Looking for the best parks and playgrounds in the North West? We’ve rounded up 31 brilliant family friendly outdoor spaces across Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Liverpool & Merseyside and Cumbria.
Looking for somewhere the children can run, climb and explore ? The North West is filled with brilliant family-friendly parks, playgrounds and outdoor spaces that are perfect for an affordable day out. From adventure playgrounds and woodland trails to lakes, gardens and splash parks, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite places across Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Liverpool & Merseyside and Cumbria . Pack a picnic, grab the scooters and save this guide for your next family adventure. Parks and Playgrounds in Lancashire 📍 Park View, Lytham Park View is a brilliant choice for families, with an exciting playground, large open spaces and plenty of room for children to run, climb and explore. You can easily combine your visit with a trip to nearby Lytham Green or the beach. Little Northerners Tip: Make a bigger day of it by heading towards the seafront afterwards. Best for: Playgrounds, scooters and combining park time with the coast. 📍 Yarrow Valley Country Park, Chorley A beautiful countryside escape filled with woodland paths, lakes, wildlife and family-friendly walking trails. It’s a lovely place for little explorers to enjoy an outdoor adventure without needing a huge itinerary. Little Northerners Tip: Take wellies after wet weather because the woodland routes can get muddy. Best for: Nature walks, wildlife spotting and little explorers. 📍 Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston Brockholes is a wonderful place for families to reconnect with nature. Explore the wetlands and woodland trails, spot wildlife and visit the distinctive floating Visitor Village overlooking the reserve. Little Northerners Tip: The play areas are brilliant for younger and older kids! Best for: Wildlife lovers, family walks and slower outdoor adventures. 📍 Stanley Park, Blackpool One of Blackpool’s best loved green spaces, Stanley Park offers beautiful gardens, lakes, woodland walks and play areas. There is plenty of room for picnics, games and a full day of family fun. Little Northerners Tip: It’s a great one to combine with other Blackpool attractions if you want a break from the busy seafront. Best for: Picnics, playgrounds and a calmer side of Blackpool. 📍 Happy Mount Park, Morecambe With playgrounds, gardens, a splash park and miniature railway, Happy Mount Park has plenty to keep younger children entertained. Some attractions are seasonal or charge separately, so check before travelling. Little Northerners Tip: This is particularly good on warmer days when the splash area is open. Best for: Younger children, summer days and plenty of variety. 📍 Williamson Park, Lancaster Explore woodland walks, gardens and play areas beneath the impressive Ashton Memorial. Families can also visit the park’s Butterfly House and animal attractions, which may carry an additional charge. Little Northerners Tip: Even without the paid attractions, the grounds themselves are well worth exploring. Best for: Views, woodland walks and combining free and paid activities. 📍 Towneley Park, Burnley Surrounding historic Towneley Hall, this beautiful park offers open spaces, woodland walks and a fantastic playground. It’s a lovely setting for a picnic and an outdoor family adventure. Little Northerners Tip: Give yourselves enough time to explore beyond the playground because the grounds are a big part of the experience. Best for: Play, picnics and long family walks. 📍 Withy Grove Park, Preston A welcoming local park with a well-equipped playground and plenty of green space for children to run around. It’s a good option for an easy and inexpensive afternoon outdoors. Little Northerners Tip: Perfect for those days when you just need somewhere simple to burn off some energy. Best for: Easy local play and younger children. 📍 Thompson Park, Burnley This popular family park has attractive gardens, lakeside walks, play areas and lots of open space. It’s ideal for a relaxed walk, picnic or play in the fresh air. Little Northerners Tip: Take snacks and make time for a