Old Warke Aviary

The Aviary was built in 1840 as a shooting and fishing lodge for the 1st Earl of Ellesmere, Francis Egerton.

The woods were planted as his private hunting ground. Because of this the trees in the woods are of the same age.

The story goes that the paths around the dam and through the woods were constructed in the 1860s at the time of the cotton famine. During which time the Earl of Ellesmere devised the scheme to provide work for unemployed weavers. The walks and views have been a popular attraction ever since.

Local History

Historic monuments near Old Warke Aviary

Lime kiln and associated culvert 50m north of Worsley Methodist Church – 0.67 km away
Bridgewater Canal’s Barton Aqueduct embankment and retaining walls – 3.45 km away
Radcliffe Tower and site of hall 100m south west of the parish church in Radcliffe – 8.02 km away
Wardley Hall moated site, Worsley – 1.40 km away
New Hall Moat, Astley, 200m north of Astley Hospital – 5.16 km away
Promontory fort 300m west of Great Woolden Hall Farm – 9.48 km away
Canal tunnel entrances and wharf – 0.41 km away
Ringley Old Bridge – 4.63 km away
Morley’s Hall moated site – 6.36 km away
Astley Green Colliery: engine house and headgear – 4.73 km away