Best parks in Lancashire
If you are looking for something fun to do when you have little time with your children that costs nothing, or very little, heading to a local park can often be a great option. You have wide open spaces, walks, play areas, and often other things to do during your visit. Here are some of the best parks in Lancashire. Find more great family days out North West England here.
Withy Grove Park
Located: Brindle Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston PR5 6YJ
This is a great park for kids of all ages. Amazing play areas with things for younger and older kids to enjoy including large slides and zip lines. You will also find some amazing walks to explore, plenty of benches, and spots for a picnic. It is free to enter. The perfect park for a day out with the kids on a warm day.
Here is a little more information about the park
Brockholes Nature Reserve
Location – Just off the M6. Preston New Road, Samlesbury, Preston, PR5 0AG
There are two great play areas at Brockholes and they have recently had a renovation too. There is play equipment for all ages, as well as fantastic family, walks around the reserve.
The majority of the paths are pram-friendly and they regularly put on fantastic family events.
Find out more here – Brockholes walk for all the family
Moss Bank Park
Located: 27 Capitol Cosel, Bolton BL1 6LU
If you want a park that has sports pitches and open fields for ball games then this is a great park to head to. There are lots of open spaces for your kids to roam around and enjoy. You will also find some amazing play areas, suitable for children of all ages, and a huge model train that children can play on. It is free to enter with plenty to see and do while you are there.
Here is a little more information about the park
Avenham and Miller Park
Located: South Meadow Lane, Preston PR1 8JP
A lovely park to explore with wooded areas, plenty of open spaces, and a walled Japanese Garden. There’s a cafe in the park as well where you can enjoy some hot food, sweet treats, and drinks. A great place for a spot of lunch while exploring. There are also play areas in the park so lots to see and do while you are there. Free to enter.
Here is a little more information about the park
Lowther park, Lytham
Located: Lowther Pavilion & Gardens, Lowther Pavilion Theatre, West Beach, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, FY8 5QQ
This is a lovely small park in Lytham right next to the Lowther pavilion theatre. There is plenty of free on-road parking in the surrounding streets.
There is a small but fun play area for children, garden paths to walk around and miniature golf and tennis courts.
Find out more here – Garden Activities at Lowther – Lowther Pavilion
Worden Park
Located: Worden Lane, Leyland PR25 3DH
A wonderful park where you can easily spend the day exploring with your family. There are children’s play areas suitable for kids of all ages, as well as over 60 hectares of meadows, playing fields, and woodland walks. You will also find many historical features in the park and even a fun maze to conquer. It is free to enter and does have a car park for easy access. There are other things going on within the park that may have a slight fee such as a model railway, craft centre, and mini golf. You can even enjoy some lunch or just a drink and a piece of cake in the cafe.
Here is a little more information about the park
Fairhaven Lake, Lytham
Located: Inner Promenade, Lytham St Annes FY8 1BD
This is a great spot on the Fylde coast for a short walk and to take kids. There are 2 children’s playgrounds, adventure golf, skate park, tennis courts, bowling green, water sports centre and RSPB visitor centre.
Find out more here – Fairhaven Lake
Queens Park
Located: Chorley New Road, Bolton BL1 4RU
This is a lovely traditional park that you can enjoy with lots of scenic gardens with beautiful ornaments dotted around the area. The play park is perfect for children of all ages, and you can enjoy a nice picnic in the open areas. The play park especially is suitable for younger kids with a sand pit. There is even a little lake to walk around where you can spot ducks and other wildlife.
Here is a little more information about the park
Thompson Park
Located: 111 Ormerod Road, Burnley BB11 3QW
Another fabulous park with lots on offer for the whole family. Here you can enjoy play parks and areas suitable for all children. There is also a boating lake, a miniature railway, and ornamental gardens.
The park has a car park for easy access but there is a cost of £2.50. However, that is for the whole day. During the weekends and school holidays there is also a fabulous cafe. There’s even a paddling pool in the summer months.
