Halewood Triangle Park – Trans Pennine Trail

With the easing of lockdown, welcome to WWO’s first suggestion for a place to visit further afield. Halewood Triangle Park comprises 80 acres of natural woodland, meadow and ponds. It is ideal for walking, cycling, running or dog walking. The area is suitable for an individual, family or social bubble. As many of us are probably still concerned about social distancing, we have selected an area unlikely to be inundated with crowds. What’s more, the park is not too far from Winstanley by car.

Although we have focused on the triangle park, it is part of the much more extensive Liverpool Loop line, which is also just a small section of the Trans Pennine Trail. The area is suitable for all levels as it has extensive tarmac paths, board walks and numerous well defined trails. Hills are minimal!

What’s At Halewood Triangle Park?

The heritage of the park goes back as far as the 16th century Wood of Hale. It was then cleared of woodland to make way for agriculture. This changed with arrival of the railways, the disused cuttings still visible now, marking the park’s perimeter. The central area naturally reseeded and left alone. The result is today’s broad leafed woodland with natural meadow, wild flowers and ponds.

The main paths through the park are tarmac and form the southern end of the Trans Pennine Trail. They are the original track beds of the Cheshire Lines Railway that skirted the outskirts of Liverpool from the south heading as far north as Formby. We can recommend these paths for people with prams, bikes as they are firm, flat and traffic free. Criss-crossing the main paths, you will find numerous trails, boardwalks, open meadows and ponds. The ponds are a variety of permanent and seasonal ponds, the latter drying up over summer months.

Boardwalk goes through some of the oldest woodland of Oak, Birch and Ash. There is also a small adventure playground which younger children will love.

Oh, keep a lookout for the bizarre sculptures dotted about throughout. You may have to look up not to miss!

Halewood Triangle Park Wildlife

Birdlife is rich and varied through the year and includes the following;

The main Ducky Pond, supports tench, roach and carp. Fishing is allowed. Squirrels, toads, frogs, dragonflies, ducks (mallards, moorhens) and brown long eared bats are all common.

Halewood Triangle Park Environment Centre

The park also has an environment centre with toilet facilities that is open when green space rangers are on site. It provides free on-site parking and cycle stands.

Although closed due to COVID-19, the centre typically provides a range of events and activities throughout the year. Knowsley Borough Council manage the centre along with the park. The centre address is:

Halewood Park
Okell Drive
Halewood
Merseyside
L26 7XB

Click on the post code for google maps.

Telephone: 0151 488 6151

Beyond Halewood Triangle Park

The Liverpool Loop Line runs through the centre of Halewood park. Like the park, it is perfect for families and the less challenged cyclist being flat and traffic-free. It’s a lovely tranquil green avenue arcing east of the city. The route takes the form of a woodland park of rocky cuttings and high embankments with views across the county.

The original rail Loop Line was abandoned by British Rail in 1964. Conversion to a walking and cycling route started in 1988, and the final section to Aintree completed in 2000. It forms part of the award-winning Trans Pennine Trail. You are so close to a city while you’re out in the countryside. 

As well as many bus routes running across and parallel to the path (see Merseytravel for services), there are local railway stations near to along the route at Hunts Cross, Halewood, Broad Green, Rice Lane and Walton. However, please respect the governments guidelines on essential travel.

The Liverpool Loop Line is part of the National Cycle Network, looked after by Sustrans.

How Do I Get There?

By car

Google L26 7XB or as you can see in the map below, there are a number of suggested routes, all just under 40 minutes from Winstanley Shopping precinct.

Once closer you will find Halewood Park is on Okell Drive. From Higher Road (A562) turn into Bailey’s Lane, take a left turn into Church Road and then a left turn at the small roundabout into Okell Drive. Free onsite parking is available.

By train

Although you are likely to find the train less direct, the nearest station is Halewood. For a longer walk adding in part of the Trans Pennine Trail / Loop Line, you can take the train to Broad Green station direct from Wigan North Western, Garswood or Brynn. The rail journey from Wigan is 35 minutes. The Loop Line cycle way to Halewood Triangle Park cycleway runs beneath the station.

By bike

For those travelling by bike, you can always take a train to Broad Green station direct from Wigan North Western, Garswood or Brynn. The rail journey from Wigan is 35 minutes. The Loop Line cycle way to Halewood Triangle Park cycleway runs beneath the station.

Or for the full on cyclist a variety of routes exist via Crank / Billinge and Knowsley.

Food & Drink Nearby?

Until July4th (subject to government confirmation) cafes, restaurants and bars are not open. However the park is 5 minutes from some great places to enjoy in Woolton, Gateacre and Hunts Cross. The Elephant in Woolton provides an amazing family friendly menu every day of the week inside and outdoors, Sunday dinners at the White Horse opposite are legendary. The Black Bull and Bear in Gateacre are also excellent places with great outdoor areas.

WWO will provide further information on venues you can enjoy a well earned drink, snack or meal after your walk in the next few weeks.

In the meantime you can always try the nearby Hunts Cross Chippy, arguably one of the best in the northwest, if not the UK! Alternatively you can sample the Village Chippy in the affluent and pretty Woolton High Street. There is room to sit outside on a number of park benches by the original historic village pond (unfortunately now drained).

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