Haigh Woodland Park

High Woodland Park is a fantastic park in Lancashire that’s not that far from Manchester too. There is a large free adventure playground that kids of all ages will love and plenty of paths for pram-friendly walks. Find more Family walks North West here.

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Where is Haigh Woodland Park?

Haigh Woodland Park is close to the village of Haigh and Wigan. It’s a short drive from both the M6 (junction 27) and M61 (junction £6). There is a large, low cost car park.

The address is Haigh Woodland Park, Wigan, WN2 1PE.

Large map of a park stood in a green space

Is Haigh Woodland Park free?

Yes but you need to pay for parking. There are activities that you need to pay for but the playground and exploring the gardens and park is free.

There is plenty of pay on exit parking.

The first half an hour is free. Then it is £1.50 for 90 minutes and £3.50 for all day parking.

Are dogs allowed at Haigh Woodland Park?

Dogs are allowed around the park but they are not allowed in the playground.

Haigh Woodland Park Adventure Playground

There is a large adventure playground at Haigh Woodland Park with areas for different ages. There are several different sized slides, zip wire, roundabout, climbing frames, swings and a sandpit.

My kids are 8 and 11. They loved the park but there were plenty of younger kids too. In fact on our second visit after lunch it was incredibly busy!

Metal roundabout with more wooden play equipment behind

My kids loved the zipwire, slides and climbing frames and the hit zone. This hit zone is an electronic game which we have seen a few times at parks but we usually find they are out of order. This one was working well though and kept our kids running around for quite sometime.

Zip wire and wooden towers as part of a playground

There is a smaller trim trail play area near one of the picnic areas that the kids loved too.

Wooden kids trim trail with picnic area behind

Family walks at Haigh Woodland Park

There are lots of pram-friendly paths through the park and woodlands. You can also join up with paths along the Leeds Liverpool canal.

Paths through woods meeting a road and a green direction sign

There are ponds and railway attractions to pass two and even a small bird hide and feeding area. There is a lovely view point behind the main adventure playground which looks over the golf course, Haigh Hall and beyond.

Fenced that acts as a bird hide in the woods

There are also some walled gardens to explore. Some of these are closed for renovations which look really exciting.

Cafes at Haigh Woodland Park

Yes, that’s right, there is more than 1 cafe! Fairly close to the car park and visitors centre, you’ll find kitchen courtyard. There is also a small cafe in the visitors centre itself.

Inside a cafe with food counter and row of high chairs

In the kitchen courtyard you will find a farm shop, artisan chocolate shop, florist, ice cream parlour, Graze in the park (cafe), All you knead bakery (with some indoor seating) and Two left feet tap selling alcohol, pies and pizza!

Red prick building with a clock tower around a courtyard full of picnic benches

We ate at All you knead bakery where we enjoyed sausage rolls, paninis and a hot beef sandwich. They also sell a range of cakes. The prices are really reasonable too.

Granery bread sandwich and a pile of crisps

You can also bring a picnic with you and there are plenty of picnic areas around the park.

Adventure and crazy golf at Haigh Woodland Park

There are two options for a family game of crazy or adventure golf.

Next to the visitors centre is the bigger adventure golf option – Viking golf. This is an 18 hole golf course with loads of fun obstacles to navigate.

Our kids loved our game and there favourite hole was the one with the viking boat. Once you hit your ball across the water, get on the boat and use the ropes to pull yourself across. There is a bridge next to it too.

Wooden viking boat replica in a crazy golf course

A round of adventure golf for a family of 4 is £18 but until 16th February 2025, parent’s (or garndparents) play free with paying kids so it cost us £9.

Full details and check current prices here – Adventure Golf

Crazy golf is located near the walled gardens and is £1 per person however it is only open from Easter to October. This is still an 18 hole course but a bit simpler than the adventure golf course. It wasn’t open on our visit but it looked like a great fun course and such a great price.

Full details here – Crazy Golf

Other activities at Haigh Woodland Park

There is a high ropes & low ropes course here that you can pre-book for your kids to enjoy a session. Prices start from £10. Book here – Haigh High Ropes and Adventure

As well as the crazy and adventure golf courses, there is an 18 hole Balcarres golf course and a 9 hole Crawford course. Book here – Golf at Haigh Woodland Park

Footgolf is a seasonal activity that you can prebook here – FootGolf

Railway attractions, there is model railway which is open on Sundays with free rides (donations welcomed). There is also 15″ miniature gauge railway but this is currently closed whilst work is being done.

There is a Haigh Art and Craft Gallery above the kitchen court yard too. Here you can paint china from £3 as well as buying take-home art packs and paintings.

There are loads of events running in the park across the seasons. For example in the school holidays and Christmas markets and Brass bands. Make sure you are following them on Facebook to be the first to hear about all events – Haigh Woodland Park

Other facilities at Haigh Woodland Park

There are toilets both inside and outside the visitors centre and at the Stables building (where the cafes are). Baby changing facilities are available at both locations. There is an accessible toilet at The Stables too.

How long do families spend at Haigh Woodland Park?

You can spend as long or as little as you like at this park. We arrive about 10:30 am and left around 3:30 pm and that was in February. I’m sure in summer you could spend longer.

Equally you could fit in a shorter visit if you just want to go on the adventure playground. You could even park for 30 minutes free and pop into the farmshop.

Overall verdict

We loved our day at Haigh Woodland Park. There were lots of renovations going on around the park and to Haigh Hall, I’m sure we’ll be back to see the renovations of the park when they are complete. You can still have a great time currently, even with the renovations. Only part of the walled gardens are closed.

4 vertical strips of photos of countryside including mountains, waterfalls and a wooden gruffalo sculpture

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