Playgrounds in Oldham

All three playgrounds here are free, outdoors and in Oldham itself, and all three have flat, pram-friendly paths. The real difference is the age of your children and how long you want to stay. Two are sizeable parks with playgrounds attached; one is a small neighbourhood play area best treated as a stop on a walk.

Foxdenton Park is the one reviewers rate highest, with 4.5 from 780 Google reviews, and the draw for small children is not the playground but the fenced duck pond: reviews say the animals come right up to the fence, so bring duck food. Our verdict puts it best for toddlers and young children, with open green space at the bottom of the park for an informal kick-about, a football area and fields with horses nearby. Be clear about the play equipment itself, though: reviews describe it as small, sparse and in need of updating, comfortably suiting only a handful of children. There is a tea room, but reviewers note it has been closed on some bank holidays.

Waterhead Park suits the opposite end of the age range. Its playground equipment is sized for older children, and our verdict points to families with kids of six and up who will use the sports courts and the large fields for football. Toddlers, reviewers say, have few dedicated options. What sets it apart is the VIP community garden, with seasonal workshops and family events, and the Veg in the Park café, open Tuesday to Thursday. Dog mess is a recurring complaint around the park.

Neild Street Playground is small, compact and quiet, with only 2 Google reviews. Our verdict suggests it for younger children living nearby wanting a low-key session; older or more active kids will exhaust it quickly. Reviews mention it needs maintenance and has no covered areas.