Brotherton Park and Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve

What it’s like

Wildlife trails, buzzards and toads to spot, and a walled garden that only opens one Saturday a month.

This is a proper walk-and-look reserve rather than an attraction with a gift shop at the end. The paths wind through Brotherton Park and Dibbinsdale, and the appeal for kids is entirely in what you spot along the way: buzzards overhead, tawny owls if you're quiet and lucky, toads in the damp bits. It rewards a slower pace and a bit of patience rather than a dash round.

The walled garden is worth building a visit around, but only if you time it right. It's open on the third Saturday of each month, 11am to 3pm, so check which weekend you're going before you promise anyone a garden as well as a walk. Miss it and you've still got the trails, which is no bad backup.

Bring a picnic, as they're allowed in the reserve, which makes it easy to turn a short trail walk into a proper half day out. One thing to know: paths can flood after heavy rain, and the tunnel under the railway is the one that catches people out, so wellies earn their keep here more than most places.

Need to know

Picnics

Allowed in the nature reserve

• Walled garden only opens the third Saturday of each month, 11am to 3pm
• Wellies are a good idea after wet weather, especially for the railway tunnel
• Picnics are fine in the reserve, so pack lunch rather than relying on finding food

Plan your visit

See all Zoos & Wildlife Parks in Liverpool · Things to do in Liverpool