There's something wonderful about East Brighton Park, which is located behind Brighton Marina. Once…read moreyou're there, it feels like you could be anywhere but in a sizeable city - the rolling hills and shrubs make you feel like you're in Thomas Hardy country. In the summer it's a wonderful place to get away from the buzz of the centre. I've spent whole afternoons here having quiet picnics with friends and sunbathing. As well as the wide open space the park has tennis courts, cricket, football pitches and a pavilion cafe. It's the perfect getaway if you can't afford to get away :-)

What an idiot! So…read moreI've lived in Brighton (well half of me has, the other half of me is living in London on some days) for nearly 3 years now. I must obviously always head down towards the beach/town when I'm going out but if you head up from my flat this park is a 2 minute walk and I'm embarrassed to say I only found out about it a few weeks ago! I had a lovely walk around the park on a warm day, stopping to chill out on a bench watching the ducks on the pond in the centre of the park which is really pretty. The park has a fairly big children's playground where most of the visitors seemed to be congregating. This place is perfect for picnics and there were a couple of benches/tables dotted around too where you could eat easily. This is really a great spot if you want a more quiet secluded hangout place away from tourists and the hustle and bustle of town and somewhere as a change of scenery from the beach. It definitely seemed like a locals place. Oh and you get to see Sophie's face on the poster on the notice board here...what more do you want!

Had a lovely afternoon in the park. I go with my friend and work out by the tennis courts. The park…read moreis clean and lovely on a sunny day. Ideal for kids with a big adventure park and duck pond. Also great to see loads of dog walkers being civil and having a laugh. My only negative is to be carefull after dark as we were leaving small grps of late teens drinking cheap cider sprawled out being loud

Looking for a place to escape the city without leaving, in the Royal Pavilion Gardens is the place…read moreto do it. This idillic setting offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Pack yourself a picnic and enjoy it on the lawns. Whenever I'm in the gardens I've been lucky enough to catch some amazing live music. A recent favourite was the Sitar player accompanied by the dancing scarf lady. What's not to love!

It speaks volumes about how mellow Brightonians are that I've seen people practicising yoga and…read moretai-chi in Royal Pavillion Gardens. If you go at weekends, there's often bands or solo artists playing very mellow jazz, pop or acoustic music too. In the winter, it's too cold to really sit on the grass and take in the wonder of the Royal Pavillion but in the spring and summer, the gardens are usually flowing with locals and tourists sunbathing, chatting or reading the papers. There's deckchairs dotted around for comfort and several different areas where you can just lounge on the grass. The cafe here also does a good trade selling hot and cold drinks, cakes and snacks. To paraphrase Donovan: It's all mellow yellow...

Visitors more familiar with the densely built up City Centre of Brighton and its Georgian…read morearchitecture will be surprised to learn just how many large parks the city has. One of the nicest, and most historic, is Stanmer Park, on the eastern outskirts of the city and adjacent to the lovely campus of the University of Sussex at Falmer. The park is set around Stanmer House, built in 1720 by the first Earl of Chichester, Thomas Pelham. Set in its own little valley, the estate includes Stanmer Village and church: the former a picturesque private village built for the estate's workers, and the latter rebuilt in 1838 when the earlier mediaeval church burned down. As with many such estates, it was planned on the principles of classic English landscape gardening, and consists of sweeping areas of lawn planted with specimen trees, all edged with woodland. Bought by Brighton Council in 1947, the grounds are now open to the public as parkland. The 'village' includes a cafe ('see separate entry under 'Stanmer Tea Rooms') and public toilets. Part of the old stable block now houses a mildly diverting small museum of rural life (free entry but rather limited opening hours) and a nursery which is open to the public, selling a wide range of plants, in what was the house's walled garden (which closes at 16h). The whole ensemble is maybe not quite as well kept as it could be, but it's nice enough. The House itself has been beautifully restored and is let as a conference and private function venue, and some of the main function rooms can be visited (again, for free) when not hired out. It contains a collection of old photographs, but most of the original contents have long since gone - however, the modern furnishings fit in well enough in a 'Country House Hotel' sort of way. However, the main reason for a visit to the Park is just to get some fresh air, in nice surroundings: it's a great place for a game of cricket or rounders, or picnic, or just a woodland walk, and is very popular with students from the nearby University and families in the summer. The park is a 15 minute walk from Falmer station, and 10 minutes from the University, but on summer Sundays and Bank Holidays there is an hourly bus service (route 78) from the centre of Brighton, via the railway station, during the day, right up to the Village and House. Car-parking is in the process of being reorganised, but is normally not a problem unless there is an event taking place.

Stanmer Park is located just off the A270 between Brighton and Lewes, right next to the University…read moreof Sussex Campus, in the village of Stanmer. It is a lovely place to walk the dog or take the kids for a run around if they need to expel some excess energy! There's a small car park, but be warned this can get packed out pretty quickly, as it seems to serve as an overflow car park for visitors to the village, church and pub! Easily accessible from Falmer village and Sussex campus, Stanmer park provides a really nice, scenic walk- it's not particularly challenging or varied, more of a light stroll around the estate's grounds. I often used to pop over to Stanmer to stretch my legs and get a change of scenery, during my first year at university, it's a really great place to have on your doorstep, which I suspect many students aren't even aware of. If you feel like exploring, you can also wander through the village, where there's a really sweet old church and a pub that do nice food. Stanmer House itself is also quite something to look at and Stanmer Nursery is nestled away at the side and is well worth a visit. This is where the council grow many of the flowers they use in displays all over the city! Oh and if you're interested in Eco living and building, be sure to check out the Earth ship, it's incredible and they do tours!

