A Winter’s Walk at Pennington Flash, Greater Manchester
Pennington Flash is a lovely place to walk at any time of year, but here’s how I ended up visiting in winter and why it’s a great time to visit, especially with my pooch Roger.
The ‘Beast from the East’ at Pennington Flash
Signs of spring are finally here, the temperatures are improving, the daffodils are poking out and the snow brought by the Beast from the East has receded.
After seeing so many amazing images of snow bound places in the East of England, particularly the North East, I was so glad I am based in North Cheshire as we had it easy here. There was no more than a couple of inches and for the most part a lovely sprinkling. It was just enough for everything to appear white while the roads remained black.
The Beast from the East did however kibosh my planned day trip to the Lake District where there was considerably more snow. So instead Mr TJG, Roger and I decided to go for a walk at Pennington Flash, a local nature reserve situated in Greater Manchester (historically Lancashire) near the towns of Leigh and Wigan.
What is a Flash?
Pennington Flash nature reserve is centred on one large lake (flash) surrounded by marshland with a number of smaller ponds. A flash refers to a body of water that has formed as a result of mining subsidence and those at Pennington are an excellent example of how the industrial past has developed a beautiful location for wildlife and people to enjoy.
Pennington Flash is made up of open water, reed beds, fen, scrub and woodland and is home to a diverse range of birds, mammals and insects. It is a particularly important habitat for birds however. Over 230 species have been recorded on the site over the years and it is a regular haunt for RSPB members and local bird enthusiasts.
I vaguely remember visiting Pennington Flash when I was a child with my local RSPB group but the only thing I remember about the day was the weather. Grey and miserable! I had no recollection about the place itself, so I was excited to finally go back and experience it for what I consider to be the first time.
Where to Park for Pennington Flash
We parked in the little (free) car park on the left as you turn in to the access drive from St Helen’s Road, but you can continue on to the main car park which is pay and display. For your first trip, if you’re not confident following your nose or Google maps, I’d recommend parking in the main car park where there is an information point and map of the flashes with all the paths on. From where we parked you have to figure out which way to go yourself as the lake isn’t visible and there are paths disappearing in all directions.
After consulting Google maps to establish exactly where we were in relation to the water, we set off and were soon at the water’s edge. Adopting an anti clockwise direction we headed towards the main car park. Roger was in his element running around off the lead. As there were no signs about keeping dogs on a lead we assumed we were OK letting him tear around. We had the place to ourselves and didn’t see another soul until we reached the main car park.
Walking at Pennington Flash in Winter
The Pennington Flash woodlands were beautiful with their snowy blankets on. The stark tree branches stood proud from the white covering, their upper canopies resembling wispy fragile lace against the wide open sky.
As the trees were bare it meant the water was visible at all times peaking through the branches which occasionally parted. These gaps eagerly enticed you down to the water’s edge, an activity Roger was happy to take part in each and every time. I occasionally had to follow when he did his business in what I deemed to be the most awkward of places.
The air was fresh and bracing and while the sun was out – fabulous and freeing.
After negotiating the narrow outflow from the lake, which slowly meanders to the Manchester Ship Canal, it was onward to the car park, which is where all the bird life congregates in the hope of food. They’re certainly not daft.
Roger was safely back on his lead at this point despite his vigour at wanting duck for tea… Nah, don’t worry; he wouldn’t know what to do with one if he amazingly managed to catch one. However I did not want him hurtling into the fray, sending birds in all directions, a sea of frantically flapping wings, splashing water and alarmed squawking filling the air as they plunge to the relative safety of the water. Aye, I paint a good picture, but it’s definitely the image that entered my head.
What was probably such a rare site was this gorgeous beauty spot devoid of people. It looked like a magical winter wonderland that only I knew about with fresh untouched snow everywhere. You’d have never guessed that it was a popular visitor attraction with a huge car park just out of shot.
Pennington Flash Country Park Wetlands Area
After examining the information board and seeing what was here, we set off to explore the Pennington Flash Country Park Wetlands Area. This consists of a series of ponds of varying sizes littered with bird hides. Hides are little huts with elongated narrow windows from which you can ‘spy’ on wildlife. They ‘hide’ you from sight so you can get close enough to observe bird and animal life without disrupting them.
I popped in to a couple of the hides but without a pair of binoculars I was limited in what I could see. Plus there just wasn’t a huge amount of activity, understandably so as the birds were probably just as cold as we were and sensibly staying tucked up in nests.
The walk round this area was lovely, seeing ponds which had succumbed to the cold and partially frozen over. You see the Leeds Liverpool canal which borders the northern edge of the flashes and Pennington Golf Course which is sandwiched between the road, the flashes and the canal.
The circular route around the country park brought us back to the main car park where there’s a playground, picnic site and toilets.
There is also an intriguing heart sculpture which it turns out is one of seven “Hearts of Wigan”. The hearts are situated in green spaces across the borough, each outlining a short walk from that location. They are part of a programme initiated by Wigan Council to encourage locals to improve their heart health by engaging in gentle regular exercise.
Further walking at Pennington Flash
By now the sun had retreated and the cold had turned to freezing with a chill that was bitter and biting to the face. There is a network of paths that encircles the whole lake, but due to the cold, we retraced our steps back to the car at a much quicker pace, not stopping for any more photos. Mr TJG’s comment: “boy you must be cold if you’re not stopping to whip your phone out for a picture” did not go unnoticed. Tut, the cheek of him!
Pennington Flash was a real surprise and I’m so glad we chose to go as I now have a far nicer image in my head of the place I visited as a child. As I don’t live too far away, I can see it becoming a regular dog walking venue as Roger was clearly a fan. Next time I’ll aim to walk right round the flash, hopefully on a much warmer day.
Useful Information for Visiting:
Pennington Flash is signposted well from the A580 East Lancs Road on brown tourist signs. For sat nav’s use postcode: WN7 3PA.
There is parking for over 200 cars in the main car park (pay and display)
Amenities on site include: toilets, information point, play area, picnic area and a mobile catering unit on most days offering light refreshments.
Activities available onsite:
- Nature walks with hides
- Extensive network of footpaths with a number of walking routes detailed online here
- Angling allowed on the main flash in designated areas
- Horse riding permitted on designated paths
- Challenging 9-hole ‘pay and play’ golf course
- Sailing and windsurfing available from Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club
While I won’t be horse riding, angling or sailing any time soon, I am looking forward to exploring more of the walking trails.
Have you been to Pennington Flash? Can you recommend any other locations nearby for walks? Please let me know in the comments below… I’m always looking for suggestions!
Discover more of my walks in the North West of England
- Discover Wigg Island in Runcorn, Cheshire
- A snowy walk up Rivington Pike and Winter Hill in Lancashire
- Walk to The Dream Sculpture at Sutton Manor Woodlands, Merseyside
- Exploring Clock Face Country Park in Merseyside
- Walking Amongst the Iron Men at Crosby Beach, Merseyside
- Southport to Ainsdale Sands along the Sefton Coastal Path
- Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
- Haigh Hall and Country Park
- The Halo, Lancashire
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