Greater Manchester Border Town Praised for Children’s Spaces 2026

Key Points

• Warrington has made it into the fifth place in the UK’s best places for outdoor play ranking.
• The town, located in Cheshire and bordering Greater Manchester, has been evaluated as part of a study conducted by MoneySuperMarket.
• Aspects such as parks and playing fields accessibility, safety, pollution, and accessibility have been considered.
• On average, there are over six parks or playing fields within 1km from the local population in Warrington.
• The average distance to the nearest place for outdoor activities is 263 meters, which is the lowest value out of the top ten places.
• The safety score for Warrington is 67.43 out of 100 and the crime score is 0.57 out of 100.
• The research found that 88% of parents think that outdoor play is crucial for the mental wellbeing of children.
• There is a recently opened accessible playground at Fox Wood SEND School featuring playground equipment for children with various impairments.
• Warrington has also been included into a separate list of best UK towns to raise a family in.
• Some of the local attractions include Walton Hall and Gardens, Gulliver’s World, farms, woodlands, and family events.

Manchester (Manchester Mirror) September 12, 2026 – Warrington has been ranked as the fifth-best place in the UK for outdoor play, according to research by MoneySuperMarket reported by the Manchester Evening News.

The Cheshire borough, which borders Greater Manchester, was included in a top 10 ranking assessing where children have the strongest access to outdoor spaces and family-friendly facilities. The research considered the number of parks and playing fields available, the distance residents must travel to reach them, safety, pollution and accessibility.

Warrington’s position was linked particularly to the amount of green and recreational space available across the town. The research found that residents have access to an average of more than six parks or playing fields within a 1km radius.

The average distance to the nearest outdoor space was recorded as 263 metres. According to the Manchester Evening News report, this was the shortest distance among all the locations included in the top 10.

What did MoneySuperMarket’s research find?

MoneySuperMarket’s analysis combined data about outdoor facilities with the results of a survey involving 2,000 parents of children aged nine and under.

The research examined parents’ views on local playgrounds, including concerns about the condition, safety and accessibility of facilities. It also considered wider environmental factors, including pollution and local crime levels.

Warrington recorded a safety score of 67.43 out of 100. Its crime score was 0.57 out of 100, placing it among the locations with the lowest crime levels in the ranking.

The findings also highlighted the importance families place on safe outdoor play. The research found that 88% of parents believe outdoor play is important for their children’s mental wellbeing.

A further 74% of parents said they would use playgrounds more often if they felt safer. The figures suggest that the availability of a park alone may not determine how frequently families use it. Parents also consider whether children can play in an environment they regard as secure and well maintained.

The study found an additional challenge for families with disabled children or children with special educational needs. Nearly 29% of parents in this group said they found local playgrounds inaccessible.

How is Warrington improving accessible play?

Warrington’s ranking comes alongside investment in facilities designed to make outdoor play more inclusive.

In June, the Manchester Evening News’ Manchester Family Facebook page shared images of a newly opened accessible playground at Fox Wood SEND School in Warrington.

The facility was funded by a £30,000 national grant from Certas Energy, awarded to the school’s parent-teacher association.

The playground includes a wheelchair-accessible trampoline and swing, a sensory tunnel and an accessible roundabout. It also contains features designed for children with visual and hearing impairments.

The facility is available to children from local SEND groups and holiday clubs. Its design means it can be used by children with different mobility, sensory and developmental needs.

The playground is relevant to the wider findings from MoneySuperMarket because accessibility was one of the factors considered in the ranking. Although the national research identified continuing concerns about access, the Fox Wood development provides an example of a local facility intended to address those concerns.

What did MoneySuperMarket say about Warrington?

Kara Gammell, a personal finance and life insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said Warrington’s fifth-place ranking was linked to its access to parks and playing fields.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Gammell said Warrington had “more parks and playing fields available than almost anywhere else in the country”, with an average of more than six within a 1km radius.

She also referred to the 263-metre average distance to the nearest outdoor space, describing it as the shortest distance among the top 10 locations.

Gammell said the town’s high safety rating and low crime rate were also important factors in its position.

She added that the findings reflected the views of parents, with 88% saying outdoor play was vital for their children’s health and wellbeing. Gammell said Warrington was setting a benchmark through its combination of available outdoor spaces, safety and low crime levels.

The comments were made in the context of the research findings and do not represent an independent assessment of every playground or park in the town.

Which family attractions are available in Warrington?

Warrington’s ranking is supported by a range of attractions aimed at children and families.

Walton Hall and Gardens is one of the best-known family destinations in the area. The restored hall sits within extensive parkland and includes play areas, adventure facilities and woodland trails.

