Just a short walk from the city centre, this is a big park offering plenty of space to stroll with the buggy or let your children run free. There is a water feature in the centre of the park by the cafe, so maybe don’t let little ones run too free!
⭐️Why it’s great⭐️
✅ The Feed Cafe
✅ Large play area with splash pad during the Summer months
✅ Toilets
✅ Long paths for scootering/cycling
Parking:
There is a free car park, entrance on Angel Road.
What do Mumblers think? “LOVE this park. Gets busy on a hot summer day when the splash pad is on, but lots to do in play area and the surrounding gardens are always beautifully maintained. Plenty of parking on site (free).”
This large park is well-maintained and a great place to wander around. A very popular place with families!
⭐️ Why it’s great ⭐️
✅ Good sized play area
✅ Fantastic picnic spot or visit Eaton Park cafe
✅ Boating lake for model boats
✅ Train rides on selected dates in Spring and Summer.
Parking:
Eaton Park has two car parks, both accessed from South Park Avenue. One is near the rose garden and Crazy Golf, and the other is near the pitch and putt and community centre. Parking is free.
What do Mumblers think? “Lovely family park with lots to do. Play park for the kids suited ages 12 & under. Bike tracks, pitch & putt green, The pavilion with a cafe, big pond for model boats, another big natural pond filled with an assortment of fish & plants. And the big attraction is the mini vintage steamtrains. Generations have loved these trains. Open during the summer & spring half terms.”
This park is nestled in the middle of Sprowston and is the Mumbler local.
⭐️Why it’s great ⭐️
✅ Good play area
✅ BMX track and zip wire
✅ Tennis courts
✅ Large field area
Parking:
There is a small free car park off Edwards Rd, or park on Edwards Rd/Recreation Ground Rd
What do Mumblers think? “It’s our standard park ‘go-to’. We’ve enjoyed it lots when both children were little but now they’re a bit older they’re enjoying the BMX track on their balance bikes.”
This is always heralded as a hidden gem of a park. No toilets or cafe but it’s wide open space and peacefulness just about makes up for it.
⭐️Why it’s great ⭐️
✅ Great sized hidden away park
✅ Nice additions like boardwalk and willow tunnel
Parking:
Road parking on Woodcock Rd.
What do Mumblers think? “I don’t really want people to know about this park because not many people know about it it’s lovely and quiet. I guess I can share it!”
This is actually a Nature Reserve, not far from the city centre. A great place for a potter down by the river to feed the ducks and geese and a pretty good play area too.
⭐️Why it’s great ⭐️
✅ Good play area
✅ River walk to feed the ducks
✅ Nice picnic spot
Parking:
No car park but street parking on Drayton Road.
What do Mumblers think? “A lovely walk down by the River Wensum, plus a great play area to stop off at.”
Situated at the back of Wilks Farm Drive this little known, tucked away park has recently been updated with new play equipment.
⭐️Why it’s great ⭐️
✅ Play area
✅ Large grass areas for games
Parking:
A bit tricky, there’s not designated parking and we are able to walk here to not sure where to recommend for parking. Perhaps park somewhere within Wilks Farm Drive?
What do Mumblers think? “Lots of great new equipment for little ones to play on. We love that it has a toddler bit for our little one and bigger equipment for our older one.”
The first purpose-built park in the city (according to my Google research!).
⭐️Why it’s great ⭐️
✅ Toilets
✅ Toddler and junior play area
Parking:
No off-street parking so can be tricky if driving there due to parking permit areas.
What do Mumblers think? “Beautiful park and very well kept. My son loves the play area.”
This is a really large open park, two miles north of the city centre.
⭐️Why it’s great ⭐️
✅ Long buggy friendly pathways to tire out little legs
Parking:
Small car park off Oak Lane.
What do Mumblers think? “A wide open park space, no play equipment but a great place to go for a walk.”
There is no park area here, but this is a large new play area including a sandpit area so it made our list!
✅ Play area for toddlers and a separate play area and zip wire for older ones
✅ Large grass areas for games
✅ Great place for picnics under the trees
✅ Toilets
Parking:
On-street parking in the surrounding streets.
What do Mumblers think? “Sparhawk park is lovely and has toilets!”
Known as ‘The Secret Garden’ it really isn’t too tricky to find and is well worth a visit, it really feels like you’ve stepped into a secret garden!
✅ Areas to explore
✅ Not far from the city centre
There is an admission fee of £2, free to members.
Parking:
There is paid for parking adjacent to the garden on Earlham Road. On Sundays and after 6.30pm it is possible to park on Earlham Road or neighbouring residential roads or use the Norwich City car parks.
What do Mumblers think? “A magical looking hidden away garden”
And finally…when your children need to run off some steam after a few hours in the city, don’t forget there are these green spaces:
Castle Gardens – great for a picnic or a run around after a visit to the Castle or if they’ve had enough of shopping.
Chapelfield Gardens – quite a large green space with a bandstand, and small play area near to Pedro’s.
How many of these parks have you already visited? What is your most loved park or play area? Do let us know!