7 family-friendly sculpture walks in the North West of England

Last Updated on April 23, 2023

Having children whose indoor voices can match that of Brian Blessed singing into a megaphone, I’ve always seen the attraction of heading outdoors. But 2020 has really highlighted the virtue of outside spaces where screams (of joy or anguish) can be carried away on a brisk breeze.

With many playgrounds being out of bounds, the trouble has been how to convince my stir-crazy kids that another walk is a good idea. With iPads and sibling-baiting as the entertainment alternatives, it hasn’t always been an easy sell.

But I find having a sense of purpose definitely helps. So, walks centred around a hunt for a piece of art which you can admire/ climb on/ pose with are usually winners. And, of course, a bit of culture that doesn’t involve watching Ryan’s World is a plus for me too.

Having spent five months over the spring and summer living in Manchester, these have been our favourite family sculpture walks in the North West. If you have some ideas for some others, I’d love you to leave a comment. I have a feeling that we may need a few more up our sleeve yet.

Another Place by Antony Gormley at Crosby Beach

I’d never been to Crosby Beach before. More fool me. With a wide sandy beach and a scootable promenade walk, it makes an excellent day trip. But, of course, the main attraction is spotting the 100 socially distanced Antony Gormley statues along the coastline. These beautiful and somewhat haunting figures stare out to the horizon before being swallowed up by the rising tide. Oh, and they make good selfie buddies too.

Just be careful – the water whips in and out fast and there is quicksand in places – so don’t wander out too far from the prom.

Practical stuff

• You can find free car parking opposite Crosby Leisure Centre.
• About a 30-minute walk along the prom from the leisure centre, you reach Burbo Bank pay and display car park. During the summer, this is where we found an ice cream van and a food truck serving sausages sandwiches.
• Portaloos were available at Burbo Bank car park – bring 40p.

The Mythic Coast art trail, Cleveleys

The winning combination of fresh sea air, a wide promenade and beautiful public art is also on offer in Cleveleys.

The trail itself is based on the children’s storybook, The Sea Swallow. Sady, it looks like the book is no longer in print but not knowing the story did little to dent our enthusiasm for finding the sculptures.

Spotting the Stone Ogre hidden by the rocks on the beach is a fun challenge, but it’s seeing Mary’s Shell which makes the trip most worthwhile.

Practical stuff

• You can find parking at the Jubilee Gardens car park, just opposite the seafront.
• The car park is just next door to a small playground and Cleveley’s skatepark.
• The sculptures are mainly centred around the beachfront opposite Jubilee Gardens. We walked along the promenade away from Blackpool for around half an hour. We had planned on getting to Rossall Point Watch Tower but headed back once we had found the engraved wall featuring Mary, to make a start on our picnic.
• Paid public toilets are available next to the Cove Café on the seafront. The café itself looks like a good spot to grab a drink and slice of cake.

Eric Morecambe by Graham Ibbeson, Morecambe Bay

My children had no clue who Eric Morecambe was or why their mother was insisting they stand with their legs at right angles next to his statue. But it was fun all the same. 

And although Ibbeson’s statue of comedy legend Eric Morecambe does bring a little sunshine to this walk, it would be worth visiting the seaside town of Morecambe Bay either way. A good amount of cash has been spent on refurbishing the seafront over the last few years – which makes for a clean, scooter-friendly walk with the distant peaks of the Lake District providing a dramatic backdrop.

The Stone Jetty, with its bird sculptures and inbuilt children’s games, is worth exploring, as is Morecambe’s sandy beach. The old art deco lido also provides a colourful photography backdrop. Here is a short video of our August day trip there.

Practical stuff

• We started our walk at the Battery Car Park (£1.20 for 4 hours, I think) just outside town. We pottered along the prom via the Stone Jetty and Eric Morecambe statue to the main beach by the Clock Tower.
• The chocolate honeycomb ice cream from Mia Mio Morecambe was seriously good. They also sell pizza.
• Public toilets can be found behind the Arndale Shopping Centre.
• There is also a playground on the seafront.

Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail, Clitheroe

Between the ancient market town of Clitheroe and the Forest of Bowland, this sculpture trail winds through Brungerley Park and Cross Hill Quarry. Some of the sculptures are a little underwhelming, although we all adored the limestone otter, the mosaic way-markers and the steel silka deer. And having a map to follow made it feel like an adventure.

My kids were particularly pleased with the play equipment that was scattered around the trail  (have hand sanitiser at the ready). And climbing around the quarry was possibly their favourite activity of the whole summer holidays. Who needs theme parks, eh?

Practical stuff

• We parked in a small lay-by just the other side of Brungerley Bridge and walked back across the bridge to the entrance of the park. I wouldn’t completely rely on this being the best parking spot.
• If you are there in summer, there is an access point next to the bridge to the Ribble River where you can have a paddle. So do bring towels.
• You can also make a stop in handsome, quirky Clitheroe and have a run around the castle grounds, which feature a playground and Lancashire’s only labyrinth.

Irwell Valley Sculpture Trail, Clifton Country Park

The Irwell Valley Trail is 33 miles long and features over 70 sculptures spanning from Bacup to Salford – so a bit more than an afternoon walk then.

Over the course of the spring, we tried to visit most sections, and the Clifton Country Park cluster was one of our favourites. The Lookout by Tim Norris – an undulating structure curving down to the park’s lake – being a particular highlight.

Perhaps more pleasing, though, for younger walkers is the mile-long, circular Fairy Tale Trail through the woods and around the lake. This involves spotting about ten carved sculptures ranging from owls and wizards to a Gruffalo (oh help, on no). The woods provide lots of opportunities for den building and stick collections.

Practical stuff

• There is a large free car park.
• Not ideal for scooters, but a good walk with a pushchair.
• There is a café near the car park and a good playground in the park.

Irwell Valley Sculpture Trail, Ordsall cluster, Salford

After the constant search for green space during the national lockdown, heading back into the city was just the change of scene we needed. The Salford Quays section of the Irwell Valley Trail features striking architecture and plenty of industrial charm, as well as great paths for scooters.

We started at The Lowry and took a circular route around the docks. We sadly missed out Ordsall Hall (because even with scooters that felt like a mission too far) and ended up back where we started for a spot of lunch in Media City. We opted for a Pret a Manger sandwich on the benches.

If you are prone to getting lost, it is worth downloading the visitor guide before setting off.

Practical stuff

• We paid for parking at the Lowry Outlet car park. Alternatively, a tram to Media City is a convenient starting point.
• There are toilets in The Lowry Shopping Mall.
• Depending on coronavirus restrictions, it is well worth checking out The Lowry for children’s shows and exhibitions, if you are in the area.

The Atom, Wycoller

In the early 1800s the Brontë sisters, wearing full skirts, would walk the eight miles from Haworth to Wycoller in search of a cup of tea and a little conversation. And then turn around and set off home again.

As my children don’t have the same fortitude as 19^th-century writers, we settled for a more sedate stroll around this most charming of villages, spotting fairy doors, ducks, ancient stone bridges and waterfalls.

Perched above the village is an added delight: The Atom. This grey-blue panopticon offers visitors snug shelter as well as providing beautiful, framed views of the Lancashire countryside. It is possible to walk straight from the village up to The Atom or make it part of a longer 2.5 km circular walk (download the trail map).

Practical stuff

• You can choose to park either in Wycoller Village Car Park or at The Atom, depending on which walk you want to do.
• A clean toilet is available behind the picturesque ruins of Wycoller Hall and Visitor Centre.
• The family-run Old Dairy is worth a post-walk stop – it has a takeaway hatch and is currently serving autumn warmers, such as pumpkin spiced hot chocolate and bacon sandwiches. In the summer expect ice cream and giant candy floss.

And so I hope one of these options might provide you with inspiration on a day when you need to escape the indoor cacophony. I’m sure it goes without saying to check the coronavirus rules and travel restrictions that are in place.

Stay safe and stay tuned for a hopefully a few more blog posts now we are settled back in England.

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