Yarrow Valley Country Park

Jenny wants to let everyone in the sports community know about Yarrow Valley Country Park in Chorley. It's not New Zealand, but right here in the UK, and it's a great spot for a day out. Run by Chorley Council, this 700-acre park is packed with things to do for all ages and has free parking at the café/info hub.

Since 2004, the park's been recognised with a Green Flag for its top-notch facilities and lovely visitor experience. It's a dream for nature lovers, with various walks and trails showing off the park's beauty.

There are walks for everyone - yellow, red, green, and blue trails, each offering a different slice of the park. Everything’s well-marked, and you can download PDFs from the park's website to guide you.

For families, there's “Yarrow Rocks,” a play area where kids can push their limits with a giant rope swing, climbing wall, rock stack, slide, basket swing, and sandpit. Just keep an eye on the little ones and remember, dogs need to be on a lead and away from the play area.

After wandering around, visit Treeface café for some refreshments. They’ve got drinks, cakes, snacks, homemade meals, and ice cream. It generally opens from 10am to 16:30, but do check their Facebook or give them a ring for exact times. The park also has toilet facilities, including baby changing and accessible loos.

The park has rangers who patrol and help visitors, coordinate conservation, and run events. For emergencies, contact the usual services. Anyone over 16 can volunteer for conservation work. More details are on the park’s website.

Chorley Council partners with local groups like the Natural History Society, Historical and Archaeological Society, Friends of River Yarrow, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, and more to keep the park in top shape.

The Lower Burgh Meadow Conservation Group is looking for new members. They organise workdays, meetings, fundraisers, and social events. Interested? More info's on their site.

So, if you fancy some outdoor fun, connecting with nature, or just some lovely landscapes, Yarrow Valley Country Park has got it all. Cheers!