Best attractions and places to see around Simonswood reveal a landscape shaped by agriculture and historical significance. This civil parish in West Lancashire features flat, open arable fields with sandy and peaty soils, alongside remnants of old mossland. Notable landmarks include Simonswood Hall, a historic country house, and Simonswood Moss, an area undergoing peatland restoration. The region offers a mix of natural features and historical sites for visitors to explore.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
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The Trans Pennine Trail is a coast-to-coast route across the entire breadth of England from Southport to Hornsea. It is well signposted and some sections, including this one, are suitable for horse riding. This section follows the route of the historic Cheshire Lines railway, now dismantled. The Cheshire Lines Railway Company used to operate services across the Lancashire Mossland along this route between Liverpool and Southport. After its closure in 1952 and acquisition by West Lancashire District Council in 1988 the line was constructed as a dual use cycle and footpath with parallel bridleway.
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I've only just moved to this area. It's so beautiful for me and my dog for our local walk.
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Croxteth Hall is a country estate and Grade II* listed building in the West Derby suburb of Liverpool, England. It is the former country estate and ancestral home of the Molyneux family, the Earls of Sefton. After the death of the seventh and last Earl in 1972, the estate passed to Liverpool City Council, which now manages the remainder of the estate following the sale of approximately half of the grounds. The remaining grounds, Croxteth Park, were at one time a hunting chase of the Molyneux family and are now open to the public
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This section of the Trans pennine trail is predominantly made up of gravel and uneven hard packed dirt, once you get close to Maghull the surface changes to tarmac.
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Shaley Brow is in my opinion a Jekyll and Hyde kind of hill, on paper it doesn't look all that bad, yes it kicks up to about 14% but take it at a steady pace with a low gear and the hill can be conquered without too much of a problem. However attack it at any sort of pace, be it with a competitive group, going after a strava KOM or like in 2013 for HMCC's annual hill climb competition, Shaley Brow has a habit of ripping your legs off, laughing at you as you struggle on and finally giving you an all mighty kick when you are down. If you want an idea on how feared this local climb is I have been riding with the club for 3 years and in that time have only ridden it 4 times. If a group gets close a hush will come over the riders waiting to see if the ride leader is feeling sadistic and the chat only gets going when they realise they are turning away, which luckily they often do.
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Β roots of the Pimbo success story had been firmly planted and Gerry and his wife Shirley began by building greenhouses on the land at the back of the house and converting the garage into a farm shop, which was manned by Shirley whilst Gerry was out at work. After school their children, Kathryn, David and Andrew, would earn a bit of pocket money by helping out in the greenhouses. In 1981 Gerry took voluntary redundancy from Pilkingtons and ploughed his money back into pimbo. Thatβs when the garden centre really took off. In 2002, the thriving business that Gerry and Shirly built was passed down to their sons, David and Andrew. Since then the business has continued to grow.
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The most prominent historical landmark in the area is Simonswood Hall, a country house built in 1687 and restored in the 1880s. It is recognized for its historical significance and is a designated Grade II* listed building. Additionally, you can visit Croxteth Hall and Country Park, a former country estate of the Molyneux family, which includes a Grade II* listed building and a 500-acre nature reserve.
Simonswood features a flat, open agricultural landscape with sandy and peaty soils, including remnants of old mossland. A significant natural feature is Simonswood Moss, an area undergoing peatland restoration to re-establish its hydrology and ecology. You can also visit Carr Mill Dam, a large lake originally a mill pond, now used for powerboat racing and fishing, with walking trails around its edge.
Yes, Simonswood Moss is a notable area undergoing significant peatland restoration efforts. This project aims to restore the degraded peatlands to a mosaic of wetland and dryland ecosystems, including fen, reedbed, open water, woodland, acid grassland/heathland, and acid bog. These efforts are crucial for climate change mitigation and flood risk minimization.
Absolutely. Carr Mill Dam offers trails for walking and is a popular spot for fishing and powerboat racing, making it suitable for families. Another excellent option is Croxteth Hall and Country Park, which features a historic hall, a 500-acre nature reserve, and various activities for all ages.
The area around Simonswood is great for outdoor activities. You can find various hiking and cycling routes. For hiking, explore options like the Siding Lane Nature Reserve trails. For cycling, consider routes that incorporate Pimbo Lane or the Trans Pennine Trail β Cheshire Lines. You can find detailed guides for these activities at Hiking around Simonswood and Road Cycling Routes around Simonswood.
Yes, there are several hiking trails available. For example, you can find routes like the Siding Lane Nature Reserve β Coach Road Trail loop. These trails offer varying difficulties, including easy and moderate options. For more details and specific routes, refer to the Hiking around Simonswood guide.
Cyclists can enjoy routes such as Pimbo Lane, known for its quiet and narrow path, offering a fast descent from the north. Another option is the Trans Pennine Trail β Cheshire Lines, which follows a historic railway line and is suitable for both cycling and walking. For challenging climbs, Shaley Brow Climb is a local favorite. Explore more routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Simonswood guide.
Visitors appreciate Carr Mill Dam for its scenic trails, which are great for walks not far from the city. It's also noted for being a good spot for mountain biking, though it can get very muddy at times. The dam's history as an enlarged mill pond and its current use for powerboat racing and fishing add to its appeal.
Croxteth Hall and Country Park is popular due to its rich history as the ancestral home of the Molyneux family, set within a beautiful 500-acre nature reserve. Visitors can explore the Grade II* listed building and enjoy the extensive grounds, which offer a blend of historical interest and natural beauty.
Yes, there are several easy walking options. For instance, the Siding Lane Nature Reserve β Coach Road Trail loop from Rainford is an easy route. Another easy option is the St Michael's Church, Aughton loop. You can find more details on these and other accessible walks in the Easy hikes around Simonswood guide.
The Trans Pennine Trail β Cheshire Lines is a section of the coast-to-coast Trans Pennine Trail. It follows the route of the historic Cheshire Lines railway, which has been converted into a dual-use cycle and footpath with a parallel bridleway. This off-road route is predominantly gravel and uneven hard-packed dirt, offering a great way to explore the Lancashire Mossland.


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