I'm doing it again; I must get to the water. I am a Gremlin. I need to multiply and water is my…read moresavour. In that case I could do a lot worse than Hemsworth Water Park and Play World. Now this badger has two lakes; the largest lake is available for pedalo rides and has sandy beaches; the smallest lake is in a more secluded area to attract wildlife. It's perfect if you want to do a Freddie Flintoff and fool around for a while. It's also ideal to see some great things of interest in this beautiful world we have around us. I'm going all John Lennon on you now. You've also got loads of grassed areas and picnics are no problem either (except the fact it's always freezing and wet in England). Then throw in the Play World bit. This is where I need to fall back and remind myself that I'm not a child any more. For "real" kids though it's got with a tower slide, climbing frames, a toddler's sandpit area and a miniature railway. Toot toot. Once again I've found you a corking day out with a difference but do check what is open if you go before the Easter holidays. You have been warned.

I find myself in something of a quandary. I value the provision of these islands of nature greatly…read moreand will always defend them from the encroaching urban sprawl but I find that I cannot get very excited about Hemsworth Water Park, Nice enough lakes and the ducks were very duck-like, the grass was probably just as green as any other park and the children's play area as clean and well maintained as the best of them but the other play area which is rather grandly called Playworld was locked up thereby saving us a few quid for an experience we could get for free in any half decent public park. I left with the feeling that I had wasted fuel driving to Hemsworth as there are better parks much nearer to where I live.

Loads to do at this park, which ever end of it you go into! If you're near the sports centre,…read morethere's a big playground for kids, and a little one for the really young uns! And in the summer there is an excellent little railway. I took my boy on it back in September - think I enjoyed it more though haha! At the other end, there's a duck pond, pitch and put, a putting green, tennis courts, and gardens. And there's grass - loads of grass places to picnic etc! There's also a nice little cafe and a pub hidden away in there somewhere too! In the summer, they have a music festival with real ales etc. and this year Dodgy headlined the Saturday, which was pretty cool!

A great park right in the centre of Wakefield. There are so many things you can do at Thornes Park…read more- from feeding the ducks to playing pitch and putt or tennis! There's also a nice childrens' play area and a lovely rose garden, but I think the best thing really is the amount of grassy space to just have a picnic or play football or rounders. Part of the park is also used to host Wakefield's music festival every year, which showcases a host of local bands playing every type of music - from heavy metal to folk! This festival is certainly worth attending as every year it gets better and better, but the park's worth visiting at any time of the year. It's quite large but there's good access, with at least two car parks (and there are pubs nearby if you get thirsty!)

On a recent trip out to Rawdon my friend and I discovered this lovely park. We had just been for…read morecoffee and a cake so it was the perfect time to go for a wee wander and like a beacon of the great outdoors, there she was - Micklefield Park. Essentially this park is made up of lots of little sections, all segmented by pathways and gorgeous trees and foliage. Some of the areas have quaint tudor style hedge arrangements, organised into symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing patterns, which are lovely to look at. There are also quirky bits of wall with windows which, I have no idea why, are definitely a feature. I guess it's just another point of interest but it all felt a bit Alice in Wonderland which made it feel interesting and special. There was also a huge field area, presumably for ball games, a bench area where one could enjoy a quiet read, a children's play area and a few different specific floral areas - such as the Rose Garden, which I am sure had it not been December and snowing like a blizzard, would have been a beautiful sight. All in all a really nice little place for a wander. Probably glorious in the summer too!

This message will terminate after five seconds. Your mission Melissa, if you choose to accept it is…read moreto gather a comprehensive insight into the greenways of Leeds. In doing so, you should not become labelled a tramp or start drinking Special Brew. Mission accepted so I'm off to Rawdon. Micklefield Park is a bit further out then some of the other ones in Leeds but it's still a tidy little number. I was told it's near to the library but that's about as useful as a chocolate teapot to me. However, on finding it I do see said building and wonder at what joys reside in there. Oh well I'll save libraries to another day. Back to the task in hand. Yet again I find a pleasant and tranquil corner of the city with lots of stuff to keep ma, pa and John Boy happy for an afternoon. There are a few well kept gardens and of course the compulsory bowling green. You've also got a kids area and tennis courts. The raucous din points me towards the skate park area and I quickly move on for a stroll around the grounds. It's pretty and it's ours, good work Leeds council on maintaining a nice area.

