The Parks We Love Most

It’s almost Love Parks week – and we really love parks! Organised by Keep Britain Tidy, Love Parks is all about celebrating our green spaces and the good things they do for our communities, health and environment. In the spirit of this, we asked our team to share their favourite parks around the UK.

Worden Park, Leyland & Astley Park, Chorley

Worden Park (miniature railway in background), photo by Andrew Hall on Unsplash

“There are two parks in Lancashire that my family and I visit on a regular basis. The first is Worden Park in Leyland, which has an amazing playground for kids and a miniature railway that runs on Sundays and during the school holidays. Our other favourite is Astley Park in Chorley. It has a lovely Tudor hall which has just undergone an extensive restoration programme. Both Worden and Astley have great cafes and beautiful woodland areas to walk in as well.” - Nina, Operations Business Partner

Heaton Park, Manchester

Yoshi in Haggerston Park, photo by Elinor

“Haggerston Park is a London park that doesn’t get the rep it deserves! For anyone who lives in the city and needs their animal fix, it’s home to Hackney City Farm. It’s also got a beautiful little woodland with a conservation pond, as well as lots of sports facilities. It was a sanctuary during lockdown for me and my husband, when we only had one hour to go outside. I will always remember it and enjoy going back there. It was also an excuse to borrow our neighbour’s dog, Yoshi, and go for a walk!” - Elinor, Executive Assistant

Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire 

Hatfield House, image by u_h2oxbr1zob from Pixabay

“I love Hatfield Park, in the grounds of Hatfield House. It’s full of hidden lakes, wildlife walks and children’s play areas. There are also gorgeous woodland areas where you can spot deer. In summer, the lawns are alive with families playing games and picnicking. Hatfield Park is steeped in history too – you can sit under the same oak tree where Queen Elizabeth 1st was told she was going to be Queen! - Leona, Digital Marketing Lead

Peckham Rye Park, South London

 A lush corner of Peckham Rye Park, photo by Laura

“My favourite has got to be Peckham Rye Park. I love it for its variety. It’s got Japanese formal gardens, an unmanaged wild area, herb and fruit gardens, as well as football pitches, a dog-free area, skate park, pond with Egyptian ducks and a woodland walk. The River Peck flows through parts of the park, with rocky shallows where dogs and children play. Musicians also gather there on sunny afternoons to play guitars – and bongos if you’re lucky. It’s also got some amazing, enormous and very old oak trees that are too wide to get your arms around! It is the perfect park.” - Laura, Sustainability Director

Shibden Park, Halifax

Feeding the ducks is one of the fun activities at Shibden Park, Photo by Robert Gramner on Unsplash

“My favourite park is Shibden Park in Halifax.  I have very happy memories of going there as a child, and of taking my own children there lots when they were little. Another special memory I have of Shibden is that I went into labour with one of my babies after walking up the big hill there! The park has a mini train, rowing boats and a big lake where you can feed the ducks - all great, fun activities for all ages.” - Emma, Technical Director

Ford Park, Ulverston

Ford Park with the Sir John Barrow Monument in the background, photo by Imogen

“Shout out to Ford Park in Ulverston, Cumbria! It’s a thriving park which is clearly loved by its local community, with a well-maintained plant nursery, wildflower meadow, orchard and a great café. As well as a packed calendar of events throughout the year, it hosts the Park Run on a weekly basis. The run takes participants to the Sir John Barrow Monument on the summit of Hoad Hill which also makes for a lovely stroll – it’s a brilliant vantage point with sweeping views of Morecambe Bay.” - Imogen, Studio Manager

Platt Fields Park, Manchester

Platt Fields Park at Sunset, by Shabdaly on Flickr, Licensed under Creative Commons

“I’m a big fan of Platt Fields Park in the Fallowfield area of Manchester because it’s so community-focused. It’s home to Platt Fields Market Garden, where you can try garden-grown food in the café, join the gardening club and even do outdoor yoga. It’s got a BMX track, skate park and a heart-shaped lake! And you can get your bike fixed or buy a refurbished bike at Platt Fields Bike Hub. One of the lesser-known parts of this park is the walled and sunken Shakesperean Garden, a haven of tranquillity that’s surprisingly close to bustling Wilmslow Road.” - Charlotte, Graphic Designer

Love Parks Week runs from 26th July to 4th August 2024. Find our more here.