Astbury Mere Country Park

Described as the ‘Jewel in Congleton’s Crown’ Astbury Mere Country Park is a beautiful area for the enjoyment of local residents and visitors to the historic market town of Congleton. 

The Country Park is open from 9:00 until dusk every day of the year, except Christmas Day.  Admission is free of charge. 

Aerial View of Astbury Mere Country Park Congleton

Visiting Astbury Mere

Car Parking is 60p for up to 2 hours or £1:50 for longer, with no overnight parking.  Every penny raised goes towards the improvement of the country park.  You can also click here to buy annual parking permits for £40.

The Park and Display machine now accepts card payments (both Contactless, and Chip and PIN) as well as coins. 

Please try not to inconvenience local residents by parking on local roads.  If our car park is full and you need to park on Sandy Lane, please don’t obstruct traffic or park close to road junctions.

A beautiful Country Park saved for future generations!

The site of a former sand quarry for much of the 1980’s.  Discussions of the future of the area were extensive and controversial, the proposals included housing, light industry, offices and a motel complex!  Read how a group of local residents took on the local authority and big businesses in pursuit of their dream for the old quarry site to become a country park!

“Our vision for Astbury Mere is of a park that is freely accessible to all where people can gather in a natural and tranquil setting to enjoy fresh air and inspiring scenery. We aspire to endow the park with facilities that can enhance this unique environment and that benefit the life of our community and those that visit our town”.   

Astbury Mere Trust 25th January 2006

What’s on at Astbury Mere?

This beautiful resource, in the heart of Congleton, is put to good use by the town residents and visitors from nearby areas, view events & organistions who regularly use the park.

GG's Coffee Hub
GG's Coffee Hub

Italian Blend Coffee & Snacks

Secret recipe 3rd generation ice cream, luxury Italian blend coffee an array of snacks cakes and food. Set in beautiful surroundings. 

Astbury Watersports Centre
Astbury Watersports Centre

Education through Adventure

Astbury Water Sports Centre is the location in Congleton offering various water sports including canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing and stand up paddle boarding and aslo land based outdoor activities

Congleton Park Run
Congleton Park Run

It is a 5km run - it's you against the clock.

 The event is held at Astbury Mere Country Park every Saturday morning at 9.00 am and is a timed 5K run.

If you can walk or cycle to the park, please do so.  If you must drive, please follow the marshalls’ instructions and try to avoid causing inconvenience to the local residents, avoiding the road junctions on Sandy Lane.

Stoke-on-Trent Anglers
Stoke-on-Trent Anglers

(SOTAS)

Astbury Mere is the Society’s only owned water, having been purchased in 2002. The water is extremely attractive and many swims offer easy access. A 43lb 3oz carp was recently caught! 

The Dog Father
The Dog Father

Dog Training Classes with Vic

Join Vic Barlow and his four-legged friends for Dog training classes every Saturday from 10am.

Community Orchard
Community Orchard

Congleton's first Community Orchard

Created with help from local residents and Congleton Sustainability Group, part of The Congleton Partnership. The orchard was originally planted by local school children who celebrated the launch by acting out ‘The Tale of the Orchard’, a story written especially for the site by local author Louise Renn.

Astbury Mere Visitor Centre

Meeting Room For Hire.

Astbury Mere is the perfect venue for your business meeting or community group, meeting rooms are for hire which have access to basic kitchen facilities and can be hired for private and community use.  Cost: from just £17.50 per session.

To book or enquire about bookings, please email our Countryside Ranger by clicking AMCP Room Booking, Telephone 01260 297237 or send an enquiry through the contact page, we are happy to help.

Awards and Accreditations

AMCP is one of only two country parks in Cheshire to have accreditation by Natural England and is also Cheshire’s first Eco Centre! Organised by Keep Britain Tidy whose award acknowledges the efforts made at the park to showcase environmental sustainable initiatives.

In 2024 AMCP was awarded the Royal Forestry Society’s Gold Award for Community Woodland of the Year.

In 2017 the RHS gave AMCP an “Outstanding Award” in its Your Neighbourhood Category.

Natural England Awards
Natural England Awards
Natural England Awards

What people say…

  • star rating  Great place to get some fresh air any time of the day. We go running around the mere after the main gates are closed. It is open 24 hours for... read more

    RichardPB1990
    12/01/2022

    star rating  An excellent walk around the lake with a good coffee to finish in the coffee shop. Not too far a walk bu

    avatar thumb Heather J
    16/09/2021
  • star rating  The park as a couple of walks but very restricted views over the lake. No access to waters edge as all fenced off for anglers.
    Although a pleasant walk... read more

    avatar thumb dlh286
    23/09/2021

    star rating  In the area on holiday we visited a few times for a walk. Very pleasant surroundings great path to walk on. Everyone we met socially distanced. How nice that dogs... read more

    avatar thumb boyd1952
    22/05/2021
  • star rating  We stopped here for a picnic to break up a journey. This is a fantastic place to spend an hour or two, with a car park (50p charge), toilets, information... read more

    avatar thumb Elizabeth C
    01/01/2020

    star rating  On a cold but quite pleasant mid January afternoon I visited Astbury mere with my family including 2 young children after walking twice around the beautiful lake taking in... read more

    avatar thumb Tony D
    16/01/2023
  • star rating  Loved the mere. The circular walk around the mere offers fantastic views and is truly relaxing. There is a coffee shop in the main car park if you... read more

    avatar thumb
    22/05/2021

    star rating  We were travelling south on the M6 and took a diversion due to some traffic issues. We were passing through Congleton and noticed the sign to Astbury Mere.
    There was... read more

    avatar thumb
    29/05/2021
  • star rating  Visited this park recently having not visited for about six months. This is a very peaceful and lovely place to walk in all seasons, There is a car park... read more

    avatar thumb
    14/12/2020

    star rating  Staying in the area and was looking for watersport hire for the rest of the family... unfortunately they were fully booked, but for a walk around the lake and nature... read more

    avatar thumb
    03/08/2021
Gallery

Understand why people fall in love with Astbury Mere! We invite you to send in your pictures!

Astbury Mere needs your support!

Astbury Mere Trust relies on public donations to ensure the long term viability of AMCP to improve the enjoyment of the local community, and many thousands of visitors every year.

Apply for a Parking Permit

Regular visitors to the park can apply for a parking permit, never mess about with pesky change again!

 

Find Us Here

Astbury Mere Country Park, 
Sandy Lane, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 4FP

 

Swan walking on Astbury Mere Path

Astbury Mere