As well as the valleys of the rivers Tame, Medlock and Etherow, Tameside has three country parks, five local nature reserves and a fine network of canals. The River Tame joins the River Goyt here to form the famous Mersey.

The largest area of open countryside in Tameside is to the east of the Tame valley, linking the High Pennines within the Peak District National Park.

Here, a population of Mountain Hares still survive, which is the only place outside the Highlands of Scotland where you can see them.

Etherow Country Park, in Stockport, was one of the first to be designated in the UK and every winter Chorlton Water Park becomes home to over 400 Pochard, a colourful diving duck.
The site includes an ancient coalmine within Ernocroft Wood, thought to have been mined in the Middle Ages.