I've been visiting California Country Park since I was a small child, and I still find it as…read morebreathtaking as I ever did. The forest is enchanting, with ferns and moss clearings, the nature trails are incredible, winding through the hidden bogs and woodland, and the lake is beautiful, teeming with fish and birds. Bring the children to feed the swans, meet the baby ducklings and play in the log themed playground, complete with zip line and a paddling pool in the summer. Have a cup of coffee, slice of cake or ice cream at Jackson's Cafe, and wander the park, breathing in the fresh air of true nature. It is one of my favourite places in the world, I hope you enjoy it just as much.

Earlswood Lakes is the name given to three reservoirs (Engine Pool, Windmill Pool and Terry's Pool)…read moreoriginally built in 1820, but that with the time which became also a popular destination for walking, fishing and sailing too. As a perfect spot to spending the day, The Earlswood Lakes is a very bucolic place next to the Village of Earlswood and just 30 minutes far from the city centre. You can bring your own food and have a picnic in the fishing decks, which I highly recommend, or if you are not afraid of some walking, just explore the village cafes and pubs. The Earlswood Lakes has inviting pathways that help you to experience the wildlife in this fabulous site. You can also get there by car for the M42, getting the junction A34 towards Birmingham and Shirley.

I absolutely love Earlswood Lakes, it's one of those places everybody should visit. We are really…read morelucky to live so close to such a glistening collection of pools. It's not far to drive to at all. I come here every summer to get some fresh air and to take in the relaxed surroundings. There's even a bridge for cars to drive over, so if you were feeling lazy, you don't even have to get out of your vehicle to experience Earlswood's wonders. There's lots of different walking pathways to take, and I don't think I've ever done them all myself. I often walk down the one side of the lakes, just to be envious of the humongous houses and land that people own. I usually imagine celebrities to live in some of the places, but I'm probably building my hopes up a little too much! I've also been to the Lakes during December when they are completely frozen over. It's a truly magical sight, with the pathways and trees coated in a white blanket. Earlswood Lakes is an amazing place to visit, whether it be in the summer or the winter.

One of my favourite books when I was younger was the Secret Garden where 3 children found a key to…read morea hidden garden which became their secret retreat. Moseley Park and Pool kind of reminds of this as its very easy to miss it due to the fact it's tucked away down a tiny path that runs between O'Neills and Dixons and you need to be a key holder to gain entry to this gem. This park is a calm haven amongst the hustle and bustle of city living. I love coming here in the summer for a picnic as its a private park there is plenty of space to sit and it's always tidy and well maintained. To become a key holder for a year you need to head to Moseley Travel and pay £40. Well worth chipping in with friends/ housemates. If you'd like to try before you buy then there are free open days or visit one various festivals held here such as Moseley Folk.

Moseley Park and Pool is one of those little secrets you only share with people you really like…read more Set off Moseley's main strip you really wouldn't know it was there unless you'd been tipped off in advance. There is a tiny path that goes between Dixon's and Oneills. Once through the gate you take short amble through the trees and past a tennis court or two to finally open out into the park proper. The space isn't huge but is a real oasis in a city like Birmingham. There are two large fields and then best of all a lake that you can walk around. So what's the catch? Is a private park for keyholders only. Annual membership is not expensive though at £40. However, a first visit might be best kept for a free open day or really treat yourself and grab a ticket for the annual Mostly Jazz, Funk and Soul or Moseley Folk Festivals.

Lovely place for a walk, but my favourite is when the Mela is in town. Transforms the gardens, and…read morebrings everyone together!

The Town Gardens still feel a little Victorian in the layout, with formal flowerbeds and a gorgeous…read morerose garden. There is also a small kiosk for those who didn't have the foresight to bring a picnic, and a bandstand nearby to sit if it is raining. There's also an aviary and pond, but I never found it particularly interesting, I can't even remember if there are actually any birds there. Close by is The Bowl which opened in 1936. It is now a site for regular summer concerts. (When I was a kid we used to play 'sardines' here... it was ace.)

This park in Pentwyn has the area's leisure centre within its boundaries, plus sports pitches and a…read morebowling green surrounded by borders of flowers and plants and some covered seating. The best thing about this space, however, is the large area of centuries-old woodland it incorporates, which is the most established part of the park (the rest was created more recently when the residential housing area was created). There are wilder woodlands than these in other locations in and around Cardiff, but Parc Coed y Nant's woods still offer a great escape for Pentwyn residents. Next to the woods there's a large lake often lined with people fishing, with swans and other birdlife swimming about. The park is not far from the River Rhymney and more rural areas, so if you keep your eyes peeled you can sometimes spot more unusual visitors such as the odd kingfisher or heron around the lakeside. If you're visiting the park by car, you can park in the leisure centre car park.

