Dunham Massey ancient trees walk

Overview

Encircled by its protective wall, Dunham Massey is a green oasis nestled between the urban sprawl of Manchester and rural tranquillity of Cheshire. The Georgian house is open Saturday to Wednesdays, and the park (open all year round) and garden are the ideal place to enjoy the ever-changing spring landscape.

A ramble around the park will reveal a range of architectural oddities and views of the house complete with Dunham’s resident herd of fallow deer; you may also glimpse other wildlife including owls and woodpeckers. Discover one of the finest collections of veteran trees in England, as you explore Dunham Massey park. Rich in wildlife, the park is also home to a herd of more than 150 fallow deer.

The main route description on the National Trust website provides the clearest directions. However, there is also a variant of the walk on the GPS Routes website.

Accessibility and facilities

According to the webpage for the walk, the terrain is easy in general but some areas may become waterlogged following rain. While it is therefore unclear whether the complete ancient trees walk is fully accessible, the access page on the National Trust website states that there are “accessible grounds and gardens [and] flat paths with firm surfaces.” There is also a “cobbled area which can be avoided [and a] map available.” According to the site’s very detailed access statement (downloadable from the access page), “there is a circular route that can be taken around the park using only hardstanding paths. Please ask staff and volunteers for more information.” Furthermore, the access statement includes a map of the park on its last page including details of where mobility scooters and wheelchairs can be hired.

Because of these provisions, this route is graded as wheelchair and pushchair-friendly.

Toilets are available (including accessible toilets) in the visitor centre and stables. A café and restaurant are also available. Check the website for opening times.

Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead, as fallow deer roam the entire park. As there are no dog bins, visitors are requested to take dog litter home.

How to get there

Regular buses are available from Altrincham Interchange, served by Metrolink, trains and buses.

To work out how to get to and from the walk start point, simply click the Google Maps link on this page. Then click ‘Directions’ and enter your postcode or location in the relevant field. For public transport options, click the train icon.

Alternatively, input the postcode shown on this page into the TfGM journey planner at https://my.tfgm.com/#/planner/