⭐ Our rating: 5/5

If you're looking for somewhere to take the kids where you can easily spend a few hours — or even most of the day — Marbury Country Park is one of my favourites.

As a mum of two toddlers, I love places where I don't have to constantly think about what we're going to do next, and Marbury is brilliant for that. There is plenty of space to run around, things to look at, paths to explore and, of course, a really good children's play area.

It feels like somewhere you can visit again and again without the kids getting bored.

🌳 What is there to do at Marbury Country Park?

There is a lovely mixture of open grass, woodland, trees and water, so it's not just a case of walking around a field!

One of our favourite things is walking around the mere. The views across the water are beautiful and it's a lovely place to slow down and take everything in. You'll also find the arboretum, woodland areas and the old lime avenues, which make the park feel quite special rather than just being your standard local park.

For children, there is a large outdoor play area near the picnic area and toilets. It's a great place to let them burn off some energy after a walk. The play area is also designed with inclusive play in mind, including a wheelchair swing.

And if your children are anything like mine, you don't necessarily need organised activities — sticks, leaves, birds, ducks, trees and plenty of space to explore provide enough entertainment!

🛴 Great for scooters, bikes and prams

This is one of the things I really like about Marbury as a mum.

There are lots of surfaced paths, and many of the main routes are suitable for prams and wheelchairs. There are also seats along the way, which is always useful when you're walking with little legs!

The wider Northwich Woodlands also has a huge network of routes, with plenty of traffic-free cycling opportunities, so older children can bring their bikes or scooters too.

There are some more challenging paths as well, so you're not restricted to one easy route if you want something a little more adventurous.

🧺 Take a picnic

I'd definitely recommend taking a picnic.

There are picnic areas and plenty of places where you can stop and have a snack, which makes Marbury an easy option for a cheaper family day out.

For me, that's a big plus. A family trip doesn't have to mean spending £50 on activities and food — you can bring your own lunch, let the children play and explore and have a really lovely day.

🚽 Toilets and changing facilities

Another big tick from me as a mum is the fact that there are toilets at the park with baby changing facilities.

There is also a Changing Places facility, which provides additional accessible facilities for people who need them, including specialist equipment. (note: this was locked when I last visited - either in use or a key is required.)

Having proper toilet and changing facilities makes such a difference when you're visiting with young children.

🏊 What about the outdoor swimming pool?

Marbury also has something rather unusual — an outdoor swimming pool!

The pool is run by Marbury Park Swimming Club and isn't simply a pay-as-you-go attraction. Entry is for members and their guests, although the swimming club does hold some public sessions during the season.

So if you're visiting Marbury specifically because you've heard about the pool, make sure you check the swimming club's current arrangements before turning up expecting to swim.

🚗 Parking and cost

The car park is large, with around 450 spaces, and it's within easy walking distance of the main facilities.

Current 2026 parking prices:

• Up to 3 hours – £1.50
• All day – £2.50
• Annual season ticket – £31
• Concession/FOAM annual ticket – £21

The car park is open 9am–8pm from 1 April to 30 September and 9am–5pm from 1 October to 31 March.

For the amount you can actually do here, I think £2.50 for a full day is very reasonable.

☕ Is there a café?

I'd personally treat Marbury as a bring-your-own-food kind of day out rather than relying on a café.

There have been refreshment concessions at the park, but these can vary, and the council was seeking a new catering concession for Marbury in 2026.

So with two little ones, I'd pack plenty of snacks, drinks and a picnic and then anything else you find on the day is a bonus!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 My verdict as a mum

I absolutely love Marbury Country Park.

It's one of those places where you can make the visit as big or as small as you want. You could pop in for an hour to use the play area and have a walk, or take a picnic and spend most of the day exploring.

I particularly like that it doesn't feel like you have to spend money once you've paid for parking. The children can play, walk, scoot, cycle, look for wildlife and explore the different areas of the park.

With two toddlers, that's exactly the sort of day out I want.

It's also somewhere I would happily return to in different seasons because the park changes so much throughout the year.

For families looking for an affordable day out with plenty of space, good facilities and lots to keep children occupied, Marbury Country Park gets a big thumbs up from us. 🌳❤️

📍 Family Information at a Glance

Parking: £1.50 up to 3 hours / £2.50 all day
Play area: Yes
Toilets: Yes
Baby changing: Yes
Changing Places: Yes
Picnic areas: Yes
Pram-friendly: Yes, on many of the main surfaced routes
Wheelchair accessible: Accessible routes available
Cycling: Yes
Scooters: Great on the surfaced paths
Outdoor swimming pool: Yes, but swimming club membership/public sessions apply
Cost of activities: The park itself is free; you pay for parking