Wollaton Hall, Bestwood Country Park, Belton, Newstead Abbey, Hartsholme Country Park

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Parks & Halls

Abbey Park Abbey Road and St Margarets Way, Leicester

Abbey Park is Leicester’s premier park and lies approximately one mile north of the City centre. There is a Pet's Corner which provides a variety of animals for visitors to enjoy, a Model Railway, pedalo boats, bowling green, tennis courts and a Cafe. There is also a large play area suitable for children of all ages and grassed areas for ball games.

"This is a great day out because it is free of charge and they have plenty there to keep the family entertained for the full day including family farm yard animals, the lake with pedlos, the river, a big children's park, old ruins and lots more, it is ideal to take a picnic for a great free day out."

The Park is easily accessible from the City centre with access from St Margaret’s Way and the main car park located on Abbey Park Road. Buses run regularly from Leicester City centre and the Park also forms part of the central section of the Riverside Walk and cycle route.

Arboretum Park Centre of Nottingham NG1 4JA

This is a hidden gem of a park, it's delightful, wonderful, it has something for everyone. There is an aviary with all the different types of birds, a hidden Rose garden, a statute park, a formal area, flowerbed displays that are out of this world, and a (smallish) lakeside walk. Plenty of grassy areas for picnics and a run around. Toilets and a modest tea hut. During special events there are various food stalls and other entertainment for children. Only downside is there is no children's playground.

The main entrances are in Waverley Street, roughly opposite Cromwell St and Burns St. There is a stepped entrance from Addison St, and a sloped path from North Sherwood St, opposite Chatham St which leads from Mansfield Road.

Arnot Hill Park Arnold, Nottingham NG5 6LU

The design of this is newly renovated play area was chosen by local children and their parents and has a water theme which links with the park's lake.

© Pete Jenkins

Attenborough Nature Reserve Barton Lane
Attenborough, Nottingham NG9 6DY (0115) 9721777

This is such a great morning or afternoon out for children of all ages. The staff in the cafe are great with children, and there's plenty to play with in the restaurant area.

Lots of birds/ducks/geese/swans to see and feed, also no entrance fee, which means if you are on a budget its a great day out!

Entry is free
£1 parking donation

Current Opening Times
The Centre: Monday–Friday 10am–4pm. Weekend 9am–4pm
Vehicular access to the Reserve, daily, 7am–dusk.

The Reserve is situated just off the A6005 between Beeston and Long Eaton. Turn on to Barton Lane off the A6005 at McDonalds following the brown tourist signs. The Car Park is situated at the bottom of Barton Lane.

Belton Park Grantham, Lincolnshire NG32 2LS

Great for picnics and has an outdoor adventure playground and lakeside walks. There is also an activity room in Belton House, baby-changing facilities, wildlife Discovery Centre and miniature train rides during the summer. Located 3 miles NE of Grantham on A607 Grantham-Lincoln road, easily reached and signposted from A1.

"Belton hall was an excellent day out. We have two girls aged 7 & 3 yrs they really enjoyed the large adventure playground , the activity center and the childrens train. The house wasn`t too stuffy and had a childrens play room. There was also a cafe and a tea shop to keep mum happy. A good day out was had by all."

Bestwood Country Park Bestwood Village, Nottingham (0115) 9273674

This is a favourite because it's so close yet feels miles away. The thick forest gives an atmoshere of a deep forest walk. There is a playground although it is mostly geared for older children. Bring a picnic lunch and a flask of tea. Great in the winter months as well as warm weather months.

Bramcote Hills Park and Stapleford Hills Broxtowe, Nottinghamshire (0115) 917 7777

Extensive children's playground with a family atmosphere.

"The park has all new equipment which is suitable from 1-14 year olds. there is also a assult course to follow around the area, picnic tables and plenty of space to take your dogs for a walk around the woods."

The Hemlock Stone - This striking and remarkable geological feature is set amongst the acres of beautiful park and woodland that make up Stapleford Hill.

