Penwortham sits just south of Preston, on the banks of the River Ribble, and it has more going on than most visitors expect. Between green parks, a nature reserve, soft play, and a few proper days out nearby, there's enough here to fill a school holiday without much driving at all.

If you're after things to do in Penwortham for families, this list covers indoor and outdoor options, free spots and paid attractions, and a mix of activities for toddlers right up to older kids. Let's get into it.

1. Jungle World Park, Leyland

Start here if you want a rainy day sorted in one go. Jungle World is an indoor soft play and party centre with multi-level frames, slides, a laser tag arena, football area, and a Safari Go-Karting track for kids. The Leyland site is a short drive from Penwortham and works for a wide age range, with separate zones so toddlers aren't getting bowled over by older kids on the bigger frame.

There's also a café on site (Tiki Café), so parents can grab a coffee while keeping an eye on the action. If you're celebrating a birthday, Jungle World runs party packages with an exclusive party room, party food, games, and a few freebies thrown in like a karaoke machine and bubble machine. Worth booking ahead, especially at weekends and during school holidays, since sessions are capacity-limited.

If you're checking opening times or want to book a session, Jungle World Park has full details for its Leyland and Blackpool locations.

2. Hurst Grange Park

Hurst Grange Park is the largest park in Penwortham, covering around 15.5 hectares between Hill Road and Cop Lane. It's held a Green Flag Award every year since 2005, which says a lot about how well it's looked after.

The playground here is fenced off and split by age, with a sand play area and gentler equipment for younger children, plus climbing nets, swings, and slides for the older crowd. Beyond the playground, there are woodlands, ponds, a wildflower meadow, and a trim trail if you fancy a proper walk.

What's on site

• A modern, enclosed playground suitable for ages 2 to 12
• The Coach House café, with good changing facilities
• Free parking at the Hill Road car park
• Public toilets and an events space

It's dog-friendly too, so if you're walking the family dog as well as wrangling kids, this is an easy choice.

3. Brockholes Nature Reserve

A short drive from Penwortham, just off the M6, Brockholes is run by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and covers over 250 acres of former quarry land turned wetland and woodland reserve. The floating visitor village is the standout feature: a café and shop that sits on the lake itself.

For families, the adventure play area is the main draw. Kids can swing, climb, balance and bounce on natural wood challenges including swings, balance blocks, a see-saw, play hut, zip wire, and a scoop and dig area. Children over 7 can also take on the high ropes course for a view across the reserve, and there's a low-level climbing feature called the Climbing Forest with interconnecting beams and walkways.

Brockholes is open from 10am to 5pm between April and October, and 10am to 4pm from November to March. There's no entry fee, but parking costs a few pounds, which goes toward the reserve's upkeep.

4. Avenham and Miller Parks

If you want a city-meets-nature day out, head into Preston to Avenham and Miller Parks. These two adjoining Victorian parks sit right by the River Ribble, with landscaped paths, a Japanese rock garden, and views that don't feel like you're in a city centre at all.

There's a children's play area between the two parks with a slide, climbing equipment, and a sandpit, plus a café (the Avenham Pavilion) for drinks and snacks. The parks hold Green Flag status and a Grade II* listing for their historic design, so there's plenty to look at for adults too while the kids burn off energy.

Cyclists will also recognise this as the starting point for the Guild Wheel, a 21-mile cycle route around Preston, so it's a good base if anyone in the family fancies a longer ride.

5. Fairham Gin Distillery

Not exactly a kids' activity on its own, but worth a mention for parents planning a full day. Fairham Gin is a craft distillery in Penwortham with a bar and shop attached. If you're combining a family day with an evening out, or if grandparents are along for the trip, it's a nice stop for the grown-ups after the park.

6. Penwortham Arts Centre: The Venue

Housed in the old library building, the Arts Centre runs exhibitions, talks, and performances throughout the year. It's worth checking their listings before a visit, since family-friendly shows and workshops pop up regularly, particularly around school holidays.

