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.
Lilford Park
Leigh, Greater Manchester
Leigh's big park, opened in 1885 and grown since to over fifty acres of grass, woodland and hard courts. The playground is designed for children of all abilities aged twelve and under, and around it sit an outdoor gym, a basketball court and open field after open field for bikes, balls and general charging about.
The unexpected extra is the disc golf. Free-to-play courses run through the trees, from a five-hole family loop for first-timers up to a full eighteen for anyone who gets the bug, and it is the cheapest new hobby a family will pick up this year. Facilities beyond that are basic: free parking, weekend-only toilets, no cafe to speak of, so take snacks and make an afternoon of it.
What it costs: Everything is free, including the disc golf courses.
Know before you go
- Start disc golf on the five-hole family loop - it is out in the open and short enough for a six-year-old. Any old frisbee will do.
- The toilets are unlocked by the Friends of Lilford Park at weekends only, so plan a midweek visit accordingly.
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Pennington Hall Park
Leigh's town park, handed to the corporation by local brewers in 1920 and still doing the job: play areas, tennis courts, bowling greens, a bandstand, flower gardens and a community cafe called Caffeina.
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