Haigh Woodland Park — Attraction in Wigan

Haigh Hall Woodland Park (aka Haigh Hall Country Park... Those who know will know) is not only the jewel of Wigan's parks but also one of the finest parks in the North West of England. . The park itself is very large and is best described as being a park of two halves (namely the Haigh Woodland Park and Haigh Plantations). A continuous path (more like a road) runs through both halves and it's very easy to simply follow this from either the main car park (next to the hall / stable block) all the way through the walled gardens through the woods (over the Leeds Liverpool canal) and on through to the plantations and park gates (opposite Wigan Royal Infirmary). . However, the area really comes alive when you explore the mass of land that you can pass through by taking alternative routes. There really is something for everyone both walkers, runners, and cyclists. . For children there are two very large play areas. One has all the things you would expect to find at a country park of this size and much more besides. The second is much smaller and is an assault circuit. This can get very wet and muddy in winter so good walking boots or wellies are recommended. . The Hall itself is currently under refurbishment at the time of writing but this is a magical building and definitely worth a visit when it reopens. . In the meantime the stable block includes several local food retailers and a delightful craft shop. There is also a microbrewery onsite. . If you enjoy golf, there is a full size pay to play 18 hole course and a range of practice facilities including a short par three course. The park also benefits from two adventure golf courses. . Another major benefit is the full size treetop walking facility with ropes and courses for both children and adults to enjoy. . Parking in the main carpark is chargeable, however there are free parking facilities available if you want to enter the park from alternative gates (all marked on the map and easy to find). . Haigh Woodland Park is a very special place and has hosted major events and concerts over the years, including the Verve's famous homecoming gig. There is so much more I could write about this place as it's so vast and steeped in history. If you've never been to Haigh Hall Woodland Park put this on your...

Although being born in Lancashire in the 1960's and living within what is now called Greater Manchester ever since (Greater Manchester being formed on 1st April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act of 1972) I had never visited Haigh Hall before the weekend of 21st May 2022. If I'm honest I'd only ever seen signs, those huge and rather dull brown tourist information signs, for the hall whilst tear-arsing along the M61.

After gulping when told the car parking fee was £3.50 - really, to park miles from anywhere - we walked around the country estate that astonished me at every turn.

What appears to be the old stables and coach houses had been thoughtful reimagined as a food and drink area hosting a bar, bakery and ice-cream parlour. The Grade ll* Hall, a two-hundred-year-old masterpiece sat eloquently on its elevated position overlooking the County. Once disastrously a hotel the hall is to undergo a transformation into a venue fit for the 21st century. I couldn't help but acknowledge the wealth that this estate once commanded. The approach to the hall was typical of the period that it was built in in that the hall is hidden by a bend in the drive, a sweeping left turn reveals the hall and it's tree lined approach in all its grandeur - you have arrived.

The estate drops down to the Leeds - Liverpool canal that affords a view of the golf course. A gentle walk through the 'Plantation Gates, ' an unfortunate name whether intended or not nodded to where fortunes were made.

The walled gardens screamed Pride and Prejudice. Adjacent to that was an adventure playground with climbing frames so high they'd give a eagle a nosebleed; entertainment for the kids taken care of - surely even chimpanzee's would tread cautiously.

I'm sure it is a great place to visit any time during the year - once it has been updated, sympathetically, it will be a five star attraction.

Update May 2023: With restoration well underway the hall is out of bounds but, the rest of the park is open and is as...

My two children, 11 and 8, and I, had a brilliant time here yesterday. It was a little disappointing to find there's quite extensive renovation works going on at both the hall and along the miniature railway, and this is the reason for the 4☆ review - not that we minded the work at all, it's clear this is in the best interest of the hall and the miniature railway, but that there's no mention on the website or Facebook page (which I checked prior to our visit) and also that we didn't know the path passing the swan pond to complete the 1 mile circuit was closed as there was no signage until we got there. It didn't make our day any less enjoyable, as we followed the path around past the victorian kennels ruins (a huge hit), then followed the canal back to the car park, but those paths weren't suitable for pushchairs or scooters so families with younger children would've had to turn back. Our 1 mile walk turned in to a lovely 3 mile trail, which we finished off with a picnic, a few fairground rides (all very quiet, I expect due to the rides costing £2.50 each), and an ice cream from the van (£10 for 3). We did head over to the playground, but we found the equipment a bit too busy for us so we went back to find their favourite tree and had a bit of a climb before we left. £3.50 for the car park all day is a bargain when compared to other similar locations, particularly as there is so much going on here for children. We spent 4.5 hours here in total, but could easily have stayed all day, and we look forward to returning when the miniature railway re-opens as the kids would've loved this. It would just be nice to know before you travel what closures are in place, so you can plan your day...