Farmer Ted's Adventure Farm
Built precisely for the under-9s: animal encounters, giant jumping pillows, tractor rides and a big indoor play barn that rescues wet days. Older siblings will tolerate it; little ones adore it.
Coronation Park, Ormskirk
Ormskirk, Lancashire
Coronation Park opened in 1903, covers twenty acres and sits right in the middle of Ormskirk, so you can do the park and the town in the same trip. It has held a Green Flag every year since 2008.
The play provision is split by age, which is rarer than it should be. One play area for five to twelves, a second for nine to fourteens, then a teen zone and skatepark with a half pipe, grind rails, a spine box and a bucket swing. Add a games court for football or basketball and free outdoor fitness equipment and an eleven year old will not be bored. Younger than five and you are relying on the duck pond and the open lawns.
West Lancashire also publish two free self-led trails: a simple phonics trail, and a Key Stage 2 maths trail aimed at seven to elevens with an activity sheet and guidance notes for the adult. Both are downloads, so print at home.
The thing to sort before you set off is where the car goes. There is no car park attached to the park; the council direct you to Morrisons, Park Pool and the Two Saints Retail Park, all of which neighbour it.
Know before you go
- Print the phonics trail and the Key Stage 2 maths trail before you leave. Both are free downloads on the council page and they turn forty minutes of walking into something a seven year old will agree to.
- Nothing on West Lancashire's page mentions toilets or a cafe. Morrisons backs onto the park, which is not romantic but does solve both.
- There is no park car park at all. Ormskirk station is ten minutes on foot, which is the easier answer if you are coming from Preston or Liverpool.
Worth knowing: Both play areas are signed for five and over, so under fives are down to the duck pond and the lawns.
Looking for more parks & outdoors near Ormskirk?
Also in Ormskirk
Beacon Country Park
Over 300 acres of woodland, meadow and proper hills on the slopes of Ashurst Beacon, with inclusive play areas and a cafe by the car park. Free in, free parking, and enough path network to tire out anyone.
Natterjack Alpacas
A private hour with a herd of more than 60 female alpacas on a farm off High Lane: a short walk, hand feeding, cuddling and a lot of alpaca facts. Capped at eight people. Book the Experience, because the Trek is over 16s only.
Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve
Ninety five per cent of the paths take a buggy or a wheelchair, which is rare for a nature reserve. Old sand quarry lakes outside Rufford, run by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, with six hides and a viewing platform.