
Lytham Hall
78 acres of free parkland and woodland around a Georgian hall, with a cafe, seasonal trails and cheap pay-and-display parking. The hall tour is the only ticketed bit, and with kids in tow you can happily skip it.
Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

Lowther Gardens were laid out in 1872 on what was known as Hungry Moor, and they are still the smartest small park in Lytham. There is a children's play area, crazy golf, tennis courts, two crown green bowling lawns, a 1930s aviary, a rose garden and a picnic area, all on 5.65 hectares right next to Lytham Green.
It is free to wander in. The car park is £3.50 for the whole day, which makes it a reasonable base for Lytham: the play area and mini-golf first, then across the road to the Green, then back to the Lowther Cafe for cake. The cafe opens daily from 7.30am.
The Lowther Pavilion theatre in the middle of the gardens has its own programme of shows and workshops, if you want to turn a park visit into a show. Mini-golf is £3 a child or £12 for a family of four.
What it costs: Free to enter. On-site parking is £3.50 for the day (around 75 spaces, ticket from the box office), free for evening shows. Mini-golf is £3 a child, £5 an adult or £12 for a family of four. Junior crown green bowls is £2 for two hours.
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