Yarrow Valley Country Park

Chorley Council's 700 acre valley along the River Yarrow, Green Flagged since 2004, and the rare country park where the good bits cluster in one place. The Birkacre end has the lodge with its ducks, the Treeface cafe, an information centre, toilets with baby change, and the play area, all a flat pram-push from the car park.

Yarrow Rocks is the draw for the school-age kids: rope swings, climbing walls, slides and a sandbox, deliberately built so children can challenge themselves rather than be padded out of trouble. Younger ones need watching on some of it. Beyond that, four colour-coded walking trails head off into the woods, and duck bread never goes to waste at the lodge.

Only the main Birkacre car park charges, 8am to 5pm. If you object on principle, the Duxbury, Euxton and Dob Brow car parks are free, at the cost of a longer walk to the cafe.

What it costs: Entry is free. The main Birkacre car park is pay and display 8am-5pm; the smaller Duxbury, Euxton and Dob Brow car parks are free.

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