The Apex Park is an informal leisure and wildlife park, created around the former clay pits - now…read moresmall lakes - of the Apex Brick works. The works closed in 1966, and the park was created and opened in 1972. The park, consisting of grassland, trees and hedgerows, covers some 42 acres. There are two main lakes: the larger, central one has an attractive hour-glass shape and its banks are lined with rushes. There are walks around this lake with park benches, and footpaths branch off to go to Highbridge (along the line of the old railway) and to Burnham's South Promenade, following the river bank of the River Brue (very muddy after wet weather!). There is a large car park off Marine Drive, which leads to a broad slipway into the lake. The other lake forms the park's north west boundary and lies partly within the Haven Holiday Village. Popular activities include BMX biking, model radio-controlled boating, jogging (there's a 'trim-trail' with various pieces of keep-fit apparatus) and fishing - the lakes are stocked with carp and bream. Dog obedience sessions also take place most Sunday mornings in good weather, and there's a children's play area and skate park. As well as the fish, wildlife includes birds, including geese, ducks, swans and various different types of sea bird, and the hedgerows contain a variety of different types of trees and bushes, home to insect and bird life. NB: The Highbridge Angling Association holds the fishing rights for the Apex Park. Permits can be obtained from Thyers Tackle Shop, 1A Church St, Highbridge - telephone 01278 786934.

Apex park is a beautiful wildlife reserve consisting of lakes, fish, sea birds, outdoor gym and…read morecarpark. There is loads to do with the features of the park including skating at the skate park, a rope climb and dog poo total wipeout. There is also adult entertainment with the odd dogger in the carpark on a summer Sunday evening. Overall apex park is a beautiful visit with activities fort all the family

If you are looking for one of those total chillax days, you could do worse than buy a rod hook line…read moreand sinker and hope that you get a bite on the line?

What an amazing little find! Was literally driving past on…read morethe way to a BBQ and the boyff spotted it. The chaos in there was funny, really friendly, and didn't try to sell you just expensive branded things. They explained to the boyff what he needed, how to maintain it, and so on. For what is basically a garden shed next to a garden centre it seemed they had it all there in every nook and cranny. I personally am not interested in fishing, nor ever will be I doubt, but, I'll go back there 100% even to buy the other half presents as you know they won't take the Mikey and advise/sell you what it is that you would need and the level and sophistication of what standard you are. Jolly, helpful and great prices!!!!

Hinksey is the park I tend to forget about and every time we go to the outdoor pool I think - why…read moredon't we come here more often? The answer is that we live on the other side of the city and Oxford has so many lovely green spaces. On the other hand Hinksey is just outside the centre of Oxford and has things the other parks don't have. There is a small children's play area, a lake on which there used to be pedalos for hire, a lake on which you sometimes see people sailing their radio controlled boats, tennis courts, fishing and the outdoor swimming pool. The paddling pool has been replaced by a free fountain / water feature play area. I've not been to this one at the right time of year but the one in Abingdon is great fun. Remember the fun of running under the hose in the garden? Fountain play areas recreate that experience. I've just looked at the city council website to check out the details for this park and I found out that it is a "Green Flag" winner. I've heard of different coloured flags being awarded to beaches but I didn't know there were flags for parks - I can feel myself just about to waste half an hour looking up other "green flag" parks to see if my other favorite places have won anything. (And I've found out from the website there are fresh water sponges and zebra mussels in the park - who'd have thought it!)

This is as good a park as any, and it's a lovely haven of green and fun. If you live in central…read moreOxford, there are plenty of nearer parks, but if you're young at heart or have kids, and if it's a warm day, this is definitely the place to be. Why? Water! There's a 'Splash' water feature, open from 10am-8pm May to September, but sometimes earlier in the year if it's warm enough. The outdoor swimming pool is brilliant: it's heated, free for under-17s and surrounded by sun-loungers. It's like being on holiday: sun, water and ice-cream, yet only a short drive from home. There's also tennis, fishing and a lake with a myriad of interesting birds (still waiting to catch a glimpse of a kingfisher!) and underwater life. A word of warning: if, like me, you enjoy evening walks with friends or a four-legged companion, watch out because although the park's always open (unlike the University Parks for example), there's no way to get a car in after a certain time. This changes throughout the year, the earliest being aroudn 5pm in winter, I think. Definitely worth checking, but not a disaster if it's shut, as there's plenty of parking nearby.