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!

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.

This public park on Woolton Road is one with a very misleading name. Firstly, it sounds like Alton…read moreTowers. Secondly, it's not really near Allerton Road. Thirdly, it isn't dominated by a cloud-impregnating series of jagged towers, as I was hoping when I first came here as a wee nipper. This name in fact comes from the opulent Victorian mansion that once stood on the grounds before dry rot forced it to be torn down in the thirties. Nowadays, the park is scattered with remnants of the estate- the lodge, stables, former laundry and part of the orangery still stand. Also, England's best climbing tree is still here from my childhood although when I found it the other day I got tired just looking at it. Tree- One, Dave- Nil.

Balls Wood is the hidden gem of Maghull for those who love parks and the great outdoors in general…read more You could walk right by this park and not notice it--in fact I did at first. Through this camouflaged archway lies a hidden little patch of green. If you long for green and trees and fresh air as much as I do, this is a great place to walk, sit, breath, and drink in the natural world around you. I was taken aback, actually, because it reminded me a little bit of the fields across the road from my grandparents' old stone house back in the USA. As you walk through the arch you have trees on both sides of the mown grass, and you have to walk quite a ways before you come to the open clearing. Apparently this patch of land is home to a bit of wildlife as well so if you're lucky and you time it right, you might spot some cunning and adorable critters.

Marbury Park is a lovely green space in Northwich. The park has a play area for the kids, lots of…read morepicnic tables and a café. There are a few walking trails around the park that take you through the fields, woods and along the canal. The park used to have a hall but unfortunately that was knocked down in the 1960s. Definitely a place to visit on a nice sunny day.

Nice little park near to Comberbach. There is a small fee for parking but its not much can't…read moreremember off hand. We usually go in the summer and there is always an ice cream van in the car park. There are a number of different ways you can walk and there is an outdoor swimming pool but you have to be a member to enter. there is also a small play area with a climbing frame. Park is used by a lot of people walking their dogs. There are a few animals as well as wild rabbits.

Living only four miles away, we have now become 'Friends of Ness Gardens' and have been several…read moretimes already this summer (I retired from work at Easter). The Management continue to make improvements all the time, and each time we see changes. If you go three ti,mes or more a year , its well worth joinging the Friends as you will save money. ITs a bit like asmall version of BOdnant Gardens in N Wales for those of you who know it. Edit, visited again 13/3/13 with wife , mother in law and grandauaghter. For the first time we had lunch in the cafe, good quality and well presented food, nice ambience.

This has to be one of the most beautiful places in the Wirral, a true hidden gem. The cafe is…read moreamazing with lovely home cooked food and delightful staff who can't do enough for you, a lovely way to spend a lazy day strolling around. It's worth visiting in every season as it changes so much. I would recommend anyone coming to the Wirral to make time to slot this into their schedule.

You could walk around Sefton Park every day for a century and not see it in the same way twice. I…read moredon't know what would be so special about that 36,501st day but that'd be the one you get bored on. A mighty, verdant wonderland of precise landscape design, the park has everything- a lake, a cricket club, a cafe, tennis courts, an obelisk, a grotto, a dingly dell, a palm house, a nature reserve, an iron bridge, a swing park, a bowling green, fountains and a bandstand. Once upon a time, there was also an aviary, an open-air theatre and even a freaking pirate ship. Nowadays it plays host to the jangly joy of the Africa Oyé festival, as well as whatever circus has thundered into town from across the eastern horizon. Opened in 1872 by Prince Arthur (Queen Victoria's son) who dedicated it "for the health and enjoyment of the townspeople", the park received a vital face-lift in 2009. The lake was cleaned, sloppy grass banks were resculpted, signposts erected, statues polished and view-blocking trees were sliced down, somehow making the vast park seem even more open and welcoming. Oh yeah, I forgot ducks off that list before. It has ducks. Ooh and grass.

