The Hiking Household’s Top Ten Parks in Cumbria

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Cumbria’s Hiking Household shares her top ten parks in the region.

Laura Earl, mum to four small children and founder of The Hiking Household, is often found outside exploring with her brood, sharing her adventures with over four thousand of her followers on Instagram.

As the six week summer break draws to an end, by far the hardest task Laura had this summer was finding free entertainment for her four children.

As part of The Hiking Household, Laura’s goal was to share family-friendly walks in Cumbria that her children enjoyed and didn’t cost a fortune. This is when they discovered the incredible green spaces within the region, all of which also have play areas for little ones to enjoy. A win-win.

What’s more, all the parks Laura discovered are within walking distance from bus routes, so you can leave your car at home and make a real day of it.  We all know how much little ones love a bus ride.

Whether you are a parent/carer looking for day trip inspiration or if you’re a grandparent wondering how to fill the final summer days with your grandkids, here are the top ten Cumbrian parks to visit according to The Hiking Household.

Chances Park, Carlisle 

Bus Route: 61, 62, 300, 400, 554 & 600

Bus Stop: Morton Manor / Morton Park

Found in Carlisle, this park really does have it all. There are many tarmac paths to explore making it perfect for bikes, scooters, prams and mobility scooters. My children have enjoyed learning to ride their bikes at this park, not forgetting the superb playground found in the centre of this green space. There is a gated play area for younger children and a great climbing area and zip line for those with older children. Finding a park for a range of ages can be difficult and Chances Park is always our go-to place when all four of my children are asking to enjoy a playground.

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Barrow Park, Barrow-in-Furness

Bus route: 1, 4, 6, X6, 6C,

Bus Stop:  Multiple bus stop locations around the park

Barrow Park in Barrow-in-Furness is a park we have only recently discovered, and we are so pleased we did.  We love this day out for the incredible facilities on offer. Barrow Park provides a putting green, boating lake and a miniature railway. There is a wonderful play area for younger children and skate park for older children.  A cafe is available between Easter and October making it a lovely park to visit with the whole family. This park is also walking distance from Barrow Park Leisure Centre for those wanting to visit here before, or after, their walk. The leisure centre offers an array of activities for younger children as well as hosting a fabulous swimming pool, with slide.

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Castle Park, Whitehaven

Bus route: 1, 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 29 & 30

Bus Stop: Duke Street / Morrisons

Castle Park is a relatively small park found in Whitehaven and is a lovely trip out for those with younger children. The park is pram and wheelchair accessible and provides an easy, gentle walk on tarmac paths. There is a large grass area to the front of the park, perfect for playing games and enjoying a family picnic on a warm day. The newly renovated adventure playground is fantastic for children up to age 11. Here you can find swings, climbing frames and much more.

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Vulcan Park, Workington 

Bus route: 29, 30, 50, 51, 52, 300, X4 & X5

Bus Stop: Workington Bus Station

This 14 acre town centre park is situated in the centre of Workington making it a beautiful green space that is accessible to all. The park is only a ten minute walk from the centre of town and is a fantastic place to let children enjoy the great outdoors. The wide, tarmac paths make this an ideal walk for those with a pushchair, or wheelchair. There is also a lovely little play area for children to enjoy, this playground is fenced off making it even safer for little ones. If you have children of older ages you can also find a huge playing field, basketball court and a small agility course. With plenty of benches positioned throughout the park you are able to watch your children, or grandchildren, play safely here for hours.

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Ford Park, Ulverston

Bus route: 6, 6C, X6

Bus Stop: Hoad Lane

Ford Park is a charity-run park in the heart of Ulverston. We love this park as there is so much to enjoy, if you have never visited here before you really must make a day trip to visit. There is a huge amount on offer here from exploring the trails and having fun on the playground, to relaxing in the orchard and enjoying the kitchen garden. Base Restaurant is a casual, fine dining restaurant that can also be found in the beautiful surroundings of Ford Park. There really is so much for the whole family to enjoy here. Don’t forget to keep a look out for family fun days hosted at Ford Park, as well as outdoor theatre productions.

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Abbot Hall Park, Kendal 

Bus route: 6C, X6, 40, 41, 41A, 46, 555, 567 & 755

Bus Stop: Highgate

Abbot Hall Park is found in Kendal, only an 8 minute walk from the town centre, and adjacent to Abbot Hall Art Gallery. This park is a perfect green space for those with younger children, the park is only a short walk and the playground offers great fun for all. The paths are all pram and wheelchair friendly. The open grass field provides a great space for some family sports and a picnic in the summer and it is only a 12 minute walk to Kendal Castle, another wonderful place to explore with little ones.

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Castle Park, Penrith 

Bus route: X4, X5, 508, & 563

Bus Stop: Penrith Railway Station

This traditional park is walking distance from Penrith town centre allowing easy access for all. The park itself is pram and wheelchair accessible and disabled visitors can access the park area from the Ullswater Road entrance. We love this park for the incredible facilities on offer. Castle Park provides bowling facilities, crazy golf, tennis courts and toilets. There is also a fantastic children’s play area and refreshments are available from the cafe during the summer months. Please note, there is work being done this summer on the tennis courts, making some facilities unavailable. The play area is still operating and is great fun for all ages with climbing frames, swings, roundabouts and much more.  Park opening times: March-September 7.30am to 9pm or dusk. October – March 7.30am to 4.30pm or dusk.

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Hammonds Pond, Carlisle

Bus route: 67

Bus Stop: Upperby

Hammonds Pond is a park situated in Upperby, to the South of Carlisle, and is a fantastic green space for those with children of all different ages. The wide, tarmac paths allow for prams, bikes, scooters and wheelchairs. The facilities on offer here are incredible with many areas to play football, basketball and ride your bike – the bike track is always very popular with my children. In 2021 this park had a much needed refurbishment and the new play area is a perfect place for infants, juniors and mid-teens, situated next to the cafe there is something for everyone. For those wanting to enjoy a short walk Hammonds Pond offers a lovely circular route around the pond. With plenty of ducks, swans and lots of birds to look out for there is an abundance of entertainment for the whole family.

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Petteril Valley Park, Carlisle
Bus route: 104
Bus Stop: Petteril Bank

Petteril Valley Park is a lovely green space south of the city of Carlisle. We love the wide, tarmac paths and the two play areas at either end of this walk. It is pedestrianised throughout making it a great, safe and easy walk with your children. The highlight of this park, for my children, is how close you are to the train track. What better way to spend a morning than watching the trains speed by? The flat, tarmac path makes this a great walk for pushchairs, wheelchairs, scooters and bikes and is a wonderful walk offering lovely countryside views, while also being incredibly close to the city.
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Lightburn Park, Ulverston
Bus route: 6 & X6
Bus Stop: Ulverston, Park Drive

Lightburn Park is a green space found in Ulverston, south Cumbria. It is a small park with fantastic facilities, a real hidden gem. We love the children’s play area within this park, as well as the excellent games facilities. There is a skate ramp, climbing area, football pitch and basketball court. It is pedestrianised throughout making it a great, safe and easy walk with your children. What’s more you can extend your trip down Dragley Beck for a longer walk, enjoying a walk alongside the beck. My children always have a wonderful day out when we visit this park.
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