Starbank Park

What it’s like

A free park with a children's nature trail, a tiny outdoor library and views over the Forth, no café to fall back on.

Free to get into and open all day, this is a proper wander-round park rather than a one-ride destination. Kids can follow the nature trail, dip into the little library for children dotted about, and there's space enough to just let them potter without a set route to stick to.

The seasonal stuff is where it earns its keep. Easter egg hunts, a pumpkin trail and Halloween parties turn up through the year, which gives you a reason to go back rather than treating it as a one-off. Picnics are allowed anywhere in the park, so pack lunch rather than plan around a café, because there isn't one on site.

Dogs are welcome too, on leads at the top of the park and free to roam at the bottom, so if you've got a dog and a toddler in tow you're not choosing between the two. The one real catch is toilets: there are none for public use except at special events like the Cherry Blossom Picnic, so sort that before you set off, especially with a small one who needs the loo on demand.

It suits a slow morning or afternoon more than a quick stop. There's no entry fee and no booking to worry about, so you can turn up whenever it fits your day.

Facilities

Need to know

Picnics

Allowed throughout the park

Dogs

Allowed. Must be kept on leads at top of park, can roam free in bottom park

• No public toilets except during special events, so plan ahead
• There's no café, so pack a picnic
• Seasonal events like Easter egg hunts and the pumpkin trail run through the year
• Dogs must be leashed at the top of the park but can roam free at the bottom
• You can volunteer here on Wednesday or Saturday mornings, 10 to 11.30am

Plan your visit

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