Burrs Country Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burrs Country Park |
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| Type | Public and industrial heritage park |
| Location | Bury, UK |
| Area | 36 hectares |
| Created | 1989 |
| Operated by | Bury MBC |
| Open | All year |
Burrs Country Park is a large park covering 36 hectares (about 86 acres). It sits right next to the River Irwell, about 1.5 km (1 mile) north-west of Bury, Greater Manchester. This amazing park was once an old industrial area. The local council bought it in 1986 and turned it into the beautiful country park you see today. You can visit Burrs Country Park any time of year, and the main entrance is on Woodhill Road.
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What Makes Burrs Country Park Special?
This park is built on the site of old cotton mills called Burr and Higher Woodhill. Most of the old mill buildings were removed, but some interesting parts were kept. You can still see the tall chimney from Burrs Mill, the old mill floor, and the pit where a water wheel once turned.
The park also has a special canal that feeds water into Elton Reservoir. This reservoir then supplies water to the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal.
Art and Nature in the Park
Burrs Country Park is part of the Irwell Sculpture Trail, which is a path filled with cool outdoor art. In the park, you can find three sculptures:
- 'Waterwheel' by David Kemp
- 'Stone Cycle' by Julie Edwards
- 'Picnic Area' by David Fryer
The park is also home to the Bury Agricultural Society Show Ground. This is where the big Bury Show moved to in 2001. You might even spot the Countryside Warden service office in an old cottage. Park rangers work here to help look after the park. Burrs Country Park has won awards like the Green Flag and a "Much Loved" award, showing it's a really great place!
Fun Things to Do at Burrs Country Park
There are lots of exciting activities and places to explore at Burrs Country Park:
- Explore Art: Walk along the Irwell Sculpture Trail and discover unique outdoor artworks.
- Ride a Train: The East Lancashire Railway has a special stop, called a Halt, right in the park.
- Outdoor Adventures: Enjoy walking and orienteering trails. Orienteering is like a treasure hunt where you use a map to find your way!
- Canoeing: The park has a training pool and a slalom course for canoeing. The Bury Canoe Club is based here.
- Playground Fun: Kids can have a blast at the park's playground.
- Learn History: Find interpretation boards that tell you all about the history of the old mills and cottages.
- Picnic Time: There are picnic tables perfect for enjoying a meal outdoors.
- Grab a Bite: Visit The Lamppost Café (check their Facebook for opening times) or The Brown Cow pub for food and drinks.
- Camping: The Caravan and motorhome Club has a special camping and caravan site here.
- Fishing: You can go fishing, but you'll need a licence.
- Birdwatching: Look out for amazing birds like herons, dippers, and kingfishers!
- Cycling: The park is on National Cycle Route 6, great for bike rides.
- Nature Study: Explore different habitats like woodland, wetland, and open spaces.
- Join the Friends of Burrs: This group of local people helps improve the park. They do things like gardening, litter picking, and fundraising.
How to Get to Burrs Country Park
It's easy to get to Burrs Country Park!
- By Bus: Several bus routes from Bury town centre stop near the park.
- By Train: A railway station opened on the East Lancashire Railway on January 1, 2017. You can now take regular passenger services right to the park!
- By Car or Bike: The park is easy to reach by car or bicycle from Bury Bridge on the A58.
- On Foot: There are footpaths leading to the park from nearby areas like Brandlesholme, Walmersley, Seedfield, and Limefield.
More Information About the Park
Bury Metropolitan Borough Council offers several guides about the area. These guides cover topics like the Irwell Sculpture Trail, local wildlife, fishing, and the park's industrial history. You can often find these guides at the park or download them from the Bury MBC website.
