Nantwich, Cheshire
Romantic gardens spread below a turreted castle in south Cheshire, with the sort of views that make grandparents go quiet. The castle itself is the backdrop rather than the attraction - the family live there - but the gardens earn the trip: temple water gardens, a lakeside nature trail with a bird hide, and a play area down by the Mere with the castle across the water.
The catch is the calendar. In season it opens Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and bank holidays only, 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4pm, and Sundays only in March. Adults pay £10 on the gate or £9 in advance, children £5 or £4.50, under 5s free, and parking costs nothing. The tea room covers cake emergencies, and dogs are welcome on leads.
The Den, a natural play area, gives smaller children somewhere to burrow between the formal bits, and the picnic area by the Mere is where most families end up anchored. Turn up on a closed Thursday in March, though, and you will be staring at a locked gate, so this is one to plan rather than improvise.
Seasonal: Mar-Oct. Check before travelling.
Looking for more parks & outdoors near Nantwich?
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