Exploring Clock Face Country Park in Merseyside
Following on from my last post where I visited Sutton Manor Woodlands, I’m visiting neighbouring site Clock Face Country Park which is located on the southern edge of St Helens in Merseyside and has far reaching views across Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire.
At 57 acres in size, Clock Face is a nice compact country park that is well worth visiting for a short walk of about half an hour; although there are lots of paths going off in all directions providing excellent opportunities to extend your walking time.
In fact, Clock Face Country Park has a large number of neighbouring outdoor spaces – all of which come under the umbrella of Bold Forest Park, Bold being the overall parish area. These other sites are well worth checking out too and include Sutton Manor Woodlands where the Dream Sculpture is sited, Colliers Moss, Wheatacre Woods, Griffin Wood and Maypole Wood. Collectively, these amass 267 acres of thriving woodland – all of which have amazingly grown up from the scars of a mining landscape. You could not get two more different environments and what is present now forms a fabulous outdoor space to enjoy, exercise and relax in.
For this post though, let’s focus on Clock Face!
Table of Contents
History of Clock Face Country Park
Like Sutton Manor Woodlands, Clock Face Country Park stands on the site of a former colliery which dates back to 1890. It is sometimes referred to as Clock Face Colliery Country Park. At the height of production in the 1960’s, the mine employed over 700 men and produced 160,000 tons of coal per year. By 1965, the pit was deemed uneconomical and finally shut down in 1966.
The colliery took its name from the local Clock Face Inn and Clock Face Road which originally was part of Sutton. The area is now actually known as Clock Face, most likely as a tribute to the colliery which was prominent in the community at the time.
In the 1990’s St Helens council took on the site and developed a community woodland with large open spaces for the purpose of recreation.
The fishing pond is a remnant of the mining days as it was once used to store water that was pumped out of the mine shafts. This activity continued for years after the closure of the pit to supplement the local drinking water supply whilst also providing water to the next door colliery at Sutton Manor, which didn’t cease operation till the early 1990’s.
Flora, Fauna & Wildlife
Having installed fishing platforms and new paths right the way around the pond, this stretch of water soon became a popular fishing spot, and I don’t think I remember a time in all my visits where there hasn’t been at least one angler present.
In 2009, Clock Face Anglers club was formed but if you’re not a member you can still buy day tickets to fish. There are various aquatic plants around the edges of the pond including flag iris, reed mace and water lily and the fish present include roach, bream and tench.
There is a rich variety of flora and fauna and there always seems to be something different to see every time I visit. Both coniferous and deciduous woodlands populate the site with native species including ash, oak, silver birch and wild cherry.
Wild flowers grow voraciously through spring and summer and the meadow areas and path verges become laced with yellow, white and purple flowers with odd specks of red and pink popping up thanks to errant poppies. I couldn’t tell you all the other varieties as I’m not a botanist, but it delivers a highly attractive spread.
I’ve spotted all sorts of bird life at Clock Face and I’ve regularly seen grebes and herons on/in the pond. I tend to stay away from the water’s edge though as there are always dragonflies and damselflies which seem to like to nibble on my skin!
The Visitor Experience
You’ll find information panels dotted around Clock Face Country Park at key locations, including one in the car park with a map of the site. These were installed in 2012 and have made for a far better visitor experience.
There is also a toposcope near the highest point to tell you what you are looking at on the horizon. The trees have grown up over the years though, so not everything can be seen any more, but at least you know what’s in each direction. Also, many of these landscape features require a bright, clear day to be visible, something I only get about 20% of the time I visit.
The best views are seen from the southern-most part of the perimeter path with views out over Cheshire. This view is dominated by the cooling towers at Fiddlers Ferry Power Station.
You can even see the ‘Dream’ sculpture at neighbouring Sutton Manor woodlands. If you take the path leading along the north east edge of the country park to make a clock wise circuit from the car park, once you’ve passed the toposcope, at the break in the tree line where a path forks off back towards where you started, look along here and you’ll be able to see it on the horizon.
Clock Face Country Park really is a pleasant place to exercise, get some of that fabulous and rejuvenating fresh air and of course walk your 4-legged friend. My pooch Roger really loved it here. It was a regular outing for us.
How Long do I Need to Explore Clock Face Country Park?
It takes about 20-25 minutes to wander at a relaxed pace around the boundary paths of Clock Face Country Park, but you could easily extend this with a bit of criss-crossing of paths.
If you want to lengthen your walk, you can add on Maypole Wood and Griffin Wood. The path leads off into Maypole Wood from the far end of Clock Face Country Park furthest away from the car park. The trees in Maypole were only planted in 2003 and are the latest addition to Bold Forest Park. They are now well established and a lovely space to walk through.
You can also combine Clock Face Country Park with a visit to the Dream sculpture at Sutton Manor Woodlands. There is a path that links the two sites – accessed through the far end of the car park at Clock Face. This path is level and follows the route of an old railway – the ‘Miners Way’ which you can kind of tell from the straight appearance of the path.
Facilities at Clock Face Country Park
There are no facilities outside of car parking at Clock Face Country Park which is accessed from Gorsey Lane. You’ll find information panels, signs and maps to guide you round the site and there are frequent benches to sit and enjoy the views.
There are several picnic benches located in a couple of locations at Clock Face, so perfect for a bite to eat. I’ve always thought the car park would be a great spot for an ice cream van, but sadly I have never seen one there.
Parking
The gates on the main part of the car park are supposed to be open from 8am – 6pm October to March and till 9pm from April to September. However I have regularly seen the barrier down during the day (especially week days). If this is the case there are still a small number of spaces immediately ahead as you turn into the car park entrance before the barrier and this is where I normally park. Note – there is a height restriction bar of 2 metres to stop larger vehicles from entering.
Accessibility
The country park is set up nicely for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and prams as the paths are well surfaced, wide and not too steep in gradient. Some can get muddy in winter but I’ve always found them to be well maintained and erosion kept under control.
Cycling and horse riding through the park is also permitted, though horses are not allowed to trot, canter or gallop.
Is it easy to Social Distance at Clock Face Country Park?
Yes is the simple answer. Paths are wide and have additional grass verges to move out onto if needed. There are no gates to touch and open off the car park either so no contamination issues there.
Get in Touch…
So, are you familiar with Clock Face Country Park? Have you been before? Please drop me a line in the comments box below and let me know.
I’m in the process of writing about many more local walks to the Warrington & St Helens area in North West England. So keep checking back for more great walks, or sign up to receive notifications of new posts in the side bar to the right (or on your mobile – scroll down to find it below my profile.)
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Further Reading on Walks in North West England:
Walking to the Dream Sculpture at Sutton Manor Woodlands
Discover Wigg Island, the little green oasis under the Mersey Gateway bridge in Runcorn
Pennington Flash in Greater Manchester – the winter edition.
Walking amongst Anthony Gormley’s iron men (Another Place) at Crosby Beach, Merseyside
Walk from Southport to Ainsdale Sands, Merseyside
The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail in North Yorkshire
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