Here is a little more information about the park
Moses Gate Country Park
Located: Country Park, Hall Lane, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 7QS
This is a little larger than some of the other parks mentioned as it is a country park with plenty of walking and nature trails as well as a nature reserve. Perfect to enjoy walking around with the family to spot different wildlife. You will also find some epic play areas for the kids to enjoy with things for younger and older children. You can easily spend the day here and the nature trail is a particular highlight.
Here is a little more information about the park
Pennington Flash
Located: Pennington flash country park, Leigh, WN7 3PA
This is an amazing new, wildlife themed adventure playground in Pennington Flash country park. There is loads of play equipment to choose from and something for all ages. The image below is a small part of the play equipment there.
Find out everything you need to know in our guide here – Pennington flash country park.
Scott Park
Located: Scott Park, 1 Fern Road, Burnley BB11 4NN
One of the smaller parks but perfect if you want to go somewhere for just a few hours. There are woodland walks to explore, a play area, and even tennis courts if you fancy playing. There are picnic spots and plenty of benches to sit and rest. Free to enter and perfect if you don’t want to be too overwhelmed.
Here is a little more information about the park
Brinscall Park and Lake
Located: Brinscall, Chorley PR6 8QX
Another smaller park but one that has a lovely lake to walk around where you can enjoy the scenery and a chance to spot some wildlife. Close by to wooded areas for a woodland walk and a cute little play area for the kids to enjoy. A perfect option if you want somewhere small to enjoy a few hours. Free to enter with parking close by.
Here is a little more information about the park
Williamson park
Located: Williamson Park, Quernmore Road, Lancaster, LA1 1UX
This is a great park in Lancaster. There are 2 seperate play areas for under and over 6s, a mini-zoo, cafe and gardens and woodlands to explore. You’ll also find the Ashton memorial which you can explore inside and outside.
Find out more here – Williamson Park
Happy mount park
Located: Morecambe bay
This is another fantastic park with loads for kids. There is a splash park, indoor soft play, adventure golf, trampolines, and adventure playground and minature train rides.
Find out more here – Happy Mount Park Morecambe
Stanley park
Located: West Park Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY3 9HQ
If you want to escape the hustle of Blackpool sea front then this is the perfect place for you. There is a bandstand, a boating lake and Italian gardens to admire as well as children’s play areas and sports facilities to enjoy.
Find out more here – Stanley Park
Beacon Fell country park
Location: Beacon Fell Country park, Goosnargh, Preston
Parking is just £1 for all day and there are some gorgeous walks that you can do from the car park and visitor centre. We climbed to the summit (a very easy climb) and explored the sculpture trail. We also found a surprise play area which is always a bonus with kids. This is near the walking snake sculpture on the map. It’s a trim trail-style play area so no swings or slides.
Find out more here – Beacon Fell Country Park
Park View 4u, Lytham
Park View 4u in Lytham is an amazing park for kids. There are loads of different play areas for kids from toddlers, right up to teenagers. There is also a lovely cafe, football field, sand and water play area and so much more.
There is an active community centre on site too with loads of regular weekly events and classes.
Find out more about this amazing park here – Park view 4u, Lytham
Other parks to mention in Lancashire
- Marsden Park – Located in Nelson you have wonderful parkland to walk around, historical architecture to see, and a great play area for the kids. A large park with lots of facilities.
- Towneley Park – The largest park in Burnley you have so much to see and do here. Children’s play areas, a cafe, woodland walks, and plenty of events that take place throughout the year.
I hope this has inspired you with these beautiful parks. Which do you think are the best parks in Lancashire?
Where to next?
Parks are great places for walking with pushchairs. Find loads of ideas for Pram friendly walks Lancashire.
If you have a toddler, you’ll find loads of Things to do in Lancashire with toddlers here.
There are loads of wonderful parks in Greater Manchester too and some of them aren’t that far to drive from Lancashire. Find the best parks in Manchester here.
Trips to the park make great free days out. Find more summer holiday activities in Lancashire here.
A few of these parks have splash parks and outdoor paddling pools. Find full details of them all here – Outdoor paddling pools and splash parks in the North West
There are amazing play areas and ice creams to be enjoyed at Billy Bob’s Preston.
About The Author
