Family walks near Timperley

Walks families can do with children around Timperley, Altrincham, Sale and Cheshire, with the length, what the paths are like, and where to get a hot drink.

14 places within 30 minutes of Timperley, nearest first; 2 with free parking.

Prices, ages and opening times from each place's own website. Checked every few months.

On the doorstep 3

Bridgewater Canal walk Altrincham, Timperley and Sale · 0.8 miles from Timperley 3.5-mile towpath walk from Altrincham through Timperley and Brooklands to Sale, with a detour round the Timperley flood basin ponds3.5 miles one way, about 1½ hours; tram back from Sale · An hour or so Free

John Leigh Park tree trail Altrincham · 1.1 miles from Timperley Short 0.7-mile tree trail round John Leigh Park in Altrincham, with play areas, pets' corner and toilets in the parkPlayground · 0.7 miles, about 20 minutes · Buggy-friendly · An hour or so Free

Bollin Valley walk Hale, Altrincham · 1.2 miles from Timperley 3-mile country walk from Hale station down old lanes and across the River Bollin to Ashley village; train back from Ashley3 miles one way, up to 1½ hours; train back from Ashley · An hour or so Free

A short drive 11

Banky Meadows and Ashton upon Mersey walk Ashton upon Mersey, Sale · 2.9 miles from Timperley 2-mile circular from St Martin's Church through Banky Meadows to the Trans Pennine Trail, on hedge-lined paths past grazing horses2 miles, about 45 minutes · An hour or so Free

Sale Water Park lake circuit Sale · 3 miles from Timperley Level, step-free 2.5-mile loop right round the lake at Sale Water Park, from the tram stop, with cafés on the wayCafé · 2.5 miles, about 1¼ hours · Buggy-friendly · An hour or so Free

Dunham Massey deer park wellbeing walk Dunham Massey, Altrincham · 3 miles from Timperley Easy 2-mile loop of the deer park on flat, firm paths, past the mill, Smithy Pond and Island Pool, from the visitor centrePlayground · Café · 2 miles, 40 minutes to an hour · An hour or so

River Mersey and Kickety Brook walk Stretford · 3 miles from Timperley 2.2-mile circular from Bradley Lane along a quiet stretch of the Mersey, back on the Trans Pennine Trail and a woodland track2.2 miles, about 50 minutes · An hour or so Free

Chorlton Water Park lake loop Chorlton · 3.5 miles from Timperley 1-mile circular walk round the lake at Chorlton Water Park on surfaced paths, with a small playground and toilets by the car parkPlayground · 1 mile · Buggy-friendly · An hour or so Free

Wellacre Country Park and Jack Lane walk Flixton, Urmston · 4.3 miles from Timperley 2.3-mile circular round Wellacre Country Park in Flixton, with views over the Mersey Valley and wildflowers on the hill in summer2.3 miles, about 55 minutes · Buggy-friendly · An hour or so Free

Arthur's Wood loop Styal, Wilmslow · 4.7 miles from Timperley Woodland loop from the Quarry Bank mill yard: 2.4 miles on the short version, 4.2 miles in full. Uneven in the woods, so not for buggiesPlayground · Café · 2.4 miles (short trail) or 4.2 miles (full trail) · Half a day Free

Quarry Bank Southern Woods walk Styal, Wilmslow · 4.7 miles from Timperley Easy 1.5-mile woodland walk by the River Bollin from the Quarry Bank mill yard, past the mill pond and weir; a 1-mile short cut tooPlayground · Café · 1.5 miles (short version 1 mile), about 45 minutes · An hour or so Free

Field to Fork trail Knutsford · 4.9 miles from Timperley 3-mile parkland walk at Tatton past the Old Hall and both meres, starting by the Mansion. Muddy in places and not for pushchairsPlayground · Café · 3 miles, 1 to 1½ hours · An hour or so Free

Bramhall step-free saunter Bramhall, Stockport · 7.2 miles from Timperley Step-free 3.3-mile walk from Bramhall station through Bramhall Park, with a playground, café and toilets at the parkPlayground · Café · 3.3 miles, about 1¾ hours · Buggy-friendly · Half a day Free

The Wizard's Wander Alderley Edge · 8.4 miles from Timperley Easy 1-mile circuit from the National Trust car park at Alderley Edge, past old mine workings and the stories of the Edge's legendCafé · 1 mile, 45 minutes to an hour · Buggy-friendly · An hour or so Free

Compared

Nearest first. A dash means the place doesn't say; tap a name for everything we know.

Place	Length	Buggy-friendly	Café
Bridgewater Canal walk10 min	3.5 miles one way, about 1½ hours; tram back from Sale	No	–
John Leigh Park tree trail10 min	0.7 miles, about 20 minutes	Yes	–
Bollin Valley walk10 min	3 miles one way, up to 1½ hours; train back from Ashley	No	–
Banky Meadows and Ashton upon Mersey walk15 min	2 miles, about 45 minutes	–	–
Sale Water Park lake circuit15 min	2.5 miles, about 1¼ hours	Yes	Yes
Dunham Massey deer park wellbeing walk15 min	2 miles, 40 minutes to an hour	–	Yes
River Mersey and Kickety Brook walk15 min	2.2 miles, about 50 minutes	–	–
Chorlton Water Park lake loop15 min	1 mile	Yes	No
Wellacre Country Park and Jack Lane walk20 min	2.3 miles, about 55 minutes	Yes	–
Arthur's Wood loop20 min	2.4 miles (short trail) or 4.2 miles (full trail)	No	Yes
Quarry Bank Southern Woods walk20 min	1.5 miles (short version 1 mile), about 45 minutes	–	Yes
Field to Fork trail20 min	3 miles, 1 to 1½ hours	No	Yes
Bramhall step-free saunter25 min	3.3 miles, about 1¾ hours	Yes	Yes
The Wizard's Wander25 min	1 mile, 45 minutes to an hour	Yes	Yes

Lengths are as published by the National Trust, councils and Friends-of groups. Woodland paths get muddy from autumn to spring, so wellies help even on the buggy-friendly routes.

For playgrounds along the way, see playgrounds and parks.

Questions parents ask

What's a good buggy-friendly walk near Timperley?

John Leigh Park tree trail, Sale Water Park lake circuit, Chorlton Water Park lake loop, Wellacre Country Park and Jack Lane walk, Bramhall step-free saunter and The Wizard's Wander are buggy-friendly.

What are the shortest walks for little legs?

John Leigh Park tree trail, Chorlton Water Park lake loop, Quarry Bank Southern Woods walk and The Wizard's Wander are under 2 miles.

Where's the nearest family walk?

The nearest to Timperley are Bridgewater Canal walk (Altrincham, Timperley and Sale, 10 min), John Leigh Park tree trail (Altrincham, 10 min), Bollin Valley walk (Hale, Altrincham, 10 min) and Banky Meadows and Ashton upon Mersey walk (Ashton upon Mersey, Sale, 15 min).