Sandwiched Between Liverpool And Manchester Is A Scenic Lake Escape With Swimming, Boating, And Trails

When visiting England, you can easily gravitate to its cities and towns. However, the country is also blessed with some enticing nature escapes. One such place sits practically in the middle of two of England's more touristic cities. Pennington Flash Nature Reserve (aka Pennington Flash Country Park) is a sprawling natural playground under one hour's drive from both Manchester and Liverpool. Located on the edge of Leigh, a town in Greater Manchester, its most prominent feature is the 173-acre lake called Pennington Flash.

Part of The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh National Nature Reserve (over 1,820 acres of former coal mines that are now protected natural habitats), Pennington Flash is renowned for its beautiful wetland scenery, wildlife, and generally picturesque nature. All this has come about due to flash flooding — a happy accident of sorts that has resulted in an ecologically significant area now supporting endangered willow tit populations, as well as various other birds and animals. For locals and visitors, the reserve offers a unique way to escape amongst nature and enjoy outdoor recreation.

The scenery at Pennington Flash lives up to The Flashes of Wigan's rare designation as a National Nature Reserve (NNR). Ducks, geese, swans, and various other water birds float on the lake's calm surface, encircled by distant trees and shrubs. The water is an enticing green color on sunny days, and pathways lead you though the trees and along its shoreline. Pennington Flash Nature Reserve also has bird hides (huts for observing birds) where you can survey the various species that live along the sprawling lake. "Pennington Flash Nature Reserve is an absolute gem [...] The natural scenery is truly breathtaking, and it's so peaceful," one visitor wrote in a Google review.

It's not uncommon to spot people wearing swimsuits and swimming caps moving steadily through Pennington Flash's water. These tend to be members of NOWCA, an open water swimming club that is run out of the sailing club on the lake's western shoreline. Anyone can join NOWCA for an open water swim in Pennington Flash, which usually happens on Saturday mornings and during certain evenings between April and September. You can either join the club or pay for an individual session. Just make sure to bring or purchase a bright-colored swimming cap and tow float. The lake offers multiple courses varying from 656 feet (200 meters) to 1.18 miles (1.9 kilometers). One swimmer recently described the Swim Pennington NOWCA team (and the community as a whole) as "warm and welcoming, even in the middle of winter" in a Google review.

The Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club also facilitates boating on the water. It offers learn-to-sail courses for adults and children that teach you the basic ins and outs of sailing or even how to properly race. When it comes to racing, you can participate or watch the various competitions hosted on Pennington Flash. Most sailboat races are held on Wednesday evenings and weekend afternoons between April and December. Guests can see the white sails and low boats cruising across the water on race day. If you want to do more boating, consider visiting Liverpool's Sefton Park, a charming destination with an artificial lake.

You can also time your visit for special events on the lake or around the nature reserve. The swimming portion of the Bolton Ironman takes place here, welcoming competitive swimmers on the lake's 1.18-mile course. Pennington Flash Nature Reserve also hosts Viking reenactments, family nature walks, and markets. A nature-themed playground and nine-hole golf course are also open for young and old. 

The nature reserve also has various trails for walkers and cyclists. The main Pennington Flash route takes you all the way around the lake in about 3.3 miles. This is a relatively leisurely walk or cycle, but some sections can become muddy and slippery. It's also a great route for birders wanting to encounter the nature reserve's bird hides. As you walk around the lake, keep an eye out for the various species (over 230 have been recorded here). The most common sightings include Canada geese, common snipes, cuckoos, bullfinches, and oystercatchers. You may also see sandpipers, gulls, mallards, wagtails, and robins.

Birders who don't want to walk so far can just stick to the bird hides along a 1.25-mile (2-kilometer) circular trail. The trail takes you from the parking lot along the lake shoreline, then up around multiple ponds known for sightings. You can stop at various bird hides along the way. Afterwards, pop into The Hide Coffee House & Cafe for a coffee, smoothie, sweet treat, or glass of wine. Just west of the birding area is The Ruck, a small walking area with trails to some notable sights. Rest your legs while sitting on the Irene Molamphy Memorial Bench, which has up-close views of the lake. You can also stop by the historic Lock Gates Monument, which sits beside the canal that flows through Leigh.

You can walk to Pennington Flash Nature Reserve in 30 minutes from the center of Leigh or drive there in 10 minutes. The drive takes about 40 minutes from Manchester, an underrated city bursting with art and shopping. Give yourself about 10 minutes longer from Liverpool, London's vibrant English rival with fewer crowds. You'll find hotels and inns in all three places.