When the Queensway Tunnel was dug beneath the river, the subsequent rubbish pulled from the ground…read morewas dumped and landscaped into what is now Otterspool Prom. Here you can do everything there is to possibly do on a riverside promenade; things such as walk, ride a bike, look at the water and...um...well that's about it. I suppose you could rollerblade if you wanted. If it's a warm day and you don't mind the style your hair will be sculpted into by the blustering gales, you can follow the prom and its interconnecting paths right up to the Pier Head. If you don't fancy that, try and unearth the ruins of the 1984 Garden Festival, which lies hidden by tree trunks and weeds. You don't know how overtly creepy something is until you accidentally stumble across a kid's overgrown swing park. I still have nightmares.

What a spectacular view. Did you ever see such a coastline? Especially when the waves are choppy…read moreand the wind blustery. I absolutely love the promenade; walking along beside the river with the breathtaking view of the Welsh hills in the background is really relaxing, there's lots of cyclists and dog-walkers around and it's a lovely environment on a clear sunny day. The park which was renovated through the 'Pride in our Proms' project is Amazing. It's a mini world of Big Kid heaven... for me anyway I regressed about 10 years and was on the swings, seesaw and monkey bars, and when we'd totally worn ourselves out running around and taking cool scenic pictures of the sunset we went for a well earned pint from the Otterspool pub which is handily a hop skip and a cartwheel across the park. Go fly a kite, see the sights, play on the park and grab a pint!

It has grown over the years from a bog standard farm and play area to an enjoyable afternoon for…read moremost of the family. The admission fees are: £3.50 Adult admission £2.50 Child admission (over 3 years old) Children under 3 get free admission There are a number of animals all over the grounds from llamas to meerkats to birds of prey. Paths are a bit difficult for pushchairs/wheelchairs as a lot of them are in fields or gravel around the small lake. There is a brand new play area next to the ice cream/coffee shop which is perfect for parents to relax whilst watching the children have fun. However if the weather is bad there is an indoor play area with two sections. The first section is a limited babies/toddlers area with rather used and worn down toys. The second is for young children - a soft play area and mini ball pool. The soft play area is very claustrophobic and if you have a reluctant/stroppy kid it is extremely difficult to get a full grown adult in and back out with them in one move! The staff range from friendly to pretty much inaudible but nevertheless get the jobs in hand done and serve you promptly. The coffee shop is fairly limited but in the summer is perfect for a cool drink or simply an ice lolly. There is a lake and crazy golf offered as alternative farm free activities. The lake is fairly pictoresque and can have approved fishing fun as far as I'm aware you have to bring your own gear. The crazy golf is usually very busy and they have limited number of clubs - get there quick and be prepared to hang around in the hope someone comes back soon returning their clubs. Its an ok day out - its constantly improving with greater publicity and funding.

nice place to take the Kids .farm animals to feed an indoor &outdoor play area & a small cafe…read more.enjoyed it

Markeaton Park is located just a few miles north of Derby city centre and overall appeals most to…read morechildren with 'The Mundy Play Centre'. Here there's a paddling pool, play areas, boating lakes, bouncy castle and mini steam train. For the adults, it's a vast green park with a lake, woodland, orangery cafe with formal gardens, craft village, tennis courts and golf course. The park is also used for roadshows and events, fairground and annual city bonfire night with spectactular fireworks. Many-a-happy-time spent here in my youth!

Located just 4 miles north of derby city centre and is a great place to spend your day with…read morechildren ( for football, frisbee, dog walking or even just to lie down. There is even a mini skatepark (situated away from the play area though). On the otherside of the park there is a brook where you can see, but not feed, the ducks :( and a small craft village with paint a pot, honey shop, woodwork shop and nearbye an old style cafe with formal green. Every year they hold various events; firework displays, roadshows, fairs etc Great place for the children

Cholmondeley Castle & Gardens invites you for a long walk. You should try coming during the week,…read moreso you have the place almost for yourself. You're also invited to bring along your children. There is a little picnic area, a playground and also a farm house with rare breed farm animals. Adults will enjoy walking through the nice gardens, or around the park. The castle itself is still inhabited and therefore not open for the public. Before you leave, buy a souvenier at the gift shop, or visit the farm shop at the exit for some fresh fruits and vegetables.

