Surveying Ellesmere Port Family Trail
A Day of Discovery in Ellesmere Port
Anna is one of our In the Wild Leaders and she recently spent a day surveying the route for our new family wellbeing trail, where the canal once again proved its power to provide instant stillness, sparking joy for both the kids and the adults.
Ellesmere Port is a fascinating place where history literally sits on the water. Here are the highlights from Anna’s survey that make this route a “must-explore” for local families:
🏗️ Where History Meets the Water
The trail is steeped in the story of the Industrial Revolution. Walking past the National Waterways Museum (the old Boat Museum), you can almost hear the echoes of the Victorian dockworkers.
We walked under beautiful historic bridges and loved the vibrant graffiti art that brings a splash of modern color to the historic towpaths.
The canal is also a corridor for nature, where we saw plenty of canal boats gliding by and local birds enjoying the quiet stretches.
🌲 The Gear Shift: From Towpath to Woodland
One of the most amazing parts of this route is the transition. Most of the walk is on an easy, accessible footpath—perfect for strollers and little legs. But then, you hit the woodland area, and the water meets the wild energy of the trees.
We spent ages building dens and testing our balance on the low branches.
🧘 Why This Route Works for Wellbeing
As we walked, we felt that familiar “head clearing” that only blue spaces can provide.
Whether the kids were squealing at a passing boat or we were taking a quiet moment under a stone bridge, the presence of the water allowed everyone to be in the moment.
Quick Tips for Your Visit:
Wear sturdy shoes: While the towpath is easy, the woodland section can get a little “wild” (which is half the fun!).
Make a day of it: The Boat Museum is a world-class site right on your doorstep—well worth a visit before or after your walk!
Thanks Coach Anna for sharing you experience, if you want to know more when this trail launches you can register your interest here.