Alexandra Park - Oldham

Alexandra Park sits on Oldham's edge, a proper working green space that doesn't pretend to be anything fancy. It's a local spot - moorland and woodland rolled together with decent walking trails threading through. The views back towards the town are genuinely good, especially from the higher sections, and on a clear day you can see across the valley. The reserve has a wild feel to it, less manicured than you might expect from something this close to town.

Walkers will get the most out of it. There's enough terrain here to keep you occupied for a couple of hours if you're the type who enjoys following paths without needing a destination at the end. The moorland sections have that open, windswept quality that's either lovely or bleak depending on the weather. Families with older kids can manage fine, though it's not the sort of place with playgrounds or facilities - bring water and don't expect anywhere to grab a coffee.

Free to access and no formal opening hours to worry about, which means you can visit when it suits you. Spring and autumn are probably best - summer can get a bit overgrown in patches, and winter reveals the landscape more clearly. From Greenfield it's accessible enough, and if you're staying at Dovestone Holiday Park just down the way, it makes a natural morning or afternoon detour. Don't go expecting manicured parkland; go if you want genuine moorland walking without the commitment of a full Pennine trek.