As picturesque as it gets in Bolton, the Jumbles is a firm favourite for locals and outsiders…read morealike. This was at full testimony on my last walk (Sunday) when the weather had perked up a little as almost half of Bolton had decided to do the same! That could sound quite negative but it's definitely not, theres room and space for all. Most would say it's better when the sun is shining and you don't need to wrap up like you're about to tackle an blizzard on Snowdon, but sometimes it's just as beautiful to walk round when it's bitterly cold and the trees are frosting in stead of blooming. I'm very lucky to have this on my doorstep although I don't utilise it enough. If you're looking for a new walking route or a different reservoir to explore, make the Jumbles your next stop - and call in at my house for a cuppa on your way out!

Dovedale is a disaster waiting to happen. People climbing the mountains with large rocks nearly…read moremissing people head. Witnessed a small rock hitting a poor young child. Seen delinquents rolling rocks from the top of the mountain. If those rocks hit anyone it's game over for that person. Multiple barbecues being held on site with people smoking shishas. No security on site. No signs of any rangers in site. Litter everywhere. A disaster waiting to happen from what I saw today

Just north of Ashbourne, Dovedale is most peoples first foray into the Peak District. As a result…read moreit can be unbelievably busy on bank holidays and on any nice day in the British summer. It is a lovely place to go walking, picturesque countryside and a straightforward circular walk back to the car park of around 6 miles. Great in the winter to stretch the legs, but the stepping stones that Dovedale are famous for will probably be flooded in the winter, so don't get caught out on the wrong side of the river and have to retrace your steps! Its close proximity to Derby and Ashbourne means that the best time to go to Dovedale is 'off peak', unless you are partial to queueing and crowds.

A nice afternoons walk about the mere. Always seems bigger than i remember, not that my dog minds…read moregetting an extra walk. It is located very near to the m6, but due to the thick forestation you really do hardly notice. Some of the fishers can be a little rude, and despite them wanting you and your dog to tiptoe past, wont shift all their gear so you can actually get past! There are plenty of dog poo bins arond so you can easily clean up after your dog without having to then carry it around with you, which is always a bit of a downer when walking a dog! The summer is especially nice when the trees are all out in the bloom and the smells are all lovely.

There are 2 car parks for Shakerley Mere either side of the lake, one tarmac and one rough gravel…read more The tarmac one is only small, so often gets full. Toilets available in this car park. Popular with dog walkers and for people wanting to fish. The path runs right next to the M6 motorway, but you can hardly hear the noise. The lake is a murkey brown colour, and is home to swans and other ducks, and birds. Picnic tables are scattered around the paths, so is good in the summer. Best of all, its FREE!

I went to a wedding at Arley Hall last week and it was a spectacular venue to get married…read more The only reason I'm marking it down to 4* is because as a non-driver and a singleton it would have been very expensive to get there myself, as the public transport links aren't great. Luckily, I got a lift to and from the venue with friends but otherwise it would have been £50 in a taxi each way. So that's the moan out of the way. The rest was brilliant and to anyone looking for a wedding venue, you should definitely consider here. The main house, where the ceremony and meal were, was very pretty. The food was very tasty, particularly the sticky toffee pudding. Service was also very good. The back where the pictures were taken is gorgeous and provides a beautiful backdrop for wedding photos - official or unofficial! The evening do was in the Olympia Hall which is a nice size. Has a bar, nice area for DJ/dancing and an upstairs bit with sofas and room for a photo booth. I'll put up a few photos shortly.

Although we didn't pay to go into the hall and gardens themselves, even through cafe alone is well…read moreworth a visit if you're in the area. My friend and I had been on a 6 mile hike that started and ended at the hall, and it made for the perfect finish. The celeriac soup was delicious, but everything on offer looked great. Be mindful that they do stop hot food at 3, but we turned up at 3.20 and as they hadn't turned anything off yet they were more than happy to serve us. The cakes looked lovely too and if I'd have had room for dessert I would have had one without hesitation!

I love Hanley Park! I walk through it when I'm working in Stoke on Trent and I am always really…read moreimpressed at how well cared for it is and the awesome playground equipment for children of all ages. It's got a lovely combination of tended floral areas and more natural grass/trees.