Where Is Clock Face Country Park, Maypole Wood, Griffin Wood & the Wheatacre Woodland?
The Clock Face Country Park (sometimes called Clock Face Colliery Open Space) in the parish of Bold in St Helens, Merseyside (Lancashire really) and is accessible from Clock Face Road (opposite Sutton Manor Woodland) and from two entry points in Gorsey Lane. The latter should be used if travelling by car.
Maypole Wood is located up Gorsey Lane, sandwiched between the Clock Face Country Park and Hall Lane. Griffin Wood is located at the bottom of Hall Lane just before the M62. Don't be put off by the 'Private Road' sign in Hall Lane. Pedestrian access is permissible although car parking is not. Wheatacre is located further up Gorsey Lane by Neills Road on the boundary of Burtonwood.
How Can I Get To The Clock Face Country Park?
If travelling by car enter via Gorsey Lane. A fair sized car park is available although there is a barrier preventing access to high vehicles over 2 metres. The gate to the car park is opened at 8am each day and locked at 6pm from October to March and at 9pm from April to September.
The no. 32A bus from St. Helens town centre stops in Clock Face Road by the Clock Face Country Park.
Pedestrian access can be made from Bold Road via a footpath by a farmer's field and from the Abbotsfield Road industrial estate. Both make for a very pleasant walk into the country park across Gorsey Lane. You can also walk into the park from the Sutton Manor Woodland by simply crossing Clock Face Road. In fact the Sutton Manor Woodland, Clock Face Country Park, Wheatacre, Maypole and Griffin Wood are all in such close proximity to one another that they can easily be combined into an enjoyable morning or afternoon's walk.
The Clock Face Country Park has very good accessibility for those with mobility impairments. There's wide, well kept paths throughout the site which can easily accommodate wheelchair users. Either ingress via Clock Face Road or, if arriving by car, use the main Gorsey Lane entrance. The entry higher up Gorsey Lane by Maypole Wood should be avoided, however, as it will not accommodate wheelchair users. This is unfortunate as it facilitates easy access for the able-bodied from the country park into Maypole Wood. The latter has excellent accessibility throughout.