Go Wild in the Woods this summer

Date published: 28 July 2019

City of Trees has launched a summer holiday campaign for children, with Hollingworth Lake Country Park highlighted as a ‘top spot’.

The leading environmental charity has launched its Go Wild in the Woods campaign for the 2019 summer holidays to encourage kids to get out in the Greater Manchester woodland.

With a whole series of downloadable activities for woodland adventures and rainy days too, there is plenty to keep kids entertained throughout the long summer break.

The campaign launches with a free event for families on Friday 16 August (10.30am - 12.30pm) at Heaton Park. There will be a Fen the Fox Scavenger Hunt Tree Trail as well as some brilliant fox-related craft activities.

Hollingworth Lake Country Park has been highlighted as a top pick for families to visit.

Spanning 118 acres and with Blackstone Edge as a dramatic backdrop, families are encouraged to head for Whittaker Woods – a hidden gem just a short walk uphill from the visitor centre. A top tip is to see if you can spot the orchard’s owl sculpture.

Sarah Nurton, marketing manager at City of Trees Manchester, said: "We want to encourage all the children of Greater Manchester to discover our local woodlands and learn more about trees, woods and wildlife habitats.

"We know it’s hard to keep young ones entertained over the summer so we've put together activity ideas, as well as a list of local woodlands to explore.

Kids love playing in the woods - looking for bugs and collecting leaves. Many people don't realise how many stunning woodland parks and nature areas there are in across Greater Manchester – so get out and enjoy!”

City of Trees is also running a photo social media competition.

Families just need to use the tag #gowildinthewoods in their woodland adventure images, and they could be in with the chance of winning a copy of the breathtaking book The Lost Words by Robert McFarlane and Jackie Morris. This beautifully illustrated 'spellbook' conjures up nature and species-related words that are being lost in our modern-day language and bringing them back to our everyday lives.

The event on Friday 16 August is free but booking is essential to secure your place. Contact Will Fitzpatrick on 0161 872 1660 or email will@cityoftrees.org.uk

Visit the City of Trees web site for more information:

• www.cityoftrees.org.uk