Wow, on a sunny day people sure do know how to kick back and relax! The best place to do this in…read moreliverpool has to be Sefton Park. Out of the city and into the countryside, or so it would seem! Big open fields, winding tree-lined paths, a boating lake (not that I've ever seen a boat on there), greenery galore. The Palm House is beautiful and having seen it in the midst of a deep snowy winter and it's reflective crystal maze esque glory of summer, it's always amazing. Today, we were strolling around the lake and there wasn't just one swan or two, but a whole family with their little cute baby signets just catchin' the sun on the path and people were just sitting watching them, almost cooing in appreciation at them they were so gorgeous. The park has also opened up a little cafe that serves yum stuff like rum and raisin and mint choc chip (my fave!) icecreams, coffees teas and lollies etc from a little glass pod on the edge of the lake, the seating outside gives a great view of the park to enjoy your surroundings and relax! So pack a picnic or a barbie, throw down a tartan rug and soak up the sun in one of the most mesmerising parks in the world! (Well, in our lovely little Liverpool bubble anyway!)

Newsham Park was the first of the celebrated trio of new parks developed to ring Victorian…read moreLiverpool. The park, which was based on designs by Edward Kemp, may represent Kemp's first solo venture in public park design. It is surrounded by fine period architecture which was developed to fund the park layout in 1866 and includes the grade II listed Seaman's Orphanage and Newsham House. The latter is the `sumptuous mansion' where Queen Victoria stayed in 1886 and which is still in use as the `Judges' Lodgings' Only 3 stars untill the council heed their promises and carry out the refurbishment to what should be an absolute gem.

potensially a great place to spend with family but could do with a decent play area and the grass…read morecould do with being cut! Not in the best condition. And not very clean either (there is problems with litter.)

Walton Hall Park is not the biggest of parks in Liverpool but large enough to say the least! On a…read moresunny day, it is a wonderful place to spend the day with family and friends. If you fancy a picnic, there is plenty of open field space where you can't be noticed or noticed if you wish. The park has one main lake and a smaller pond where you can enjoy fishing or feeding ducks, swans or geese. Having said it is a great day to spend on a sunny day, it is also a great day to spend on a snowy day; back in January's snow flurry, the park had a magnificent white display with lakes turning into an ice rink. The place was beautiful to walk through but naturally hazardous for children and animals. Occasions like this are rare but when the opportunity arises, I would recommend a visit whether sunny or snowy!

I used to live fairly close to this park. It's pretty good sized, and provides a nice place to…read morewalk, play with your dog, take the kids for a picnic, etc. There's a paved track that runs all around the grassy area. I'm not sure how long the track is--possibly a fourth of a mile. Around the edges there are some trees that provide nice shade in the summer months. All in all a clean and pleasant park. :)

In the verdant solitude of Woolton, Reynolds Park lies hidden like a chest of buried treasure, or…read morethat cockroach in your bed. Once the estate grounds of the Reynolds family, the parkland has passed through many owners, ranging from a scarred old slaver to the man who set the standard gauge for the British Rail system. Excited? For only fourteen acres, it crams a lot in. There's a walled garden, a topiary garden and a sunken garden. Still in formation is the old arboretum, as well as a wild flower meadow and even something called a ha-ha. Yes it's real, look it up. Whether it's a stroll through the gorgeous summer sun or a confused, drunken stagger home, Reynolds Park will enhance any trek you may be going on, without caring a jot for what you think of it.

The Estate has been in the ownership of many families of mixed fortunes over the past two…read morecenturies. The park as we know it today, with the addition of Dove Park in 1907, has developed over the past years and now stands within the boundaries of the 1929 bequest. Unusually for its period the 14-acre park has not been eroded by land sales and provides a key asset to the immediate local community. The original parkland was of fairly modest proportions until that date having been sub-divided in accordance with the requirements of the Enclosures Act 1805, to provide common grazing lands. The Park has been gradually acquired over the past 200 years, with its current boundaries and artefacts remaining mainly unchanged since the original bequest. The 14 acre park is bounded by Church Road, Woolton Park and Woolton Hill Road, Liverpool 25. It contains listed features including the Walled Garden, Gatehouse, and perimeter walls and is set within the Woolton Conservation Area. It could well be described as a 'hidden gem', providing an area of passive recreation and contemplation, with the capacity to absorb limited informal recreation for families, and a safe and secure haven for young children.