What can be more fun than a trip to the local pond to feed the ducks? Treat your elderly neighbours, family and friends to some of the best places to find ducks in Widnes!
An activity as old as time! People have been feeding ducks in rivers, lakes, and ponds for as long as anyone can remember. With Spring arriving and the ducks enjoying the warmer weather too, it’s a fantastic time of year to take your elderly loved ones out for the afternoon to feed the ducks. It is a relaxing and rewarding pastime. We have created this list of the best spots to find ducks so you can make sure to take your loved ones to the right spots for the best experience.
Victoria Park is a beautiful urban park in Widnes, opened in 1900 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. There is a memorial fountain in honour of William Ewart Gladstone, a Grade II listed war memorial pillar, with detailed carvings and inscriptions, unveiled in September 1921, and many other statues and markers with historical and local cultural value. There are paved walking routes, grassy open spaces, a café with facilities and, of course, a large lake with a fountain for the ducks to bob about in.
Spike Island is an unspoilt artificial island in Upper Mersey between the Sankey Canal and the estuary of the River Mersey containing parkland, woodland, wetlands and footpaths. It is conveniently situated next to the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre. It was created in 1833 when the Sankey Canal was extended from Fiddler’s Ferry to the River Mersey at Widnes. The extension separated a section of Widnes previously called Woodend from the remainder of the town. There are many ducks and swans in the water which are very friendly and can be fed by purchasing some food from the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre shop.
Runcorn Promenade is on the opposite side of the River Mersey to Victoria Park and Spike Island with stunning views of the fantastic new bridge called ‘the Silver Jubilee’ that joins the two pieces of land together. There are hundreds of ducks and other wildlife to be found at this spot and free parking too!
It is a splendid place with plenty of photo opportunities. It being only being a short walk away from Runcorn town centre, there are plenty of options to eat out in the area too. This is the ideal place to have a little wander or just sit and look out onto the horizon.
Runcorn Hill Park is a local nature reserve on a sandstone outcrop above Runcorn. The Park is over 32 hectares in area and is of both semi-natural landscape and more formal ground. It is an invaluable resource for residents and visitors. The site has many woodland walks within the beautiful oak-birch woodland, stunning views of the Mersey Estuary, a dis-used quarry to discover and orienteering trails to follow. Needless to say, a wealth of wildlife thrives within this area. Ducks are in abundance and will happily take your food. Advice from the Wildlife trust reminds us that whilst white bread is the traditional choice, it is better to offer wholegrain bread where possible and to add variety to your offerings with oats, seeds, lettuce, and peas. While bread is not necessarily bad for ducks, it isn’t very good for them either. Filling up on bread makes them less inclined to forage for more nutritious food and could lead to malnutrition, which is why it is important to add variety. Also, if the bread is stale or mouldy, it make the ducks can quite ill.