Magnificent old deer park - worth a walk at any time of the year.read more

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!

Lovely walk peaceful and good place to walk dogs.read more

This is my local park, loads for kids to do from parks and trails. Park run have a route here on…read moreSaturdays from 9am & I love the Oakwell Music Festival that's on in July.

Open all year round, free entrance, its good for a variety of different walks in woodland or more…read morechild/pushchair friendly. There is a great swing park and small cafe (where to be honest the service is slow and the food not amazing) but there are zillions of blackberries to be picked at the right time of year. There is a lovely little visitor centre, and a small gift shop as well.

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.

After last years epidemic of baby births, sorry that sounded shallow. After the delight that was…read moremany of my friends and colleagues creating or expanding their families (better) the seasons are changing and as we move out of Winter into Spring and hopefully balmier climates, talk has turned on where's a nice and safe place to take the kids that isn't pure saccharine wacky zany child fun, and is parent and friends of parent friendly, eg, friends of parents won't balk at the idea of spending time with the kidlets because it's "just too much fun(!)" Anyhoo, an excellent compromise or combination, of green, flowers, pretty, play areas, etc is Pudsey Park. My idea to take friends kidlets here stemmed from the glowing reports this park has. Prior job projects included something on open spaces in West Yorkshire, and Pudsey Park comes in top of the list with regards to awards and such. It's been a Green Flag award winner every year since 2003, a worthy acheivement. The park is always clean, and I've never had any trouble, plus in half term and Summer holidays, there's plenty of families about, which is nice for the kids to play about, without being too loud and annoying for anyone enjoying the park sans child. So what's to do here? If you enter the park at the Car Park side, you'll immediately notice the playground, and there's a basketball court, and a skate park. Wandering through there's a bowling green, flower gardens, a glass house filled with exotic plants and a pets corner and aquarium and aviary. For replenishments there's also a little cafe too. At the moment the park is undergoing some regeneration, so there are some major developments going on, and the structure and layout of the park is changing. But when it's all done and dusted it should be even better than ever.

I'm feeling the love for all things slightly off centre. No I'm not having another Mel meltdown, I…read moremean I'm quite liking exploring the deeper depths of our beloved Leeds and it's Pudsey. Since I'm on a park ting (getting all street again, word up), I thought it'd be rude not to look this bad boy up. Now most of the parks have been reasonable to good it has to be said but this one is a perfectly formed package. It should shout about itself, it's a Greenflag winner and has been on many occasions. That's probably because it's very well maintained and has loads of stuff for the kids. Pet's corner is a nice touch and they keep on reconstructing areas left, right and centre so it's only going to get better. You've got exotic fish and birds and a tropical greenhouse. So get your best silly hat and cargo shorts out and go jungle trekking in your own back yard. There are plenty of flowers and tree lined walks. Plus, skate park, green bowls and a bandstand. Altogether with some air trumpet now.

Rowntree Park is one of York's real assets…read more Given to the city by the Rowntree Company in remembrance for the loss and sufferance of their Cocoa Works staff during the First World War, this park is a joy to visit and relax in. From formal gardens to tennis courts; a skatepark to open playing fields; an amphitheatre to a tearoom; and a play area to two bowling greens, there really is something for everyone. Situated along the south bank of the River Ouse it boasts a car park of its own though it is only a short walk or bus journey from the city centre. Its facilities are of a consistent high quality, and have been celebrated in its award of the Green Flag for Parks every year since 2004. Why not stroll up New Walk from the city centre on the other side, cross the river at the Millennium Bridge and then spend a leisurely time working your way back through the park to central York?

We allways end up here if visiting York. The Children love the play area, plenty to due, probably…read moreno good on a wet day, but we've never had one yet.