Gang Warily Recreation & Community Centre

If you’re local to the Southampton area and haven’t made it out here yet, you’re missing a genuinely good spot. The playground has slides and a maze that keeps kids in the 2-14 range entertained long enough for you to actually catch your breath, and the whole site backs up against forest trails with a lake nearby — it doesn’t feel like your average rec centre. There’s a football pitch and open grass for a kickabout, plus walking paths if you fancy a slower afternoon. Community events pop up regularly, so it’s worth checking what’s on before you visit. Free parking and on-site toilets make the whole thing pretty painless with little ones in tow.