Waterfalls around Adlington offer scenic beauty and opportunities for outdoor activities. The area features natural landscapes with brooks, ancient woodlands, and country parks. Waterfalls here are often formed where water has cut into bedrock over time. The region also includes sites with historical significance, such as former industrial areas and old mines.
Last updated: May 18, 2026
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Yarrow Valley Country Park was first established in 1987 on land previously used for bleaching, dyeing, calico printing, and mining. Once industrial activity had ended, the site lay derelict for 30 years until the late 1980's when Chorley Council acquired the site. Yarrow Valley Country Park, a 700-acre facility run by Chorley Council, includes a café (treeface) built using Heritage Lottery funds. There is a play area for children, with a dog protection order, and also an angling agreement at Yarrow Valley Country Park, which gives the fishing rights at Birkacre to Wigan & District Angling Association (WDAA). Yarrow Valley Country Park has been awarded Green Flag status since 2004. The 'park' is used by (dog) walkers, runners & cyclists. Share with care :)
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Green route, make sure follow the map as we didn’t and got lost
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This park has so much to offer beautiful lakes waterfalls many different routes which is great for the kids and dog walkers
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The land here that now forms Yarrow Valley Country Park was acquired by Chorley Council in the early 1980's. It's the site of the former cloth mills, then dyeing works and more recently a small colliery. None of the industry remains but there are interesting traces left including some of the foundation stones of the coal mines, the mill ponds and some machinery. There is a cafe and information centre on site.
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Fairy Glen is a small area of recreation land that follows the Spodley Brook upstream through ancient broadleaf woodland. There are several waterfalls where the brook has cut into the bedrock over time. It's a popular family and dog walking area which becomes busy at weekends in good weather.
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Yes, several waterfalls are suitable for families. Fairy Glen Waterfalls is a popular spot for families and dog walkers, especially on weekends. Yarrow Valley Country Park also offers waterfalls within a recreational area that is great for kids and dog walkers, with many different routes to explore.
Roddlesworth Waterfall is specifically noted as dog-friendly. Fairy Glen Waterfalls is also a popular area for dog walkers, though paths can be uneven and slippery in places.
Yes, the area has a rich industrial past. Lead Mine Clough is an old mining area featuring several waterfalls and a gorge. Yarrow Valley Country Park, while now a natural park, was formerly the site of cloth mills, dyeing works, and a small colliery, with traces of its industrial past still visible.
You'll find a variety of walking trails. Fairy Glen Waterfalls follows the Spodley Brook through ancient broadleaf woodland, offering routes that can be uneven and slippery. Yarrow Valley Country Park has many different routes around its lakes and waterfalls. For more general hiking options, you can explore easy hikes around Adlington.
Visiting after rainfall generally ensures the waterfalls are flowing well, offering a more dramatic sight. However, paths can become uneven and slippery, especially in areas like Fairy Glen Waterfalls. Good weather weekends are popular, but early mornings are ideal to avoid crowds. Winter can offer a unique, frosty landscape, but requires appropriate footwear and caution.
Yarrow Valley Country Park has a cafe and information centre on site, making it a convenient stop for refreshments. For other waterfalls, amenities might require a short drive to nearby towns or villages.
The area is rich in natural beauty. At Fairy Glen Waterfalls, you'll walk through ancient broadleaf woodland alongside the Spodley Brook. Yarrow Valley Country Park features beautiful lakes, forests, and rivers. Lead Mine Clough includes a gorge and grassland areas.
Beyond exploring the waterfalls, the region offers various outdoor activities. You can find running trails around Adlington, including routes around reservoirs. There are also gravel biking routes that take you through scenic landscapes, such as around Rivington Pike and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
Given that many paths can be uneven and slippery, especially after rain or in wooded areas like Fairy Glen Waterfalls and Waterfalls at Limestone Brook, sturdy, waterproof footwear with good grip is highly recommended. Layered clothing is also advisable to adapt to changing weather conditions.
Some routes, such as those leading to Waterfalls at Limestone Brook, can be a bit difficult, with paths that are uneven and slippery, and often in close proximity to a drop into the river. Fairy Glen Waterfalls and Lead Mine Clough are also categorized as challenging in parts, offering more rugged terrain for those seeking a greater adventure.
Visitors appreciate the scenic beauty and the opportunities for outdoor activities. Many enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of places like Fairy Glen Waterfalls, the historical intrigue of Lead Mine Clough, and the diverse offerings of Yarrow Valley Country Park. The combination of natural landscapes, walking trails, and the sound of flowing water makes these spots popular for relaxation and exploration.
While specific circular waterfall walks are not detailed, many of the areas with waterfalls, such as Yarrow Valley Country Park and the trails around Roddlesworth Waterfall, are part of larger trail networks that can be combined into circular routes. You can find various easy hikes around Adlington that offer circular options, some of which may pass by or near waterfall locations.


Happy to travel a little further afield? Then browse these guides for the best waterfalls around Adlington: