Black Moss Covert Nature Reserve

Black Moss Covert is a small but surprisingly rich woodland nature reserve in Dunham Massey, sitting along a former railway line that's been transformed into a wide, well-kept trail. It's open around the clock every day of the week, so you can drop in whenever suits you.

Despite its modest size, the birdlife here is genuinely impressive. Spend an hour quietly walking through and you can easily clock up 14 or more species, including the Goldcrest, Britain's smallest bird. It's the kind of place that rewards a slow, unhurried wander rather than a dash through.

The trail connects to the Pennine Trail and the canal path alongside it, so there's plenty of scope to extend your walk in either direction. Kids tend to love it rain or shine, and it's equally popular with dog walkers. The path is wide and even underfoot, which makes it manageable for little legs.