Walton Hall and Gardens

Situated amid 32 acres of picturesque parkland and boast award winning Green Flag gardens which are great for a family day, not least of all because it's free! Walton Gardens has spacious lawns ideal for a picnic or a kickabout, a Heritage Centre Cafe and picnic areas, play area with bouncy slide and trampolines, pitch n putt and various other outdoor activities including crazy golf and a ride around the grounds on the land train! One of the park's most popular attractions, the children's zoo, boasts a colourful array of intriguing creatures including Shetland ponies, pygmy goats, Herdwick sheep, chickens, red squirrels, ferrets, chipmunks, rabbits, guinea pigs, geese and ducks plus the aviaries offer more tropical feathered friends including parrots and cockatiels.

Feeding times for the beasties are 2pm in the summer and 1pm in the winter, so plan your own picnic around that and enjoy the extra fun! Facilities wise they have public toilets available for visitors, including baby change and disabled facilities with a hoist and plinth; plus disabled access pathways intersect the grounds. Should you wish to extend your day even further, nearby Blackleach Country Park also features another adventure playground, a lake with ducks and off-road footpaths and cycle routes.

It's also right next to the Bridgewater Canal.