Trains to Birchwood

Birchwood is a popular commuter town on the outskirts of Warrington. Its station lies in the middle of the Manchester-Liverpool Line, taking locals to Manchester Oxford Road in 25 minutes and Liverpool Lime Street in around 50; Warrington Central is just four minutes away. Passengers arriving at Birchwood come in literally on the edge of town - north of the station is the busy Birchwood Shopping Centre complex and a residential development, and south of it is a landscape of open fields. The rather sudden change reflects Birchwood's history. It emerged as Warrington was developed as a New Town, so its streets are carefully planned. Even so, the area has a pleasant, leafy feel - from near the station, you can pick up a footpath along Birchwood Brook, following it to Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve. It's a great place for local walks, and, appropriately enough, has a healthy population of birch trees.