Walton Park
Go on a Sunday. A volunteer-run miniature railway takes passengers round a quarter mile of track for 30p a ride, there are two age-split playgrounds, and the cafe is a narrowboat on the canal.
Let Loose Play Centre, Stanley Square
Sale, Greater Manchester
Let Loose took over the old Explore and Play unit in Stanley Square and built the frame around Sale itself: children can tackle a Sale Sharks player, crawl past the Little B and surf on Sale Water Park. The main frame has a two-lane bumpy race slide, drop slide, ball pool, football pitch and monkey bars, and the toddler area has its own mini frame and sensory screens.
£3.50 a child with adults free is hard to argue with, and booking is best though walk-ins are taken when there is space. Sessions are 90 minutes. Parking takes a routine: two free hours in the multi-storey, but only if you scan the code inside and register your car.
What it costs: 0 to 3 months free, 4 months to 10 years £3.50, adults free, childminders and carers £3.50. Play plus Make-a-Bear £18.95. Sessions run about an hour and a half.
Know before you go
- Park in the Stanley Square multi-storey on Friar's Road, then scan the Parking Eye QR code in the play centre and enter your registration in the car park machine for two free hours. Let Loose will not take responsibility for ticket problems, so do not skip it.
- Sessions are 90 minutes (9.30, 11.30, 1.15, 3.00 and 4.30). On term-time weekdays you can start every 15 minutes.
Looking for more days out in Sale?
What visitors say
★★★★★ 4.3 across 77 Google reviews.
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Worthington Park
Sale's Green Flag town park, a five minute walk from the Metrolink. Two age-split playgrounds, a skate park and an outdoor gym. No cafe and no car park, so it is a walk-in park.
Woodheys Park
An 18-hole pitch and putt open seven days a week, clubs hired on the spot, no booking. That is the reason to come. The playground here is under 7s only, so the golf is what occupies the older ones.
Waterside Arts
Sale's arts centre, opposite Sale Metrolink stop, with free exhibitions, a cafe bar and a steady run of family theatre, including a Christmas musical this December.
What’s on near you, every Friday
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