How The Hemlock Stone Got Its Name - Much speculation surrounds the Hemlock Stone. Even its name is a puzzlement many theories exist as to how the stone got its name.

Bramcote Hills Park has many key and varied features, including the Holocaust Memorial Garden, the cycle path and the open parkland. Historical features include the ice-house, the site of the former Bramcote Hills House and the walled garden. Facilities include a play area, trim trail, cycle route, tree trail and cricket square, as well as picnic areas and seating. The interpretation panels throughout the park help illustrate the area's history.

Walled Garden - The walled garden is the most recent development on the site in the area used previously as the Council's parks maintenance depot and nursery. It includes an Interactive Sundial maze for families and children. Clear interpretation boards indicate the different ways to utilise the maze.

Ice-House, this has been restored in recent years to reveal its unique qualities. An interpretation board at the entrance explains how such structures were used for food storage.

Footings of Dairy Cottage/Gardener's Cottage. These were original park buildings that eventually fell into a state of disrepair. The retained footings and interpretation boards explain their heritage. It is used as the venue for the Hemlock Happening, a day of community events and activities, which attracts over 8,000 visitors to the park.

Holocaust Memorial Garden - Created in late 2000, the garden was officially opened on 27 January 2001. It contains a striking statue created by Naomi Blake, herself a survivor of the holocaust. It is complimented by a series of information panels and a backdrop of plants that were chosen to provide colour and form at the time of the annual reflection ceremony. A memorial service has been held in the garden every year since 2001in late January.

There is an excellent woodland walk, which is mainly broad-leaved woodland. There are significant trees, which add to the quality of the area. The land rises steeply up from the parkland offering panoramic views of the adjacent countryside.

A series of stone surfaced paths direct visitors around a circular waymarked route. The woodland has its own management plan prepared in conjunction with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

"We discovered the park after a very difficult afternoon with one of the twins. Our intention was to see the famous Hemlock Stone but discovered the park as well. The twins are not good walkers but the walk around the woods was excellent, it is a constant climb, so would not be suitable for wheelchairs. Unfortunately the twins were too tired to go to see the Hemlock Stone but we drove past it to get to the park and it was packed with visitors looking at it."

Bridgford Park Central Avenue, West Bridgford, Nottingham

This is a superb park for all ages with a good sized playground. Don't forget your bucket and spade for the large sand pit area inside the playground. There is also an open grassy area for ball games/picnics. There is a nice garden area with benches as well.

Toilet facilities and close to West Bridgford town centre with pay & display car park.

Chatsworth House Chatsworth, Bakewell
Derbyshire (01246) 565300

Farmyard with animal handling and many activities and demonstrations and a huge woodland adventure playground. These have been specifically designed to entertain and delight young people.

The house, garden, farmyard and adventure playground, shops and restaurant are open every day until 19 December 2004.
Opening Times:
House: 11.00am – 5.30pm, last admission 4.30pm. Last admission to the Scots Bedrooms (9 extra rooms, not always open) is 4.00pm

Admission to the farmyard under 3 FREE
Admission to the house under 5 FREE
Family pass for all attractions £35.00
Free car park
Click here for Farmyard & adventure playground:10.30am – 5.30pm, last admission 4.30pm

Colwick Country Park Colwick Park, River Road off
Mile End Road, Colwick, Nottingham (0115) 987 0785

A haven for wildlife formed from former gravel workings with grassland and water course which offer fishing, water sports and many other leisure activities. There is also a playground shaded by trees.

Clumber Park Worksop (01909) 476592

This is a fabulous park full of fun nooks and crannies for little people to discover. There are lots of places to plop down and rest, kick a ball around or set up your travel skittles game. There is a tea room and take away food service and the gift shop is full of wonderful gifts, books and toys.

