Sometimes we all need to get a nice big helping of fresh air to blast away those work blues or for…read moreme likely hangover. Luckily we're spoilt for choice here. One such place I love to go is Potternewton Park. It's out of the city off Harehills Lane and is well maintained. You've got formal gardens and picnic areas for a start. The active among you can also feel the deep burn with a game of tennis. Lesser assertion is needed for a cheeky spot of bowls and there is often some football going on. What it's also good for is bringing the community together with some annual events. The West Indian Carnival and Reggae Concert is a must. It's a vibrant mix of costumes, music and food and is great when the sun basks down and lights up a beautiful summer's day. If you feel like some greenery and open space then look no further.

Potternewton Park is a great green space in the Chapel Allerton/Harehills area. The surrounding…read morestreets are full of beautiful old style terraced houses and so it's a lovely addition to the area for the local children and teens to go for a wander. I've driven past it so many times on the way to work it seemed only right to stop by and check it out. At the top end there are some really lovely shrubbery arrangements, which I realise isn't the thing most people are interested in, but I quite enjoyed sitting and eating a sandwich with all the greenery around me. Further down there is a play area for the younger kids, which certainly looks more exciting than the likes of parks from when I was a kid, and there are basket ball courts and a skate area for the older ones too. As an adult there is simply a large expanse of beautiful green parkland for an afternoon stroll/sunny picnic. All in all it's a lovely place to visit if the busy roads and city life is stressing you out.

The Jungle Parc is an absolutely amazing place for kids, and not too bad for adults too. I never…read moreeven knew this place existed until I was searching the net and then came across this place. I would strongly recommend this for age 7 - 10 though smaller ones are able to come along too, height restrictions do apply to certain parts of the adventure courses, so to avoid disappointed I would recommend you go onto their website and check first. This place is all about fun and fitness for the whole family. They have a massive high wire forest adventure course; which is set within the countryside and developed to encourage you to get moving, and trust me by the end you the adventure a good cuppa and sleep is what you'll need, though if it is for the family then keeping the kids active by getting them tired then Jungle Parc is the place to bring them. It is a very safe environment and with all the proper equipment it is very enjoyable. The X-plorer course is for anyone over 1.35m in height and the Adventurer course is for children from 4 years old and with minimum height of 1.05m. The Jungle Parc is situated in Croxteth Country Park which is only 10 minutes from the city centre.

The Jungle Parc which (like Gemma) I also never knew existed until I came across a flyer, is based…read moreat Croxteth Country Park. The site is generally an incredible place for outdoor activities for those looking to burn off more than a bit of energy (adults and children alike). The premises consists of two different courses: X-Plorer course and Adventurer course (for the little ones). Each course is ideally designed with a practical element, almost like an assault course but with the fun involved. There are 40 amazing activities to enjoy as you glide through trees on rope bridges, zip lines and cargo! It definitely sounds exciting as it really is. Adults are just £20 and Juniors £15. Prices include full training and all equipment to make sure you are fully prepared and safe. Not bad at all for an adventourous day in jungle like surroundings.

It's time to venture north west out of the city and a quick stop off at Horsforth Hall Park…read more Yet another gem of a park with lots to do for all age groups and people. We're not talking massive here but it's a perfectly formed package, just the way I like it. On this occasion I'm not treated to one of the summer bands or cricket matches that take place in the summer months but that gives me the chance to have a wander around the other things available. They've got something they call a trim trail. Now I'm not sure if that means people over a certain weight will be shot if they use it but I'm guessing not. Throw in a Japanese garden too. A big plus for the community is the specially designed outdoor integrated play facility allowing disabled and able bodied children under the age of eight to play together. It's good stuff and pleasing to know there are things out there literally for all. The children have a good playground to go at and the skate park is a popular attraction amongst the older ones. Another classy park and worth a trip out

Count Merlot and I walk here about once a week as it is our nearest park with pathways...so this is…read moreusually when i have forgotten my wellies and hence don't want to walk in the woods! There is lots of parking with access for people in wheelchairs and/or pushchairs. there is a skate park; a japanese garden, bandstand, a few geocaches (although I think they are premium ones) a cricket ground, a garden boules green, an indian restaurant (that must be open in the evenings as i have never seen it open) and my favourite tree. a japanese maple. it is just glorious. This park is lovely in spring with the blossom trees and bluebells; in summer when all the kids are playing (nicely, i might add); autumn when leaves are changing and the need for a more solid than mud pathway is needed and winter when the snowmen spring up like something from a doctor who Christmas special. The only thing i don't like is that there are regular gypsy fairs on. I hate fairs with their unsafe rides and "games" that you can't win. their crazy dogs that bark and bite at everything.

Update: Mini Macdoo's 3rd birthday party was superb. Great value for money, extremely friendly…read morestaff, lovely food for the kids, even advised me against getting the tea & coffee "package" for the grown ups as given the size of the party just having a tab for the grown ups would be cheaper - and it was! Great fun for the kids, super service for the grown ups. Full marks!

Great park. Nicer than the main Royton park. Quieter, more spacious and it doesn't seem like your…read morein Royton A good play area to kids, great for riding bikes, jogging etc. Great for picnics as well, however on the downside is there is no toilets.

