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...
Kenyon Hall Farm
WarringtonKenyon Hall Farm is the perfect countryside day out all year round. From picking up a premium Fraser Fir Christmas...
The Ice Cream Farm
TattenhallWith more than 50 flavours of Cheshire Farm ice cream, The Ice Cream Farm is officially the biggest ice cream...
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...
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,...
Lowther Castle & Gardens
PenrithLowther Castle & Gardens is an intriguing attraction. It looks grand enough at first sight, but the castle is literally...
Blakemere Village
NorthwichBlakemere Village is the Cheshire one-stop for shopping, outdoor activities and family-friendly events.
Treetop Trek Manchester
PrestwichIf you're looking for a fun way to get outside and get active, try Treetop Trek Manchester at Heaton Park....
Worthington Park
SaleWorthington Park is looked after by a green-fingered bunch of volunteers who raise money, return lost property, improve facilities and...
Rufford Old Hall
OrmskirkTudor house and garden Rufford Old Hall has all the classic features of a National Trust day out. Beautiful gardens,...
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...
Haigh Woodland Park
WiganHaigh Woodland Park is a good mix of cultivated prettiness and ancient woodland with plenty of things to do.
Knowsley Safari
PrescotKnowsley Safari is an exciting day out for all animal-lovers – not just for kids. Who wouldn’t want to watch...
Wythenshawe Park
WythenshaweWythenshawe Park is so much more than just a playground and a bit of green space. For a start, there’s...
Chatsworth
HathersageThe classic vista of the grand 17th century house overlooking the River Derwent is the most famous image of Chatsworth,...
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.
Buile Hill Park
SalfordL.S. Lowry used to be a regular visitor to Buile Hill Park, and Frances Hodgson Burnett is thought to have...
Lyme Park
StockportLyme Park is a huge estate with a Medieval herd of red deer, stunning views and a handsome Regency house....
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...
Mayfield Park
PiccadillyIt’s no secret that Manchester city centre is short on decent parks. The opening of Mayfield Park in September 2022 goes...
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...
Jodrell Bank
MacclesfieldJodrell Bank is a landmark. On a clear day, you can see its Lovell Telescope from the top of almost...
Walton Hall & Gardens
WarringtonHead to Walton Hall & Gardens for landscaped grounds, woodland walks, a grand house, and a whole host of fun...
Alderley Edge
Alderley EdgeThere are two very different Alderley Edges. One is a chi-chi town of footballers and wealthy socialites, the other –...
The Lowry
Salford QuaysFlagship arts venue The Lowry was at the heart of 1990s' plans to breathe new life back into Salford Quays....
Runway Visitor Park
AltrinchamFor spine-tinglingly close views of the huge planes landing and taking off at Manchester Airport, head to the Runway Visitor...
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...
Reddish Vale Farm
ReddishIan Brown, take note. Reddish Vale Farm, on the Stockport side of Manchester, has everything you could want to keep...
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...
Smithills Open Farm
BoltonIf you've ever wondered what you call a baby alpaca, or which is the biggest and most ferocious owl in...
Tandle Hill Country Park
RoytonWith its sweeping panoramas of seasonal golds, reds and browns, Tandle Hill Country Park is one of the best places...
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...