The Trafford Centre has long been a go-to for one-stop shopping, with scores of stores under one roof and plenty of places to eat and drink. The surrounding areas also offer a host of fun filled amenities - you can hit the slopes at the nearby Chill Factore, try indoor skydiving at iFLY, or even walk with the dinosaurs during a fun round of mini golf at Dino Falls.
But what most shoppers aren't aware of is that hidden away in the shadow of the huge shopping centre is a secret woodland, a hidden gem offering a calm oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the shops - and it is also an unlikely haven for rich wildlife.
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Tucked away by the side of the Orient car park, near Frankie & B is an ancient natural woodland with two ponds, a picnic area and a network of footpaths to explore. The area has been known locally as
Wilderspool Woodssince 1794, and was once home to a gentleman's house, a cottage and later a farm.
Owned by the Garner family, the lavish Wilderspool Hall and Farm had six bedrooms, two living spaces, a coach house and stables. Preserved when the shopping centre opened in 1998, the copse is a breeding ground for birds such as wrens, blue tits and mallards. Bird and bat boxes have also been introduced to attract other species, and the ponds are filled with koi carp.
The house was demolished in 1963 and the land became part of the farm, the site of which is now occupied by Premier Inn. Ropes course Trafford Treetop Adventures also borders the woods. Bluebells bloom there from April to June, and visitors can also admire snowdrops from January to March; daffodils from March to April; primulas from February to April; and crocuses from February to March.
The site has won multiple Britain in Bloom awards. As spring approaches and with Easter around the corner this lesser-known beauty spot is a great place to explore. You can find a map of the woodland here
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