There is also a small plant nursery and sales area. The park is alongside the Nottinghamshire Heritage Centre, with its collection of steam trains and classic buses, some of which can be on show outside the museum. There is an open heath and woodlands with a superb serpentine lake with lots of ducks to be fed.

Cycle hire available - they have child seats, tandems and child buggies. There is a camp site for the summer months and cricket grounds.

Admission: Vehicle entry charge Car £3.80, (if you are a member of the National Trust, car parking is free)
Open all year except Dec 25 and 26, Chapel closed Jan 12 to Apr 1 2004 for cleaning
Opening times: Apr to Sept last vehicle admission 7pm, park closes 9pm
Oct to Mar last vehicle admission 5pm, park closes 7pm.

Dovecote Lane Recreation Ground, Dovecote Lane, Beeston, Nottingham

This park has a very good playground with 2 jungle gyms for younger and older children. The play area is enclosed and has swings, slides, and climbing frames. There is an open field and gardens and a lovley pavillion for exploring and pretending. Located (and is visible from) the main road leading into Beeston and Chilwell from Nottingham city centre.

Elvaston Castle Country Park, Elvaston nr. Derby, Derbyshire

"It is a gem of a place which may not be accessable for many more years in the future as it may be sold to a hotel group (there is a campaign to save it which we really hope succeeds), but we have been going for the last 20 years and still love it and would like to encourage other people to go there while they still can.

It has over 200 acres of woodland, parkland and beautiful formal gardens to explore. There is a children's playground, lake, riding centre, walled "Secret" Garden and playing fields.

There are woodland walks all around and gothic rock follies around the place, perfect for hide and seek and we have played our own treasure hunts here. Good flat trails too, so great for kid's bikes. There are ducks on the lake for bread feeding and the squirrels don't say no to the odd nut. It is never too busy, there are always lovely quiet spots around the estate to be found. It is perfect for picnics and there is a cafe and shop. The castle itself, which is really a gothic country house, is only occasionally open to the public as it is need of repair but is still striking to see from the outside. There is a small parking charge and that is all so it is a very cheap day out (and you can spend all day here) It is our family's favourite park."

Located off Borrowash Road (B5010) in Elvaston, 4 miles south-west of Derby. The park is well signposted off both the A6 and A52. From the M1 north bound take the A50 exit followed by the A6 Alvaston turn off, then follow the brown tourist signs.

Forest Fields Park Gregory Boulevard,
Forest Fields, Nottingham

Two playgrounds suitable for younger and older children, playing field - good for kites, parking at park and ride.

Graves Park, Woodseats, Sheffield

"A lovely park, lots of farm animals ducks hens pigs etc a play area with slides and swings lakes to walk round and its all free! Only down side - not a lot of parking, we found a spot on a side street. Well worth a vist, we shall be going again."

There is also a cafe and main toilets and baby changing facilities can be found next to the cafe.

Located in the south west of Sheffield city, between Woodseats, Norton and Meadowhead.

Hartsholme Country Park, Skellingthorpe Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire 01522 873577

A really lovely place for country and riverside walks. Kids will love the bridge and the ducks. There are tree covered walks and open heaths with picnic tables dotted around.

There is also a children's playground - could be improved but does have the usual swing set, slide and climbing equipment. The cafe serves drinks and food. It is good for ice creams but if you're planning on lunch out, picnic sandwiches might be the better option. Admission to park is free.

Hartsholme Country Park is located off the A46 at Lincoln (follow the brown signs).

Langold Country Park Langold, Worksop, Nottinghamshire
01909 730 189

Four hundred acres of park with country walks, playgrounds and watersports. There are outdoor concerts and children's activity days during the summer months.

FREE
Opening times: Daily, dawn until dusk
Car park £1.20
4 miles north of Worksop; follow signs for Carlton-in-Lindrick and Oldcotes.

Markeaton park and the Mundy Play Centre Derby

Huge playground, bouncing castle, canoes, rowing boats, children's electric cars, crazy golf and donkey rides. A large paddling pool is also open from Easter to the end of September.

