After a cold damp winter and an overload on soft play, it’s amazing what a little sunshine can do to put a spring in your step. With a toddler group cancelled due to coronavirus worries, I made a spur of the moment decision and headed off to Black Park Country Park with my youngest.
With over 500 acres of woodland, heathland and open space to explore, Black Park is within easy reach of West London and just 15 mins from Junction 2 of the M40. It’s a really all round place that has something for everyone from dog walkers to buggy walks.
Can You Cycle at Black Park Country Park?
My little one is a whizz on his balance bike so it was great to have a lovely big circular path from the car park around the lake, a great route with an adventure play park half way around. It’s just under a mile so ideal for little legs.
If you have bigger kids looking for more of a stretch, there are 10 miles of cycling and walking tracks so you can ride your bike at Black Park until you’re tired out. You can bring your own bikes or hire them from Go Ape which is located next to the car park.
Orienteering and Walking at Black Park Country Park
There are a number of marked walking trails at Black Park including a 5km route which is used for the weekly Parkrun and a 4km habitat trail. Explore the diverse habitats of Black Park, learn about the wild animals & plant life in the Park – from bats to butterflies and reptiles to Roe Deer. You can download a map of the walks and trails at Black Park for free from their website.
Black Park Adventure Play Park
Nestled in the trees, there’s a wonderful wooden play park perfect for younger kids. The Emma Sallis Adventure Playground is a completely self funded project by Emma’s partner, family and friends. On 20th December 2004, her family unfortunately lost Emma to cancer. Emma was 31 years old and had recently given birth to her daughter Daisy.
There are several different wooden houses, slides, swings and plenty of fallen trees to clamber over and balance on.
We had a great ride on the wooden play train before heading to the Lakeside Cafe which is conveniently located just next to the adventure playground. There’s also meant to be a playground area near the car park suitable for older kids. If they’ve got a head for heights, Go Ape Black Park also have a site here.
Is there a cafe at Black Park Country Park?
We stopped in at the Lakeside Cafe run by San Remo for a spot of lunch and an ice cream. They have a good range of options from hot cooked meals to sandwiches and lots of space both indoors and outside with a great view of the lake. There’s also a refreshment kiosk located near the car park but it looks like that’s only open during busier times (we went mid week term time).
Black Park Parking
There’s no cost to visit and enjoy exploring Black Park itself but there is a car park charge. It’s not extortionate in anyway so makes a really great value day out with the kids. These prices are correct as of March 2020. Check here for any current car parking charges at Black Park Country Park.
Cars
Up to 2 hours: £3.70 peak*/£2.70 off peak
Up to 4 hours: £4.50 peak/£3.50 off peak
Over 4 hours: £5.50 peak/£4.50 off peak
*An earlybird rate of £2.70 for 2 hours applies before 9am during peak periods
Larger vehicles
Minibus: £8 per day
Coach: £13 per day
Peak period runs from March 1st to September 30th
Off peak runs from October 1st to February 28th/29th
