Outside Liverpool Sits England’s Idyllic Forest Escape With Family Fun, Scenic Trails, And Lake Views

Alice Baddeley/ShutterstockFrom ancient hunting grounds to oak-covered woodlands, England features diverse lush forests with abundant outdoor recreation. One of these idyllic nature escapes is nestled in Cheshire, where you have 2,400 acres of space to explore. As Cheshire's biggest woodland area, Delamere Forest allows you to engage in a variety of activities that cater to people of all ages. Families with young children can enjoy a timeless woodland tradition by hitting the trails to see the local plants and animals. Whether you prefer an easy forest walk or an uphill hike, you'll find paths suitable for all skill levels with picturesque vistas as your reward.

Quality family time isn't strictly limited to the hiking trails at Delamere Forest. You can up the ante by taking on high-ropes obstacle courses and shaky crossings while suspended high in the canopy at Go Ape. Providing experiences for both children and adults, the adventure park in the forest will have the whole gang completing fun challenges. Delamere also hosts events throughout the year, be it kids' outdoor activity programs, live music performances, or races.

Don't forget to stop and smell the roses while you're there. Delamere Forest is home to several bodies of water, such as Blakemere Moss and Black Lake. Spanning roughly 0.62 miles, Blakemere Moss originated as an ancient flooded wetland. Black Lake, on the other hand, is a haven for dragonflies, making it perfect for macro photographers. One person described the panoramas, saying: "The scenic views are breathtaking, especially around the lake, and the sight-seeing opportunities are endless." Delamere Forest is located outside Liverpool, about 45 minutes away. You can get there by public transportation, with the journey taking over an hour. The drive from Manchester takes an hour by car, while Sheffield is two hours away.

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There are some unwritten rules you should know before visiting Liverpool, and venturing out of the city center is one of them — and in this case, you should venture to Delamere Forest. There are a number of trails to traverse, ranging from easy to more difficult hikes. Start with a short, kid-friendly stroll along the Doolittle Trail, which provides a forested walk to Blakemere Moss' western bank and back. Stretching for 2 miles, this path is marked in turquoise and can take up to 1.5 hours to complete. You'll meander along the pine and chestnut-lined trail — be on the lookout for dragonflies and damselflies.

For more lake scenery, follow the Blackmere Trail that makes a loop around Blakemere Moss. This moderately rated trail takes you on a 4-mile hike, tracing the lake's shore. One person wrote on AllTrails: "The views over the mere were stunning, a great walk for twitchers." Speaking of, since Blakemere is a wetland area, you'll be spotting a lot of birdlife, like Mediterranean gulls. Make sure to set aside around two hours to finish its entirety. Otherwise, you can hop on a bike for a faster trip.

Those who are ready to take it up a notch can tackle the Old Pale Trail, where rewarding panoramas await. This 2.3-mile route will have you climbing 354 feet toward the Cheshire Plain's highest point. Plan your hike for a clear day to increase your chances of seeing Liverpool and beyond from the top. Even though the trail is mostly uphill, it still provides a moderate and doable hike for all members of the family. Check out the multi-purpose Whitefield Trail, which covers 1.5 miles. You can take the 0.5-mile shortcut, too. This trail boasts play spaces for kids to spark their creativity.

Delamere Forest offers things to do for the whole family, and the Go Ape adventure park will have everyone trading the dirt path for the treetops. Explore the forest from a whole new angle on high-ropes courses designed for a variety of age groups. If your kids are between the ages of 4 and 10, they can try out the Treetop Adventure course. Meanwhile, the Treetop Adventure Plus course is ideal for children ages 6 to 12. As for adults who want to join in on the fun, the Treetop Challenge will test your limits across five different sections.

Another way to take in the forest is on two wheels — not a bike, but a Segway. Go Ape offers Segway tours, which last one hour. However, your kids have to be at least 10 years old to participate. An instructor will show you the ropes, after which you'll be ready to take the forest trails. Oftentimes, weather can make or break a vacation, especially when your itinerary consists of mostly outdoor activities. To try and avoid the rain, early and late summer are considered the best times to visit England for optimal weather.

Check the forest's calendar prior to your trip, and you might catch live performances or enroll your little ones in a kids' program. Avid joggers can take part in the local races, which can be a 10k up to a 42k. If you're curious to see the forest after nightfall, book one of the 67 cabins. These units come with one-to-five-bedroom floor plans — the majority of which are equipped with a hot tub. Alternatively, after spending the day at Delamere Forest, you can drive back to Liverpool, where you'll be avoiding the chaos of London and experiencing its less crowded rival.