Drinks and snacks are available at the Orangery Cafe on the park's terrace or from the kiosk in the Mundy Play Centre.

There is a miniture steam engine which runs at weekends, bank holidays and school holidays and a Mundy Train which tours around the park.

The park's main entrance and car park are at the junction of A38 and A52. There is a smaller car park, which serves the Mundy Play Centre on Markeaton Lane.

Newstead Abbey Ravenshead Nottinghamshire (01623) 455 900

Although slightly more formal, a good park for children - there is a park with swings and a very small snack bar. The gardens are gorgeous in spring and there are some good walks around the lakes.

Admission to House & Gardens: Adults £5.00 Concessions £2.50 Children £2.00 Family £12.00 Group 10 people or more £2.50
Admission to gardens only: Adults £2.00 Consessions £1.50 Children £1.50 Family £7.00 Group 10 people or more £1.50
Grounds open dawn till dusk

12 miles north of Nottingham on the A60 and is also close to Junction 27 of the M1. If coming from the M1, follow the signs for Sherwood Forest until you see the brown signs for the Abbey.

Rufford Abbey and Country Park Near Ollerton, Newark (01623) 822944

The day we went they had kite making and flying. There is a cafe, a secluded playground area and lots of woodland walks around the gardens and land.

There are toilet and baby changing facilities available.

Admission FREE
Open all year
Park open daily dawn - dusk.
Other facilities open 10am - 5pm

Located just off the A614 south of Ollerton Follow brown tourist signs.

"Beautiful park, arty crafty playgound and discovery walks, wonderful sculptures to find! Photo opportunities galore! Lovely restaurant and great to feed the ducks.Great day out!"

See more Pictures of Rufford Country Park HERE!

Rushcliffe Country Park Mere Way, Loughborough Road, Ruddington, Nottingham (0115) 921 5865

There is an excellent childrens playground (keep the kids amused for hours) and the park is alongside the Nottinghamshire Heritage Centre, with its collection of steam trains and classic buses, some of which can be on show outside the museum.

Refreshments are available at the kiosk and Heritage Centre at weekends and school holidays. Please note: refreshments are provided by the Heritage Centre and the kiosk is open subject to weather conditions and the availability of volunteers.

The park is on the outskirts of Ruddington, on the A60 Loughborough Road, and is well signposted. The main entrance to the park is off the A60. Look for a roundabout into an industrial estate: the park is at the back of the estate.

Admission: FREE (although there is an admission fee for the museum, exhibits and tea room)
Open all year

Sherwood Forest Country Park and Fun Park Edwinstowe near Mansfield

The visitors centre is full of Robin Hood goodies for little ones and The Major Oak (20 minute walk from the Centre), is fun to see and there is a playground on the way. Lots of trees to climb and forests to explore!

The Sherwood Forest Fun Park is located near the entrance and has a slippery slide, a Spooky Ghost Train and Dodgem Cars.

Admission: FREE
Open daily, dawn to dusk.
Visitor Centre
April - October Daily 10.30 - 17.00
Nov. - March Daily 10.30 - 16.30

The Country Park is located on the B6034, just north of the village of Edwinstowe. Follow brown tourist signs from the roundabout at Ollerton on the A614.

Sherwood Pines Forest Park Clipstone

Sherwood Pines Forest is a working forest and the largest woodland open to the public in the East Midlands. There is a visitor centre, a café providing refreshments and a cycle hire shop (baby and child seats are available), a playground, quiet picnic areas and various cycle routes.

The park is located just off the B6030 near Old Clipstone and it's in the centre of Sherwood Forest.

Admission: FREE
Open daily, dawn to dusk.
Visitor Centre
Weekends 9.00am - 6.00pm
Weekdays 10.00am - 5.30pm

Shipley Country Park Heanor, Derbyshire
01773 719961

This is a lovely country park with a playground, great walks, lakes, meadows, cafe with highchairs and woods. Free entrance.

