Now, until recently I hadn't been to Exhibition park since rollerblading there in the late 90's whilst revising (!) for my GCSEs so when we headed there for a bit of green space after a warm day in town I wasn't sure what to expect.
The main play areas (one for pre schoolers and one for bigger kids) are clean and well maintained with pretty standard pay equipment such as climbing frame, sand pit and swings. The sand pit has some quite funky diggers in it but it took me a while to figure out how they worked! Next to the play area there is a cafe www.cafeinthepark.org.uk which as well as sit in meals and snacks does coffee to take away and has toilet facilities. However what I really loved about our visit were the extra hidden bits!
If you head further in to the park from the play are there is some lovely play equipment that is accessible for wheel chair users but fun for everyone too. My kids especially loved the blocks that you jump on to make a noise. There is also some lovely natural play equipment such as logs arranged so you can balance on them, rocks with holes you can look through and tree stumps to climb and jump on.
The favourite part however what the water tables. There are several fountains and water tables to play on and little flood gates you can lift to make the water wheel turn. This kept my 2 and my friends 2 year old son occupied for ages! Bring a change of clothes though...especially shoes as my friend found out!
There is lots to do for older kids too with a skate park and free tennis courts. We finished off with a walk round the duck pond where the girls were excited to see a baby coot in its nest. After this we headed to the Great North Museum (another post coming soon) which is very near by so you can easily combine the two.
We parked at Claremont Road pay and display and it was reasonably priced. You could also walk from the Haymarket end of town fairly easily.
All in all, for a breath of fresh air in a busy city it is a fab place to play and let of steam!
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