Parks are a great outdoor space to connect with nature and to increase your awareness of your local area while also increasing your levels or physical activity. Stoke-on-Trent alone has over 70 parks! Outdoor gyms and playgrounds are excellent and free ways of being physically active sustainably for adults and kids alike. By exercising in your local parks you are also reducing your environmental impact by not using electricity-powered machines at an indoor gym.

There is lots to do here from playgrounds to the band stand. This Grade II heritage park also has a clock tower, 3 bowling pavilions and the opportunity to fish. A great draw for this park is its outdoor gym where you can exercise sustainably whatever your age. However, if it is open space you are after, there are 2 full-size football pitches!

Recently renovated and with a canal running through, this park offers a playground and a variety of sports courts, all floodlit. There are 3 play areas: toddler, sensory and adventure. There is also a wide expanse of grass you can use to play football or rounders for example. Hanley park also offers beautiful art features and is Grade II listed, with a bandstand and terrace gardens. The lake holds a beautiful fountain and is home to Canada geese. You can also find bowling greens and fishing here.

Tunstall park has so much to offer, including a playground, skate park and an outdoor gym by the lake. There are also tennis and basketball courts as well as a football pitch. If you want a quiet stroll, there is also a wildflower area to explore as well as open green land. As a Grade II listed Natural Heritage Site there is also a clock tower, floral hall, bandstand and a bowls pavilion.

Often described as a hidden gem of the area, Burslem park is picturesque and is a perfect place to go for a walk in the outdoors. There are terracotta period details, ornamental fountains, a Victorian terrace garden and sculptures to enjoy. Facilities include a playground, multi-sport court and a playing field.

Situated a short walk away from the Intu Potteries shopping centre, you can find 49 hectares of land to explore, including a playground and a large skate park. Route 55 of the National Cycle Network Route runs through the centre so it is a great place to visit when you go cycling. There are lots of interesting and unique discoveries, such as wild carrots and plant and fish fossils. You can also enjoy the lake, which is home to a variety of water birds, including coots and great crested grebes.

Although strictly a nature reserve, the beautiful lake and surrounding area offer a great place to go and appreciate nature and wildlife. Backing onto the canal side it is connected by paths and you can run, walk and cycle around the lake for a lovely day out.  There is also an opportunity to rent a variety of bikes including tandems and wheelchair friendly options by Green Door.