Museums&Parks

Yarrow Valley Country Park Review For Families

by
Yarrow Valley Country Park

We recently spent a sunny weekend at Yarrow Valley Country Park in Chorley – and what a hidden gem it is! We were meeting family who were on a family holiday and making their way to the Lake District. This was a perfect plot on the route to meet. We made the trip over the Pennines, and fortunately, Yarrow Valley Country Park was worth the visit.

With free parking, beautiful walks, waterfalls, a lake, cycling routes, and a great play area, it’s perfect for families like ours looking for an easy, affordable outdoor adventure. On this particular trip we didn’t take our bikes as we were meeting family, but we plan another trip soon to sample the Bike routes.

Read more

Wilton Lodge Park, Hawick Review For Families

by
Wilton Lodge Park, Hawick

Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick, Scottish Borders, is a gem for families seeking outdoor fun. In the February half term, we had a trip to the Scottish Borders and having previously visited (and loved) this park, we decided to venture back. It was June last time we visited (2021, hence the kids looking much smaller!). But fortunately, even though it was February, the weather played ball!

This 107-acre park, protected as a Fields in Trust green space since 2019, offers a blend of adventure, history, and natural beauty, making it a perfect stop for your family. It’s perhaps one of the most beautiful and well-kept parks we’ve been to, especially given its central location within the town.

Let’s dive into the details to help you plan your visit.

Read more

Sands Playground, Holmfirth Review For Families

by
Sands Playground & Recreational Ground

A beautiful spring weekend called for an outdoor adventure, and Sands Playground in Holmfirth delivered! With blue skies and sunshine (a rare treat in March), we jumped into the car and headed off to explore. I wanted to head back to Holmfirth for some time. We really like this part of Yorkshire and I hadn’t been with the kids so the Sands Playground seemed like a nice spot to enjoy. We went without any expectations and it was far better than we imagined.

Spoiler alert: It’s a fantastic spot for families, and there’s way more to it than just a playground!

Read more

Harestanes Park Review For Families

by
Harestanes Park Jedburgh

If you are visiting the borders or live close to Jedburgh then we are a huge fan of Harestanes Park

We’ve been lucky enough to visit this gem twice—once in the summer of 2021 and again during the February half-term. The first time we went Matilda was 5 and Barney was 9 months old so it was an entirely different experience.

It’s become one of those places we wished we had on our doorstep. Unfortunately, it’s 4 hours away! Harestanes has it all—and it’s perfect for little adventurers of all ages.

Read more

Free Public Play Areas Within the Wakefield District

by
Pontefract Park Review

As a Wakefield-based family, we love to explore the free public play areas within the district. The recurring theme with all the recommended parks is that they are completely free of charge and are open to all of the public.

We have chosen a breadth of options located within a 10-mile radius of the city centre so they appeal to all families within the district.

These spaces are managed by the local council and community organisations, ensuring accessibility for residents and visitors. Below is a detailed table of the identified play areas, their pros, cons, and overall ratings, reflecting their suitability for family outings. These ratings are based on our own experience. All free play areas are an asset to the community however some are better updated than others which is reflected in the reviews.

We have also included detailed information on each park as well as links to our reviews of specific parks. This is more extensive with photography from our own visit to the park. Even though we live here there are still parks we are yet to visit so stick with us!

Read more

Sandal Castle Review for Families

by
Sandal Castle

I can’t believe we haven’t reviewed Sandal Castle – we have been here so many times and have so many memories here! It has been so nice looking at all our photos and choosing some to add to the article. 

We live close to Sandal Castle and there are a few walking/cycling routes we can take to get there. We have visited at various different stages of our lives since we moved here…when we had Matilda and she was in a sling, then a pram, then running around, and then on her bike. We then had Barney and did all of the same but as a family of four. It is somewhere we have met with family and friends and I would say it is quite special to us for all of these reasons.

Read more

Spurn National Nature Reserve Review for Families

by
Spurn National Nature Reserve

One of our hobbies as parents is to find all the awesome things to do within a radius of our home. We live in West Yorkshire which is geographically strong. It’s landlocked but is in the middle of the country meaning you can get places quite easily.

A place which has piqued my interest which we’ve never quite been able to get to is Spurn Point in East Yorkshire. It takes approximately 2 hours from home, which is too far for a day trip. Fortunately, over the Christmas school break, we stayed close to Beverley for a few nights and knew we had to take the trip to Spurn National Nature Reserve.

It’s one of those places when you look on a map you feel you have to go. It jets out from the East Coast and is a small slither of land. It’s quite a wonder, to be honest!

Spurn Point offers an unforgettable mix of natural beauty, history, and hands-on exploration that captivates children and adults alike. Here’s our full review based on our visit over the Christmas school holidays.

Read more

Knaresborough Leisure and Wellbeing Hub Play Area Review

by
Knaresborough Leisure & Well Being Hub

We’ve visited Knaresborough a lot over the last couple of years and we’ve eagerly watched the development of the new leisure centre. Upon a previous visit on the way home, we noticed the leisure centre had indeed opened and included a play area for the kids. We knew we had to check this out!

We recently visited during the Christmas school holidays and discovered a fantastic play area that our children, Matilda (8) and Barney (4), absolutely loved.

The great thing about the play area is its proximity to the centre of Knaresborough. We’ve gone into a little more detail for you below but it’s worth a visit!

Read more

Great Longstone Park & Bakewell Recreational Ground Review For Families

by
Bakewell Recreational Grounds

Looking for a family adventure in the beautiful Bakewell area of the Peak District? We recently spent a fun-packed day exploring Great Longstone Park and Bakewell Recreational Grounds, two fantastic spots for outdoor family fun. It was the October half-term and we ventured to the Peak District without a plan other than to explore the local area. We’ve visited Bakewell several times and enjoyed the pedestrianised nature of the high street.  

We had heard of Great Longstone from our cycling adventures on the Monsal Trail and were informed it had a nice little park. For such a small village, we were keen to check this out as part of our trip.

Join us as we review these parks, sharing everything from what facilities they offer to whether we’d recommend them for a family day out.

Read more

Pontefract Park, Pontefract Review For Families

by
Pontefract Park Review

Pontefract Park is a hidden gem that promises an enjoyable experience for families seeking outdoor adventures and quality time together. As a family that loves to explore nature’s wonders, we recently had the pleasure of visiting Pontefract Park. The visit gave us some happy memories and a strong wish to tell other families about our time there. 

The park’s serene beauty and array of activities truly cater to everyone, making it an ideal destination for families seeking both adventure and relaxation. From the exhilarating racecourse to the natural beauty of Pontefract Park, from the thrilling play area to the bike-friendly paths, this park offers a plethora of experiences that cater to the diverse interests of families

Read more