Outdoor Companionship is a service to help people, that need some assistance, to experience the great outdoors for walking and for visiting places of interest, for exercise, fresh air and well-being. We are fortunate to have many parks and beautiful and varied countryside to enjoy in the surrounding area. Here we give you a brief introduction to some of the many places that we take people to experience the many benefits of being in these lovely places.

Etherow Country Park

Etherow Country Park and Nature Reserve
Etherow Country Park and Nature Reserve in Compstall, Stockport is one of the first established country parks in England. It has level paths for gentle, easy walking with plenty of benches to sit and rest or to watch the birds and admire the beautiful surroundings from. These level paths also make it an ideal place for wheelchair users. There are also paths, for more physically demanding walks, leading up through the wooded areas and further on towards Keg Pool. Etherow was once the site of cotton mills so some of the water was diverted from the River Etherow, along a canal and into the lake to provide water for the mills. Coal was also mined in the valley and was transported along the canal. The lake and canal are now places to enjoy seeing the abundance of birds, such as different species of ducks and geese, and are lined by trees and other plant life. There is a cafeteria and visitor centre at the entrance to the park and in front of the lake, with public conveniences next to the cafe (including a disabled access toilet) and also further along the valley, close to the weir. Etherow Country Park is a beautiful place to enjoy nature whatever your walking ability.

Etherow in Autumn

Bluebell Woods in Etherow