Visit a waterside park

For such a small island, Great Britain has an enormous array of wide, open green spaces and beauty spots.

A great many of these beautiful parks are situated by canals, rivers, or lakes, creating a delightful backdrop for a romantic picnic or a family day out.

The wide range of activities on offer at many of these waterside parks means that they are there to be enjoyed whatever the weather. You can hire a boat or teach the kids to fish, explore a nature trail or try your hand at bird spotting. And the best part about getting out and exploring your local grounds is that most of them cost next to nothing to visit!

Take a look at our pick of the best waterside parks, and see where you can go for a fun and cheap day out.

Mile End Park, London

This massive park stretches right through the heart of East London, from Victoria Park to the Docklands. The park is testament to the many gems that can be found off the beaten track in London, with unique art work, activity areas, and the Regent’s Canal providing a pleasant canalside walk throughout.

Victoria Park, London

‘Vicky’ Park, as it’s known in the East End, was where Queen Victoria’s obsession with public spaces all started. This lush, green haven is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city, boasting an old English garden and even a deer enclosure.

Prior Park Landscape Garden, Somerset

Set in a sweeping valley these gorgeous landscaped gardens offer spectacular views across the three lakes and nearby Bath. Family trails and guided tours take place throughout the year, or you can take advantage of the free maps and discover the Bath skyline yourself with a gentle stroll.

Hanley Park, Staffordshire

Hanley Park is one of Stoke-on-Trent’s brightest jewels and a favourite destination for families and young children. The famously pretty Caldon Canal cuts a path right through the middle of the park for the more sedate visitor to admire. Whilst facilities for footy, cricket, tennis, hockey and basketball ensure that those with limitless energy don’t get bored.

Sykes Lane, Rutland

The largest of Rutland’s four waterside parks, Sykes Lane offers plenty of walking and cycling opportunities, as well as an excellent picnic site. The on-site Butterfly Farm and Aquatic Centre is a delightful place for children to explore, and for more wildlife spotting head to another of Rutland’s parks, Barnsdale.

Attenborough Nature Reserve, Nottinghamshire

Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, this nature reserve is a must for animal lovers. Many migrant and wetland birds are attracted to the reserve for its wide expanses of water, as well as butterflies, dragonflies, voles, moles and bats. It’s also a haven for a wide range of aquatic plants. Definitely worth a look if you prefer your days out to be a little educational.

Hollingworth Lake and Country Park, Lancashire

118 acres of lake and parkland create a family-friendly atmosphere, where visitors can enjoy boat trips, guided walks and nature trails. Be sure to make good use of the picnic area if the weather’s pleasant.

Lake Vyrnwy Sculpture Park, Powys

Step into a fantastic world filled with giant stone and timber sculptures, with a trip to Lake Vyrnwy’s sculpture park. Admire giant hands, dragonflies, and other animals that have been expertly carved from natural materials by British and European artists. All set to the backdrop of the peaceful lake shore.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens, Yorkshire

Declared Yorkshire’s first World Heritage Site, Fountains Abbey and its gardens are so stunning and elegant that many people even choose to get married there. A tranquil water garden dominates the site, and other attractions include a deer park and Elizabethan mansion. As well as the usual guided tours and wildlife trails, the gardens play host to open-air theatre, medieval re-enactments and concerts throughout the autumn.

Scott’s View, Lowlands

Although not strictly a park, Scott’s View is well worth a visit if you’re in the area. Said to be the finest vantage point in Scotland, visitors can expect breathtaking panoramic views of the River Tweed and the Scottish Borderland.