Pennington
Flash

Welcome to a national treasure!

A legacy of our proud industrial heritage, Pennington Flash is now rightly recognised as a national treasure and a stunning example of nature in recovery.

This beloved Leigh beauty spot is one of eight local sites that make up The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh; the first and only National Nature Reserve (NNR) in the whole of Greater Manchester.

Officially designated an NNR by Natural England in October 2022 in recognition of their remarkable natural beauty and immense ecological importance, these precious wetland habitats were originally and uniquely formed by the ‘flash’ flooding of former coal mining sites.

Collectively they are now home to nationally significant wildlife populations including UK’s most endangered small bird, the wonderful willow tit.

Pennington Flash is a favourite with visitors from far and wide, with stunning natural views, bird hides, trails for walking and cycling, a visitor centre and café, and an exciting adventure playground for families.

Find out more about the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh NNR
Great crested grebe in the water
Author Jennifer Doyle at Pennington Flash

What’s on at the Flash…

We have a full calendar of events throughout the year, including nature-based activities and trails, family-friendly festivals, artisan markets, and cultural experiences.

Upcoming events

  • Saturday 6 June & Sunday 7 June
  • Ironman
  • Ironman comes to Leigh! Watch as athletes take on one of the world’s toughest endurance races. Find out more.
  • Sunday 5 July
  • Memory Walk
  • A walk with a difference, join Be Well as they ‘walk for a world without dementia’. Find out more.
  • Sunday 19 July
  • Flashes Festival of Nature
  • It’s back! The ultimate celebration of our beautiful National Nature Reserve – enjoy fun activities, workshops and performances surrounded by our wonderful wildlife.
  • Sunday 19 July – Monday 31 August
  • Billy the Blackbird Summer Trail
  • Inspired by local author Jennifer Doyle’s marvellous book, explore the Flash and look out for the garden birds hidden amongst the trees!
  • Wednesday 5 August
  • National Play Day
  • It’s time to play! Join us as we celebrate all things fun – with games, activities, arts and crafts and more. Bring along the little ones and embrace your inner child for the day!
  • Saturday 29 August & Sunday 30 August
  • The Great Viking Gathering
  • We’re taking it back to the Viking era as Ydalir Vikings take over the Flash! Expect immersive reenactments, combat displays and age-old crafts. You’ll have to see it to believe it! 
A Viking experience at Pennington Flash
A young boy and his grandmother doing leaf printing
Two men in Alzheimer's Society t-shirts embracing at the Memory Walk
Young girl with a star weaved from willow

Plan your day out…

The Hide Coffee House and Café

Our lakeside café is the perfect hide-out for nature lovers – serving fresh coffee, breakfast, lunch, cakes and snacks. Dog friendly, with indoor and outdoor seating offering views over the water.

Whether you’re on a family day out, walking your four-legged friend, or looking to escape for some well-earned ‘me time’, you’ll find a warm welcome and a wide range of tempting treats at our wildlife-themed coffee shop.

Open 7 days a week:

  • 2 March – 31 March: 9:00am-5:00pm
  • 1 April – 30 April: 9:00am-6:00pm
  • 1 May – 29 September: 9:00am- 7:00pm
  • 30 September – 31 October: 9:00am- 5:00pm
  • 1 November – 1 March: 9:00am- 4:00pm

Follow The Hide Coffee House on Facebook and Instagram.

The Hide Coffee House
play area

Family adventure play area

Our accessible and inclusive nature-themed adventure play area boasts a variety of swings, climbing frames and zip lines plus a central toddler ‘lake’ featuring play equipment modelled on swans and boats.

golf course

Golf course

Our 9-hole, 2,739 yard course provides an enjoyable challenge for all abilities, with a mix of par 3, par 4 and par 5 holes. Made up of largely flat parkland interrupted by streams and ponds, it’s a good size on which to practise and work on your game.

Golf at Pennington Flash

Observe the wonder of nature with Leigh Ornithological Society…

Pennington Flash’s tranquil waters and surrounding marshland boast a diverse group of mammals, birds and insects, including no fewer than five RSPB red-listed birds as well as the protected water vole.

More than 230 bird species have been recorded on site, including the black-faced bunting, nightingale, cattle egret, whiskered tern and Leach’s petrel.

Key habitats: Open water, Fen, Reed bed, Scrub, Woodland

The Flash features a number of hides and viewing areas for bird enthusiasts. Leigh Ornithological Society is your local birding group, visit their website to find out more.

Visit Leigh Ornithological Society

A place to explore…

Here at Pennington Flash, a network of footpaths, cycleways and bridle paths allows visitors to enjoy the breathtaking scenery at their own pace. We also have regular free group walks you can join – including Nordic Walking.

Horse riding and angling is also permitted in designated areas while sailing and windsurfing are available at Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club.

Follow us on social media

Keep up to date with all the latest happenings at Pennington Flash by following us on Facebook or Instagram.

Visitor information
& parking

For general information and golf admission/enquiries please visit our Visitor Information Point located within The Hide Coffee House.

Opening times:

April to September: 8am-7:30pm

October: 8am-6pm

November to March: 8am-5pm

Tel: 01942 489848

Address: St Helens Road, Leigh, WN7 3PA.

Directions

Signposted from the A580 East Lancs Road. Follow the signs and turn onto the A579 Atherleigh Way then left onto the A572 St Helens Road. The main entrance is situated on St Helens Road opposite Leigh Fire Station.

Please note: Sat Nav users should use the postcode is WN7 3PA.

View Pennington Flash on Google Maps.

Parking

Opening times: 6.30am – 7.30pm

Parking Charge: £2.50 all day pay and display. Annual parking pass also available at £55 per year.

Our car park has 300+ spaces and 12 x 7kW electric vehicle chargepoints, installed in collaboration with Charge My Street. These chargepoints can be used through the Fuuse App or by scanning the QR codes on the sockets with your mobile phone.

To improve accessibility, the chargepoints provide live data to a range of roaming providers such as ZapMap, Electroverse, Paua, Bonnet and AllStar EV.

Unlike other public chargepoint operators, Charge My Street allow those without access to off-street parking to charge for a reduced cost while visiting local attractions. As a community benefit society, all profits from shares or subscriptions go towards installing more EV chargepoints in the local area.

All current prices, including subscriptions, can be found on the Charge My Street website and the Fuuse App.

Concert parking

Pennington Flash also offers convenient parking for concerts and events at Leigh Sports Village. Find out more.

Coach parties

Coach parties and organised groups welcome subject to booking (make a booking enquiry by contacting us on 01942 489848).

Facilities on site:

  • Visitor information point
  • Car parking
  • EV chargepoints
  • Toilets
  • Coffee house and café
  • Play area
  • Picnic areas
  • 9-hole golf course
  • Extensive network of footpaths providing a range of short to medium length walks
  • Six bird hides
  • Nature walks
  • Angling (permitted on the main lake in designated areas)
  • Horse riding (along designated paths)