There are many places to visit with kids in County Durham, including public parks, so selecting which one to visit can sometimes be difficult. One potential option to visit is Hardwick Park in Sedgefield, which is located next to Hardwick Hall Hotel. We visit this park a lot and I would go so far as to say that Hardwick Park is up there with my all-time favourite places to visit with my children, RLT and EET. We have made a lot of memories here. Reasons I think that you should consider visiting Park in Sedgefield, include:
Educational for kids
There is a massive wicker Gruffalo at Hardwick Park, as well as the other characters, so you can do the Gruffalo trail (packs are available at the visitors’ centre). There are also toddler trails, forest school activities and many other things provided by the education team at Durham County Council. They’re very active on facebook, which seems to be the best way of finding out about events happening throughout the year.
It’s open all year
The park is even more beautiful in the winter than it is summer. Opening times of Hardwick Park in Sedgefield stay the same all year and the only fee you pay is for parking – which you don’t mind paying at all because all of the money raised by the parking charges goes into back into maintaining the park.
Fees are:
- cars – up to two hours £2.00/full day £3.00
- coaches and minibuses – all day £9.00
- motorcycles – free
- blue badge holders – charges as above
Opening times are:
- park gates – 7.30am to 8.00pm
- cafe – 10.00am to 4.00pm
- gift shop and exhibition – 10.00am to 4.00pm
Play facilities
There are two different play parks for children of various ages. One bigger than the other, both with different sets of equipment for children to enjoy. Picnic benches are also available.
There is hot coffee!
A bonus for many parents of young children is that there is a cafe in the park, meaning that you can grab a coffee for walking around! Likewise, if you wish to stay longer than you’d anticipated they do hot and cold food, including children’s packed lunch boxes. Oh and ice cream for the warmer months (or colder if like R, it’s an unwritten rule that you get one at the park!)
Lots of space to explore
You can go off the track, play amongst the leaves as well as following the paths and trails. Perfect for little explorers.
It is beautiful
Durham County Council has done a spectacular job improving this park to be one of the best in the North East. It is a Visit England quality assured visitor attraction and you can see why when you visit.
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