I loved this beautiful set of lakes, they were absolutely magical. The springs that feed the Silent…read morePool (named so for how still, clear and beautiful it is) sit at the bottom end of the lake, and at the minute, you can't (aren't supposed to) go down to the end due to some subsidence on the path. I'm not saying I went down there anyway, but it's so amazing to see a natural spring. The water is a weird, blue colour and so crystal clear that you just want to dip your feet in, especially on a lovely warm day. It's an ancient, historic and oddly mythical lake. The only downside to me is that it's so small! It doesn't take twenty minutes to walk around it.

This is a great place to eat with great views over the lake and you can watch the windsurfers and…read moreskiers. They serve a lovely carvery with a choice of three meats, usually pork, beef, turkey, gammon and occasionally lamb. There is a choice of vegetables which you help yourself to and you can have as much as you want, the roast potatoes are very tasty and well cooked. The waiting staff are very friendly and quick to serve I have never booked, I have just turned up even on a Sunday and got a table but I get there at midday and while I am there it does get busy. There is also a menu to order from if you dont fancy the carvery.

Lovely location with large lake and water sports taking place...enjoyable and varied menu and great…read morein the summer!

An idyllic destination a short drive from London, Painshill Park is a great place to spend a day…read moreenjoying the beauty of the English countryside. Created by the eccentric Charles Hamilton, the park was created as a "romantic landscape". Both organized and naturalistic, the park offers many vistas, perspectives and experiences. Created with a variety of follies dotting the landscape, the park offers panoramic views and interesting scenes. Views from the Gothic Temple and the Turkish Tent are breathtaking. While exploring the man-made grotto (which is currently undergoing renovation) you can't help but be in awe of Hamilton's vision while at the same time thinking "This guy must have been totally out there to build stalactites with lathe and plaster and then cover them in pieces of crystal!". Whether walking the grounds, bringing a blanket and a book and enjoying the solitude, Painshill Park is a wonderful place to visit. Be prepared to walk, as the park is large and very hilly. It's a good climb to the top of the Tower as well. Would definitely recommend this if you need a relaxing afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of London.

A grade 1 listed park, much renovated over the last 25 years, by the trust that owns it…read more Created by Charles Hamilton ,in the mid 18th century, after his 2 (obligatory) Grand Tours, he wanted to create an idyllic natural setting, around a lake, with water diverted from the river Mole. He was very succesful in this, and created a number of follies, a Grotto, and the unusual Turkish Tent. Many of the plants are of American origin, and were just becoming fashionable at the time. It's worth remembering it's a park like setting rather than a garden like Wisley. Reasonable cafe near the entrance, and the ever present gift shop. Worth chcking their website for offers, currently free entry on Wednesdays in November, children free at weekends, and A special Santa event. The Grotto is only open at the weekends. A great place for a walk on a sunny day, great views across the lake and Surrey.

Alice Holt is an amazing and large place for long walks, adventure play park for the kids, Go-Ape,…read morecycle hire and large lake and cafe area...great to go on a sunny day! Lots of different walks can be taken with a Stick Man walk for the little ones! Play park is great and can be difficult getting the younger members of the family out! There are picnic benches along the way, with some great view points too...as its large you don't feel on top of everyone on a busy day...although parking can take a while, so be aware!

A forest owned by the Forestry Commission I had to add a positive review for this place becuase…read morethey were the last place in Farnham to have Christmas trees when I left it too late. It is a lovely day out with paths and walks to suit all ages and abilities - including wheelchair friendly. It also has a cafe and plentiful parking. There are climbing frames for kids in addition to the Go Ape centre within the forest which is for big kids (death slides, assult courses etc). A good picnic location as well as a place to get Christmas trees.

