The Nature Trail
The Nature Trail offers a charming and engaging walk around Gorse Hall, inviting families and nature lovers to explore its small-animal sculptures inspired by Beatrix Potter's childhood visits.
The sculptures were created by Dave Cudworth, who worked with the children from Broadbent Fold School to develop the design as part of the Groundwork Trust's Changing Places.
Nature trail leaflet download
The Nature Trail begins at the main entrance to Gorse Hall, which is next to the Methodist Church, High Street or the car park on Quarry Street.
1st stop: Walking up the main coach road on your right, halfway up, you will find the RABBIT found in most areas of open countryside.
2nd stop: Continuing up the drive for 120 Metres, bear right at the junction past the Gorse Hall foundations, and here is the SQUIRREL, grey being the most common in our woodlands.
3rd stop: 25 metres on your left, you will see the PICNIC BASKET. The wildlife are hoping you will leave some crumbs for them.
Don’t forget to take your litter home. Plastic bags can kill the wildlife we are trying to protect.
4th stop: Continue along the path, turning left to a fenced seat. On the wall, you will see the MOUSE. Field mice, or long-tailed mice, eat seeds or plant food.
5th stop: Across the Bowling Green, you find the FOX, now found in town centres at night.
6th stop: Follow the path, keeping left for 90 Metres. At the entrance to the orchard, you find the BADGER; a number are often seen there in the evenings.
7th stop: Carry on along the path another 50 Metres and turn right towards the pond, and on your right, you will find a clump of FROGSPAWN. You can see frogspawn in the pond in the spring.
8th stop: Head back downhill from the pond to the trees and the path. Near the hedge, by the old gate posts of Gorse Hall gardens, you will see the HEDGEHOG. They eat worms and caterpillars and have prickly spines to protect them.
9th stop: Take the path to the top of the hill, and from here you have panoramic views over Lancashire and Cheshire.
10th stop: On leaving, take the path to the right of the seat, descending the hill, looking at the town of Stalybridge in front of you. Stop through the gap in the hedge, and here is the LADYBIRD, they eat aphids and usually have seven spots.
11th stop: Going ahead slightly left down the steps and under the large tree, you will find the SNAIL. Birds eat snails. You find them under leaves and rotting trees.
This is the end of the Nature Trail, and ahead of you is the coach road, which will return you to your starting point.