Clifton Country Park — Attraction in Salford

Clifton Country Park started as a dig for the nearby M60 embankment, on the terrain of the former Wet Earth Colliery. It is part of a larger green area from Bolton to Manchester along the river Irwell, also including the Irwell Sculpture Trail. It boasts a well maintained path around a small lake (1.5 miles), overlooks on the meandering Irwell, remnants of the colliery (a dry canal, some closed shafts and ruins) and a folly tower on the incline towards the railway. There's a large wooded area with a few streams and bridges, two large meadows, a play area for pre-teens and a climbing wall. In all, a decent half day out and great for a walk, run or ride by cycle or horse. It's a popular fishing spot too, if you have the license. And of course it makes for a great spot to walk dogs, though it can get busy. It's a regular hack also for horses at nearby stables, so please keep dogs under close control. The car park also has a small visitor centre with toilets and a selection of coffees and snacks.

If you are able to, please don't try to access Clifton CP by car. There is free parking available at the park (some 50 spaces) and there is limited on-road parking on Clifton House Road leading there. This road is steep and curvy down to a narrow railway tunnel on a bend, so your reversing and turning skills may be tested to the limit. The top road (A666 from Bolton to Manchester) has limited on-road parking too, but especially on weekends and sunny days this gets taken up very quickly. If this looks busy, I wouldn't bother turning into Clifton House Road. If you need the car but you don't mind a walk, I'd actually recommend parking in Ringley village if you can, which is on the way to Radcliffe. From there it's a short walk past the sewage works to cross a metal and wood footbridge across the Irwell. The sewage works aren't scenic or pleasant of course, but there's no hills to tackle and it's usually quieter. Bookending your visit with a visit through the old village and its excellent Horse Shoe pub is a treat.

Back on the top road though, Beeline bus 8 stops at the cricket club or Dixon Fold on the A666 and is some 45 minutes from Manchester city centre, 25 from Bolton Interchange. The railway stations are not conveniently close or have frequent trains, but it's possible to walk or cycle some 1.5-2 miles from Kearsley or Clifton into either end of the park. Salford really ought to re-open Dixon Fold station and connect it to bus and cycle routes instead of these two rarely used stations.

Unfortunately most of the wooden carvings / statues that other reviews have mentioned have been stolen. This is incredibly disappointing, but don't let it ruin your day. Clifton CP remains a nice place to watch some swans and ducks, walk the dog, explore some mining relics on a woodland walk, play around a climbing frame or bask in the sun with a picnic.

If you visit Clifton CP after dark or in winter please know that all paths are unlit, and in adverse weather there is a good chance of mud and some flooded areas toward the back of the park. At night, the car park is not a place I'd recommend anyone visit. This isn't a dangerous place otherwise, though you should be weary of giant hogweed - an impressive plant that can leave permanent skin damage. Also do not swim in the lake or jump off the bridge into the river - it is no exaggeration that people have died...

Didn't see any toilets , but a lovely walk with George play area for children, fishing 🎣 bike rides. Didn't see any refreshment areas. We walked here from little lever along Manchester Bolton and bury ship canal , we left the top canal at prestolee viaduct and re joined the Manchester Bolton and bury canal at the lower locks , from here we follow the canal to the end which runs alongside the river irwell there's plenty of wildlife along the the way and also plenty of photographs to be taken. Also there are many green rubbish bags dotted along the way which are all collected and distributed by a bunch of amazing volunteers that hardy get a mention or any praise for the service they provide as you reach the end of the canal there's a main road to cross which at times gets very busy. After crossing the road you have to ways you can walk to get to the marina left takes you past the horse shoe and right will take past the Italian restaurant la Roma which both have outside sitting areas. You will need to stay on the horse shoe side and walk straight down to the waterworks following the road to the left , towards the bottom of the road you need to cut through an off road track that will take you to a bridge leading over the river to the marina , But take note of this route for your way back as there's a few more paths that join that can easily be mistaken for...

We were very impressed with this park. Ample parking, disabled parking too. Dog, child and pram/wheelchair friendly. Great for families. You could try the fairytale trail if with children, which is a lap around the marina (although no boats lol) with animal sculptured for children to discover.

There are ducks, swans and Canadian geese on the lake. There is a park located a short distance from the parking lot.

Numerous benches and bins located around the park. Several paths from the main gravel/sand path, that could keep you busy as long as you want to walk for.

Some of the paths can be waterlogged, muddy and would require adequate footwear. Horses can be spotted in some of the fields. There is a path alongside the river Irwell too.

There is a Cafe on-site with access to toilets and baby changing. Seating inside and outside. Coffee is really good here with dairy free milk. A very well looked after park, Salford Council have rangers on-site.

Lost 1 star due to some of the paths being incomplete, unsteady, overgrown or entirely waterlogged. Slippery to walk through when carrying a baby...