Lily Hill Park

What it’s like

A free park with a brass rubbing wildlife trail and animal tracks to hunt down across surfaced paths.

The main thing to do here is the brass rubbing wildlife trail, which sends you round the park hunting out plaques to rub with paper and crayon if you bring them. Alongside it there's an animal tracks trail with seven different prints to spot, which is the sort of task that keeps a six-year-old walking further than they'd normally admit to. The paths are surfaced, so a buggy or a scooter copes fine without you having to double back.

It costs nothing to get in, which makes it an easy one to add to a weekend without much planning. There's parking on site and picnic spots dotted about, though barbecues aren't allowed, so it's a sandwiches and a blanket sort of visit rather than anything with a grill. If you fancy skipping the car, Martin's Heron train station is a ten minute walk away.

Worth knowing before you set off east: the paths over Vincent's Hill and Forester's Hill aren't fully accessible, so if you're pushing a buggy or need level ground, stick to the main park rather than heading for the hills. It's not a big day out on its own, more the kind of stop you build a picnic or a train station wander around.

Facilities

Need to know

Getting there by bus or train

Martin's Heron train station, 10 minute walk away

• Bring paper and a crayon if you want to do the brass rubbing trail properly
• The animal tracks trail has seven prints to find, good for keeping a walk going
• Picnics are fine but barbecues aren't allowed

Plan your visit

Featured in 3 Huddlepin lists

See all Viewpoints & Picnic Spots in Reading · Things to do in Reading