure of finding wilderness where nobody thought to look.
A remarkable place
Wigan is blessed with an extraordinary natural landscape.Beyond its town centres and industrial heritage lies a remarkable network of woodlands, lakes, wetlands, meadows and open countryside, offering some of the borough's most beautiful and restorative experiences.These green spaces are far more than attractive places to visit. They provide vital habitats for wildlife, help absorb rainfall, store carbon and support biodiversity, while giving people somewhere to walk, exercise, escape the noise of everyday life and reconnect with the natural world.Whether you're watching birds over the Flashes, wandering beneath the trees at Haigh or simply enjoying a few quiet moments beside the water, Wigan's great outdoors offers something increasingly precious: room to breathe.
Wigan Flashes Local Nature Reserve
Where industry gave way to natureThere are few places that tell Wigan's story quite as beautifully as the Flashes. Once a landscape dominated by coal mining and heavy industry, this remarkable collection of lakes, reedbeds, grasslands and woodland has become one of the borough's greatest natural treasures. The lakes themselves were formed largely through mining subsidence, when the ground sank and water gathered in the hollows left behind. What might once have been regarded as industrial damage has, over time, become an extraordinary environmental success story.Today, Wigan Flashes is a haven for wildlife. Its wetlands provide important habitats for waterfowl, reedbed birds, amphibians and countless insects, while its surrounding paths offer walkers the opportunity to experience an astonishing variety of landscapes within a relatively small area. Part of the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh National Nature Reserve, it is a place of genuine ecological importance. I have always admired the complete indifference of wildlife to the conventions of human society. A heron, for example, has never once expressed concern about what I might or might not be wearing.For the visitor, however, its greatest attraction may be something less easily measured. There is a particular pleasure in standing beside still water, listening to the reeds moving in the breeze and watching the changing light across the landscape. The bustle of modern life feels surprisingly distant, despite the town being so close. I particularly recommend visiting early in the morning, when the light is at its most beautiful, the birds are beginning their daily activities and the paths have yet to become busy.
Haigh Woodland Park
Where Wigan takes a walk on the wild sideJust a few miles from Wigan town centre, Haigh Woodland Park offers a magnificent escape into a landscape of ancient woodland, sweeping countryside and winding paths. Set within the historic Haigh Estate, the park combines natural beauty with a fascinating industrial and aristocratic past, providing one of the borough's most varied and rewarding outdoor experiences.The woodland is undoubtedly its greatest attraction. Towering trees form a leafy canopy above paths that wind through a landscape rich in birdsong, wildflowers and changing seasonal colours. In spring, fresh green leaves and woodland flowers announce the return of warmer days. Summer brings welcome shade, autumn transforms the trees into a spectacular display of gold and copper, and winter reveals the intricate shapes of branches normally hidden by foliage.Haigh is also a place where nature and history are closely intertwined. The estate's woodlands, plantations and former industrial workings tell the story of a landscape shaped by generations of human activity. Today, these surroundings offer important habitats for wildlife, while the trees themselves help absorb carbon, improve air quality and provide a valuable green refuge close to the town. I have always found it curious that we applaud a tree for shedding its covering every autumn, yet regard similar expressions of natural freedom in human beings with considerably less enthusiasm.Sometimes the greatest adventure is simply taking a pleasant walk beneath the trees and returning home feeling considerably better than when you left.
Mesnes Park
An oasis of Victorian eleganceIn the heart of Wigan lies a reminder that the Victorians, for all their enthusiasm for factories, chimneys and industrial progress, also understood the importance of getting outside occasionally. Opened in 1878, Mesnes Park remains one of the borough's finest public spaces, combining formal gardens, magnificent trees and elegant architecture in a setting that has provided generations of Wigan residents with somewhere to escape the demands of everyday life.The park's centrepiece is its beautifully restored Victorian pavilion, standing proudly above the surrounding gardens. Nearby, the ornamental Coalbrookdale fountain provides another reminder of an age when even a public drinking fountain was expected to demonstrate considerable artistic ambition. Broad pathways, carefully maintained flowerbeds and sweeping lawns give the park a sense of order and grandeur, while its mature trees provide welcome shade and valuable habitats for birds and other wildlife.I must, however, draw particular attention to Fredericks, whose ice creams present a challenge of quite extraordinary proportions. The sheer variety of flavours makes choosing one an undertaking requiring patience, concentration and, ideally, several preliminary visits. I have spent considerable time considering the relative merits of the available options, and remain troubled by the possibility that my eventual selection may have deprived me of something superior. I would welcome a more systematic approach, perhaps involving a tasting programme conducted over several weeks.Almost a century and a half after its opening, Mesnes Park continues to fulfil the purpose for which it was created: offering the people of Wigan beauty, tranquillity and an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
Pennington Flash
