Permanent Orienteering Courses
As well as organised events laid on by the British Orienteering Affiliated Clubs, there are many permanent courses all across the UK. Once you have acquired a map kit, you can orienteer whenever you like. The map kit usually includes:
- a map with the control sites marked,
- a control card for you to mark the codes corresponding to the control marker,
- a sheet of instructions to help you get started.
Permanent Orienteering Courses in the DEE Area
There are several permanent courses in the Deeside Orienteering Club Area including:
Castle Park, Frodsham
Grid Reference SJ514774. Map kits are available at 50p each from either the Castle Park Arts Centre (01928-735832) or Barbara Jones (01928-788916).
Delamere Forest
Grid Reference SJ 548704. Turn off the B5152 at Delamere railway station. Park in the Forestry Commission's Linmere Visitor Centre Car Park. Map kits are available at £1.00 each from the Forestry Commission's Linmere Visitor Centre (01606-889792), Northwich Library (01606-44221) or Barbara Jones (01928-788916).
Greenbank and Clough Wood, Northwich
Grid Reference SJ649727. Map kits and instruction sheet are available at 30p each from Northwich Library (01606-44221) or Barbara Jones (01928-788916).
Grosvenor Park, Chester
Grid Reference SJ698622 (opposite the Visitors' Centre, Vicar's Lane). There are tarmac paths are suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs, school groups etc. Map kits are available at 20p each from Chester Library (01244-312935) or Barbara Jones (01928-788916).
Marbury Park, Comberbach, nr. Northwich
Grid Reference SJ653763(car park). Includes a wheelchair course. Contact the Rangers' office (01606-77741) for more information. Map kits are available at 50p each from Comberbach Post Office (01606-891429), Northwich Library (01606-44221) or Barbara Jones (01928-788916).
Risley Moss, nr Warrington
Grid Reference SJ664922(car park). Map kits are available at 50p from the Rangers (01925-824339).
Runcorn Town Park, Runcorn
Grid Reference SJ549809 (car park). Includes a wheelchair course. More information from the Park Rangers, Phoenix Park, Castlefields Ave East, Runcorn (01928-564472). Map kits are available at 50p each from The Ski Slope office (01928-701965) or Barbara Jones (01928-788916).
Spike Island, Widnes
Grid Reference SJ513843. Off the Upper Mersey Road, Widnes (opposite Catalyst Museum). Includes a wheelchair course. Contact the Visitor Centre (0151-420-3707) for more information.
Please note: We have discovered that seven control posts are missing. We've no idea when they'll be replaced, so advise against using the course in the meantime. Watch this space for any further news!
Map kits are available at 50p from Barbara Jones (01928-788916).
Arrowe Park
Grid Reference SJ276857. Maps are available from the Head Ranger at Arrowe Park (0151-678-4200). Unfortunately the course at this park is subject to vandalism, and some markers may not exist, or may be illegible.
Birkenhead Park
Grid Reference SJ308890. Maps are available from the Head Ranger at Arrowe Park (0151-678-4200). Unfortunately the course at this park is subject to vandalism, and some markers may not exist, or may be illegible.
Ashton Park, West Kirby
Grid Reference SJ217865. This is a small urban park with three courses, equivalent to white/yellow standard. Map kits are available at £1 each from the Wirral Visitor Centre, Thurstaston (0151-648-4371), from West Kirby Library, or from Malcolm Irvine (0151-648-7201).
Eastham Country Park, Eastham
Grid Reference SJ364818 (car park). Maps are available at 40p from the Rangers (0151-327-1007).
Rivacre Country Park, Ellesmere Port, South Wirral
Grid Reference SJ383779. From M53 junction 7, take B5132 signed 'Overpool'. After about half a mile, turn right into Rivacre Road.
Please phone the Ranger (0151-357-1991) for maps or if you want to take a group.
There are other courses in the surrounding areas of the North West Region.
