Play area
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Sefton Park
Sefton ParkSefton Park is larger than most parks, although it’s still not Liverpool’s biggest – that award goes to Croxteth Country...
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Speke Hall
SpekeSpeke Hall is a National Trust property on the outskirts of Liverpool. You could say it’s an old Tudor dame...
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Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester City CentreMosey down Mosley Street between Piccadilly Gardens and St Peter’s Square, and you can’t miss the Greek columns that flank...
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Inflata Nation Manchester
Trafford ParkThis indoor inflatable playground is an excellent way to tire out hyperactive kids on a rainy day and for that...
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Blakemere Village
NorthwichBlakemere Village is the Cheshire one-stop for shopping, outdoor activities and family-friendly events.
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Mayfield Park
Manchester City CentreIt’s no secret that Manchester city centre is short on decent parks. The opening of Mayfield Park in September 2022 goes...
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The Ice Cream Farm
TattenhallWith more than 50 flavours of Cheshire Farm ice cream, The Ice Cream Farm is officially the biggest ice cream...
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Chatsworth
HathersageThe classic vista of the grand 17th century house overlooking the River Derwent is the most famous image of Chatsworth,...
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Worthington Park
SaleWorthington Park is looked after by a green-fingered bunch of volunteers who raise money, return lost property, improve facilities and...
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The Lambing Shed Farm Shop and Kitchen
KnutsfordMoseley Hall Farm is home to 250 cattle, over 2,500 sheep, and in the barn once used for newborn lambs...
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Tandle Hill Country Park
RoytonWith its sweeping panoramas of seasonal golds, reds and browns, Tandle Hill Country Park is one of the best places...
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Lowther Castle & Gardens
PenrithLowther Castle & Gardens is an intriguing attraction. It looks grand enough at first sight, but the castle is literally...
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Gulliver’s World
WarringtonGulliver’s World is a theme park that’s perfect for smallsters. It has rollercoasters and upside-downy things for tweens but these...
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Sea Life Manchester
Trafford ParkSea Life Manchester is the city's only aquarium. It isn’t enormous – for something bigger you’d have to travel to...
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Treetop Trek Manchester
PrestwichIf you're looking for a fun way to get outside and get active, try Treetop Trek Manchester at Heaton Park....
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Walton Hall & Gardens
WarringtonHead to Walton Hall & Gardens for landscaped grounds, woodland walks, a grand house, and a whole host of fun...
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Buile Hill Park
SalfordL.S. Lowry used to be a regular visitor to Buile Hill Park, and Frances Hodgson Burnett is thought to have...
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Wythenshawe Park
WythenshaweWythenshawe Park is so much more than just a playground and a bit of green space. For a start, there’s...
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Haigh Woodland Park
WiganHaigh Woodland Park is a good mix of cultivated prettiness and ancient woodland with plenty of things to do.
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Cockfields Farm Park
OldhamCockfields Farm Park, in the countryside between Oldham and Ashton-under-Lyne, is a young child’s idea of the perfect day out.
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Alderley Edge
Alderley EdgeThere are two very different Alderley Edges. One is a chi-chi town of footballers and wealthy socialites, the other –...
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Knowsley Safari
PrescotKnowsley Safari is an exciting day out for all animal-lovers – not just for kids. Who wouldn’t want to watch...
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RHS Garden Bridgewater
WorsleyThe 2021 opening of this new 154-acre garden was greeted with much excitement and long queues, and rightly so. Once a...
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Alexandra Park
Whalley RangeAlexandra Park, or Alex Park as it’s known, was once rather shabby but has now been restored to something approaching...
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Worsley Woods
WorsleyYou can spend a pleasant few hours wandering through Worsley Woods, a 30-hectare woodland with well-marked trails, ponds, a children's...
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Kenyon Hall Farm
WarringtonKenyon Hall Farm is the perfect countryside day out all year round. From picking up a premium Fraser Fir Christmas...
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Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester
Trafford ParkLegoland Discovery Centre is Manchester’s ultimate Lego playground. If your children like building and creating with those brightly coloured blocks,...
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Smithills Open Farm
BoltonIf you've ever wondered what you call a baby alpaca, or which is the biggest and most ferocious owl in...
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The Lowry
Media CityFlagship arts venue The Lowry was at the heart of 1990s' plans to breathe new life back into Salford Quays....
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Reddish Vale Farm
ReddishIan Brown, take note. Reddish Vale Farm, on the Stockport side of Manchester, has everything you could want to keep...
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Runway Visitor Park
AltrinchamFor spine-tinglingly close views of the huge planes landing and taking off at Manchester Airport, head to the Runway Visitor...
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Heaton Park
PrestwichIf you’re craving greenery but don’t want to stray too far out of the city, Heaton Park, on the Manchester-Bury...
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Lyme Park
StockportLyme Park is a huge estate with a Medieval herd of red deer, stunning views and a handsome Regency house....
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Pennington Flash
LeighPennington Flash is Greater Manchester’s only National Nature Reserve. This wetland habitat, formed by flash flooding of former coal mining...
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Jodrell Bank
MacclesfieldJodrell Bank is a landmark. On a clear day, you can see its Lovell Telescope from the top of almost...
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Play Factore
Trafford ParkPlay Factore is like a super-sized version of the traditional indoor play centre. It’s enormous; crawling through tunnels, clambering through...
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Rufford Old Hall
OrmskirkTudor house and garden Rufford Old Hall has all the classic features of a National Trust day out. Beautiful gardens,...