Etherow Country Park
Attractive Etherow Country Park is situated at the village of Compstall, between Marple Bridge and Romiley, Stockport and was one of the first country parks in England being established in 1968, occupying the site of an old cotton mill owned by the Andrews family. It has steadily grown in size and popularity and now attracts over a quarter of a million visitors every year.
Etherow Country Park consists of approximately 92 hectares at the heart of the Etherow-Goyt Valley . The park offers a variety of leisure pursuits such as bird-watching, rambling, nature study, sailing, model-boating and angling. Rich in wildlife, the park is home to over 200 species of plants and more than a hundred species of birds have been recorded there. Tawny Owls hunt frequently in the Keg woodlands. The River Etherow flows through the park and is the source for its mill pond. The site includes an ancient coal mine situated in Ernocroft Wood, which is believed to have been mined as early as the middle ages.
Compstall Nature Reserve consists of a 12.8 hectares (32 acres) area of the park. The reserve is a designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is managed jointly by the Valley Wardens and the Cheshire Conservation Trust.
The Goyt Way, a ten mile long footpath to the town of Whaley Bridge, starts at Etherow Country Park.
Events and educational services available at the country park. All areas are accessible to disabled visitors (Motorised wheelchairs are available free of charge to allow disabled visitors to enjoy the park) and guide dogs are permitted.