by Lydia (follow)

9 recommend parks in and around Manchester to add to your to-do list!

We are very fortunate to have so many beautiful parks and playgrounds in and around Manchester and often it can be quite daunting to choose the perfect one to go to. We have compiled a list of the best ones around for you to choose from:

Stamford Park

Located in Stalybridge this park offers a unique way to pass the day with its decorative water feature. Children are free to run and play in the water fountains and this provides lots of fun for all ages. They have a number of play areas, including; a sandpit complete with a pirate ship. A land train takes you around the park in the busier times and the park also has an aviary and a multi-use games area.


Where: Stamford Park, Stalybridge, Sk15 1NJ

For more information about Stamford Park, read here.
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Heaton Park

There are lots of things to do here at Heaton Park and this is one of my firm favourites. The hall itself takes centre stage in the park and is great to see in all its glory. Behind the hall, there is an animal centre, which is free to enter. They also have a large playground and a large garden centre, with a newly opened pot painting area. There is also a boating lake and a land train within the park. They have a number of events at Heaton Park and they regularly have a huge fair, these normally run on all school holidays.


Where: Heaton Park, Middleton Road, Higher Blackley, Manchester M25 2SW

For more information about Heaton Park, read here.
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Tegg's Nose Country Park

Tegg's Nose Country Park offers amazing views of the whole of Manchester and is a lovely trip if you want to experience the great outdoors. It is situated just outside Macclesfield in Cheshire and it offers lots of activities for the whole family. There are a few different walking trails available, most of which are not accessible with a pram, unfortunately. So these are more suited for walking toddlers, children and babies in a sling. We opted for the shorter route which started at the visitor centre and took us via the quarry area. We found lots of places to play along the way which kept my daughter entertained. The walk itself lasted around an hour.


Where: Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 0AP

For more information about Tegg's Nose Country Park, read here.
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Haigh Woodland Park

Haigh Woodland Park is hailed as the north west's favourite natural attraction. Situated in Wigan it boasts high ropes, an adventure golf course, a sprawling free play area for youngsters, golf courses and loads of fine food and drink. We have visited a number of times as there is lots to offer here. The big draw for the kids is the play area, this is one of the best playgrounds I have been to in Greater Manchester. There are also 250 acres of woodland and there are walks and cycle routes across the entire estate. If little legs get tired they also have a miniature railway which takes you to the beautiful walled gardens.


Where: Haigh Woodland Park, School Lane,
Wigan WN2 1PE

For more information about Haigh Woodland Park, read here.
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Clifton Country Park

Clifton Country Park lies beside the River Irwell and has acres of open woodland and meadows. The park itself has a lakeside walk which features a fairy tale sculpture trail. The trail is a mile long and takes about an hour to walk around, which is perfect for little legs. There are ten sculptures in total and they include an eagle, a fox, a bear and an owl. The trail ends with a Gruffalo inspired sculpture which my little girl loved. They were created by Cheshire based chainsaw artist Mike Burgess and installed by Salford City Council workers and Salford Volunteer Rangers.


Where: Clifton Country Park, Clifton House Road, Swinton, Salford, M27 6NG

For more information about Clifton Country Park, read here.
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Trafford Ecology Park

Trafford Ecology Park is tucked away behind an oil depot in the industrial Trafford Park. This beautiful Ecology Park is a registered Site of Biological Importance and a true wildlife oasis. The 11-acre park was once part of the Trafford family estate and is actually what remains of Trafford Park's ornamental boating lake. Boating on the lake continued until the 1930s. Restoration work by Trafford Council and Groundwork Salford and Trafford in the 1980s and 1990s created the current park, which is home to a variety of habitats and has an abundance of wildlife waiting to be explored!


Where: Trafford Ecology Park, Lake Rd, Stretford, Manchester M17 1TU

For more information about Trafford Ecology Park, read here.
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Moss Bank Park

Moss Bank Park offers a great day out. There is so much to explore and see within its 34 hectares. There are three distinct play areas for children of all ages. These include sand play, slides and climbing frames and a wooden assault course. The sand pit and particularly the diving board into the sand was a firm favourite for my fearless toddler. There are regular Nature Tots sessions run here which are a great way for children to have fun in the outdoors and they really engage the children in sensory play.


Where: Moss Bank Park, Moss Bank Way, Bolton, BL1 6NB

For more information about Moss Bank Park, read here.
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Walton Hall and Gardens

Walton Hall and Gardens in Warrington is well worth a visit. Walton Hall, the former home of Lord Daresbury is an Elizabethan style mansion, set amidst tranquil parkland. The formal gardens offer a variety of plants and shrubs as well as local wildlife - rabbits, squirrels, buzzards and if you’re lucky, even a weasel or badger! There’s also an ornamental pond with lots of carp! One of the most popular attractions here is the Children's Zoo and this is free to visit. Other attractions include; a children's play area, pitch and putt, adventure golf, bowling and a coffee shop.


Where: Walton Hall and Gardens, Walton Lea Road, Higher Walton, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 6SN

For more information about Walton Hall and Gardens, read here.
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Bramhall Hall and Park

Bramhall Hall is one of Cheshire's grandest black and white timber-framed buildings. It is a manor house built in the traditional local style. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, man-made ponds and a large play area, it makes for a wonderful day out. The play area here will also keep your children entertained for some time. They have a range of different slides, with one particular one proving very challenging to reach and is more suited to older children. One side has a climbing wall and another has a net to climb up. They have a number of different types of swings, as well as a silver orb to spin in and a racing car.


Where: Bramhall Park, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 3NX

For more information about Bramhall Park, read here.
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Do you recommend any other parks around Manchester? Let us know!

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