Parks and Gardens

Parks and Gardens

What are they and what do they involve?

As a type of outdoor activity, parks and gardens are organised areas that usually feature a grassy open space with extras such as mazes, outdoor sculpture and adventure playgrounds. They are different to wildlife/nature venues in that the contents of a park or a garden have been designed for a specific purpose, and

What are the benefits?

Parks and gardens are excellent for ensuring students don’t spend all their time indoors, are great ways to get them interested in nature and the outdoors in a relatively safe environment.

What students is it suitable for?

Although generally suitable for all ages, younger students will probably enjoy the novelty and excitement of parks and gardens more than older teens; however, if there are activities aimed for all ages everyone can have fun!

Costs?

Parks and gardens are usually public areas and therefore free to access, but some privately owned venues may charge a small entry fee.

Safety Implications?

As with all outdoor venues, younger groups should be carefully supervised to ensure they don’t run off!

National Organisations?

Parks and Gardens UK

 

See below for a list of venues and providers of this kind: 

Hall Leys Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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A great park in the heart of Matlock with bowling greens, children’s boating lake, interactive play area, miniature railway and a skateboard park. There are also tennis courts and a putting green. Free to visit.

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Riverside Gardens and Play Area

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

Offers crazy golf and children's play area for 3-12 year olds as well as natural green space and a cafe.

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Queenswood Country Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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An enormous green space with woodland children's play area, a selection of way marked nature trails with panoramic views, hidden sculptures and 1,200 rare and exotic trees in the Arboretum! Plus park cafe, picnic spots and BBQs.

Fun if you’ve got good boots and balance! There are 7 large wooden animal sculptures scattered around the forest for the kids to spot, but don’t tell the kids how many to expect in total unless you’re doing all the trails, or you will almost certainly miss some and might get told off!

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Northcroft and Goldwell Parks

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

Peaceful and attractive riverside park with lots of green space for informal play plus equipped play areas for toddlers and juniors, zip slide and BMX track.

They hold the prestigious Green Flag award for parks maintained to a high standard. Northcroft Park provides opportunities for formal outdoor sports, providing three football pitches and a cricket pitch. The park also contains Northcroft Leisure Centre, children's play areas, a football changing facility and Newbury Cricket Club. Northcroft Park is bound to the south by the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal.

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Avon Heath Country Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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The miles of tracks offer an opportunity to explore some of Dorset's internationally important heathland and its rare wildlife.

The park is dominated by lowland and wet heath, acid grassland and heather, which is broken only by clumps of birch and pine. Some of the rarer species to look out for are Sand Lizards and Smooth Snakes, Dartford Warblers, Woodlarks and Silver-studded Blue butterfly.

Nature Nursery

The Nature Nursery, housed in Avon Heath's Discovery Centre has been awarded Outstanding by OFSTED following their first inspection.

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Weston Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

1,000 acres of parkland plus special attractions including miniature railway, Woodland Adventure Playground, dress up and games room, woodland walks, lakes and follies to explore, as well as an entertaining guided tour around the house itself.

And endless choice of special attractions including a miniature railway, Woodland Adventure Playground, woodland walks, giant outdoor games, natural lakes and intriguing follies to explore.

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Moors Valley Country Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

The 1000-acres of Park and Forest at Moors Valley have something for everyone.

With plenty of waymarked walk and cycle routes, a tree top walkway, narrow-gauge steam railway, cycle hire centre, and adventure Play Trail. Thrill seekers can swing through the trees on the Go Ape tree top adventures, navigating tree to tree using ladders, walkways, bridges and tunnels with unforgettable zip wires. Open all year round, the Ranger team also offers a programme of activities for adults and children throughout the year.

Facilities

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Harrold Odell Country Park

A former gravel pit turned nature reserve and a good venue for families to explore
Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

A 144 acre country park sandwiched between the villages of Harrold and Odell 10mls NW of Bedford. It features 2 picturesque lakes and a stretch of the River Great Ouse with wheelchair and pushchair friendly paths round the main lake and outdoor play areas.

here are small play areas at each end and opportunities to view plants and animals as you stroll round.

Our website is a source of information about events and has downloadable worksheets and maps to bring with you on your trip.

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Croxteth Country Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
0

This 500 acre country park is one of Liverpool’s most important heritage sites and is Grade II listed.

A great visitor attraction for families, the park has something for everyone including:

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Manor Farm and Country Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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Here at Manor Country Park you can:

  • Meet and feed the animals on our farmyard walk
  • Help milk the cows
  • Enjoy a river walk
  • Walk through the woods
  • Play at Barnfield, our extensive play area

Education

We offer a range of activities upon request and subject to availability. All the activities can be adapted to suit your school group’s needs and learning objectives.

Educational Activities (Staff Led) – £6 per child

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