Play area
Sefton Park
Sefton ParkSefton Park is larger than most parks, although it’s still not Liverpool’s biggest – that award goes to Croxteth Country...
Speke Hall
SpekeSpeke Hall is a National Trust property on the outskirts of Liverpool. You could say it’s an old Tudor dame...
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...
Inflata Nation Manchester
Trafford ParkThis indoor inflatable playground is an excellent way to tire out hyperactive kids on a rainy day and for that...
Alexandra Park
Moss SideAlexandra Park, or Alex Park as it’s known, was once rather shabby but has now been restored to something approaching...
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,...
The Lowry
Salford QuaysFlagship arts venue The Lowry was at the heart of 1990s' plans to breathe new life back into Salford Quays....
Tandle Hill Country Park
RoytonWith its sweeping panoramas of seasonal golds, reds and browns, Tandle Hill Country Park is one of the best places...
Reddish Vale Farm
ReddishIan Brown, take note. Reddish Vale Farm, on the Stockport side of Manchester, has everything you could want to keep...
Sizergh Castle
KendalSizergh Castle, or Sizergh - National Trust as they're calling it nowadays, sits just outside the southern boundary of the...
The Ice Cream Farm
TattenhallWith more than 50 flavours of Cheshire Farm ice cream, The Ice Cream Farm is officially the biggest ice cream...
Runway Visitor Park
AltrinchamFor spine-tinglingly close views of the huge planes landing and taking off at Manchester Airport, head to the Runway Visitor...
Haigh Woodland Park
WiganHaigh Woodland Park is a good mix of cultivated prettiness and ancient woodland with plenty of things to do.
Lowther Castle & Gardens
Lake DistrictLowther Castle & Gardens is an intriguing attraction. It looks grand enough at first sight, but the castle is literally...
Wythenshawe Park
WythenshaweWythenshawe Park is so much more than just a playground and a bit of green space. For a start, there’s...
Pennington Flash
LeighPennington Flash is Greater Manchester’s only National Nature Reserve. This wetland habitat, formed by flash flooding of former coal mining...
Worthington Park
SaleWorthington Park is looked after by a green-fingered bunch of volunteers who raise money, return lost property, improve facilities and...
Blakemere Village
NorthwichBlakemere Village is the Cheshire one-stop for shopping, outdoor activities and family-friendly events.
Pavilion Gardens Buxton
BuxtonIt's the variety of attractions and things to do that make Pavilion Gardens Buxton special. This elegant Victorian park and...
Mayfield Park
PiccadillyIt’s no secret that Manchester city centre is short on decent parks. The opening of Mayfield Park in September 2022 goes...
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...
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...
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.
Chatsworth
BaslowThe classic vista of the grand 17th century house overlooking the River Derwent is the most famous image of Chatsworth,...
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...
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...
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...
Brockholes
SamlesburyBrockholes is the jewel in the crown of Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves with royal visits and a fancy floating...
Alderley Edge
Alderley EdgeThere are two very different Alderley Edges. One is a chi-chi town of footballers and wealthy socialites, the other –...
Rufford Old Hall
OrmskirkTudor house and garden Rufford Old Hall has all the classic features of a National Trust day out. Beautiful gardens,...
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...
Jodrell Bank
MacclesfieldJodrell Bank is a landmark. On a clear day, you can see its Lovell Telescope from the top of almost...
Smithills Open Farm
BoltonIf you've ever wondered what you call a baby alpaca, or which is the biggest and most ferocious owl in...
Buile Hill Park
SalfordL.S. Lowry used to be a regular visitor to Buile Hill Park, and Frances Hodgson Burnett is thought to have...
Kenyon Hall Farm
WarringtonKenyon Hall Farm is the perfect countryside day out all year round. From picking up a premium Fraser Fir Christmas...
Treetop Trek Manchester
PrestwichIf you're looking for a fun way to get outside and get active, try Treetop Trek Manchester at Heaton Park....
Walton Hall & Gardens
WarringtonHead to Walton Hall & Gardens for landscaped grounds, woodland walks, a grand house, and a whole host of fun...
Lyme Park
StockportLyme Park is a huge estate with a Medieval herd of red deer, stunning views and a handsome Regency house....
Knowsley Safari
PrescotKnowsley Safari is an exciting day out for all animal-lovers – not just for kids. Who wouldn’t want to watch...
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...
