Astbury Mere

Extraction of silica sand occurred at the Congleton West Heath quarry from around the 1930s until 1984.[2] The sand was used for making glass and for precision casting of metal.[5] After the closure of the quarry, the site was divided into housing (Ennerdale Drive estate) and open space. A trust was established in 1989 to manage the open land.[2] The park first opened to the public in 1991.[6] In 2002, the Stoke-on-Trent Angling Society acquired the lake.[4] By 2008 the Astbury Mere Trust had acquired the majority of the land.[2] The park was accredited by Natural England as a country park in 2012.[1]

Entrance to Astbury Mere Country Park

The park is located at around SJ846627 on Sandy Lane, off the A34 (Newcastle Road).[7] The Fol Hollow road adjoins the park.[8] The area forms a shallow bowl, centred on Astbury Mere, with surrounding grassland, woodland and plantation, as well as a community orchard, originally planted by local schoolchildren.[2][9] The lake has an area of 43 acres (17 ha) with a maximum depth of around 50 feet (15 m).[1][4]

Activities in the park include walking, orienteering and running.[1][7] Two walking trails are available, each a mile long; one is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Dogs are permitted. Seats are placed every 100 metres along the lake circuit. A permanent orienteering course is available. A parkrun is organised on Saturdays at 9am.[1][2][8] Various watersports occur on the lake, including fishing, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking; swimming is not permitted.[1][7] Fishing is organised by Stoke-on-Trent Angling Society; the lake is stocked with carp, perch, pike and roach.[1]

There is a visitor centre with car parking. Snacks and drinks are available.[1][7] The park is managed by Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Service for the Astbury Mere Trust, with a single part-time ranger.[6][7]

• List of parks and open spaces in Cheshire
• Shakerley Mere, another Cheshire mere that originated in a sand quarry