Shiremoor Adventure Playground

If you’re local to the North East, this one’s worth the trip. Shiremoor has that rare combination of decent play kit — proper climbing frames, slides — plus a pond with animals wandering about, which honestly keeps the kids occupied far longer than any swing set would. It’s genuinely spacious, with a big open grass field where scooters and roller skates come into their own. Shade trees mean you’re not completely cooked on a sunny day, and parking is straightforward. Best of all, it’s free — which around here is saying something.