GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Carr Mill Dam

2 miles (3.2 km)

Enjoy a circular walk around Carr Mill Dam on this easy walk in St Helens.
The pretty lake is located on the north eastern fringes of the town and notable as Merseyside's largest body of inland water. It's a nice place for a waterside stroll with footpaths running along both sides of the water. The lake also attracts a large variety of water loving birds including Great Crested Grebe and Herons.
You can park at the southern end of the lake on Garrswood Road where there is free parking. Here you'll also find a number of information boards telling you all about the flora and fauna at the lake. You can pick up the footpaths heading around the lake which includes some woodland sections and a bridge crossing at the northern end. It's about a 2 mile walk around the lake so it will probably take an hour or so at a leisurley pace.

Postcode

WA11 7NA - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Carr Mill Dam OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Carr Mill Dam Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

There's a Toby Carvery conveniently located at the start point of the walk, at the lake's southern end. There's good food and a nice view of the lake from here.

Dog Walking

The lake is a fine place for a dog walk. There's also an open area where you can let them off leads. The Toby Carvery mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

To continue your walking in the area try our St Helens Walk which takes you along the old St Helens Canal through a section of the lovely Sankey Valley Park.
For great views over the town head north and enjoy a climb to Billinge Hill. The hill summit stands at a height of 179 m (587 ft) commanding fine views towards Great Orme in Wales, Blackpool tower, Greater Manchester, Winter Hill and the Derbyshire Peak District. You can reach the hill on the Rainford Walk which starts from the nearby village. This walk also visits the pretty lakes in the Orrell Water Park.
On the southern edge of the town there's Sutton Manor Park to explore. The popular park includes the iconic Dream Sculpture which is a local highlight and well worth seeing. There's also a great viewpoint and the adjacent Clock Face Country Park to visit here.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Merseyside Walks page.

Photos

Carr Mill Dam - geograph.org.uk - 46969

Carr Mill Dam view with picnic bench and bridge in distance. Originally just a mill pond built to supply Carr's Mill the dam is fed by two stream, the Goyt to the north east and Black Brook to the north west. The Dam was created in the 1750s to supply the newly built Sankey Canal system. This view is looking north west from the Lancashire Power Boat Club House on the east side of the Dam on the southern edge of this square.

Carr Mill Dam - geograph.org.uk - 46995

The arched bridge across the northern part of the dam. The bridge carries an aqueduct over the Dam

Carr Mill Dam - geograph.org.uk - 46987

View from the south end of the Dam near the motel.

Reedbed at Carr Mill Dam - geograph.org.uk - 120579

Reedbed and winter colours of an iced over Dam

Carr Mill Dam - geograph.org.uk - 46990

The weir controlling flow into the continuation of Black Brook which flows under the railway bridge.

A grebe at Carr Mill Dam - geograph.org.uk - 1406930

A grebe on the lake

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Carr Mill Dam.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Carr Mill Dam.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)