Best places to go conker hunting with the kids this autumn

The leaves are turning, there's a nip in the air and all of a sudden the ground is covered in shiny conkers.

Nothing says autumn quite like an afternoon out collecting the huge seeds, whether your kids are competing for the biggest one or planning a full-blown conker battle.

Although they're plentiful in the autumn months, it helps if you know where to start looking before you head out for the day.

We asked M.E.N. readers where their favourite conker spots are - and the list has just kept growing.

Paulie Turner previously shared this photo with us after he collected quite a haul from Princess Park in Chadderton, where he and his dad Philip found 'a big tree full of them'.

Know of anywhere we've missed? Let us know in the comments here...

Marple Locks, Stockport

With 16 canal locks in the space of a mile, Marple Locks is an amazing place to visit at the best of times.

Along this stretch of the Peak Forest canal tow path there are a few spots where you can duck into the woods and go hunting for conkers.

It's also a great place for a bike ride or for walking with a pushchair.

Ramsbottom Cemetery, Bury

A cemetery may not seem like an obvious destination for a day out with the kids, but little ones have been collecting conkers here for decades.

The grounds are surrounded by horse chestnut trees dropping their shiny seeds on the grass below.

You can also check out Nuttall Park, also in Ramsbottom, for another haul.

Moss Bank Park, Bolton

Moss Bank Park has always been very popular with families and offers loads to do for children.

A stroll through the walled gardens will reveal hundreds of conkers underfoot, as well as lots of plants and wildlife for kids to learn about.

You'll just have to make sure you get there before all the conkers have been picked clean.

Dunham Massey, Cheshire

The appeal of Dunham Massey is plain to see - almost 200 acres of ancient woodland to explore, including fallow deer and its neo-classical mansion.

The woods here are a treasure trove for anyone who's bonkers about conkers.

If you're lucky, you might see or hear a deer rut - a fierce mating battle where the animals clash their amazing antlers - while you're here too.

Lilford Park, Wigan

Everywhere you turn in Lilford Park, you'll find a pile of conkers by your feet.

This Wigan park is an amazing hunting ground for the seeds, with plenty of towering trees dropping them at this time of year.

Head here on a sunny day and you'll see the sun streaming through the trees - beautiful.

Fog Lane Park, Didsbury

Try Fog Lane Park in Didsbury to have a scout about for those green cases and shiny brown seeds.

While you're there make the most of other family facilities which include a play area, visitor centre, pond and toilets.

Get off at West Didsbury tram stop and make your way across - it's only a short wander through the suburb.

Elsewhere you're almost guaranteed to find conkers in these sites (don't leave it too late though):

• Princess Park, Chadderton

• Alexandra Park, Whalley Range

• King George's Park, Ashton

• Holden Clough, Ashton

• Manor Park, Glossop

• Cheetham Park, Stalybridge

• Macclesfield Forest

• Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield

• Southern Cemetery, Chorlton

• Flixton Park, Urmston

• Wythenshawe Park

• Birchfields Park, Rusholme

• Dunwood Park, Shaw

• Queens Park, Heywood

• Prestwich Clough, Prestwich

• Philips Park, Prestwich

• Lyme Park, Cheshire

• Vernon Park, Stockport

• Abney Hall Park, Cheadle

• Bruntwood Park, Cheadle

• Marbury Country Park, Northwich