Corporate report

Greater Manchester's National Nature Reserves

Published 3 October 2022

Applies to England

The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh

The Flashes were originally formed through the flooding of land which had subsided due to deep coal mining activities.

Now this cluster of 738 hectares of post-industrial shallow open water bodies and associated habitats have gradually developed into a mosaic of wetland habitats on the doorsteps of 325,000 residents of Wigan and Leigh and 2.8 million people in the vicinity.

Main habitat: open water, swamp, reedbed, tall herb fen, wet marshy grassland and wet woodland.

Features of interest

Over 52 pairs of willow tits have been recorded on this cluster of sites, approximately 2% of England’s population. The reedbeds are home to bittern, snipe, water rail and water vole. Great crested newts are also a key species. The sites are locally important for wintering waterfowl and passage migrants gadwall, smew and green sandpiper.

The reserves have a network of footpaths and cycle ways which you can view on this interactive map.

The Leeds-Liverpool Canal (Leigh Branch) forms a footpath and cycle access point to the Wigan Flashes, Lightshaw Meadows and Pennington Flash. Amberswood, Low Hall, Viridor Woods, Three Sisters Recreation Area and Bickershaw Country park are within walking distance of other sites.

Wigan Flashes - 10km of paths

Amberswood - 6km of paths

Low Hall - arts trails

Three Sisters Recreation Area - 5km of paths with a particular focus on wheelchair accessibility. Takeaway café in school term time only run by The Hamlet with young people with additional needs.

Lightshaw Meadows

Bickershaw Country Park - 15km of paths

Viridor Woods

Pennington Flash - café and toilets

Locations

Wigan Flashes parking - if arriving from Worsley Mesnes - Poolstock Lane (B5238), Wigan. Nearest postcode WN3 5EA..

Wigan Flashes if arriving by Wellen Road – parking for up to 4 vehicles near to Hawkley Hall High School, Wellham Rd off Carr Lane, Wigan WN3 5PA.

Amberswood north access if arriving from Wigan Road, Hindley - small car park opposite Le Cava Restaurant 174 Wigan Rd, Hindley, Wigan WN2 3BU.

Low Hall car park, including south access to Amberswood - Liverpool Road (A58), opposite Crompton Street, Platt Bridge, Wigan nearest postcode WN2 3UF.

Three Sisters recreation area (large parking areas) off Lockett Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan WN4 8DD.

Viridor Wood car parking - Bolton Road (A58), Bamfurlong, Wigan, WN4 8TL.

Lightshaw Meadows if arriving from Liverpool Leeds Canal (Leigh Branch) - parking on canal opposite Dover Bridge, Ayebridge Lane (A573) Abram, Wigan WN2 5XX.

Bickershaw Country Park (north) Smiths Lane (B5237), Bickershaw, Leigh, WN2 4XR.

Bickershaw Country Park (south) Fir Tree Flash – track at junction of Edna Road and Ena Crescent, Westleigh, Leigh WN7 5ET.

Pennington Flash Country Park entrance opposite the Robin Hood, 257 St Helens Road (A572), Aspull Common, Leigh, WN7 3PA. There are parking fees at Pennington Flash by card payment only.

Safety

The Flashes cover a large area, some parts of which are relatively remote, and you can become disorientated.

Look out for uneven surfaces, land holes and depressions, soft wet ground, boggy land, soft banks giving way, open water with risk of immersion and drowning. You should use boardwalks where these are available.

During dry weather conditions there is also a high risk of fire on site. Do not discard empty bottles or cigarettes, or light barbecues.

The reserve adjoins a large urban area but it can still be very quiet and isolated. For your personal safety, if you are visiting on your own, you’re advised to ensure someone else knows where you’ve gone and roughly what time you’ll be back.

Contact

Email: Martin Purcell - m.purcell@wigan.gov.uk