Explore Lyme's great outdoors

Make the most of summer

Summer brings with it an abundance of fauna across the estate.

The stunning Rose Garden bursts in to colour whilst the summer bedding schemes in the Italian Garden and the East Terrace create quite the specatacle.

Across the estate, wildflowers blossom across fields, meadows and woodland. Head to Paddock Cottage for views across Manchester and the Cheshire Plain or if you are feeling adventurous, head to Bowstones where you can see seven counties! You can also take in the newly restored ponds along Lime Avenue.

Get Sporty

Running routes

Marked trails have been installed so that you can explore different areas of the estate. You can run or walk the 1.4 miles to Darcy’s Pond or enjoy the two-mile loop that takes in the stunning views from Paddock Cottage.

If you're feeling a little more adventurous, there's a three-mile route that navigates some challenging hills, beautiful woods and moorland, and passes the Lantern Folly and The Cage hunting lodge.

Come along and join our Lyme Runners every Tuesday at 10:00am outside the Timberyard or check out the What’s On page for more running activities, events and training on offer at Lyme.

Trust10

Lyme’s Trust 10 is a 10km waymarked route covering a large part of the Park – from the Timberyard, the route takes you through Crow & Elmerhurst Woods, up past the Cage and the Lantern, across the bottom of the Moor, along Cluse Hey, past Paddock Cottage and back past the Knott.
On the fourth Sunday of each month the route has additional markings and marshals and informal timing is provided. Registration from 08:30am, run starting at 09:00am.

/Trust10 (PDF / 2,7MB) download

Parkrun

The Lyme Parkrun is a 5km timed route held every Saturday at 9am. It is open to everyone and is safe and easy to take part in.

The route is a lovely trail run with lots of ups, downs and big views! Visitors can walk, jog or run the event. The event is free (including parking).

Cycling at Lyme

Lyme is gearing up to welcome visitors arriving by bike! We have installed cycle racks at the Timber Yard and in the car park near the information kiosk which are prime locations.

Take a look at the paths you can cycle on at Lyme (PDF / 1,7MB) download

Orienteering

Looking for a bit more of a challenge? We’ve recently been working with Manchester District Orienteering Club to update our Orienteering offer.

We have seven new suggested routes to try.  We’ve also created two new smaller scale maps for our white and yellow courses, perfect for beginners and families.

Maps are available to buy from the Information Centre in the car park.

Mums, Tums and Buggies

We've teamed up with Sarah Parker Fitness to offer an outdoor postnatal fitness class for mums and babies every Tuesday at 11am.  Improve your health and fitness in a fun and supportive environment all in the beautiful outdoors at Lyme. 

Open to all new mums whether you're a beginner or looking to get back into exercise.  Suitable for babies over 6 weeks old.  After the class why not have a coffee and a chat in the Timber Yard Café. £5/class, normal admission charges apply. Admission is free on the first session each month.

For more information and to book onto a session please visit sarahparkerfitness.com

Family fun

Crow Wood

The kids can let off steam in Crow Wood playscape with its giant slide, badger den and rope walks for children aged five to 12. There is also a high-level walkway, sandpit and a tree house with a fireman’s pole. Crow Wood is open from 08:00am (during spring/summer opening times) until 6pm each day.

50 Things fun

There are lots of the 50 Things activities you can do all year round. Why not try our 50 things garden trail? Try flying a kite on the top lawn, playing pooh sticks or climb trees in the Vicary Gibbs play area..