It’s amazing just how many brilliant places there are to have a bit of family fun for a day in the fresh air. Here are some of the biggest, best, and most beautiful UK family-friendly parks and gardens!

1) Lake District National Park

www.lake-district.gov.uk

Spectacular landscapes of fells and tarns within this mountainous territory take the breath away – as does walking around them. But it’s a tranquil getaway if you want it to be, with gorgeous lakes to sit beside and historic villages. The area is endlessly explorable – just because Wordsworth and Wainwright were there before you doesn’t mean the family can’t discover something new for themselves.

2) Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

This beautiful family-focused National Trust Park has 3,800 acres of woods, open-heath and rolling farmland and the longest double avenue of lime trees in Europe – a gorgeous day out. With 20 miles of cycle path (plus a link to the legendary Sherwood Forest), a nine-trail orienteering course, two “Family-Tracker Packs”, exploring the Kitchen Gardens and World War history, and lots of other things to do, you won't be bored at all.

3) The National Forest, Derbyshire

www.nationalforest.org

There’s over 700 miles of woodland paths to explore, but that’s only half the story. The National Forest is different because it’s “a forest in the making”. This fun family destination is also a giant environmental project that aims to tackle climate change by creating 200 square miles of new woodland. The creation of this brand new habitat means it’s the ideal place for green families to go and spend the day wildlife watching.

4) The Trentham Estate, Staffordshire

www.trentham.co.uk

Something for everyone is here: squidge through Britain’s only barefoot walk adventure trail, get lost in floral labyrinths and mazes, rest in the Italian Gardens or get the your thrills on the Arial Extreme rope course! Then take a cruise or row-boat out on the lake, or perhaps ride the miniature railway around it. Indulge at the chalet-style Shopping Village or Garden Centre. There's also a Monkey Forest where your little monkeys can enjoy walking amongst 140 Barbary Macaques!

5) Isles of Scilly: Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

www.ios-aonb.info

This archipelago off the Cornish coast may have a silly name but it does make sense to visit. White sands, emerald shallows and sub-tropical gardens provide a distinctly un-British feel to the landscape while heather-clad inland plateaux and the Western Rocks (the “Dogs of Scilly”) are places of dynamic beauty. The seas have claimed as many ships as they have hearts, so the area is steeped in history. And as only half the main islands are inhabited, it really can feel like the family has arrived in the wilderness.

6) Devil’s Dyke

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Legend has it that the Devil dug this valley to drown local parishioners, but the stunning surroundings beg to differ. As it carves its way through the chalk grasslands there are spectacular views of rolling hills and wide plains to be admired, and acres of meadowy-slopes full of wild flowers and plants. The strange lumps and bumps in the ground hints at the mysterious, ancient inhabitants’ forts and farming communities. A fun place to explore and learn about.

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