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• Explore the 18th-century grounds and the historic Grade II listed park.
• Feed the ducks and other birds, or go fishing for pike at the Grovelands Park lake.
• Kids can head to the woodland adventure playground for some seriously fun playtime.
• Try your hand at tennis, golf, basketball or have a go on some of the free gym equipment.

With over a century of history and many attractions for all members of the family, the 64-acre Grovelands Park in Southgate and Winchmore Hill has lots to explore. From tennis to bird spotting, there is something for every interest, and you can even check out the Grade I listed Grovelands House on the west side of the park.

Originally, the mansion that exists in the park grounds was built at the turn of the 18th century and was called Southgate Grove. It had gardens that were designed by Humphry Repton, and the house itself was designed by John Nash.

In 1913, the Municipal Borough of Southgate bought part of the grounds to create a public park, which is what we now know as Grovelands Park.

Now, the house, which is a Grade I listed building, is part of the Priory Hospital Group.

The park itself is Grade II listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. Grovelands Park is home to ancient woods and contains a lake, stream, and lots of grassland that make it an ideal place for wildlife to live.

This dog-friendly park is one of the best parks in Southgate to bring your four-legged friend and is also the perfect location to bring the kids for a runaround. The woodland adventure playground is a favourite with families and was funded by the Friends of Grovelands Park.

The wooden playground equipment is built to blend in with the surrounding areas, and includes plenty of things to climb and play on.

However, this isn't the only playground on site; there is another play area for younger children located near the cafe, with colourful equipment including swings, slides and climbing frames. For the sport-lover, Grovelands Park is a dream destination.

Head to the tennis court to brush up on your racquet skills, or check out the Bowls Club, which is open to members of all ages.

There is also a miniature golf course that can be used for a small charge, and is a great low-pressure environment for beginners, or perfect for a little competition. You'll also find two basketball courts on site, as well as free gym equipment.

For those who prefer fishing as a hobby, there are lots of fishing spots by the lake, where you can catch pike.

Due to the new reed beds, the quality of the water in the lake has improved, making it an ideal place to fish. Wildlife lovers will also have a fantastic time at Grovelands Park, where you can spot herons, parakeets, and of course, see all the swans and ducks in the pond.

The cafe even sells special bird food to feed the birds and ducks with, as bread can be damaging for them as it provides little nutritional value.

For something to eat, Grovelands Park Cafe, as well as supplying bird food, also provides some tasty human options. Here, you can enjoy some tea, coffee, sandwiches or cake, and even get some ice cream on a hot day.

If you prefer, Grovelands Park is also the ideal picnic destination, so feel free to bring your own food if you wish. For those who would like to venture a little further afield, the surrounding area of Southgate is filled with myriad different food options.

If you had a fabulous time exploring the beautiful Grovelands Park and are looking for more great family activities to do in the London Borough of Enfield, Trent Country Park is another option for a day out in the fresh air.

Or, to continue the north London adventure, head to Alexandra Palace for endless fun, from Go Ape to ice skating and more.

• Take a glimpse into how people lived over 500 years ago, at this intact Medieval castle.
• Explore the Raby Castle gardens and 200 acres of Deer Park, and see if you can spot any furry friends!
• Head over to the play area for kids to run, play and climb to their heart's content.
• Pop into the Stables Café for a delicious afternoon tea.

For those who like a taste of grandeur on their family days out, look no further than the fantastic Raby Castle, located near the town of Staindrop in County Durham.

Dating back to medieval times, Raby Castle was build in the late 14th century by John Neville, also known as the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby, and was passed down through the generations for hundreds of years.

You can even spot the castle in a J.M.W Turner painting of this stunning natural landscape, with the sun glinting off the green surrounding parkland.

Now, Raby Castle is a popular location for visitors to learn all about the history of the area and is still owned by the family of Lord Barnard.

It's easy to see why Raby Castle has lasted so many centuries.

Originally built as a palace and fortress, the towers and remnants of the moat that used to surround the residence take you back to the glory days of Raby.

In addition to the castle, there is also 200 acres of parkland surrounding the residence, known as the Deer Park due to the presence of Red and Fallow deer on the grounds.

There are also beautiful 18th century ornamental gardens for you to wander through, known at Raby Castle as the Walled Gardens.

Complete with fruit trees, rose gardens, and manicured lawns, this is the perfect spot to relax.

As far as medieval castles in County Durham go, Raby is certainly the top choice.

Covering over five acres and included in the price of the Deer Park and Walled Gardens ticket, this is a great spot to spend an afternoon. The huge expanse of space and places to explore, including the nearby High Force Waterfall, makes Raby the ideal family day out destination.

Also located on the Raby Estate a little further afield in Forest-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle, High Force Waterfall is certainly not to be missed, and for a small admission fee, you can view the beauty of this high and powerful phenomenon.

Like many venues and museums in the County Durham area, Raby Castle history is also strongly linked to transport. Head to the Coach house to see some of the beautiful horse-led carriages that date back to the 19th century.

Once you've had a look around the castle itself and its stunning interiors, there are many family-friendly things to do and see.

On entry at the Portcullis gate, you can collect a free children's activity sheet that contains questions and answers about many different areas of the castle as you explore. And, of course, any day out with the kids isn't complete without a visit to the nearest playground.

Luckily, Raby Castle has that sorted, with the Woodland Adventure Playground, a sheltered play area under the leafy canopy of the woods.

Kids can run, climb and play on the climbing frames, zip wire and much more. The takeaway kiosk, located near the Stables Café, is also a great spot to stop and enjoy an ice cream.

If you're starting to feel peckish, why not treat yourself to a Raby Castle afternoon tea at the Stables Café? Complete with scones, finger sandwiches and cake, this is the perfect way to experience a truly English tea.

