Nonsuch Park

Nonsuch Park is a big Surrey green space with plenty of room for families to spread out. Reviewers mention long walks, huge meadows, ponds, a rose arch and the historic Nonsuch Mansion at the centre of the park. It sounds like a strong all-rounder for a proper outdoorsy day: picnics, bike rides, dog walks and general leg-stretching are all on the menu. The park is free, parking is free, and there’s a cafe and toilets, which always helps when you’re out with children and the weather is doing its usual British thing. The downsides are fairly predictable: it can get very muddy, so wellies are a sensible choice, and the cafe is basic rather than a destination in its own right. Dogs are welcome in the park but not in the mansion grounds, and a couple of facilities sound a bit hit-and-miss, including a broken hand dryer. Still, for a low-cost family ramble, it’s a solid shout.