Haigh Woodland Park
Woodland trails, big playgrounds and a hall lawn made for picnics, with a miniature railway, high ropes and crazy golf as the paid extras. The free bits alone fill an afternoon.
Three Sisters Recreation Area
Wigan, Greater Manchester
Fifty years ago this was three coal spoil tips. Now it is part of the Flashes National Nature Reserve, with a lake that pulls in mute swans, herons and the odd kingfisher, a bird feeding station for close-up views, and about 3km of surfaced paths that take a pushchair without complaint.
Do the lake loop, let them bash the xylophone on the enchanted woodland trail, then finish at the playground and picnic tables. Parking and toilets are free, which for a morning out of this quality feels almost like an admin error.
There is a kart racing circuit on the same site, so on race days you get an engine soundtrack with your birdwatching. Some children think this improves the walk considerably.
Know before you go
- Head for the woodland tree trail first - the metal xylophone is the bit children remember.
- The accessible toilet needs a radar key, so go before you set off if that matters to you.
Looking for more parks & outdoors near Wigan?
Also in Wigan
Mesnes Park
Wigan's grand Victorian park after a £6.1m restoration: playground, bandstand, waterfall, formal gardens and an ornate iron pavilion with a Frederick's ice cream cafe inside. Free and right on the edge of the town centre.