Northwich Woodlands

The extraction of salt caused subsidence leading to the formation of pools known as flashes.

Much of the area has now been reclaimed for the purposes of conservation and recreation and forms part of the Mersey Forest initiative.

It was formerly a country estate owned by the Smith-Barry family but it became derelict and Marbury Hall was demolished in 1968.

The site was reclaimed in 1975 and is now run as a country park by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

A number of plants associated with alkaline soils grow on the site including fragrant orchid, marsh helleborine, ploughman's spikenard, and yellow-wort.

Carey Park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest with rare grasses and butterflies alongside other wildlife.