Castle’s great...wheel return to skate

The play area at Clitheroe Castle is good without being inspiring – but the skate park is where it’s at.

A fantastic sheet of curving concrete, dips and giant sinks, this arena keeps the BMXers and skaters occupied for hours.

We tend to go early in the day with our young kids (when they were aged four to seven) because the language can get a bit fruity once the place fills up with teenagers.

By the afternoon the skate area is packed full of kids trying to outdo themselves with their favourite jumps and tricks.

Finding a free parking space on Eshton Terrace or Woone Lane is never a problem. Then there is a short walk up to the skate park.

Clitheroe Castle Keep is free for a quick look round – worth it for the views – but the food in the castle restaurant was pretty poor when we tried it (main menu and the kids meals) and is best avoided.

If you’ve not packed a picnic, you’re much better off heading into Clitheroe itself, where there are some superb food houses.

Fun rating: 4/5

Activity type: Outdoor play

Duration: One hour

Age range: 8+

Address: Clitheroe BB7 1BA

Car parking: There is free street parking on road to south and west of park grounds

Paid attractions: Castle Museum £3.65 adults/£2.90 kids Food and drinks: Available in Castle restaurant

Garry Cook’s Free Days out in Lancashire is a guide to free family days out in the North West.

Garry, who lives in the Ribble Valley, spent three years documenting days out and every one of the 24 venues in his book does not charge.

The guide is a godsend for parents trying to keep children entertained over the long summer holidays.

It is available on Amazon and Kindle, with the Kindle version also including full-colour photography. The Kindle version can be downloaded to iPads, iPhones, Android and Windows phones, meaning you can take it with you on your days out.

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