If you're after a grittier take on urban sports without being arrested, then it's well worth a trip…read moreto the Level skate park. There are a selection of ramps and boxes for pretty much all abilities and styles here. In recent years this spot has been made a little more family friendly too though this is dependent on when you're there as with any public park. With the Brighton BMX centre close at hand this is the kind of spot that retains a good sense of community. The park does have certain drawbacks though, it's definitely a BMX heavy park, and while this is great for the super trendy multi coloured BMX bandits out there it can be a bit tricky for those of us on planks. What I will say for this place though is that for the skater with a tinge of insomnia it's a rad place for a three a.m. rampage, particularly if you skate old Skool and want to get a flow on whilst mastering your bertslides.

Like many kids of my generation, I watched Back to the Future when it was first released and…read moredecided that for my birthday I was going to ask for a skateboard. For the next number of years I chocked about with my friends bombing down steep hills and suchlike. back then there were no skate parks in Burgess Hill, so I never ended up getting any ramp experience or major trick skills (I did manage feeble ollies). Anyhow, that was kind of the end of my skating career, but I still retain a special spot in my heart for decks. Whilst I wouldn't embarrass myself with an epic crash at this skate park, I do regularly check out the talent when i am on the level. There are a number of drop in ramps, grinding rails and box jumps to allow riders to show their skills. usually though you don't see that many Tony hawk protege's. Also, like Josh mentions, there area lot of bikers down there. The park is decorated with the near cliche graffiti that seems to accompany urban sports and some of the work is not bad. As there is the children's play area right next door, you will likely get a spill over of young bikers and boarders onto the park in the summer or at weekends. Whilst I've only experienced the park as a spectator, there usually seems to be an amicable atmosphere for those using the ramps, but parents would want to be close by if you had younger children using the park. A nice area that adds a bit extra to the level without seeming out of place.

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.

Preston Park is Brighton's largest and oldest planned city park. Funded by a bequest from a local…read morebookmaker, William Edmund Davies, the park opened on 8 November 1884. The park is located on the main A23 road from London to Brighton, a mile and half north of the city centre, and next to Preston Manor. The main park is over 60 acres in area and includes wide open spaces of parkland with trees, formal beds along the side of the A23 road, and at the south end is a formal rose garden. Next to this is the Rotunda Cafe, which is open Monday-Friday 9.15-16h and weekends 9.30-17h. Moving northwards are 4 bowling greens and 8 tennis courts, mutli-sports areas with basket ball courts, a 500m velodrome, a children's playground, 4 soccer pitches and 2 cricket pitches. In the centre of the park is the Chalet Cafe, open daily 10-17h. Despite the all organised sport provided for, many come here just to walk or for picnics, or for nothing in particular at all. Other items of interest include a clock tower and the Hansel and Gretel-like tiled house (sadly now with its windows protected with wire mesh). As well as general recreation, the park is the location for many events during the year. The largest is the event after the Brighton Pride parade, which finishes at the Park, regarded by many as the premier free Gay Pride event in the UK. It regularly attracts over 120,000. (It takes place on 2nd August in 2008). Other events are held during the year, including concerts and family days.

Very pretty park…read more I didn't see or step in any piles of dog shit. I believe I got talked into taking a BMF class here or I might have been laying around the lawns waiting for a friend to get done with a class. Either way, it's pretty and clean.

Sadly this place has seen better days. My son still loves going here but it needs some TLC. It…read morecosts to park, it costs to do most things here apart from the playground. It's not really worth spending the money. It can cost a lot for not much. There is a small train ride around the pond which some may enjoy, I'm​ hoping some one puts some money in to this place as it could be so lovely.

A nice, quite large, park for all the family to visit not far from Worthing town centre (along…read moreBrighton Road and then turn left). I used to come here often when we lived in Worthing. There's a miniature train, a boating lake (with small motorboats to hire), paddling pool, trampolines and bouncy castles. A pleasant, green, place to take a walk.

I first discovered Withdean Park at a period of my Brighton life when I was literally thirsting for…read moregreenery. On an aimless walk from the recycling area at the stadium I ventured greedily into the woodland on my right, in the hopes of nothing more than a copse, but was delighted to discover what amounts to a rare plant museum on the other side, bordered by semi-mature trees. Home to one of the largest collections of lilacs in the world, the park also has unobtrusive little information boards dotted about which condense the knowledge of the horticulturalists into fascinating little snippets to muse on as you reel in the heady lilac perfume. Turning the corner at the bottom is an unexpected and picturesque little lily pond, maintained with the help of volunteers, which has a number of other water plants besides and is the habitat for stunning dragonflies. There's also a young arboretum, with a few older trees, all of which are unusual varieties of the English classics. This has to be Brighton's best park for gardening enthusiasts, as it's a bit more unusual than your run of the mill rose garden but just as beautifully set out. It's a beautiful setting to watch the sunset from, and as the light dies way you're left with nothing but the lingering scent of flowers and grasses.