20 Attractions to Explore Near National Trust - Rufford Old Hall

Mere Sands Wood is a true wildlife haven. We're thrilled to finally have the opportunity to offer new visitor facilities; just what such a wonderful and well-loved nature reserve deserves. Mere Sands Wood is also a wildflower and fungi haven. Spring and summer bring orchids, yellow-wort and yellow bartsia, while autumn and winter usher in fly agaric, earthballs and common stinkhorn. It covers 105 acres, and includes a visitors centre, two nature trails, six wildlife hides, and one viewing platf

Windmill Animal Farm was a beautiful farm park, opened to the public in 1992, and offers visitors the chance to experience the every day running of an actual working farm while still having the chance to watch, feed, touch and play with the animals. It is home to an amazing range of rare breed and exotic farm animals and some of the best indoor and outdoor play areas in Lancashire.

There’s a fantastic day ahead of you at Martin Mere Wetland Centre. Enjoy splashing, dipping, playing, feeding, paddling and getting up-close-and-personal to some of nature’s most wonderful wildlife. We've 800 acres of adventure to flutter hearts, home to thousands of rare birds; a cheeky family of otters; an all-star cast of pretty pink flamingos and a group of white storks to mention a few.

Martin Mere is a mere near Burscough, in Lancashire, England, on the West Lancashire Coastal Plain. The mere is a vast marsh, around grid reference SD 41 15 that was, until it was drained, the largest body of fresh water in England. We've 800 acres of adventure to flutter hearts, home to thousands of rare birds; a cheeky family of otters; an all-star cast of pretty pink flamingos and a group of white storks to mention a few.

This is Lancashire's only narrow-gauge railway line situated in the village of Hesketh Bank, between Southport and Preston. It features locomotives, wagons, and other equipment from long-gone industrial sites in Lancashire, other parts of the UK, and overseas. The railway has seven steam locomotives, three of which are in operating condition; two are currently being rebuilt and another is on static display. There are also two electric locomotives and many IC locomotives.

Fairy Glen is a small and beautiful woodland walk. You can Stroll through this enchanted forest and discover plenty of cliff edges and spectacular waterfalls. It is a fantastic place for exercise, dog walking and so more. To extend your walk you can enjoy a climb to the nearby Parbold Hill and enjoy wonderful views over the area. You could also continue south east along the canal to Gathurst, enjoying views of the River Douglas as you go.

Worden Park is a hidden gem, situated on the edge of Leyland it could be described as a Country Park in the town. It offers more than 60 hectares of meadows, woodlands and playing fields, Worden Park also includes a range of attractions in its historic grounds. There is woodland in the park, most of which runs along Shaw Brook, a tributary of the River Lostock.

Beacon Country Park is West Lancashire District Council's main countryside site, consisting of over 300 acres of rolling countryside on the slopes of Ashurst Beacon which forms a backdrop to the town of Skelmersdale. A lovely park with a golf club, woodlands and children's area. Plenty of space for picnics and walks. There is also a Gruffalo House, with a children's play area. The fields are full of wildflowers and butterflies.

The British Commercial Vehicle Museum has a compelling story to tell .It represents one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United kingdom.This Museum charts British commercial vehicle history since the 1800’s. The museum is housed in the original inspection building of Leyland Motors and has a traditional Northern Light Roof.

Yarrow Valley Country Park covers over 300 hectares and is located between Chorley and Coppull created on land previously used for bleaching, dyeing, calico printing and mining, Yarrow Valley Country Park is of local historical importance. It contains much woodland and includes nature reserves, best known being Birkacre and Duxbury Woods. One of the nice trekking destination and also you can spend some nice time here.

One of the most beautiful houses in Lancashire. It is now a museum and art gallery. The Hall is set within the beautiful surroundings of Astley Park which include historic woodland, a lake, a fully renovated Victorian walled garden alongside clean and modern facilities for visitors to enjoy. Astley Hall today contains Tudor, Stuart, and Georgian architecture that reflects the times and building tastes of the three families that owned it throughout most of its history.

Hesketh Park is one of the largest parks in Southport. Features of the park include The American Garden, The Clock Garden, The Specimen Garden, The Herbaceous Garden and the Mixed Flower Garden and also It offers a short mile walk away and with plenty of on street parking, this picturesque park is a perfect place to lose track of time.

Cuerden Valley Park gives access to a large area of natural countryside lying alongside the River Lostock where car parks and picnic areas have been provided along with a 10-mile network of footpaths, cycle path and bridleways, and a fishing lake/reservoir. One of the iconic locations and is famous among tourists.

The British Lawnmower Museum is a museum on lawnmowers in Southport, Merseyside, northern England. It has over 300 restored exhibits of garden machinery over the last 200 years. The Museum has now become one of the Worlds leading authorities on vintage lawnmowers and are now specialists in antique garden machinery, supplying parts, archive conservation of manuscript materials and valuing machines from all over the world.

The Atkinson is Southport’s home for music, theatre, art, literature and history. It offer an exciting and varied destination for families, cultural tourists and arts enthusiasts alike, with a full day and night time offer. The art gallery and library has been integrated with the Southport Arts Centre and is now known as The Atkinson.

Southport Model Railway Village is a tourist attraction located in Southport, England. It is a model village with a focus on trains and railways. It has attracted hundreds of thousands of families and model train enthusiasts from all over the world. This spectacular attraction consists of beautiful vistas and fabulous panoramic views of the miniature landscape and railway layout.

Pleasureland is Southport's premier attraction for families looking for a wonderful place to go. There’s a fun mix of rides and amusements set around a park that’s family friendly, clean as a whistle and blooming with hanging baskets and flower beds. With unlimited rides all day for a single admission price, the park offers great value for money.

Southport Beach is a wide, sandy beach located on the coast of Southport in England. The beach is well-known for its cleanliness and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike. Visitors can enjoy plenty of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and flying kites. There are also a number of restaurants and cafes located nearby.

Southport Pier was first opened in 1860 with an original length of 4,380 ft and it is the second longest pier in Britain. The pier has been host to famous entertainers, including Charlie Chaplin in the early 20th century. It was visited by steamliners in its heyday, but silting of the channel meant that by the 1920s very few steamers were able to reach the pier, and the service ceased in 1929.

The Ribble Steam Railway is a standard gauge preserved railway in Lancashire, in the United Kingdom. It was opened to the public on 17 September 2005, running along Preston Docks. The railway began by housing much of the collection from the previously closed Southport Railway Museum, which was based in the old Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway engine shed at Southport.