The park also features a courtyard with impressive food and drink options
08:59, 05 Jul 2026Updated 09:01, 05 Jul 2026
18-hole adventure golf at Haigh Woodland Park(Image: Haigh Woodland Park)
The school summer holidays are just around the corner, which means thousands of children across the UK are looking forward to six weeks away from the classroom. But this also means it’s time for the parents to take the reigns and keep their little ones entertained.
There’s plenty to do across Merseyside during the summer months, from a lovely stroll around Sefton Park to a day out at Knowsley Safari. But for those looking to venture out a little bit further, Haigh Woodland Park in Wigan is one of the best child-friendly days out the north west has to offer.
There’s something brilliant for every family member at Haigh including a huge children’s adventure play area, high ropes, a model railway, golf, as well as a courtyard with cafes and bars to enjoy a drink and an ice cream after a day of exploring.
Haigh Hall and the surrounding woodland park is undergoing a multi-million-pound restoration(Image: Haigh Woodland Park)
Located one hour’s drive from Liverpool, Haigh Woodland Park is easy to reach from the M6 (J27) and M61 (J6). The 250 acre park is built around the historic country house of Haigh Hall, which was built in the 19th century.
The grounds surrounding the Grade II* listed building have continued to evolve over the years. A trip to Haigh is popular among walkers for its beautiful trails and woodland, with access to the Leeds Liverpool canal. It’s also home to Wigan’s 5km Parkrun, which takes place every Saturday at 9am.
What to do at Haigh
Families and children can enjoy a jam-packed day out with endless activities. It offers:
an adventure play areahigh ropes18-hole golfcrazy golffoot golfrailway attractionsThe Courtyard featuring a cafe, bakery, farm shop, ice cream parlour, chocolate shop, florist and a bar and brewery
The adventure play area at Haigh Woodland Park(Image: Haigh Woodland Park)
You can fill the day with the park’s impressive list of attractions, but you can also enjoy a slower-paced day out exploring the grounds. Visitors can walk from the main car park and courtyard to the iconic Plantation Gates, passing through stunning nature trails.
If there wasn’t already enough on offer, the ECHO recently attended the official launch of the new Plantation Gates and Lodges, which have been completely restored and transformed to create another exciting attraction for visitors.
Wigan Council exclusively told the ECHO that the main railway, which has not been in use for over 20 years, will also be making a comeback to take visitors from the main park up to the Plantation Gates, with plans for a coffee stall and other facilities along the way.
The Plantation Gates at Haigh(Image: Holly Clarke)
The Grade II* Plantation Gates and Lodges are now home to a visitor information space and an immersive art installation, taking visitors through the long history of Haigh. Visitors can experience an immersive eight-minute light show using light, sound and storytelling to bring Haigh’s history, landscape and community memories to life.
The Lodges are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 2pm, with the official opening day to the public on Saturday, July 4.
What’s on at Haigh
For families that enjoy planning ahead, there are several events in the summer calendar including live music, artisan markets and “Foodie Fridays”.
The Courtyard at Haigh Woodland Park(Image: Wigan Council)
Live music at Haigh Live 2026: Grassroots Edition- Saturday July 11 – 2pm until 9pmHaigh parkrun- every Saturday at 9amArtisan markets – Sunday, July 19 – 10am until 4pmMindfulness day – Sunday, July 19 – 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pmThe history of Haigh tour with Jim Meehan – Sunday, July 19- 1pm until 3pmNature walks with Discover The Wild: Summer Nature Walk – Sunday, July 26 – 10am until 12pmTwilight Walk – Thursday, July 30 – 7pm until 9pmStreet food traders at “Foodie Friday”- Friday, July 31 at 6pm until 10pmHaigh Food and Drink Festival – Saturday August 8 – 10am to 8pm and Sunday August 9 – 10am to 6pm