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 50p for up to 4 hours or £1 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 £35.

Please note the Park and Display machine has now been updated to accept 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 2017 the RHS gave AMCP an “Outstandiing Award” in its Your Neighbourhood Category.

Natural England Awards
Natural England Awards
Natural England Awards

What people say…

  • star rating  Great place for a run - 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

    RichardReviews1999
    12/01/2022

    star rating  A really nice place for a lakeside walk. On weekends there is canoeing and other activities. There is a small charge for car parking and there are toilets. There... read more

    foreverroaming
    08/09/2020
  • 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  Staff at the cafeteria rude and unhelpful!!!
    However the park is well kept and definitely with the trip.

    florentina_ilie
    15/09/2020
  • 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  Lovely walk, well kept park, blessed today with a warm breeze and sunshine.
    Lovely to be out, nice coffee from the on site cafe.
    Will definitely become a regular walk.... read more

    avatar thumb Tony L
    29/03/2021
  • star rating  I have know this place for most of my life, from our 2 sons windsurfing days. All the water is now fenced off as its owned by a fishing club.... read more

    Wildswim
    14/11/2020

    star rating  Lived in the area for many years and this used to be a place I very much enjoyed taking my dogs for a walk off lead. I can see from... read more

    avatar thumb Doraexplorah
    13/02/2022
  • 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  Fantastic kayaking party for my sons 13th Party! All the boys had the best time kayaking today. The instructor was brilliant with the boys and made the event safe and... read more

    O5451UYsarahd
    15/08/2021
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