CATEGORY · A HUDDLEPIN LIST
Parks & nature in Preston
Country parks, woods, lakes and trails for burning off energy.
17 places 6 free to visit

Brooms Cross Fishery
Liverpool
Rod-and-line coarse fishing on Owl Tree Pond, plus carp fishing on the Upper and Lower Alt Lakes.
Accessible toiletParkingWheelchair accessible
from £60Catchdale moss Farm
Saint Helens
Pumpkin picking in autumn and a proper Christmas barn later on, with wreath workshops and a tree kitchen and bar for the grown-ups.
CaféFood on sitePicnics allowed
FreeCrosby Beach
Liverpool
A wide stretch of sand dotted with 100 cast-iron statues by Antony Gormley, free to wander any time.
FreeFormby Beach Woods
Liverpool
Pinewoods behind the dunes where you go looking for red squirrels, snowdrops and autumn fungi, free to wander.
Parking
from £16Gresgarth Hall Gardens
Lancaster
Wander through wild garden, vegetable plots and rhododendron woodland on one of the handful of open days a year, kids in free.
Free parking

Holmeswood Flower Farm / Pumpkin Place Pick Your Own
Ormskirk
Pick your own pumpkins, sunflowers, sweetcorn and flowers straight from the field.
Dog friendlyIndoor playFood on site
FreeMason's Wood Trail
Preston
A free woodland walk near Preston with a proper bluebell show in spring and dogs welcome on the path.
Dog friendlyParkingPublic transport nearby
FreeNational Trust - Formby
Liverpool
Sand dunes, pinewoods and two beach trails to explore, with sand wheelchairs on loan and no fires allowed to keep the wildlife happy.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingBlue badge parking+11 more
from £8Newbridge Fishing Lakes
Liverpool · adults only (18+)
Day ticket coarse fishing for carp, tench, bream and chub, open 7am to 7pm, but under 18s aren't admitted without an adult.
CaféToilets

Nicky Nook
Preston
A 3.5 mile fell walk near Preston with reservoir views, a trig point summit and a proper sense of achievement for small legs.
from £250Ozonefit
Preston · ages 6+
Military-style outdoor bootcamp sessions with scramble nets and tug of war, plus birthday parties for 6 and up.
Booking required
FreePark View Skatepark
Lytham Saint Annes
A free outdoor park with a skate bowl and BMX track, plus a toddler playground and woodland trail to wander once the wheels stop.
Café

Preston Guild Wheel (Broughton Inlet)
Preston
A 21-mile loop round Preston for walking or cycling, with the River Ribble and Avenham Park along the way.
from £15Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool
Blackpool · ages 0+
An indoor tropical waterpark with 18 slides, a big play structure and pools kept at 84 degrees, whatever's happening outside.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBooking requiredBreastfeeding friendly+12 more

Southport Beach
Southport
Miles of open sand near Southport's Victorian seafront, with room to walk, paddle and build without another soul getting in the way.
FreeThe Lancashire Wildlife Trust
Preston
Free wildlife reserve with lake and woodland trails, an adventure playground, and a floating visitor village to explore near Preston.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféGift shop+6 more
from £35West Lancs K9 Splash & Hydro
Leyland
A heated indoor pool near Leyland where your dog swims one-to-one with a wetsuit and float harness laid on.
Booking requiredDog friendlyFree parkingToilets
Good to know: parks & nature in Preston
Are any of them free?
Yes, Crosby Beach, Formby Beach Woods, Mason's Wood Trail, National Trust - Formby and 2 more are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £8 at Newbridge Fishing Lakes. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Which ones are indoor?
Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool and West Lancs K9 Splash & Hydro are indoor, good to keep up your sleeve for a rainy day.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find parks & nature in Liverpool, Saint Helens, Lancaster, Ormskirk, Preston and 4 more. Every place we list is in or around Preston, and each listing has the full address and directions.
More ways to plan a day out
KEEP EXPLORING
Not a parks & nature day? Try another lane
THE WEEKENDER
Next weekend, sorted. Every Thursday, free.
The best family things happening around Preston, one hidden gem, and a rainy-day backup plan, from a dad who's been there with a bored seven-year-old.
Free forever. One brilliant email a week. Unsubscribe anytime.







