Paddington Meadows
Welcome | Access For All | How to Find Us | How to Contact Us
Leaflets/Guides | Managing the Meadows | Further Afield | Cyclist's Code | Dog Owners
Welcome
Paddington Meadows is a large area of openfarmland close to the centre of urban Warrington. It is enclosed on three sides by a loop of the River Mersey and along the northern boundary by the disused New Cut Canal. The fields were gifted to the Council in 1995 on the condition that they would be managed as a nature reserve. This special site is an important part of Warrington’s heritage and is the last remaining waterside grassland in the town once typical of the whole river valley.
The gnarled hawthorn hedges marking thefield boundaries are a striking feature of the Meadows and represent some of the oldest of their kind found in Cheshire. Late April and early May are an excellent time to see the hawthorn in full blossom. These hedges attract large numbers of berry eating fieldfares and redwings in the winter months.
The Meadows have been farmed in the current field pattern for at least 200 years. The area was subject to regular flooding by the River Mersey, but the seasonal floods have long been tamed by the building of Howley and Woolston Weirs, built to protect the town centre and provide water for the canals.
The traditionally wet nature of the fields has been enhanced by the creation of scrapes. Waders and waterfowl can sometimes be seen during the winter months roosting in the fields.
The land has been farmed by several generations of the Bennett family. The fields were regularly used to fatten up beef cattle and in recent years artificial fertiliser was applied to encourage grass growth. As part of the nature reserve management and to encourage the return of wildflowers to the meadows this practice of applying fertiliser has stopped.
The Meadows are isolated to a degree by the now disused New Cut Canal. This canal, built in 1821, was used as a short cut for boat traffic avoiding the severe bends of the river. The canal was abandoned in the 1950s but continued to supply water to the Black Bear Canal downstream, via an aqueduct over the river.
Salmon used to be netted in great numbers at this part of the River Mersey. By the beginning of the2 0th Century the fishing interest had been lost due to pollution arising from the Industrial Revolution.
The twenty-five year Mersey Basin Campaign, launched in 1986 to clean up the river, has resulted in a marked improvement in water quality and certain species of fish are returning.
Access for All
Wheelchairs can access Paddington Meadows from Larkfield Avenue and follow the surfaced path round to the wildflower meadow. Access controls along the way are wheelchair friendly. The path around the riverside edge is not surfaced, uneven in places and unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs. Pushchairs and buggies should find most of the site accessible with care. Seating is provided at regular points. 
Improvements have been made in recent years by volunteers from Pingot Conservation Group, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and Groundwork Mersey Valley.
The Mersey Way New Cut Canal path from Kingsway to New Cut Lane is a public footpath. This path is level and well surfaced.
How to Find Us
Paddington Meadows is close to Kingsway (A50) and Manchester Road (A57). There is no designated car park. Direct access to the river-side path is available from Paddington Bank, Kingsway North. Turn right off the main surfaced path and go through the gate. The riverside path and the New Cut Canal path meet to the right hand side of the Household Waste site at the end of New Cut Lane, Woolston. Alternatively there is access at the end of Larkfield Avenue, approx. 200 metres from Manchester Road. The No 3 bus from Warrington town centre frequently runs along Manchester Road. Ask for Larkfield Avenue.
How to Contact Us
Please contact us on 01925 442836
Leaflets/Guides
The full leaflet/guide is available to download from our publications section (under Environment>Parks).
Managing the Meadows
Over 400 years ago, the principles of managing meadows were well established and they helped to create species-rich habitat now referred to as lowland wet grassland. These grasslands were widespread throughout much of the British Isles. However, increased urbanisation, land drainage, flood defence and changing agricultural practices (including the use of artificial fertilisers and herbicides) have considerably altered the habitat today and destroyed much of its wildlife interest.
On acquiring the Meadows in 1995 the Council immediately applied for and secured financial aid from the Countryside Commission via its Countryside Stewardship scheme to manage the fields for the benefit of its wildlife, landscape and the local community.
The Stewardship Scheme for Paddington Meadows covers:
- Low intensity hay making and/or grazing
- Planting new hedgerows around the field boundary
- Creating a wetland area with scrapes to provide habitat for water voles, dragonflies and wintering wildfowl and waders such as teal and common snipe
- Improving access around the site including new footpaths and bridges
- Opening up the site to schools and community groups
Further afield
Visit Woolston Eyes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on the opposite banks of the river. Continue along the Mersey Way New Cut Canal path easterly towards the Household Waste site. Cross New Cut Lane and follow the footpath to Woolston Weir where you can cross the river and climb up to the riverside bund for dramatic views aross the Eyes. Alternatively continue further afield to Rixton Claypits Local Nature Reserve.
Cross Manchester Road near the New Cut Lane end into Woolston Park. Head north through the park and follow the blue signposted route to Birchwood Forest Park and Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve.
Cyclist's Code
Click the link to view the Cyclist's Code.
Dog Owners
Whilst we welcome responsible dog walking, we ask that dog owners please remember that this site is a nature reserve, click the link to view the Notice to Dog Owners.
