Alexandra Park
Oldham's Victorian showpiece, 72 acres built by out-of-work cotton spinners. Lake, duck pond, cafe on the water, seven free tennis courts and a playground with a proper accessible section.
Play! Oldham
Oldham, Greater Manchester
Play! sits on a trading estate off Higginshaw Lane on the Royton side of Oldham. The juniors get a massive three storey play frame, recommended for ten and under, and toddlers and babies have their own separate area. The cafe does proper meals and has held a five star hygiene rating from Oldham Council every year for ten years.
Term-time weekdays are £5 for unlimited play, or £8 with a meal off the children's menu. Weekends and holidays are £7 for two hours. Children must be under 12 and under 4ft 10in, teenagers are not allowed on the equipment, and everyone including adults wears socks.
Hours are shorter than you might guess: term-time Mondays and Tuesdays finish at 2pm, and Sundays at 3.30pm. There is a sister site, Play2, in the old mill at Diggle if you are coming from the Saddleworth side.
What it costs: Term-time weekdays £5 unlimited play, or £8 with any meal from the children's menu. Weekends and holidays £7 for 2 hours, or £10 with a children's meal (the prices page also lists a £6 school holiday and weekend rate, so check on arrival).
Know before you go
- Monday and Tuesday in term time it closes at 2pm. Wednesday to Friday it runs to 5.30pm.
- Only food and drink bought on site can be eaten there, and the rules require long sleeves and trousers for safe play.
Worth knowing: Under 12s and under 4ft 10in only.
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