The miles of tracks offer an opportunity to explore some of Dorset's internationally important heathland and its rare wildlife.
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?
Venues for this Category
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.
The 1000-acres of Park and Forest at Moors Valley have something for everyone.
A former gravel pit turned nature reserve and a good venue for families to explore
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.
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:
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
Have a rainforest experience in the Victorian glasshouses, get lost in the maze, follow one of our trails or enjoy the beautiful gardens. Visit the farm or have fun in our fantastic new play barn.
Education and Learning
The region's second largest park features an adventure playground, football pitches, permit fishing and pleasure craft is for hire.
More than 70 acres of beautiful gardens and open space
Beacon Park is set in more than 70 acres of beautiful gardens and open space.
Museum Gardens is the formal part of the park. With its stunning floral displays and avenue of trees, along with the centrepiece fountain, statues of Captain Smith of the Titanic, King Edward VII, and Erasmus Darwin, it is a must-see on your visit.
A lovely park that is free to visit and has plenty to keep everyone amused, including children’s play area, skate park, a bandstand, boat trips on the river, and water play fountains!
Glenariff Forest Park is one of the 9 Antrim Glens, and has over 1,000 hectares to explore, half of which is full of trees, the other a mix of small lakes, open spaces, lakes and waterfalls. Several trails to follow, including the Waterfall Walkway.
This traditional Highland crofting estate is a diverse mix of Scotland?s most beautiful landscapes. It encompasses croft and farm land, woodland, moorland, villages, coastline, saltmarsh, lochs and offshore islands, and offers stunning views across the water to the mountains of Skye and Applecross.
Beautiful lakeside park offering, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, water skiing, wakeboarding, cycle hire, fishing, miniature railway, mini golf and playground! Wow!
There are beginner and improver tuition sessions available for every kind of activity, plus taster days and other options so you can try your hand at several new skills before deciding which to pursue with full gusto!
A great park with a formal area, plus a wildlife conservation area. It also has a brook, duckpond, bandstand, and playgrounds with separate areas for different ages. Splashpad for kids in the summer. Free to visit.
Grassy slopes, the lake, historic buildings, old trees and hedges recall Abbey Fields’ past, while the new play area contributes to the modern side with a fully fenced in zone for the little ones to run wild on the equipment.
Adjacent there is also a 25-metre heated indoor pool and outdoor pool in the summer.
Big park with historical features, plus playground and fitness trail, Abington Park Museum and also features a specific garden for the blind.
Abington Park sits on the site of a medieval village, with some buildings surviving over seven centuries.
A tree-lined riverside park for families and sport
Offers several adventure play areas with a wide range of equipment, summer paddling pool and loads of sports space including 10 all weather tennis courts, bowls and cricket, plus the half mile circuit.
Victoria Park was opened to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1899 and still fulfils a vital role in the community's recreation and leisure.
Cusworth Hall has been described as the jewel in Doncaster’s crown. The beautiful grade 1 listed building is set in acres of historic parkland with lakes, plantations and pleasure ground with dramatic views across the town.
20 acres of peaceful parkland located in the heart of Potters Bar
The story of Morven Park begins as early as the 14th century. The medieval town of Potters Bar - on the edge of Hertfordshire - was the site of a toll along the Great North Road. The remains of this original settlement; the toll house and the old Great North Road are buried beneath Morven’s grounds.
With the timeline wall, habitat and church trails, adventure play areas and wide open country side, if you've got kids that like to run and run this one is for you!
The area was originally a gravel works, but has now been transformed into an attractive parkland setting covering 200 acres which is welcoming to visitors and encourages peace and relaxation.
Tucked away behind stone walls in the charming village of Inveresk, this delightful hillside garden offers an oasis of calm and a year-round feast for the senses.
School visits are arranged through the ranger service.
Wearyall Hill is an elongated low hill whch lies to the southwest of Glastonbury. It is here that Joseph of Arimathea is said to have placed his staff in the ground when he landed all-wear from his journey from the Holy Land.
Castle Fraser is an atmospheric baronial castle dating back to the 15th century and was the ancestral home of the Fraser family. School trips can be arranged over the phone at any time of the year. If the tour is arranged out of season there will be a small fee to cover the cost of staff.
This park provides an attractive gateway into Sandwell being located off the busy Hagley Road Junction, with beautiful Shakespeare Gardens. Work on a national lottery application is currently underway to restore the Grade II listed bandstand, Grade II listed house and the landscape.
The historic Linacre Reservoirs provide the perfect setting for a quiet, relaxing day out. A network of trails and footpaths crisscross the valley. Visitors can explore ancient beech and oak woodlands or follow the course of the Holme Brook as it cascades down the valley.
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