Brotherton Park and Dibbinsdale

Fifty-four hectares of ancient woodland in a river valley — the best of the local walks for a dog that wants to put its nose down and work.

Dibbinsdale is a Local Nature Reserve and an SSSI, which in practice means the woodland is genuinely old rather than planted, and it smells like it. For a scent-driven dog this is the most interesting ground within easy reach of the house.

The reserve runs along a river valley and covers 54 hectares of ancient woodland, wildflower meadow, reed swamp and old parkland. The variety is the point: you can be in dense trees and then open meadow within a few minutes.

There is a visitor centre with walled gardens, a car park and public toilets, though the toilets depend on the site being staffed. It holds a Green Flag Award and is open dawn to dusk, year round.

Worth knowing

• —Toilets are only open when the site is staffed — do not rely on them.
• —It is a river valley, so after heavy rain the lower paths get properly muddy. Bring a towel.

Details from Wirral Council — Brotherton Park and Dibbinsdale LNR.