Story Highlight
- Warrington ranks fifth in UK’s best outdoor play locations.
- Over six parks or playing fields within 1km for residents.
- High safety score of 67.43 and low crime score of 32.57.
- Accessible playground features include wheelchair-accessible equipment.
- Warrington has numerous family attractions and green spaces.
Full Story
Warrington, a town in Cheshire bordering Manchester, has been recognised as one of the best places in the UK for children’s outdoor play, ranking fifth in a recent survey. The analysis, conducted by MoneySuperMarket, evaluated numerous UK locations based on several parameters including the number of outdoor play spaces, safety, pollution levels, and accessibility.
An online survey involving 2,000 parents of children aged between one and nine years highlighted their experiences and concerns regarding local playgrounds, particularly focusing on their quality, safety, and accessibility. Warrington excelled in accessibility, boasting an average of over six parks or playing fields within a 1 kilometre radius, with the nearest park just 263 metres away, the shortest distance among the top ten locations evaluated.
In safety metrics, Warrington achieved a score of 67.43 out of 100, complemented by a low crime score of 32.57 out of 100. The survey underscored the significance of outdoor play, with 88 percent of parents asserting that it is essential for their child’s mental health, while 74 percent expressed that they would frequent playgrounds more often if they felt safer. Notably, 29 percent of parents of children with disabilities reported that local playgrounds were not accessible.
The town’s commitment to inclusivity was recently demonstrated with the opening of an accessible playground at Fox Wood SEND School, which received funding of £30,000 from a national grant awarded to the school’s PTA. This facility features wheelchair-accessible equipment and is available for children across Warrington through local special educational needs groups and holiday clubs.
Kara Gammell, a personal finance and life insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, commented, “Warrington ranks fifth in the UK for outdoor play, and it’s clear why the town stands out.” Gammell noted the abundance of parks and short average distances to play areas as factors contributing to the town’s ranking, stating, “Add in one of the highest safety scores and one of the lowest crime rates of any town in our top 10, and anyone can also see why safety is such a big part of what makes Warrington one of the best places for outdoor play in the UK.”
Earlier in the year, Warrington was also highlighted in a separate study, ranking it among the top ten places to raise a family. This research assessed aspects like safety, childcare costs, school performance, and outdoor access. The findings revealed that the average monthly childcare cost in the area is £1,096, with around 81 percent of schools rated as outstanding or good. Additionally, the area offers approximately 20 child-friendly attractions per 100,000 residents and 810 square metres of green space per individual.
Warrington’s family-friendly offerings include Walton Hall and Gardens, which features play areas, adventure golf, and a Children’s Zoo. Furthermore, the town is home to Gulliver’s World, a theme park with over 30 rides and attractions, recently lauded as one of the best value theme parks in the UK. Other local attractions include several award-winning farms and seasonal events, such as the forthcoming Pumpkin Festival at Kenyon Hall Farm.
Source: read the original report.