The site also has a free children’s zoo. Young visitors can see animals including rabbits, alpacas, pigs, pygmy goats and peacocks.

A land train operates at Walton Hall and Gardens at weekends and during school holidays. The attraction has been visited by local families for generations and combines outdoor space with activities for younger children.

Warrington is also home to Gulliver’s World theme park in Old Hall. The park has more than 30 rides and 20 attractions. It has recently been recognised as one of the best-value theme parks in the UK.

Several farms near Warrington provide further opportunities for family activities. Kenyon Hall Farm is among the better-known destinations, while Grange Farm and Bates Farm also offer attractions for visitors.

Apple Jack Adventure Farm, Woodlands Farm and the Par Lakes site are other options for families in the surrounding area. Par Lakes has opened a lakeside walk with a sandy beach and pedalos.

The venue is also preparing for its Halloweenville event, which is due to begin on October 3. The event is expected to provide a seasonal attraction for families during the autumn period.

Kenyon Hall Farm is also due to hold its Pumpkin Festival, adding to the number of family activities available in the area during the school holiday season.

Was Warrington also named a top place to raise a family?

Warrington’s fifth-place position in the outdoor-play ranking follows its appearance in a separate study of the UK’s best places for raising a family.

That earlier research was conducted by OutdoorToys, an outdoor play equipment manufacturer and specialist. The study examined factors including safety, childcare costs, school performance and access to outdoor areas.

The research found that average monthly childcare costs in Warrington were £1,096. It also reported that approximately 81% of schools in the area were rated either good or outstanding.

The study described Warrington as an attractive place to start a family because of its combination of education, green space and family facilities.

Families in the town were also reported to benefit from approximately 20 child attractions for every 100 residents. The research identified around 810 square metres of green space per person.

These figures relate to a separate study and should not be confused with the MoneySuperMarket ranking. The two pieces of research used different methodologies and focused on different aspects of family life.

MoneySuperMarket concentrated on outdoor play, access, safety and parental views. The OutdoorToys study considered a broader range of factors connected with raising children.

What does the ranking mean for Warrington families?

The ranking indicates that many families in Warrington can reach outdoor recreational facilities without travelling long distances.

Having more than six parks or playing fields within a 1km radius gives residents a range of options for walking, playing sport and using playgrounds. The 263-metre average distance to the nearest outdoor area may also make it easier for families to include outdoor activity in their regular routines.

However, the survey results show that access is only one part of the issue. Parents’ concerns about safety, quality and accessibility can affect whether playgrounds are used.

The findings on disabled children also show that the presence of outdoor spaces does not necessarily mean those spaces are suitable for every child. Facilities such as the Fox Wood SEND School playground may help improve inclusion, but one accessible development does not resolve every accessibility concern across a town.

The ranking therefore provides information about Warrington’s strengths while also highlighting areas that may require continued attention.

What is the background to Warrington’s development?

Warrington is a Cheshire borough located between Liverpool and Manchester, with a geographical position that places it close to Greater Manchester. Its parks, playing fields, family attractions and surrounding countryside have contributed to its reputation as a family-oriented location.

The latest ranking followed a national assessment by MoneySuperMarket, which compared locations using outdoor-play access, safety, pollution and accessibility data, alongside feedback from parents.

The accessible playground at Fox Wood SEND School represents a more specific local development. It was created with support from a £30,000 Certas Energy grant awarded to the school’s parent-teacher association.

The site includes equipment for wheelchair users and sensory features for children with visual and hearing impairments. It is also used by local SEND groups and holiday clubs.

Warrington’s recognition in the separate family-raising study adds broader context. That research considered childcare costs, school ratings, green space and the number of children’s attractions in the area.

Together, the two studies have drawn attention to Warrington’s outdoor facilities and family amenities. They also show that the town’s appeal depends on several factors, including safety, affordability, education, accessibility and the availability of activities.

How could the ranking affect families and local visitors?

The ranking could encourage families already living in Warrington to make greater use of local parks, playing fields and attractions. It may also give parents new information when comparing the town with other places to live or visit.

Local attractions and businesses could benefit from increased interest, particularly during weekends and school holidays. Facilities such as Walton Hall and Gardens, Gulliver’s World, family farms and Par Lakes may receive more attention from visitors searching for children’s activities.

The ranking could also increase expectations among residents. Families may look for continued investment in playground maintenance, safety measures and inclusive equipment. Parents of disabled children may pay particular attention to whether facilities are accessible beyond the Fox Wood SEND School site.

For the council, schools, charities and local organisations, the findings may reinforce the importance of maintaining outdoor spaces and developing facilities that can be used by children with different needs.