Alternatively, there's a great lunch menu, with options for coffee and snacks too. You are also welcome to bring a picnic along, which can be enjoyed anywhere in the Deer Park as you take in the marvellous views.

In terms of special events you can enjoy at the castle, Raby Castle Christmas is truly one of the most wonderful times of the year. Kids can meet Father Christmas and explore the Enchanted Festive Forest, and parents can do some Christmas shopping at the Christmas Market, where there are countless crafts, drinks and food options available.

Plus, from Saturday 28th November you can head along to collect your own Christmas tree!

If Raby Castle gets good reviews from the family and you're looking for more great child-friendly days out in the North East, why not take a trip to the fantastic Locomotion museum in Shildon? Or, to truly immerse yourself in local history, head to Beamish, the 'living museum of the North', near Stanley.

Here, you can walk around a turn of the century town, with functioning shops, a coal mine and farm!

• LS-TEN is one of the UK's leading indoor skateparks for extreme sports offering sessions in skateboarding, BMXing, scooter riding, inline skating and quad skating.
• They offer a huge range of classes for all ages and abilities including beginner’s skating, group sessions, school holiday programmes and multiple-day extreme skate camps.
• Don’t miss the regular events held by LS-TEN such as their funky Friday Night Quad and Roller Skate sessions, link-ups with Leeds University Skate Society and awesome birthday party packages.
• LS-TEN is a new registered charity striving to inspire, engage and dismantle inequality through their inclusive environment and the joys of active sport, as well as their wonderful education programmes.
  

LS-TEN prides itself on its five core values which are at the heart of all of their sports and education work - accountability, bravery, care, resilience and relentless positivity.

These things are in no short supply at their hugely inclusive, engaging, fun and compassionate sports classes where kids of all ages can let loose and make friends whilst learning some awesome skating tricks.

This epic extreme sports centre in Leeds offers a whole host of different classes across all ages and abilities, covering every two and four-wheel device you could think of, from skateboards and rollerblades to BMX bikes and scooters.

Inside their seriously cool skatepark, where awesome graffiti art adorns the wall and their signature yellow and black colours streak through wooden ramps, you can book a two-hour skate session to let loose at your leisure or choose one of their tailored classes depending on your ability.

LS-TEN’s Monday Night Beginners Sessions are open to all ages to build their confidence on wheels through inclusive coaching and only the most positive vibes.

For kids under 8 who are a little nervous about getting started at the skatepark, LS-TEN’s Mini Riders sessions are a great way to ease them in.

Older kids will also love the Friday Night Quad and Roller Skate evenings where expert skaters are on-hand to help you master the most awesome tricks and techniques.

If you’re really committed to improving your skate skills, then LS-TEN also offers Get Active Extreme Camps for ages 6 to 14, ranging from half and full-day sessions to entire week-long sports camps.

• Waterlow Park is great fun for families, offering trails, activities, playgrounds and sporting facilities, this makes a great day out.
• Just a short distance away from the bustle of central London, Highgate is a breath of fresh healthy air.
• Be sure to check out the quiz, nature trails and walks, and nature hunt that Waterlow Park offers, where the little ones can learn about the park as well as have fun. 
   

Waterlow Park is a stunning hillside park in North London spanning 26 acres of lush greenery. It has fantastic views that grace the city, making it a wonderful stop after a day in Highgate, or for a family day out reconnecting with nature.

Opened in 1891, Waterlow Park was actually a gift from Sir Sydney Waterlow to people who did not have a garden, known as a ‘garden for the gardenless’.

The historic Lauderdale House and its gardens sit within the park, which is great to explore if you want to add an educational element to your day out at the park. The park is landscaped with a wide variety of trees, ponds, and colourful borders and grassy slopes that make a wonderful picture.

Kids can let their imaginations run free and get creative.

Be sure to check out the playgrounds, which are situated towards the southern end of the park and ponds, passing through the middle. One of the playgrounds is an enclosed area for younger children under five, and the other is close to the lower Swains Lane entrance, catering more to older children.

Kids can have endless fun here and use up some energy while you sit back and relax with a hot beverage from the Cafe in Lauderdale House.

Don’t miss out on the bookable tennis courts for both tennis and netball that the park offers. There’s even a petanque and boules set too, all you need to do is just turn up and get playing! Feel free to bring your own set to use, or borrow one from Lauderdale House Cafe.
 

After some sporting and exercise, take a break in the Kitchen Garden, which is surrounded by the original yew hedge. The area is quiet and has a wonderful, secluded atmosphere, making it almost feel like a secret garden. Volunteers use space in this garden as a nursery for young plants, bringing with it a real community feel.
 

The café is open every day and at Lauderdale House, there are a variety of events and activities that families can get involved in, especially those revolving around art, cinema and culture.

Waterlow Park is also a great location for picnics and is a fantastic BBQ park in London, so make sure to come with the whole family and friends.

There is a nature reserve by the upper pond, which is great fun for children to try spotting different creatures and plants. They can learn so much while connecting with nature.

Go along a nature trail where you’ll discover so much about the park, its inhabitants and its history. Play in the tree shelter, which is situated on the right, following up to the Upper Pond, near the ‘carriage way’. Around the Upper Pond, follow the trail around and you might see the large terrapin!

Be sure to check out the Waterlow Park Quiz and put your knowledge to the test. After, why not go on the Waterlow Park Nature Hunt and Alphabet Trail, where you'll go on an adventure as you learn about the park, or learn about numbers and improve maths skills with the Numberland & Mathsland activity that the park offers.

There's so much green space in North London, including the wonderful Highgate Wood and huge Hampstead Heath.