7. Liverpool Road Shops and Independent Boutiques

For an easy, low-key activity, a wander along Liverpool Road takes in a mix of independent shops and local businesses. It's not a destination on its own, but it pairs well with lunch out or a stop at Hurst Grange Park, since both are close together.

8. Frenchwood Recreation Ground

A little further along the river from Avenham and Miller Parks, Frenchwood Recreation Ground has a large children's play area with a wide variety of equipment. There's also a small nature reserve nearby where park rangers sometimes run pond dipping sessions for kids, which is a nice bonus if your children are into bugs and wildlife.

9. Hollywood Bowl, Preston

For an indoor option that works whatever the weather, Hollywood Bowl in Preston city centre is a solid choice. Bowling alleys are reliably popular with mixed-age groups, and it's an easy add-on if you're already heading into Preston for the parks or shopping.

10. Preston Market

Preston Market offers both indoor and outdoor stalls, and it's a good spot for a casual browse and a bite to eat. Markets are often underrated as family activities, but kids tend to enjoy the variety of food stalls and the general buzz, and it doesn't take long to walk round.

11. Cinema Trip in Preston City Centre

Preston has a modern eight-screen cinema in the city centre, which is an easy fallback for a wet afternoon, particularly if you've already done the parks earlier in the day.

12. Annual Penwortham Gala at Hurst Grange Park

If your visit lines up with it, the annual Gala at Hurst Grange Park is worth catching. After a procession through the streets, most of the activities take place on Hurst Grange Park, with family fun including stalls, music, displays and fairground rides. It's a proper community event and gives a good flavour of local life.

13. Penwortham Live Music Festival

Another seasonal event worth checking the dates for. Penwortham Live brings live music to the town, and while it's not aimed solely at families, outdoor festivals like this are often relaxed enough for kids to enjoy too, especially in the daytime sessions.

14. Walking and Cycling Along the River Ribble

The paths along the River Ribble connect Penwortham to Preston city centre and link up with Avenham Park, Miller Park, and beyond. For families with bikes or scooters, this is one of the easiest ways to cover a few different attractions in one trip without needing the car for each stop.

15. A Soft Play Session to Round Off the Day

After a morning outdoors at Hurst Grange Park or Brockholes, an afternoon at an indoor soft play centre is a good way to let kids run off any remaining energy somewhere warm and dry. This is where Jungle World comes back into the picture. With slides, a laser tag arena, and a go-karting track, it gives older kids something a bit more active than a standard ball pit, while younger ones have their own dedicated space.

Final Thoughts

Penwortham works well for families because it mixes things up. You've got proper green space at Hurst Grange Park, a big day out at Brockholes if you don't mind a short drive, and indoor cover at Jungle World when the Lancashire weather doesn't play ball. Pick one or two from this list depending on the age of your kids and how much driving you fancy, and you've got a solid day sorted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free thing to do in Penwortham with kids? 

Hurst Grange Park is hard to beat for a free day out. It has a fenced playground for different age groups, woodland walks, ponds, and a café on site, all within the largest green space in Penwortham.

Is Jungle World suitable for toddlers as well as older children? 

Yes. Jungle World is designed for children aged 0 to 12, with a separate enclosed area for toddlers and more adventurous attractions like slides, laser tag, and go-karting for older kids.

Do I need to book Jungle World in advance? 

Booking ahead is recommended, especially at weekends and during school holidays, since sessions are limited to keep numbers comfortable. Pre-booking guarantees your spot.

Is Brockholes Nature Reserve suitable for pushchairs? 

Yes, many of the paths at Brockholes are level and accessible, making it a good choice for families with pushchairs or anyone with mobility needs. The play areas are also spread across accessible ground.

Are there indoor options for a rainy day in Penwortham? 

Jungle World in nearby Leyland is the main indoor option for soft play, while Preston city centre offers a cinema and Hollywood Bowl if you want to extend the day with more indoor activities.

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