South Inch Park & Play Area

The Inch is one of those proper riverside spots that locals know well but visitors often miss. South Inch Park sits right on the Tay in Perth itself, a broad sweep of open grassland with mature trees that actually feels removed from the town centre despite being walkable from the high street. There's a play area tucked in - decent enough for younger kids, with standard kit and plenty of space to run about. The real draw though is the river path itself. You can walk for miles along the Tay, and the park gives you direct access to some cracking stretches, especially if you head upstream towards the bridge. Bring a dog and they'll have a field day. Bring binoculars and you might spot ospreys or herons depending on the season. The grass gets mowed regularly and there are benches, if you're just after a quiet sit-down.

It's free, naturally, and there's no set opening hours - it's a public park. How long you spend depends entirely on what you're after. Twenty minutes if the kids just want the play equipment. Two hours if you're a proper walker and fancy following the riverside path. Families camped at Perth Caravan Park or Scone Camping just two to three miles away will find this useful for burning off energy or grabbing fresh air between rainy days. It won't be the highlight of your holiday, but it's well worth knowing about if you're basing yourself in Perth.