Etherow Country Park was one of Britain's first country parks. Established in 1968 around an old cotton mill, the park has steadily grown in size and popularity and now attracts over a quarter of a million visitors every year. The park lies within easy reach of the Stockport and Manchester conurbations and also of the un-spoilt countryside of the Pennines.

For birders the park holds several different woods and cloughs, connected by R. Etherow, plus Compstall Reservoirs with some introduced exotic species. Breeding Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Goldcrest, Kingfisher (from CWT hide), Dipper, Great Crested Grebe sometimes Redstart and Wood Warbler, all 3 woodpeckers. Keg Pool at the far end of the park sometimes hold Goosander with a nearby Cormorant roost on the river. Winter flocks of Redwing, Fieldfare, Redpoll and Siskin. Parking (Pay and display) and excellent visitor centre and Cafe at George Street, Compstall. Some parts suitable for disabled access.

The park is the halfway point of the 12 mile Valley Way Footpath which links Vernon Park in Stockport with Woolley Bridge on the Tameside/Derbyshire border. The Goyt Way, a ten mile footpath to Whaley Bridge, also starts at Etherow Country Park. Leaflets are available for these paths at the visitors centre.