The ‘little gem’ park in south Manchester that’s a must-visit this autumn

It took a while to get going, but autumn is definitely in full swing now. The early October heatwave has become a distant memory and it’s turned decidedly crisp and chilly.

The trees are beginning to don their autumn colours with the lush green leaves of summer giving way to rich reds and oranges. It’s a beautiful time of year to get outside and experience nature, although you don’t have to travel far to immerse yourself in the outdoors.

There are dozens of places to visit in Greater Manchester offering gorgeous autumnal scenery, and Chorlton Water Park in South Manchester is one of them. It's a place that’s rich in wildlife, and where woodland paths and waterside views collide.

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Described as a “great little gem” on TripAdvisor, Chorlton Water Park is a Local Nature Reserve which sits along the edge of the River Mersey, nestled between Chorlton and West Didsbury. At the heart of the park is a lake, which was created by flooding a gravel pit, which was excavated during the 1970s to construct the M60 motorway.

Surrounding the lake are areas of woodland and grassland, providing a diverse range of habitats for wildlife. Smaller than neighbouring Sale Water Park, there’s no watersports at Chorlton and swimming isn’t allowed. Instead it’s a tranquil spot where you can watch swans and geese gliding across the surface of the water.

A path through the trees circles the lake it takes around 30 minutes to complete a lap. It’s especially stunning at this time of year when the golden leaves create an archway over the route.

Dotted along the path are