BLACKLEACH COUNTRY PARK, Hill Top Road, off Bolton Road, Walkden, Worsley. A beautiful 100 acre park with walking and angling, a bird sanctuary and Visitor Centre. Open dawn to dusk. Ring 0161 790 7746.

CLIFTON COUNTRY PARK AND WET EARTH COLLIERY, Clifton house Road, Clifton. 80 acres of woodland, grassland, ponds, a fishing lake and a Visitor Centre. The park also houses the industrial remains of the Wet Earth Colliery, one of the first deep mines to be sunk in the Irwell Valley. Open Sunday to Tuesday 1pm to 5pm and Wednesday 1pm to 4pm. Ring 0161 793 4219.

HAIGH COUNTRY PARK, Haigh, Wigan. 250 acres of beautiful woodland, gardens, plantations surrounding the magnificent Georgian Haigh Hall with a variety of facilities and attractions. The Stables Centre houses an information centre and shop, cafeteria, craft units and art and craft gallery. A children's play area, model village, crazy golf course and miniature railway and walled gardens, feature fountain, lily pond and lawns are ideal for resting and picnics. There is also the opportunity to tour the House of the Lords, the former home of Lord Crawford. Open all year. Some attractions are subject to seasonal and weather changes. Ring: 01942 832895.

PENNINGTON FLASH COUNTRY PARK, St Helens Road, Leigh. A lake and nature reserve make this a popular beauty spot with 7 bird viewing hides, 9 hole golf course, fishing, sailing, footpaths and picnic area. Open daily from 9am to dusk. Ring: 01942 605253.

BEACON COUNTRY PARK, Beacon Lane, Upholland, Lancashire. Picturesque country park with facilities including a golf course and driving range, visitor centre, cafe and bar, nature trails, orienteering course, heritage trail and ranger service. Open daily throughout the year. Ring 01695 622794.

BOLLING VALLEY, County Offices, Chapel Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire. From the Pennine foohills above Macclesfield to the Manchester Ship Canal near Lymm, the Bollin Valley is served by over a network of 100 miles of waymarked footpaths linking towns and villages with farmland, woodland, ponds, wood cloughs and man-made features. Faciliites include picnic sites, visitor centre and a programme of activities. It is recommended to check with the venue as the attraction is open but some sites are modified at the moment due to the foot and mouth outbreak. Ring 01625 534790.

BROWNHILL COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE, Wool Road, Dobcross, Greater Manchester. A countryside centre on the edge of the canal with an extensive footpath network. Facilities include picnic sites, nature area and bird hide, shop displays and information centre. Open all year Wednesday to Friday from 11 Saturday and Sunday 10.30am to 5pm. Ring 01457 872598.

BURRS ACTIVITY CENTRE, Woodhill Road, Bury. An outdoor activity centre with canoeing, climbing, orienteering and hiking facilities, a bunkhouse, cafe and campsite. Open daily all year. Ring 0161 764 9649.

DAISY NOOK COUNTRY PARK, Stannybrock Road, Failsworth, Greater Manchester. A country park with woodland, canals, river, picnic sites, bird-watching, orienteering, fishing and a Visitor Centre. The country park is open daily all year and the Visitor Centre is open all year Wednesday to Friday from 1pm to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 5pm. Ring 0161 308 3909.

ETHEROW COUNTRY PARK, George Street, Compstall, Greater Manchester. A country park covering 240 acres of an old cotton mill offering a variety of leisure pursuits including bird-watching, rambling, nature study, sailing, model boating and angling. Open all year Saturday to Wednesday all times and the Visitor Centre is open Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm and Wednesday from noon to 4pm. Ring 0161 427 6937.

LYMEFIELD VISITOR CENTRE, off Lower Market Street, Broadbottom, Greater Manchester. A countryside Visitor Centre with information on local wildlife and industrial history with guided walks around the countryside. Open Wednesday and Thursday noon to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm. Ring 01457 765780.

MACCLESFIELD RIVERSIDE PARK, Beechwood Mews, off Manchester Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire. A country park with woodland, wetland, ponds and a wildflower meadow complement the grassland whichi s managed with the help of a breeding herd of Longhorn cattle. Other facilities include a visitor centre and picnic sites. Ring 01625 511086.