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.

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

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.

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!

Although you can't explore the inside of Elvaston Castle, there's more than enough to keep you busy…read morein the huge grounds. Great for kids as there's lots of different areas - woodland, a lake, adventure playground etc. Take a picnic as the café is less than brilliant.

Elvaston castle is set in beautiful gardens and has everything for a day out. When the weather is…read moregood it is great for a picnic. There are many walks around the grounds and the castle itself has a cafe open during the day. Dont forget the bread to feed the ducks and there are many horses around the grounds also. The castle is not open to the public yet sometimes they do have exhibitions in the lower floor of the castle which are usually advertised locally. A popular park with all the family. You pay for parking as you enter the grounds which is usually £1.50 for all day so very reasonable. As you leave the car park to enter the grounds there is usually an ice cream van! Always a bonus!

Such a nice park for kids to play and for me to walk Ricky Martin! So pleased I stumbled across…read morethis park yesterday / lived 10 minutes drive away for 3 years and never noticed it! Apparently decades ago it was a landfill that has now been turned into this large (33 hectares or 70+ acres) park with plenty of room to walk, enjoy nature (including some wetlands) and the views. Ricky Martin and I will definitely be back - often! 1 thumb and 2 paws up!! Review #11 2020

A little know gem of Warrington with bucket loads of history attached. It's got 2 main areas, open…read moregrass land and the willow marshes. Great dog walking area.

This is a wonderful, natural environment. Excellent for those who like to walk away from all the…read moretraffic and noise, but still be in contact with civilisation. It can be accessed from Farrell Street or Manchester Road (via Peacock Avenue) and has some pathways laid out, suitable for wheelchairs or buggies. Once again, it is often necessary to watch out for bicyclists, but most are very courteous here. The odd kids on stolen and/or illegal motorcycles are not. Contrary to popular knowledge of the law, these are not legal on what used to be called common land and still need a license, tax and insurance - none of which they have. Rant over! Just off the laid paths is a quite large area which is the actual twiggery - water and marshland completely enclosed in shrubbery which is more akin to jungle than parkland. The authorities have had built raised, wooden walkways throughout this area without destroying the natural aspects - it is possible to see all manner of animal and birdlife if one is quiet enough. I have watched heron fishing in the pond near the entrance as well as kingfishers and wagtails. On St George's Day, we usually manage to pick enough dandelions for the next year's dandelion wine - more than two gallons some years.

Hall Leys is one of the biggest and best parks in the lovely spa town of Matlock some 30 miles…read moreoutside of Manchester. The quaint little town is absolutely lovely, and is well worth a visit from Manchester. If you do visit, make sure this park is on your list of places to visit. Its absolutely lovely, and has everything from nice green spaces for picnics and flower beds, a pitch and putt mini golf course, tennis courts, a skate park, a bowling green, a kids paddling pool and swimming area, a kids adventure playground, a Victorian band stand, a lake with boats, and a cafe, and an ice cream shop. Its even got a tiny little train that runs through the park, that kinds can sit on! So whether you want a quiet stroll, a picnic, a motor boat ride on the lake, a lovely cup of coffee or a whole day out with the family full of entertainment, then this is the place for you. This is categorically my favorite park. Five stars.

I'm lucky enough to live next door to this lovely park, i tell my friend it's really my back garden!read more

I took my mum here for a day out as she is gardening mad…read more I however am not a big gardening fan, but i did enjoy the walk. I think if you are into gardening and garden design it would be an intresting place to visit. My mother on the otherhand really enjoyed it and was quoting the names of intresting flora and forna the whole way round!

The gardens at Barnsdale in Rutland were built by Britain's best loved Television gardener Geoff…read moreHamilton over several years for BBC TV Gardeners' World programme & various other BBC specials.