Heaton Park

Heaton Park sprawls across the outskirts of Bury like someone's just thrown open the gates to a proper countryside escape. The place is substantial - woodland, open grassland, and enough walking routes to keep you busy for an afternoon without feeling rushed. The park's got a working farm attached, which shifts it from being just another green space into something with a bit more character. Kids will find the farm bit engaging enough, though it's genuinely more rewarding if you're the type who enjoys a decent walk through mixed woodland and want to see what Lancashire looked like before it got built on. The open areas are excellent for letting dogs off lead, and the paths are well-maintained without being sterile. For families camping nearby at Burrs Country Park - only a few miles down the road - this makes an easy add-on visit. An hour gets you a decent taster. Three hours if you want to do the loops properly and maybe grab a coffee at whatever refreshment spot they've got on site. The farm means it's got a functioning purpose rather than just being scenery, which I reckon gives it more staying power than some nature reserves. Worth stopping by if you're in the Bury area, though it's not the sort of place that'll consume your whole day unless you're seriously into woodland walking.