Shipley Country Park is located between Ilkeston and Heanor in Derbyshire, 10 miles to the North…read moreEast of Derby and 11 miles to the West of Nottinghamshire. The Park covers an area of over 600 acres of open Grassland, landscaped Gardens, Lakes and Reservoirs and other recreational areas. Its a great place to get out in the freah air to simply walk the dogs, cycle, run and take in the great British flora and fauna. Also good for fishing- permits required.

If you enjoy walking or cycling in nice scenery you will enjoy this park in Derbyshire.It is…read morepopular with family's having big open spaces to play in and then visit the visitor centre and cafe.The lake is alway's interesting with plenty of wildlife.

i always visit the park every sunday , i carnt belive its actualy free its like something you see…read moreand think you would have to pay a entrance free , a massive pond for fishing , park for the children , sand pit , slides and swings. i usualy go fishing on the pond with a reasonable price to fish , lovely people and litter free!

It is a long time since I have walked round this park. I had forgotten how lovely it is. Do the…read morestudents appreciate it? I walked around the lake and bumped into the tamest, fattest suirrels ever! I wish I'd had my camera - (my sister will now tell me off for not having it!) When you consider how close it is to main roads and a built up area, it is remarkably peaceful and tranquil. You could actually walk a fair few miles as it is also close to Wollaton Park. When I spoke to my son later that evening, he remembered going on the boating lake when he was very young. He's coming back home for a bit soon - maybe he'll take me! xx

Convenient location, beautiful scenery and birds, a haven for dog walkers and photographers! It's…read moreless well-established than Attenborough Nature Reserve as a birdwatching site but it's closer to where I live. It is within easy reach from the popular University of Nottingham, being connected to University Park. Photos will be uploaded.

I live close by and its a great place to go for a nice walk, small play area for the kids, also the…read morerailway that normally runs twice a week, at the moment the lake doesn't have that much water in as earlier this year was emptied to do repairs on the dam, the work now has been done and is filling up naturally, will be around 2012 before completely full again. see some pics and details at my site at http://www.kevinsimon.co.uk/?p=274

I agree with marg - a great place for a day out, whether you want to picnic, see or ride the…read moretrains, bring your boat or just walk your dog. There are two places for refreshment, a book/nic-nac store (inside a train carriage), plus a toy shop.

Hubbard Hills is a kind of valley just on the edge of Louth…read more Great for a walk or a picnic. A steam runs through it with stepping stones and bridges. Great for kids like me to play and paddle in. The stream is apparently Tennysons Babbling Brook. Walk along the stream path or climb and walk the top path above the trees. I fell down here age 13. I looked like Steven Boyd after the chariot race in Ben Hur..grabbed for a root to stop my slide and rolled to the bottom. It is VERY high and a long way down. Park in the farm field..full of wild rabbits. Have a tea or ice cream in the cafe. There is a brick built loo block. Many a happy day spent here.

Wonderful place. Relaxing, beautiful hiking and nice atmosphere. Would definitely recommend…read morespending an afternoon here for a picnic.

Lovely place this especially on a sunny day. Great to walk around the lake, perhaps even take a…read morepicnic. The parking is now 70p. There is also a caravan park attached if you fancy staying here.

A lovely lake with plenty of ducks, and I couldn't believe how many swans were there. The cafe is…read morelovely, being disabled, Ive never walked around the lake, but I have heard it is a nice walk.

Although you can't explore the inside of Elvaston Castle, there's more than enough to keep you busy…read morein the huge grounds. Great for kids as there's lots of different areas - woodland, a lake, adventure playground etc. Take a picnic as the café is less than brilliant.

Elvaston castle is set in beautiful gardens and has everything for a day out. When the weather is…read moregood it is great for a picnic. There are many walks around the grounds and the castle itself has a cafe open during the day. Dont forget the bread to feed the ducks and there are many horses around the grounds also. The castle is not open to the public yet sometimes they do have exhibitions in the lower floor of the castle which are usually advertised locally. A popular park with all the family. You pay for parking as you enter the grounds which is usually £1.50 for all day so very reasonable. As you leave the car park to enter the grounds there is usually an ice cream van! Always a bonus!

Best park around. Has a little cafe with excellent and bacon baps (ham on a bun) for a walk around…read morethe park. It has swans, geese, ducks, seagulls and coots that you can feed. A former quarry, if you're lucky you can spy a kingfisher or a heron. Bathrooms and parking are here, with playground for kids if you have any.

5 hectares of lakes, riverbank and meadows to explore, close to the historic market town of Oundle…read more With three way marked waterside trails, numerous picnic spots, a wealth of wildlife and facilities, Barnwell Country Park is a great place for a family day out.

Newly remodelled and busy with lots of kids. Toddler area is fenced. Jesus Green stretches around…read morefor good running and playing. There's a skate park nearby too. Daddy need to play too? The Fort St. George pub is just down river.