Burrs Country Park

Infobox park
park= Burrs Country Park

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image size=200px
caption=
type= public and industrial heritage park
location= Bury, UK
coordinates= coord|53.608593|N|2.304844|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title,inline
size= 36 hectares
opened= 1989
operator= Bury MBC
annual visitors=
status= open all year

Burrs Country Park covers a 36 hectare (86 acre) site located on the banks of the River Irwell, 1.5km (1 ml) north west of Bury, Greater Manchester. It was acquired by Bury Metroplolitan Borough Council in 1986 and transformed from a derelict industrial site into a modern country park. Access to the park which is open all year round is via Woodhill Road.

Description

The park covers an area once housing the mill complex of the Burr and Higher Woodhill cotton mills. [cite web| url = http://www.burrs.org.uk/park.htm | title = Burr Country Park | access date = 2007-10-11] The old mill remains were in the main removed from the site with certain features of interest left in situ, these include the Burrs Mill chimney, the mill floor and water wheel pit. The park also contains the feeder canal for Elton Reservoir, which is the source of water for the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal. The site is on the Irwell Sculpture Trail and has three sculptures, 'Waterwheel' by David Kemp, 'Stone Cycle' by Julie Edwards and 'Picnic Area' by David Fryer. [cite web| url = http://www.burrs.org.uk/park.htm| title = Burrs Park| accessdate = 2007-10-11] The site is also home to the Bury Agricultural Society Show Ground, moved here in 2001 following the loss of the Bury Show Ground. Bury MBC have a Countryside Warden service office located in a mill old cottage on Stock Street. It has been awarded Green Flag accreditation for 2007/08. [cite web |url = http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/winners/winners_detail.asp?sectionId=22&awardId=GF&gsId=GF00220 |title = Green Flag awarded to Burrs |accessdate = 2007-10-11]

Leisure uses

The site boasts many leisure activities including [cite web | url = http://www.bury.gov.uk/LeisureAndCulture/ParksAndRecreation/CountryParks/BurrsCP/default.htm | title = Bury MBC Burrs Park site | accessdate = 2007-10-11]

* Outdoor pursuits (walking and orienteering trails, climbing and abseiling). Outdoor and adventure activities, especially for school children are organised by the Burrs Activity Centre, based in a row of refurbished cottages. [http://www.burrs.org.uk/index.php Burrs Activity Centre]
* Canoeing (training pool and slalom course). The long established Bury Canoe Club is based at the Burrs. [http://www.burycanoeclub.co.uk/ Bury Canoe Club]
* Playground
* Industrial archaeology - interpretation boards explain the history of the mills and cottages
* Picnic tables
* Visitor centre and cafe (open weekends and school holidays). This facility is run by the Burrs Activity Centre.
* Campsite
* Caravanning - The Caravan Club has recently opened a purpose built camping and caravan site . [cite web
url = http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/Planning+your+trip/UK+Trips/Site+Search+and+Book/Club+Sites/Site+Detail.htm?csid=BURRS+COUNTRY+PARK | title = Caravan Club web site | accessdate = 2007-10-11]
* Fishing
* Bird watching
* Cycling (lies on the National Cycle Route 6) [cite book | last = Bury MBC | title = Bike Rides around Bury | publisher = Bury MBC Recreation]
* Nature study (woodland, wetland and open space habitats)

Access

The park lies on several bus routes from Bury town centre and lies on the route of the East Lancashire Railway. A small railway halt is proposed at the Burrs as part of the railways development programme. [ http://www.bury.gov.uk/Environment/Planning/PlanningProjects/ConservationAndHeritage/BurrsCH.htm Burrs Rail Halt] The park is easily accessible by car or bicycle from Bury Bridge on the A58 and by footpaths leading from the suburbs of Brandlesholme, to the west, and Walmersley, Seedfield and Limefield to the east.

Information

Bury MBC provide several guides to the area including the Irwell Sculpture Trail, activity Centre, wildlife, fishing and industrial heritage. These are available from Bury MBC at the site or can be downloaded at the Bury MBC website. [cite web | url = http://www.bury.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/427B939A-A13A-4CBE-B7B9-58CB10313AC6/0/BurrsCountryPark.pdf | title = Burrs Country Park Leaflet (PDF) | accessdate = 2007-10-11]

References

External links

* [http://www.east-lancs-rly.co.uk/ East Lancashire Railway]
* [http://www.sustrans.org.uk/default.asp?county=1091091757280 National Cycle Route 6]
* [http://www.gmpte.com/ Greater Manchester Transport (for bus information)]
* [http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/award/default.asp?n=&sectionId=27&parentId=241&pageId=241 Green Flag Award - home page]
* [http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/ Caravan Club]