Visit Halton Launches re:Wild Your Days Out to Celebrate Green Tourism During English Tourism Week 

Halton is inviting visitors and locals alike to explore its wilder side with the launch of re:Wild Your Days Out—a campaign celebrating the borough's impressive green open spaces, wildlife and nature habitats and outdoor adventures. 

Timed to coincide with Visit England's English Tourism Week (15th -24th March 2025), the initiative aims to make the most of nature-based tourism as a driver for economic growth while promoting conservation and wellbeing. According to Visit England, the tourism sector contributes £100 billion annually to the UK economy, supporting over 2.6 million jobs, with rural and nature-based tourism playing a significant role in visitor spending. 

Discover the Wild Side of Halton 

With over 30% of Halton designated as Green Belt, the borough is home to a wealth of protected landscapes and biodiversity hotspots: 

• 1 Ramsar Site & 1 Special Protection Area (SPA) – The Mersey Estuary is a globally significant wetland, providing a habitat for over 120,000 wintering birds. 

• 3 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) – Including key ecological zones supporting rare species. 

• 10 Local Nature Reserves & 47 Local Wildlife Sites – Offering a rich environment for native plants and animals. 

• 3 Green Flag Award-Winning Parks – Recognized for their high environmental and recreational standards. 

Whether it's cycling along the Trans-Pennine Trail, birdwatching at Hale Duck Decoy, or enjoying the wildflowers at Wigg Island, Halton provides the perfect backdrop for eco-tourism and sustainable outdoor experiences. 

In a creative twist, residents and visitors can pick up a limited-edition booklet with a biodegradable seed-paper cover. Each reader is encouraged to plant a piece of the booklet to grow native wildflowers—leaving a lasting mark on the borough's biodiversity – before passing the guide on to a friend. Planting will be plotted using a sustainable web portal highlighting how Halton can empower sustainable places across the UK and beyond.  

Official Launch Event – 20th March 2025 

The campaign will officially launch on 20th March at Victoria Park Glasshouses and Butterfly House, Widnes, with local community organisations, businesses and stakeholders in attendance. Cllr Nolan, Halton Borough Council's portfolio holder for Leisure, Community and Culture will open the event with a short introduction to celebrate the initiative and discuss how sustainable tourism can benefit both people and the environment. 

Green Tourism: A Growing Market 

• Sustainable tourism is on the rise—over 76% of global travellers say they want to travel more sustainably (Booking.com, 2023). 

• Research shows that rural tourism in England accounts for over £12 billion annually, with visitors increasingly seeking eco-friendly and wellness-focused experiences (Visit Britain). 

• Halton's natural spaces already attract thousands of visitors annually—by enhancing conservation efforts and promoting green tourism, the borough has an opportunity to increase visitor numbers while protecting its unique landscapes. 

Join the Movement 

To get involved, follow #ReWildHalton on social media, visit VisitHalton.co.uk and start planning your next green adventure!