W

ith its huge ancient trees and unspoilt wetland, Delamere Forest has a little bit of Canada about it. Sure the wildlife may not be quite so exotic, but you’ll get the same satisfying sense of escape – if you know where to go.

This ancient woodland is the largest in Cheshire, and packs a huge amount of variety into its 2,400 acres. As well as grassland and forest, you could also check out the wetland at Blakemere Moss, where you can sit and watch water birds ferreting about in the reeds; or how about taking a picnic along to Dead Lake (ignore the name, it’s really rather peaceful)?

In fact there are tons of relaxing walks that thread their way through the forest, along easy-going sandstone paths that lead off from the visitor centre. You can hire bikes here too, so why not grab a map from the visitor centre and set out for the top of Pale Hill.

It’ll give your legs and lungs a wake-up call and there’s a cracking view of Liverpool, way off in the distance…