Life on the water's edgeOn the outskirts of Leigh lies one of the borough's most remarkable natural landscapes. Pennington Flash, a vast expanse of open water surrounded by wetlands, reedbeds, grassland and woodland, is a place where the industrial past has given way to an extraordinary abundance of wildlife. Like the other flashes of Wigan and Leigh, its origins lie in mining subsidence, a reminder that nature has a remarkable ability to turn the consequences of human activity into something unexpectedly beautiful.Today, Pennington Flash is one of the region's most important places for birdwatching. Its waters attract an impressive variety of wildfowl, while the surrounding reedbeds and woodland provide shelter and breeding habitats for numerous species. From the bird hides, visitors can observe this activity without disturbing its participants, discovering a world of intricate relationships, seasonal migrations and occasional disagreements between ducks.The flash is equally rewarding for those whose interests extend beyond ornithology. Its lakeside paths offer wonderful opportunities for walking, with expansive views across the water and an ever-changing panorama of clouds, reflections and distant trees. I have always found the place particularly enchanting after sunset, when the last light disappears across the water and the countryside settles into a profound stillness. Unfortunately, certain members of the local constabulary appear to regard a gentleman enjoying nature without the encumbrance of clothing as a matter requiring their immediate attention. One might reasonably suppose that, at such an hour, they would have more pressing concerns.Wetlands such as Pennington Flash perform a vital environmental role. They support biodiversity, help manage water and provide natural habitats that have become increasingly precious across Britain. For people, they offer something just as valuable: the opportunity to slow down, breathe fresh air and spend time in surroundings that ask very little of us.There is a particular pleasure in sitting quietly beside a large body of water, watching the birds go about their business with an apparent disregard for appointments, deadlines and domestic responsibilities. At Pennington Flash, the natural world provides a compelling argument for occasionally adopting a similarly relaxed approach to life.
Worthington Lakes
Still waters run deep
Nestled in the countryside to the north of Wigan, Worthington Lakes offers a landscape of quiet beauty, where woodland, open water and gently rolling hills combine to create one of the borough's most peaceful retreats. Originally constructed as reservoirs to supply water to the growing industrial town, the lakes have become a much-loved destination for walkers, nature enthusiasts and anyone seeking a little tranquillity away from the demands of modern life.The three reservoirs, Worthington, Arley and Adlington, sit within a landscape of mature trees, grassy banks and winding paths. Their waters reflect the changing colours of the seasons, from the fresh greens of spring to the rich golds and russets of autumn. Waterbirds gather along the shore, woodland birds move through the branches, and the surrounding vegetation provides valuable habitats for a variety of wildlife.The lakes also demonstrate how landscapes originally created for practical human purposes can develop considerable ecological value. Their waters and surrounding habitats support biodiversity, while the trees and vegetation contribute to cleaner air, carbon storage and the wider health of the local environment. They are a reminder that conservation is not always about preserving untouched wilderness. Sometimes it is about recognising and protecting the natural richness that has developed in places shaped by human hands.For visitors, Worthington Lakes offers the simple pleasure of walking beside water. The combination of open views, woodland shelter and the gentle movement of the lake creates an atmosphere particularly conducive to relaxation. I have occasionally encountered like-minded individuals here who share my appreciation of the natural world and the freedom it affords. Such meetings are invariably pleasant, although I find that the most rewarding conversations often begin without the usual formalities. There is much to be said for meeting people who are entirely comfortable in their own skin.Perhaps the greatest charm of Worthington Lakes is its lack of unnecessary drama. There are no towering mountains to conquer, no raging torrents to negotiate and very little reason to purchase a compass. Just beautiful water, trees, wildlife and the reassuring knowledge that a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon need not involve achieving anything at all.
Three Sisters Recreation Area
Three sisters, one remarkable landscape
Near Ashton-in-Makerfield, Three Sisters Recreation Area offers another splendid example of Wigan's ability to transform its industrial past into something of lasting natural value. Once a landscape shaped by coal mining and associated industry, the area has been reclaimed and restored to provide a wonderful combination of lakes, grassland, woodland and open countryside. Its name comes from three former spoil heaps, a reminder of the industrial activity that once dominated these surroundings.The transformation of Three Sisters is an important environmental achievement. Land once associated with industrial waste now supports valuable habitats and provides local communities with access to green space. Such places contribute to biodiversity, encourage physical activity and offer the considerable psychological benefits of spending time outdoors. I would, however, emphasise the importance of adequate sun protection. A high-factor sunscreen, preferably SPF 50, is an essential companion for anyone who believes that the benefits of fresh air and sunshine should be enjoyed over as much of the human body as circumstances reasonably permit.Three Sisters is ultimately a place for enjoying the outdoors without unnecessary complication. Whether walking beside the lakes, observing wildlife or simply finding a quiet spot to appreciate the surroundings, visitors will discover a landscape that has been given a remarkable second life.With sensible precautions against the sun, there is every reason to enjoy it to the fullest.
