Pennington Flash
A big lake with easy flat paths, bird hides and a decent play area. Free, close, and a good one for scooters and a picnic.
Charlie Park
- Cost
- Over-3s £9, under-3s £5.50, adults £1
- Ages
- 0 to 11
- Where
- Leigh, Greater Manchester
- Weather
- Works in the rain
- Booking
- Just turn up (booking optional)
Charlie Park is on the first floor of Victoria Mill on Bolton Old Road, done out as an enchanted forest. The frames are split by age and activity: a separate area for babies and children up to three, bigger structures for older ones, and a little village of play houses. Around them sit a sensory room, a craft room for messy play and a cinema room. The site says the equipment is designed for children up to 11.
Entry is cheap by soft play standards. Under-3s are £5.50, over-3s £9, babies from six months £2 and adults £1. The family meal deal at £31 gets two adults and three children in with a large margherita pizza, fries and a jug of juice. You do not need to book. At weekends and in the holidays play is limited to two hours, and if you want the next session too it is half price.
Sessions run from 9.15am, in blocks through to 5.30pm, every day. Thursdays only start at 1.15pm, so do not plan a Thursday morning there. Term-time stay and play lets you stay until 3pm. The catch is access: it is upstairs, and the site says it is not wheelchair accessible. Prams are fine, and staff will help you carry one up if you ask.
What it costs: Under 6 months free, 6 to 12 months £2, under-3s £5.50, over-3s £9, adults £1. Family meal deal £31 (entry for 2 adults and 3 children, a large margherita pizza, large fries and a jug of juice). Staying on for the next session is half price. After-school club Mon to Fri 3.20pm to 5.15pm, £5 a child or £6.50 with food. Open daily 9.15am to 5.30pm.
Know before you go
- It is up a flight of stairs and the site says the first floor is not wheelchair accessible; staff will help carry a pram up.
- Weekend and holiday visits are limited to two hours. Staying on for the next session costs half price.
- The £31 family deal covers two adults, three children and a pizza, fries and juice, which is good value for a family of five.
Worth knowing: Equipment designed for up to 11.
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