Top Rated Parks to Visit in Ince-in-Makerfield

"Calderstones is filled with such a vast number of little pleasantries and surprises that you just can’t help but love it. Their Reader Café offers books for customers to read while eating, there are plenty of open spaces upon which to kick back and enjoy a beer, while the Storybarn - an interactive story-centre aimed at getting children to embrace a love of reading - is nothing short of inspired. There’s a model railway, too."

"It might be a little too chilly for a picnic, but Calderstones Park is a stunning 94-acre park in South Liverpool that’s great for a brisk walk!. The park was chosen as a WW2 hero dog’s resting place called Jet, with a monument to him in the park, aw. The monument has been in the park since 1949 and can still be found today, giving you a great opportunity to do some exploring."

"This 126 acres family park has a botanical garden, a playground and the six ancient Calderstones, after which the park is named. If you have kids, or if you yourself like animals, you will love the park. The park lake has ducks and geese swimming in it, always coming close in the hope of being fed."

"Open every day of the year, from morning until nightfall – and completely free to visit – the vibrant Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Garden in Didsbury is a lovely place to spend an afternoon. In spring, the space comes alive with a burst of colour from its various wild flowers – with deep purples and warm oranges. It’s home to a host of wildlife, too – including a wide variety of birds."

"In the Didsbury area of South Manchester you’ll find Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens. Autumn in Fletcher Moss Park. The park is famous for its amazing rock gardens, where a variety of interesting plants and shrubs thrive in microclimates within the shelter provided by the rocks."

"Birkenhead lies on the west side of the Mersey and is linked to Liverpool by tunnels and the excellent Mersey Ferry service. Near the tunnel are the ruins of a 12th-century Benedictine abbey with a chapterhouse, crypt, and refectory. Birkenhead Park, the first publicly funded park in Britain, opened in 1847 and has three entrances with Gothic, Italianate, and Norman architecture, as well as two lakes and an ornate bridge."

"Rumour has it that Central Park in New York is based on Birkenhead Park in Wirral, we’ll let that sink in for a minute!. Birkenhead Park was the world’s first publicly funded park, and was opened in 1847 by Joseph Paxton. There’s so much to do and see here, whether you fancy a game of cricket, footy, tennis, some fishing, or just a general mooch."

"With plenty to do including a children’s play area, walled botanic garden and the Grade II listed Curator’s Lodge, everyone in the family is catered for at Wavertree Botanic Gardens. This 19th century park played a part in the early cultural life in Liverpool, before its botanic glasshouses were bombed in World War 2. The Gardens were first opened in 1836 and remain an important part of the city’s history today."

"Head to the Botanical Garden in the Baltic Triangle for some gin garden selfies when it opens in March. Sit on one of the benches or the grass bleachers and enjoy a gin cocktail in the glorious sunshine. If the weather takes a bit of a turn jump into the shed to keep yourself out of the rain."

"New Bird Street oasis, Botanical Garden is a green space dedicated to the appreciation of Gin. Yes, we know it’s winter and this venue is currently closed, but how could we not include it in a guide to Gin?!. We are counting down the days until its return in spring 2020."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Tucked away from Warrington’s main town centre, where you will find all your standard high street shops and some small independent boutiques too, you will find Woolston Park. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning or sunny weekday after work, Woolston Park is a much-loved spot by local people."

"Lightoaks Park is a larger and popular park in Salford, officially opened in 1925. The park is maintained by a large and active group of volunteers – The Friends of Lightoaks Park. In normal times, the group organise regular events for the local community, as well as maintain the park to a high standard."

"And so we get to our number one, best park in Salford as voted for by 44.5% of participants in my survey. Light Oaks Park it seems is the one that many people see as the park to go to in the city. Situated in Claremont, the park was opened in 1925 and is one of the larger parks in Salford."

"Starting with number 5, Victoria Park is a Green Flag award winning park that was opened in 1897, making it one of the oldest parks in the city. It is located in Swinton, right next to Swinton Football Club. There is a wide range of facilities in the park including an events area, tennis courts, outdoor gym equipment and a children’s play area."

"Located just outside of Chinatown, Yuet Ben has been offering up northern Chinese cuisine for nearly 50 years!. Although not technically a vegetarian restaurant, Yuet Ben offers a separate vegetarian menu which offers many vegan dishes. The restaurant itself has a stunning interior and the owners always go out of their way to make customers feel at home."

"This restaurants name translates to “Welcome honoured guest”, and if that does not make you feel welcome then I don’t know what will. Yuet Ben is located in the city centre and is a family run business who have passed down their recipes over many years and perfected them so they now serve some of the best Chinese food in Liverpool."

"The Yuet Ben is one of the oldest-established Chinese restaurants in Liverpool, having been going more than 40 years - and it's still one of the best. The restaurant offers North Chinese cuisine and a wide range of dishes including 10 - yes, 10!. - different soups to start."

"Zizzi is a go-to place for varied types of eaters that has common goals and that is to find a delicious treat that is made following their specific diet and requirements. Whether you are a veggie, vegan, non-gluten or meat eater, you would ceratinly be served the best menu that will fit your dietary specifications. They have a full menu that serves different starters, pizza, pasta, meat, salads, sides, non-gluten mains and desserts."

"Everyone has those days where nothing but a gigantic portion of burger and chips will do. And not many places do that better than Five Guys. Get a hefty burger stacked with personalised fillings with fries and a milkshake, American style, delivered to your door in as little as 15 minutes."