Royal Victoria Park

Royal Victoria Park is a beautiful expanse of green parkland a mere short stroll from the city centre, so it's a wonderful compromise trip for kids who don't appreciate being dragged around the shops! Originally an arboretum and opened by an 11 year old Queen Victoria, the Park covers over 57 acres with plenty to keep you occupied, regardless of age. Bring some friends for a playful game of tennis or have a family tournament on the 18 hole mini golf course, which is purportedly trickier than it first seems!

There's also an exciting and pretty expansive playground to wear the children out: zoom along the zip wire, beat the pyramid climbing frame and navigate imaginatively through all the fun play equipment. There's also a terrific new skate park feature here for the kids to get you wheely worried with! Give them a helmet and don't look!

) For something a little more relaxing, don't miss the botanical gardens (found at the North end) or take a stroll across to the pond to feed the ducks. Plus in the better weather, Victoria Park is the perfect place for picnics, whether in the main fray in front of the curving Royal Crescent or further into the parkland for a pleasingly secluded setting where you can often watch the hot air balloons set up before heading up, up and away over the city. Lovely!

Throughout the summer season there are often bands and musicians performing live at the bandstand, plus the fairgrounds and circuses that are now familiar annual visitors to Royal Victoria Park. Then into the autumn of course the whole park changes colour and tone, and once winter hits keep an eye out for the open-air ice rink in November and December, ideal for getting into the Christmas spirit!