Daisy Nook Country Park is 40 hectares of varied landscape in the heart of the Medlock Valley and is managed by both Oldham and Tameside Councils.
There are waterways, a lake, a canal, woodlands and wildflower meadows.
The park is a great habitat for wildlife and bird-spotting - with an abundance of creatures from great-spotted woodpeckers and owls, to foxes and squirrels.
There are footpaths and bridleways for horse riding that link to neighbouring countryside areas.
Day tickets for fishing at Sammy's Basin, Crime Lake and Bardsley Canal are available at the waterside from the bailiff.
Download a map of Daisy NookHistory
Originally the area was known as the village of Waterhouses. In 1855, the Lancashire poet Ben Brierley wrote ‘A Day Out’, describing a fictional beauty spot he named Daisy Nook.
Crime Lake was formed in 1794 when canal construction flooded the valley. Many historic features remain, including a viaduct and a unique double lock system leading to Sammy’s Basin.
The arboretum and ruins are all that remain of Riversvale Hall, which was demolished around 1948. Riversvale Drive was originally the carriage drive to the hall.
How to get there
Daisy Nook Country Park is located on the border of Oldham and Tameside, surrounded by Oldham Road (A627), Newmarket Road and Stannybrook Road.
Bus routes
- 396 – Newton Heath to Ashton
- 409 – Rochdale to Ashton
- 419 – Middleton to Ashton
Car parks
The main car park is by the visitor centre off Stannybrook Road. Additional car parks are located at Crime Lake and Bardsley off the A627.
Toilets and refreshments
The visitor centre near Stannybrook Road includes a café, toilets and a Countryside Ranger Office. There is also a children’s play area and picnic tables nearby.
Facilities
- Café/toilets (cafe open 7 days a week, except Christmas Day)
- Children’s play area with sand play and basket swing
- Orienteering
- Walking
- Cycling
- Bird watching
- Pond dipping
- Car parking
Playground equipment suitable for disabled children
- Basket swing
Let's go for a walk
Green Walk
Start from the Countryside Centre and follow the old canal line through the “dark tunnel”. You will pass two sections of canal now used as wildlife habitats for ducks and moorhens.
Continue along the path past Sammy’s Basin, which is now used as a fishing pond, then turn right and follow the path around the top of the basin.
Watch for herons along the canal. Follow the path to steps leading back down to the model boat pond, then return to the start.
- Steps: 2,101
- Distance: 1,380 m
- Calories: 62
- Time: 25 minutes
Blue Walk
Start from the Countryside Centre and follow the old canal path through the “dark tunnel”. You will pass a section of canal preserved as a wildlife habitat.
Before the second pond, take steps up on the right to follow the edge of Boodle Wood and a field. Continue until you reach Knott Lane, then turn left down the hill.
Before the aqueduct, turn right and then sharp left to reach the canal. Follow the canal for a while, then take steps down to the model boat pond.
Cross the Valley Aqueduct and return to the Countryside Centre.
- Steps: 3,655
- Distance: 2,580 m
- Calories: 110
- Time: 40 minutes
Map
