A second visit for me because I enjoyed it first time so much and missed quite a bit. Luckily, on…read moreboth occasions, the weather was kind to us. Different season, so different aspect. This is one thing about gardens that I enjoy. Love these visits but one niggle. Would the lady in the hut at the entrance give a smile, once in a while, please.

Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum in Cogglesgall, Essex features landscaped woodland walks and…read morefootpaths, with vistas across lakes to an 18th Century Walled Garden. The Trust that runs it is dependent on their own resources and our generosity as visitors. The development of the Arboretum is an ongoing project. The trust's aim is to achieve a large collection of shrubs and trees from across the temperate regions of the world. The collection is planted geographically, so plants from the principal regions of the world are grouped together. There are areas representing Europe, Japan, China, Asia, the Americas and Gondwanaland (Southern Hemisphere). Upon entering the Arboretum you encounter the European section, which blends with the countryside beyond the deer fence thereby creating a liberating sense of space. Ancient oaks are a reminder that this former deer park contains the relics of monastic planting going back 700 years. The 'Gondwanaland' section is devoted to the super continent that eventually broke up to create South America, the Indian Subcontinent and Australasia. It is an undulating landscape of low mounds, sheltered by southern Beech and Eucalyptus trees. On warm days the aroma of eucalyptus provides a heady scent. There are also swathes of Cabbage Palm, Agapanthus and Cortaderia which in early summer lend a pleasingly exotic touch to this otherwise very English place. The lakes had once been three fish ponds created for the monastery that once stood on the site. They contain Roach, Golden Orfe and Goldfish. Next to the lower lake is an original nuttery containing Cob Nut trees. This area is now a spring flower area with snowdrops, species of daffodils, cowslips and other wild flowers. The Millennium Walk is located within the Asian section of the Arboretum, and has been planted with autumn, winter and early spring in mind. Dogwood and Rubus provide colourful reflections in the lake whilst Sarcococca (Christmas Box) combine with the Chimonanthus (Wintersweet) to provide a spicy sweet scent that compliments the bold colour contrasts. The Walled Garden is the piece de resistance of the whole garden. Created from five separate gardens, it is now a huge space containing sculptures and planting. Long stone seats provide a structural contrast to the lush planting and are complemented in turn by spheres of clipped box. In another part of the walled garden, an undulating stone wall acts as the foil to fiery plantings of red, orange, gold and yellow, where the colours last well into autumn. There is lots more besides, a walnut walk that follows a track within the conifers to a clump of young walnut seedlings, a grove which in Spring is carepeted by snowdrops and the long avenue which once formed the main entrance to the Estate and approach to the Mansion and now a planting of Oaks and Wild Service trees. The Visitor Centre offers a Tea room (with lovely cakes!), Gift Shop and Plant Centre. Marks Hall is the perfect place to escape London for a sunny Summer afternoon.

What an incredible park! Tons of features for various aged children, be careful with water lover…read morechildren,the water feature is on even when it's quite cold and is not activated by a button, it's just on.

Holywells park has a long, rich heritage, dating back 1000s of years. In the 1750s, Thomas…read moreGainsborough painted the area that was to become Holywells Park - in fact the pools he depicted are still there today. The modern history of the park really starts with the Cobbold family, who owned the land and used the water from the natural springs to make beer. In the 1930s they donated the land to the people of Ipswich. Today the 67 acres are a mixture of parkland, fields, ponds, brooks and woodland. There is also an impressive play area (named after the ship Discovery that sailed to N America and founded Jamestown). The various footpaths through the woods and the parks are great places to walk dogs (in fact, if your dog is well behaved, the park is ideal to let dogs off their leads) and you can sometimes find it hard to believe that you are only a few minutes from the centre of Ipswich.

A great place to spend a beautiful sunny spring day! I'm amazed that I've been living in London for…read more3 years and somehow managed not to find this place until now even though I've driven to Stansted at least half a dozen times. D'oh! Parking costs a £5 for the day and about half that if you're arriving after 5pm. It's free for National Trust members. Don't worry if you've forgotten your sticker, just show them your card at the gate and you'll be issued with a little paper ticket. There are at least 3 car parks I can think of off the top of my head. One right at the entrance, one near the lake and one by the cafe. I'd drive right in and stop by the cafe as it offers the most central location, allowing easy access to all parts of the forest. There are lots of trails, open fields as well as forested areas so a bit of everything. I saw quite a few signs of bushcraft so if you're into that then this is a great place to put in some shelter building practice.

A great day out, couldn't recommend it highly enough…read more Lots for kids of all ages to do here, there's a large lake for fishing, an area for feeding geese and ducks, loads of tree's to climb, plenty of wildlife, and best of all LOADS OF SPACE! Great to ride to and around on a bike, the cafe does a great range of homemade pies that really are worth the trip alone. There's numerous sturdy picnic benches that seat up to 8, and at easter/xmas that do a little treasure hunt for the young uns, which my lot love. Get down there pronto, but if you are going to drive, please have the decency to pay to enter the car park. For years there have been loads of people parking on the road and entering for free, so finally double yello lines have been painted on. Sad but necessary.

A nice peaceful place. Good for a dog walk, run or short bike ride. Co-op and a really good…read moresandwich nearby for refreshments.

From the owner: The small town of Clare contains an extraordinary number of historic buildings (135 listed…read morebuildings) and sites for its size. Clare Castle Country Park falls within the Clare Conservation Area and was transferred from Suffolk County Council to Clare Town Council in March 2015. Clare Town Council holds the land and buildings as Custodian Trustee with the overall management of all aspects of the Park being carried out by the Clare Castle Country Park Trust. The Park extends to 13.2 hectares (32.6 acres) and is visited by around well over 100,000 people each year.

Awesome outdoors spot in Essex! This impressive park boasts :…read more - A Bowling Green - Tennis courts - A Children's playground - Two cricket pitches - Five football pitches What more could you ask for?

In the age of mask wearing its great to find somewhere that they can be, carefully, disregarded…read more The open air. This park has everything for everyone. A cold Saturday morning but the football teams were out on the fields. Plenty for every age to do. Skateboard area, climbing frames, swings, slides, crazy golf, petting zoo. Some of the items do cost a few quid but it's worth it to see the smiles on the kids faces. If you haven't got the extra cash just wander as there is plenty to do that costs nothing. Stacks of parking areas but that does cost, where doesn't parking cost? Enjoy the freedom.

Lovely place to go for a stroll with your dog or to simply walk along the river with your friends…read moreand family. A nice family day out :)

Danbury country park is found at the Chelmsford end of Danbury. It has a good sized car park which…read moreI believe is free (you may want to check if this has changed recently). It is a well established park with a range of different areas suitable for most tastes. This includes lawned areas suitable for family picnics, borders with beautiful flowers, as well as wooded area great for a ramble. There are a couple of small lakes in the middle with attract a range of birds. Families are often seen feeding them. If the weather's looking good this would be a great option for an affordable day out.

If you want to take a real break in Kent, you MUST go to the Reculver Country Park…read more What is it? A reserve combining undeveloped coast with great views accross the estuary & historic buildings (remains of a roman fort and twin towers of St Mary's Church dominating the coastline). Perfect place for a seashore walk or run when the sun is shinning. I spent a wonderful moment with my family here. This park is also the starting point of the Viking Coastal Trail (http://en.yelp.be/biz/viking-coastal-trail-margate).