Arlington is a small reservoir, constructed in 1971 to supply water to Eastbourne, Hailsham,…read morePolegate and Heathfield. Built on the site of part of the Cuckmere River bed, the reservoir is an oval shape, with a long curving dam. The maximum depth is 37ft (11.3m) and its total capacity is 3546 million litres of water, all abstracted from the Cuckmere River in winter. The 49 hectare site was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1985, and is also a Local Nature Reserve. It contains a diverse range of habitats, which in turn support some 173 species of bird, including a winter population of 10,000 wildfowl. The site has hides for birdwatching, and also provides some of the best trout fishing in the South East of England (tel: 01323 870810). The water company also organises school nature trips, including pond dipping. The reservoir path also provides a reasonably level walking trail, which, as well as wildlife, also offers lovely views of the South Downs. A walking leaflet (http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/047A41DB-1684-4128-AADD-1C508D15F780/0/ArlingtonReservoirWalkWebversion.pdf) is available on the East Sussex County Council website or you can get a hard copy by phoning 01273 482250. Practicalities There is a car park at the main entrance on Station Road, just north of Berwick railway station (on the right hand side, going north). This has information boards, toilets and picnic tables. Swimming and boating are not permitted.

This reservoir owned by South East Water is a lovely place to visit on a warm summer's day. It has…read moretoilet facilities and a large car park both of which are useful for a day trip. The reservoir itself is huge and the area also contains a bird watching lodge and a wood. If you are going here, I recommend taking a pair of binoculars and a camera, as you can capture the beauty of East Sussex right here. It has picnic benches for in the summer. Overall, this is a wonderful place to visit if you want a day trip out or if you are touring East Sussex. I personally have recommended this place to people wanting to go to see some beautiful sights.

I don't know why I didn't come here sooner. Only discovered this place last month, its like a…read morehidden gem. A very massive park with a beautiful lake. I went about 4ish, was quite hot still, people were still coming in and out. Picked a rather nice spot just near the lake and took in the ever changing scenary. Quite a relaxed park, do as you please within caution, of course. Oh and this is a great spot for you all Pokemon go players!!! Watched the sunset was just mesmerising, shall be returning soon.

Nice place for walks. There are several lakes to occupy your time and the swans are even friendly!read more

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.

Winkworth arboretum is a lovely place for an afternoon out: established in the late 1930s by Dr…read moreWilfred Fox, it consists of a steep, narrow valley with a long lake, surrounded by woodland and meadows. It is now in the care of the National Trust. There are lots of paths to choose from, as well as a play area for children, sculptures and great views. Some routes are relatively level and easy to walk, whereas those down to the lake involve some long flights of steep steps down - and then of course back again. The children's area has rustic climbing and activity pieces - a bit like junior outward bound. On our visit there was an archery course under way for young people, which looked great fun. There's a cafe serving beverages and a limited range of snacks, cakes and ice-creams. Parking is free but there's an entry charge unless you are a National Trust member.

The best way to sum up our visit is with the words of my two young daughters, 'Can we come back…read moretomorrow?'. They loved exploring the winding paths through this 'woodland' property.

Every child, however citified, has an inbuilt need to crab. Picture, if you will, a particularly…read moresmall Cyberman: put a kite string in one hand, and a bucket with some old bacon rind in the other, and watch that terrifying glint take over the eye. Snowhill Creek's crabbing pond is pleasingly located a) under some barbed wire and b) by what looks like a giant swamp. It's a BRILLIANT place for children to exert their need to be kings without them getting into trouble. Mercifully, the only creatures at risk here are the crabs, and they're old hands at this game. The poor things are in and out of the water so often they may as well be hired out for Old Spice adverts. (NB: Small Cybermen + water can often have dodgy consequences if left alone, so obviously go along with them) With the gentle clink of the Creek's boats in the background, there's a ritualistic furrowing of brows as bacon is attached to kite strings and unwound into the water. Crabs often lurk against the walls. Some of them are tiny, some of them are impressively large (well, ish, but to a five-year-old they look like giant sea monsters armed with chainsaws). It's a beautiful location, and a simple English tradition. Everyone should go crabbing at least once, and several hundred bonus points if you go here.