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Martin Mere

Just two miles from Martin Lane Farm is the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at MARTIN MERE.

This is an extremely popular attraction for all ages. Internationally recognised as one of the most important feeding grounds for many species of migrating birds.

As well as a fantastic assortment of birds there are now otters and beavers on site, a great adventure playground for the children and an area for pond dipping.

They have a wonderful new restaurant bordering 'swan lake' and a great canoe safari. Its really good fun for all ages, (we thoroughly enjoyed it!)

Visitors staying at our cottages are eligible for a reduced entrance fee to the centre.

Go to Martin Mere for more information

Windmill Animal Farm

Further along the lane from Martin Mere is WINDMILL ANIMAL FARM where children can touch, feed and play with the animals. It is great fun for children of all ages in a safe enclosed area.

Farmer Teds

FARMER TEDS is another great attraction for children. There is an indoor play barn and exciting outdoor activity area with picnic tables to enjoy an alfresco lunch. You can also catch the hourly train that travels around the perimeter of the farm and see the larger animals close up.

Every October, Farmer Teds is transformed into FARMAGEDDON a very popular, very scary haunted event

Rufford Old Hall

One of Lancashire's finest 16th century buildings, RUFFORD OLD HALL is well worth a visit. Owned by the National Trust, it is open from March to October. The house is very interesting and is reputed to have its very own ghost, the Grey Lady!!

It has beautifully laid out gardens, a well stocked gift shop and offers fine, home cooked food. Sunday lunches are very popular

Southport

The elegant, Victorian seaside resort of SOUTHPORT is only 5 miles away and has it all! Great shopping, beautiful gardens, sea, sand, funfair, marina and a fantastic variety of restaurants.

Leeds-Liverpool Canal

The surrounding flat landscape offers wonderful walking and cycling opportunities. The LEEDS-LIVERPOOL canal, provides delightful walks along its bank and is dotted with charming country inns providing food and drink for the needy! Coarse fishing is available during the season and licences can be obtained on request.

Formby Nature Reserve

It is just a 15 minute car ride to FORMBY NATURE RESERVE. A splendid pine forest with well marked trails and a chance to see the beautiful red squirrel and maybe the odd natterjack toad or sand lizard. The stretch of beach here at FORMBY POINT is one of the finest on this coastline.

'Another Place' by Antony Gormley

After visiting the nature reserve you can take a 10 minute drive down the coast to Crosby beach and see Antony Gormleys 'ANOTHER PLACE'. This consists of 100 cast iron, life size figures spreading out along a 3km of foreshore and stretching almost 1km out to sea. Known locally as 'The Iron Men' they have attracted visitors from all over the world.

Liverpool

While in the area, a trip to LIVERPOOL is a must. Fabulous architecture, intriguing history, entertainment and restaurants to suit every taste and last but not least, 'Liverpool One' provides a fantastic shopping experience.

Make time for a trip on a ferry across the famous River Mersey and you may see a cruise liner or navy vessel anchored in the port. Liverpool is one of a handful of cities in the world that has a deep water harbour enabling passengers to disembark straight onto the dockside.

'The Dream'

Further afield, but still within easy reach is 'DREAM' in St Helens. This was the subject of a channel 4 documentary 'The Big Art'.

The people of St Helens wanted a public work of art as a monument to the Sutton Manor Colliery which was closed down in the 1991. It is a fantastic work of art and can be seen rising above the trees from the M62 motorway or you can park up near the colliery gates and walk through the park to see it close up.