Visitors centre open daily.
Signposted off the A608.

Sudbury Hall Sudbury, Ashbourne 01283 585337

Front-carrying baby slings for loan. Reins and indoor buggy available. Tea room with Children's menu. Baby-changing and feeding facilities.

Admission: £4.80, child £2, family £11.50 (2 adults & 3 children). Groups (15+) £4, child £1.50. Joint ticket for Hall & Museum: £8, child £4, family £19. Garden only: £1, child 50p, family £2.50. Reduced rate when arriving by public

Open 20 Mar–31 Oct
Opening Times: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
Hall: 1–5pm
Grounds: 11am–6pm
Tea-room: 12–5pm
Shop: 12:30–5pm

Tichfield Park, Bath Street, Mansfield Nottinghamshire
(next to Water Meadows pool)

Outdoor play area suitable from tots to teens. Well kept park and gardens with stream, clean toilets, ice cream van in the summer. Plenty of parking and is near to public transport and town centre.

University Park Nottingham University
(0115) 846 7777

The playground - whistle makers, speaker phone, mini assault course. The lake with stepping stones at the end and the ducks - there is a glass panel in front of the water for safety with space at the bottom for feeding. There are two cafes.

Aqua Bistro is situated close to the lake, alongside Djanogly Theatre in the D.H. Lawrence Pavilion and serves freshly prepared European style cuisine as well as desserts and an array of teas, coffee, hot chocolate and soft drinks. Café L is next to the Djanogly Art Gallery and Crafts Cabinets, It offers counter service with hot food and salad options at lunchtime plus homemade cakes and a full selection of drinks. Get there before 1pm to ensure hot food available.

University Park is situated approximately 3 miles from Nottingham city centre between the suburbs of Beeston, Wollaton and Lenton.

Vernon Park Vernon Road, Old Basford, Nottingham

"It has a lake where you can feed ducks with a small stepping stones area, children's play area, large grass areas, picnic seating, toliets. Great park."

Victoria Embankment Playground & Paddling Pool Victoria Embankment, Nottingham

Great for hot days, the paddling pool will keep your little ones cool and occupied. Can get crowded but is lots of fun for the kids. There is also a playground and a climbing triangle rope frame. It's located along the embankment so bring a picnic! Only downside is a lack of toilets.

West Park Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham

Wetlands Waterfowl Reserve Sutton-Cum-Lound, Retford, Nottinghamshire 01777 818 099
Set in 32 acres of tranquil lakes and woodland the Wetlands Waterfowl Reserve has an Exotic Bird Sanctuary and two large lakes with fishing. There are also animals to be seen.

Wollaton Hall Wollaton Park, Nottingham
(0115 915 3900)

This a favourite purely because it is a great day out for both adults and children. Feed the ducks, ice cream van, loads of outdoor space to run around, lakes, indoor/outdoor snack area.

Not great for nappy changing so bring a padded changing mat for young babies.

"Wollaton Park is a fantastic place to visit - the site is really big with lots of walks, deer and a big house with exhibitions inside and its all free! The cafe is great too."

Admission FREE
Open all year
Pay & Display parking

Woodborough Village Park Main Street, Woodborough, Nottinghamshire

Set in the lovely village of Woodborough is a small but lovely playground with a picnic table and grassy area. It is enclosed by a fence and gate so no little ones can escape. A lovely place for an afternoon of play.

It is situated accross from the Four Bells Pub - a family friendly pub with a small play area outside.

Woodthorpe Grange Woodthorpe Drive, Park Services
contact number (0115) 9152072 Nottingham

The Park is owned by Nottingham City Council. Open grassland with mature trees, woodlands and gardens, plant nursery, tropical house, pitch and putt, Grade II listed Building, kitchen gardens and dell/sunken garden, play area and football pitches.