Astbury Mere Country Park
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
A flat mile-long lake loop with a play field, free entry, and kayaking if you fancy getting on the water.
The lake walk is the obvious thing to do here: a circular route of about a mile, flat enough for a pushchair or a wheelchair, and short enough that you're not committing your whole afternoon to it. Reckon on 30 minutes to an hour just for the loop, or stretch it to two hours if you stop at the play field and let the kids loose there first.
Entry's free, which makes this an easy one to slot into a spare morning rather than a big planned-out day. Parking isn't free though, it's 60p for up to two hours or £1.50 if you're staying longer, and there are annual permits at £40 if you know you'll be back. Kayaking and canoeing are on offer too, which is the bit that turns this from "nice walk" into an actual outing if your kids are old enough to get in a boat.
The cafe's open 10am to dusk every day and does the basics well: soft ice cream, coffee, toasties, sandwiches, cakes. It's card only, so don't turn up expecting to pay in coins for a 99. Dogs are welcome round the lake, and there's a decent amount of space for them to have a proper run.
If you want to make more of it, birthday parties can be arranged through Peak Pursuits, which is worth knowing if you're after something other than a soft play do this year. The site's open daily except Christmas Day, 9am until dusk, so winter visits mean an earlier finish than you might expect.
What’s on here
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Good for any age; the flat lake path suits toddlers and buggies alike
- Parking
- 60p for up to 2 hours or £1.50 for longer
- How long to allow
- 30 mins to over an hour for lake walk, or up to 2 hours for full visit
- Food
- One cafe open 10am-dusk, 7 days a week, serving soft ice cream, coffee, toasties, sandwiches, snacks, cakes
- Pushchairs
- Suitable for pushchairs. Lakeside path accessible
- Wheelchairs
- Manual wheelchair available pre-booked from Ranger Service
- Dogs
- Welcome. Plenty of opportunities to exercise dogs all year round
- Cafe is card only, no cash
- Winter visits mean an earlier finish since it closes at dusk
- Kayaking and canoeing are available if you want more than a walk
- Annual parking permits work out cheaper if you'll be a regular
Plan your visit
Is it free to get in?
Yes, entry to the park is free. You just pay for parking.
How much is parking?
60p for up to two hours, £1.50 if you're staying longer. Annual permits are £40 if you visit often.
How long does a visit take?
The lake walk itself is 30 minutes to an hour. Add the play field or a kayak session and you're looking at up to two hours.
Is it OK for a pushchair or wheelchair?
The path around the mere is flat and accessible. A manual wheelchair can be pre-booked through the Ranger Service if you need one.
What's there to eat?
One cafe on site, open 10am to dusk, doing ice cream, coffee, toasties and cakes. It's card only.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are welcome and there's plenty of space for them round the lake.
Can you do birthday parties there?
Parties can be arranged through Peak Pursuits rather than the park itself.
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