A rich variety of wildlife can be found throughout Greater Manchester’s green spaces, whether it’s high up on the moors or in an urban park. But one location which is a haven for a range of animals, birds and insects has been nominated for an award.
Winter Hill, which is around five miles from Bolton town centre, has been nominated as one of BBC Wildlife Magazine’s favourite wildlife destinations in the north of England. Located in the Smithills Estate which is operated by the Woodland Trust, it features a range of habitats including grassland, moorland and woodland.
The site was nominated by Anita Sethi, an award-winning author, writer and journalist who described Winter Hill as “feeling on top of the world”. She said: “Wildlife to look out for includes deer, common lizards and cuckoos, while walking through woodlands replete with wonderful fungi, trees and plants.”
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From the top of Winter Hill there are amazing views across Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside. On a clear day you can even see as far as the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District and Snowdonia.
The Smithills Estate covers an area of 1,700 acres, making it the largest Woodland Trust site in England. Since 2017 the Woodland Trust has been working to restore, preserve and enhance the landscape, with 130,000 native plant species planted. There have been 921 species identified across the estate, from large woodland mammals, common lizards to several species of bat and a variety of birds.
You can follow several walks throughout the estate which take in its range of habitats and provide the perfect opportunity to look for wildlife. There’s a six mile walk which takes you over Winter Hill and takes around four to five hours to complete.
You can vote for your favourite wildlife spot in the North East and North West of England here - voting closes on March 10. Parking at Smithills Estate is available at Walker Fold car park (BL1 7PT).
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