WHATEVER the time of year and whatever the weather, there are some fantastic beauty spots right on your doorstep for an enjoyable day out.

Whether it is a relaxing stroll in beautiful scenery, or somewhere different to walk the dog, there is plenty of choice around.

Jumbles Country Park, off Bradshaw Road, lies within the Bradshaw Valley, to the north of Bolton.

There is access on the east side of the reservoir from the A676 to Waterfold car park, where there is an information centre and cafe.

The valley and the surrounding area echo a long and interesting history of industrial activity based on textiles, a factor which has been fundamental in the development of the area for water catchment and storage.

The country park was opened in 1971 following the construction of Jumbles reservoir, and has been popular with visitors and the local community ever since.

Jumbles information centre is open throughout the year, offering visitors a permanent exhibition on the local and natural history of the area, ideas for other places to visit in the West Pennine Moors and an insight into the water business.

As well as a restaurant and takeaway, the park has a picnic area.

Another beauty spot is Burrs Country Park in Bury.

It lies on the River Irwell, covering an area of 36 hectares of scenic countryside, one mile north west of Bury town centre.

It features a wide variety of different wildlife habitats — woodland, open space, wetland, ponds and waterways.

The park is a great place to visit, an ideal spot for a range of activities including walking, fishing, picnicking, bird watching and nature study. For the more adventurous, there is an assortment of outdoor pursuits available at Burrs Activity Centre and there is also a Caravan Club site which can accommodate 80 pitches for caravans and tents.

The park owes part of its existence to Bury’s industrial past, many remnants of which still exist today.

You can get to the park by Metrolink and bus, by car by following the brown Burrs Country Park signs from Bury Bridge (A58), or by bicycle — Burrs is signposted on National Cycle Route 6.