Marton Mere sits on the quiet edge of Blackpool, just a short drive from the seafront and the crowds. If you're looking for things to do in Marton Mere with kids, you've got more choices than you might expect. There's a wetland reserve full of birds and wildlife, a proper soft play centre nearby, and a handful of well known Blackpool attractions within easy reach.

This guide walks you through ten real options for a family day out around Marton Mere, starting with the one place kids tend to ask about first: Jungle World Park Blackpool.

1. Start With Indoor Play at Jungle World Park Blackpool

Weather in Blackpool can turn quickly, so it helps to have an indoor option lined up. Jungle World Park Blackpool is an indoor soft play centre inside the Houndshill Shopping Centre on Victoria Street, a short trip from Marton Mere.

The venue is built for children aged 0 to 12, with separate zones so toddlers aren't mixed in with older, faster kids. Here's what you'll find on site:

• A tall indoor slide, one of the biggest in the local area
• A dedicated toddler zone with mini slides and soft play
• A multi level play frame with trampolines, a mini zipline, and climbing sections
• The Tiki Café, which holds a 5 star hygiene rating and serves pizzas, paninis, jacket potatoes, and lighter options

Sessions get busy at weekends and during school holidays, so booking ahead is worth doing. Jungle World Park Blackpool works well as a start or finish to a day that includes the nature reserve, giving kids a chance to burn off energy either before or after a quieter walk.

2. Walk the Trails at Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve

Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve is Blackpool's only Site of Special Scientific Interest, and it's free to visit all year round. The reserve is built around a glacial freshwater lake, with reed beds, grassland, woodland, and scrub surrounding the open water.

A network of footpaths loops around the site, making it manageable for kids on foot or in a buggy. Paths can get muddy after rain, so wellies are a sensible call, particularly outside summer.

3. Go Bird Watching From the Hides

The reserve has several bird hides positioned around the lake, with benches along the paths for a proper rest stop. Marton Mere is known nationally for its bird population, and depending on the season you might spot herons, grebes, or the long eared owl that's become something of a local favourite in winter.

Bring a pair of binoculars if you have them. Even without any equipment, the hides give kids a quiet, sheltered spot to watch the water and see what turns up.

4. Look Out for Dragonflies, Butterflies, and Orchids

Beyond the birds, Marton Mere supports dragonflies, butterflies, bats, and orchids across its different habitats. Spring and summer bring the most colour and activity, with wildflowers and insects out in force along the grassland edges.

This is a good spot for a simple nature scavenger hunt. Set the kids a small list before you set off (a dragonfly, a certain colour of wildflower, a bird on the water) and let them tick items off as you walk.

5. Join a Seasonal Nature Event

Blackpool Council and local volunteer groups run events at Marton Mere through the year, including pond dipping sessions, guided dawn walks, and insect and spider walks aimed at families. These tend to run as part of seasonal programmes, so it's worth checking what's on before you travel if you want to join one.

Pond dipping in particular is a hit with younger kids, giving them a hands on look at what actually lives under the surface of the lake.

6. Visit Blackpool Zoo

Blackpool Zoo sits less than a mile from the nature reserve, making it an easy add on to your day. The zoo covers around 32 acres and is home to over a thousand animals, including elephants, lions, orangutans, and a children's farm with donkeys, goats, and rabbits.

Daily talks and feeding sessions run throughout the day, and there's a separate Playbarn for younger children who need a break from walking. Ticket prices vary between off peak and peak season, so check current rates before you go.

7. Explore Stanley Park

Stanley Park is around 1.2 miles from Marton Mere and connects to it through a wider network of nature walks known as the Blackpool Countryside Experience, which runs from Stanley Park through the Woodland Gardens and Herons Reach. The park has open lakes, horticultural gardens, and plenty of green space for kids to run around after time spent in the reserve.

8. Meet Sea Creatures at Sea Life Blackpool

Sea Life Blackpool is one of the better known family attractions in the town centre, a short drive from Marton Mere. Tanks cover everything from local coastal species to tropical fish, and it's a solid rainy day option alongside Jungle World Park Blackpool if you want to split a longer visit across two indoor stops.

9. See the Small Scale Version of Blackpool at the Model Village Gardens

The Model Village Gardens give kids a chance to spot miniature versions of Blackpool's landmarks set among planted gardens. It's a slower paced attraction, better suited to a shorter visit slotted between the nature reserve and something more active.

10. Finish the Day With Fish and Chips

Blackpool has a strong claim to some of the best fish and chips in the country, and The Cottage, established in 1856 and serving as a chip shop since 1920, is one of the town's most recognised names for it. After a day outdoors at Marton Mere, a straightforward sit down meal like this is often exactly what tired kids and parents want.

How to Plan Your Visit

A few practical points make the day easier:

1. Wear proper footwear. Reserve paths get muddy, especially in autumn and winter.
2. Check event listings before you travel if you want to catch pond dipping or a guided walk.
3. Pair the reserve with an indoor stop like Jungle World Park Blackpool if rain is forecast.
4. Bring snacks and water for the walk, since there's no café inside the reserve itself.
5. Book ahead for Jungle World Park Blackpool sessions, particularly at weekends and during school holidays.

Final Thoughts

Marton Mere isn't the first place most visitors think of in Blackpool, but it's one of the better options if you want a mix of nature and nearby family attractions in one trip. Between the reserve itself, Blackpool Zoo, Stanley Park, and an indoor stop at Jungle World Park Blackpool, you can build a full day that suits kids of different ages and energy levels. Whatever order you tackle it in, these things to do in Marton Mere with kids give you a solid starting point for planning the visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marton Mere free to visit with kids? 

Yes. Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve is free to enter all year round, with no booking required. It's suitable for buggies and young children, though paths can be muddy after rain, so bring suitable footwear.

Is there parking at Marton Mere? 

There's no dedicated car park at the reserve. Visitors typically park on Lawson Road or East Park Drive, then follow the marked footpaths to the entrance.

What can kids see at Marton Mere Nature Reserve? 

Kids can spot birds from the hides, including herons and, in winter, the long eared owl. The reserve also supports dragonflies, butterflies, bats, and orchids across its wetland and grassland habitats.

What's the nearest indoor activity to Marton Mere for a rainy day? 

Jungle World Park Blackpool, an indoor soft play centre in the Houndshill Shopping Centre, is a short drive away. It has a tall slide, a toddler zone, trampolines, and a café, making it a good backup for wet weather.

How long does a family visit to Marton Mere take? 

A gentle walk around the main footpaths usually takes 45 minutes to an hour with kids. Add more time if you plan to stop at the bird hides or join a seasonal event like pond dipping.

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