It's early days yet, the official opening isn't until 26th August, but a lot of this newly…read moredeveloped attraction is up and running. There has been a livery stable here for a long time and this included a saddlery and farm shop. Now Swithens farm are about to launch their petting corner, play barn, improved farm shop and cafe. The shop stocks local produce including meat from the farm as well as a strange assortment of household items, the produce seems competitively priced and is obviously nice and fresh. A selection of sausages and burgers are also for sale crafted by the resident butcher. I haven't yet tried the cafe but a glance at the menu shows reasonable prices (coffee £1 and a full breakfast £3.50). Trust me, I WILL be trying it out. The staff are friendly and there are lots of smiles (will they stand the test of time?) I suppose there might be some explaining to do when your child finds out that the burger they enjoyed was the mummy of the calf they were just petting :/ I will be checking Swithens Farm out again so expect an update.

Visited Swithens Farm after having been recommended it on the Streetlife website…read more My goal was to find a local farm shop selling lots of locally grown produce, as an alternative to buying from supermarkets. Despite some high hopes, Swithens Farm didn't live up to that goal. There was very little fruit and veg available (half a box of Apples, a few lettuces and some sprouts was about it). The rest of the farm shop was stuff you would expect to find in the supermarket (Coca Cola, Crisps etc).

A last minute decision on a damp, drizzly winter Sunday, but a good one. Forgot how vast this place…read moreis! Walked down the hill past the hall and round the lake, slowing to admire the signets and stop the dog munching all the food left for the birds! Round the other side of the lake, the woods are incredibly quiet; it's easy to forget you're right on the edge of such a large city and the motorway is about a mile away. This is the highest point in the city and the views are amazing.

Fancy a picnic in Manchester? Don't look at me like I've escaped from a mental unit, there's plenty…read moreof places to take a basket, blanket and a punnet of Scotch eggs in the city. If you don't believe me, you've clearly never seen the rural idyll that is Heaton Park. Easily accessible by the Metrolink from the city centre, Heaton Park in Prestwich is historical, green and gorgeous. It's home to a golf course as well as Heaton Hall, a beautiful manor which you can view by partaking in guided tours, the exciting kind where people wear costumes. There is literally far too much going on here for me to include in this little introduction but some noteworthy events include Oasis's huge homecoming gigs where they decked Heaton Park out like a festival. Technologically it was a nightmare, but good old Noel Gallagher promised refunds if they didn't get the sound sorted. Another thing you must, MUST do in Heaton Park is try and catch an open air Shakespeare production. They make the most incredible use of the surroundings, but an insider's tip is to bring a mackintosh, umbrella and perhaps even a flask and foldable chair. The former two are obviously due to the inclement Manchester weather, the latter... well, we all need our home comforts. Actually, add some kind of chewy sweets to that list, you choose your favourites. Just don't rub it in, the poor actors have to do this in all climates and are probably dying for one of your Skittles. Anything more I can add? Relay races for dogs (I'm totally serious, it's an opportunity for dog owners to meet and interact), health walks, horse riding, learning activities... the list goes on and on, and look out for the festivals and music performances. Heaton Park is a buzzing, thriving community all its own, so if you fancy some fresh air and culture, hop on the tram and bring sensible shoes. You'll love it here.

Aerial Extreme is a unique, fun-packed experience on one of the most awesome High Wire Adventure…read morecourses, boasting over 60 exciting obstacles. The course consists of head on challenges, from speedy zip lines, mid air jumps and climbing walls. If you think you're the type of person who likes the sound of the above description, then look no further. There is actually no experience or skill required, just a sense of adventure. WIth their clip and go safety system in tact, its guaranteed to bring hours of action packed adventure. If you enjoy outdoors and extreme sports, this value for money course (located in Knowsley Safari Park) is a convenient recommendation, just 8 miles east of Liverpool. Be sure to check out their website which details opening times throughout the year, plus age and height restrictions.

Aerial Extreme is a version of GoApe where you stupidly attach yourself to trees and climb very…read morehigh. We went to this place for a friends birthday, i only managed the baby circuit as i was so scared and was no longer able to hold my own body weight on my arms. The other half however thought it was fantastic and almost skipped his way around amongst the tree tops. Expensive but a lot of fun even though you do pay for it the next day with sore arms and necks.

Bouncy bouncy bouncy bouncy fun fun fun fun fun -- the wonderful thing about Jump Arena is... OK…read moreit's not the only one. But it's the only one in Leeds, and that's all you need to know. Trust me, I looked up trampolining --not because it's the latest trend in exercise, although it is-- but because I've wanted to get my bounce on for aaaaaages. The only other place in Leeds that I could find looks like it's basically for kids, which is a shame as they have the proper big trampolines. Anyway. This place? So much more than just bouncing. There is trampoline basket ball, trampoline jump in a foam pit, trampoline dodge ball... there's even a tight rope thing you can practice balance on. I love it! They've got a parkour thing in the works too, which is super exciting. Although, the guy didn't really seem to get me when I checked if there would be lessons and if those lessons would be cool for a not-teenager. Whatever I want to run up things. Staff all seem to be about 18. It does smell a little bit like boy and Lynx. But, forget that and just get your bounce on. My friend and I actually spent the first five minutes squealing and bouncing as high and/or as fast as we could until we both collapsed. How do kids DO IT?! Pro tip: warm up a bit. The air in there is super cold which makes your chest hurt if you go nuts like we did. One last question: what is it with alternative exercise places, lasers, and nineties dance music? I mean, weird. But I guess I like it too. DO IT. It's a tenner an hour. Don't go on weekends if you don't want to be surrounded by childs.