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: 

Kenilworth Common

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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A registered common, the last fragment of a much larger area of open land that existed some hundreds of years ago.

Once an area of heathland, the Common has developed into an area of oak and birch woodland. However, remnants of the old heathland character remain, particularly on and close to the railway embankments. These areas provide a valuable habitat for plants like ling heather, gorse and heath bedstraw as well as refuge for reptiles such as the common lizard and adder.

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The Greenway

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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The Greenway is a high quality surfaced path suitable for cyclists, walkers and wheelchair users which runs from Stratford-upon-Avon to Long Marston. It is part of the National Cycle Network, forming a five mile section of the West Midlands Cycle Route, which links Oxford to Derby via Birmingham. It follows the course of the old Honeybourne railway line.

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Cole End Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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Cole End Park is one of four of North Warwickshire's green spaces dedicated as Local Nature Reserves.

Cole End Park LNR is situated within the larger Cole End Park, to the south of the River which runs through the park.

In the 1800s there was a mill and a ford on the River Cole. The mill was demolished in 1940/50's and the mill pond was filled in later. The River Cole originally ran at the side of Lichfield Road but was diverted when the A446 was made into a dual carriageway before the war forming a triangular piece of land which has become the park.

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Newbold Comyn Country Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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This extensive park, over 120 hectares (300 acres), was laid out in the 1970’s. Formerly Newbold Comyn Farm, it was acquired by Leamington Corporation in 1943. The northern half is an 18-hole pay-and-play golf course; the southern half provides for recreation, sport and wildlife. The old farmhouse is now a pub, the Newbold Comyn Arms. Newbold Comyn Leisure Centre has a 25 metre swimming pool, children’s fun pool, Pyramids fitness suite and other facilities.

Welches Meadow and the Leam Valley Local Nature Reserves are situated in Newbold Comyn Country Park.

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Arduaine Gardens

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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A horticultural tour around the temperate world with a collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, Blue Tibetan poppies, giant Himalayan lilies and Chatham Island forget-me-nots. Stroll through the woodland to the coastal viewpoint or relax in the water garden.

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Polkemmet Country Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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Polkemmet Country Park is a beautiful 68-hectare park in the heart of Scotland's Lothian region. The Park offers beautiful woodland and riverside walks, play area and picnic areas with seating.

You can walk, cycle, play in our 'miner's play area', go horse riding or orienteering, play golf and end the day by hiring a BBQ to cook a tasty meal.

Kept by Rangers, there are a number of Ranger-led activities for you to enjoy.

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Birdland Park and Gardens

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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For fantastic family fun and excitement, enjoy a day at one of the UK's biggest bird gardens, discover a beautiful natural setting of woodland, river and water gardens that are inhabited by over 500 birds, flamingos, pelicans, colourful parrots to laughing kookaburras and magical owls.

Birdland is home to the only group of King Penguins in the country, whose antics you can observe up-close-and-personal as they cohabit with the comical Humboldt penguins.

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Threave Estate

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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The estate is split into four main elements:

Threave House, a restored Scottish baronial-style house;

Threave Garden, made up of landscaped gardens and themed 'rooms';

Threave Sculpture Garden, containing over 30 works by Scottish sculptors; and

Threave Nature Reserve, featuring landscape ranging from wetlands to woodlands.

Please contact the Ranger service for further information.

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Knowle Hill

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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Formerly unimproved grazed farmland, this reserve has survived whilst the surrounding area has been built on. With areas of planted woodland, hazel coppice and elm thickets, there is a variety of bird life.

A mosaic of meadows, acid grassland and scrub dominates the south side, a particularly important area for butterflies such as small and large skippers, small heath, speckled wood and orange tip.

Species and Habitats

Habitats

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Whitnash Brook

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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Whitnash Brook forms the eastern limit of the built up area of Leamington and Sydenham. It contains a diverse mixture of habitats including the brook, marshy grassland and swamp, woodland, grassland, tall herb and scrub. The site attracts many birds both during the breeding season and at other times of the year and is attractive to many invertebrates.

This reserve is a 2km wildlife corridor with pond, marshy grassland and woodland. The reserve is noted for its invertebrates found in decaying wood within the brook. There is a footpath through the whole length of the site.

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