Etherow Country Park facts for kids

Etherow Café and Visitor Centre are on the banks of the Model Boating Pond

Etherow Country Park is a wonderful place located in Compstall, England. You can find it between Marple Bridge and Romiley in Stockport, Greater Manchester. This park is also a Local Nature Reserve, which means it's a special area protected for its wildlife. It's even the starting point for the Goyt Way, a popular walking trail.

This park was one of the very first "country parks" in England. A long time ago, it was a busy industrial area. There was a mine, a mill, and a large pond that helped power the mill. The River Etherow flows through the park and fills this pond. When the industries closed down, the area changed. Now, the mill pond and park have become a peaceful nature reserve. It's a fantastic spot for walks and enjoying the quiet outdoors.

A Special Nature Reserve

The reservoir was built to supply the mill in Compstall, and is fed by the River Etherow

A part of Etherow Country Park is called the Compstall Nature Reserve. This special area covers about 12.8 hectares (that's about 31.6 acres!). It's so important that it's been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This happened in 1977 because of all the amazing nature found here.

Why is it an SSSI?

The Compstall Nature Reserve is an SSSI because it has many different types of natural places. These include open water, tall grassy areas called fen, and reed swamps. There are also areas of mixed woodland with many different kinds of trees. This variety of habitats makes it a perfect home for many plants and animals.

The park is also a great place for watching birds. Bird experts, called ornithologists, have seen many interesting species here. A rare bird called the water rail has even been spotted in the reserve.

Fun Activities and Groups

Etherow Country Park is a popular spot for many different groups and activities. There's something for everyone to enjoy!

Sailing Adventures

The Etherow Country Park Sailing Club is a small but mighty group. They love to sail on the park's waters. This club has done very well in national competitions. For example, in 2014, they finished 17th out of 64 teams in the famous Southport 24 Hour Race.

Community and Hobbies

The Friends of Etherow is a local community group that helps look after the park. They work to keep it a beautiful place for everyone. Other groups also enjoy the park, like local anglers who love to fish in the waters. There are also model boaters who enjoy sailing their miniature boats on the pond.