Etherow was one of England's first country parks. Originally it was an industrial area incorporating a mine, a mill and a mill pond. The River Etherow flows through the park and is the source for the mill pond. With the decline of industry, the mill pond and park have become a nature reserve and a place for people to spend time walking and taking in the peaceful surroundings.
Reserve
The reservoir was built to supply the mill in Compstall, and is fed by the River Etherow
Compstall Nature Reserve is a 12.8-hectare (32-acre) region of the park which was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1977; this was for its biological interest, especially its wide range of habitats including open water, tall fen, reed swamp, carr and mixed deciduous woodland.
The site is also of considerable ornithological interest with water rail, an uncommon species, having been recorded.[4][5]
Community groups and clubs
Etherow Country Park has many local groups associated with it:
A small sailing club which has good results nationally; in 2014, it finished 17th of 64 entrants in the Southport 24 Hour Race.[6]
The Friends of Etherow is a small local community group[7]
