Our favourite parks for the kids and nearby independent spots to grab a treat for parents.
Schools are out, summer is in full swing and now is the perfect time to start scouting out the best parks to keep the kids busy while you enjoy an iced latte in the shade. Looking for things to do with the kids in Warwickshire this summer? Whether you’re planning a full day out, meeting friends while the children burn off some energy, or simply looking for a new park to explore, we’ve rounded up ten brilliant parks across Warwickshire. Better still, each one has an independent café, coffee shop or local place to eat nearby, so everyone gets a little treat.
How we chose these recommendations
We don’t just pick places at random. Every recommendation in this guide was chosen because it offers a great family day out while supporting independent Warwickshire businesses.
When selecting cafés and food stops, we also check that they:
⭐ Hold a 4 or 5-star Food Hygiene Rating at the time of writing
☕ Are independently owned
📍 Are close enough to the park to make a convenient stop
❤️ Are somewhere we’d happily recommend to our own friends and family
Now, let’s get exploring…
How we chose these recommendations
We don’t just pick places at random. Every recommendation in this guide was chosen because it offers a great family day out while supporting independent Warwickshire businesses.
When selecting cafés and food stops, we also check that they:
⭐ Hold a 4 or 5-star Food Hygiene Rating at the time of writing
☕ Are independently owned
📍 Are close enough to the park to make a convenient stop
❤️ Are somewhere we’d happily recommend to our own friends and family
*Please note this is not a ranked list.
📍Caldecott Park – Rugby
Caldecott Park is the perfect place to settle down for a day this summer. The beautifully tended gardens give you a tranquil space to relax, while the option between 2 playgrounds will keep the kids happy. The smaller playground caters to babies and toddlers with an independent café, Hatty Bakewell’s at The Tool Shed, right next door, letting you keep an eye on the kids while you take a moment to recharge. The larger park is aimed at older children and incorporates all sorts of play equipment and a sand pit for those who just love to dig. You’ll also find a bandstand, tennis courts and plenty of green space for picnics or just running around.
☕Plant Me
Just a short walk up the road will bring you to a paradise of coffee, cake and the most beautiful houseplants you could hope to lay your eyes on. Plant Me offers homemade cakes, the perfect cuppa and plant shopping all in one beautiful spot.
📍Cawston Play Area – Rugby
Cawston Play Area seems like a little adventure tucked in between the streets and houses of Cawston. This big, open park has a few different options for kids who are bored of swings and slides. Sandpits, trampolines and activity tables are just the right mix to keep their imaginations whirring while keeping them active and engaged. You could spend all day devising obstacle courses on the range of equipment dotted around the space.
☕Waves Fish and Chips
Ok, it might not be a café, but can you honestly say that fish and chips at the end of a fun-packed afternoon of playing in the park isn’t appealing? I’ll set the scene for you. The whole family has run, jumped, climbed and played until they just couldn’t anymore, so you amble over for a cone of chips and sit back on a bench, enjoying the evening as the air cools around you. It may not be a beach, but you have to love a battered cod on a warm, balmy evening.
📍Jephson Gardens – Leamington Spa
Jephson Gardens is the kind of park you visit when you want a special day out. The gardens span across the absolutely immaculate, formal Victorian park right in the heart of Leamington Spa. There are plenty of secluded corners to enjoy a moment of peace alone, wide open expanses of grass, a playpark for the kids and luxurious little features that make you feel a little fancy. Hire a peddle boat at the Leam Boat Centre to take in the sights from the water or immerse yourself in the tropical hideaway of the Glasshouse, which is filled with exotic plants and a goldfish pond. The sensory garden is a great way to enjoy nature interactively, and you will find beautiful sculptures dotted around the entire park.
☕The Aviary Café
Settle in with a cuppa at the Victorian tea pavilion, taking in the beautiful gardens as you breathe in the day. Offering home-baked pastries, soups and sandwiches, as well as a good old ice cream during the summer, this is the perfect spot to fuel up for your day of exploring the grounds.
📍St Nicholas Park – Warwick
Well known for exciting events, St Nicholas Park is much more than just a space for a festival. Boasting a play park, splash park, mini golf, boat hire and even a fun park with rides for the kids, this definitely isn’t one to miss at any time of the year! The Leisure Centre swimming pool is just another little extra if you are looking for a fun-packed day. Enjoy a riverside picnic with views of Warwick Castle, a game of tennis, or pretty much anything in between!
☕Bread & Co
A short walk out of the park will bring you to Bread & Co, a cosy bakery and café on the Warwick High Street. If you are after artisan breads, amazing coffee and gorgeous food, this is the place for you. Enjoy the cosy space indoors or escape to the hidden garden and take in the moment.
📍Burton Dasset Hills Country Park – Southam
There’s something about the simplicity of rolling hills and open space that really calls to you on a warm day. Burton Dasset Hills is a great place to walk, run, or even fly a kite as you enjoy the fresh air. Take in the spectacular views across the park or wander through the shade of the trees as you explore 100 acres of natural beauty on the outskirts of Southam.
☕The Yew Tree
Discovering the wide expanses of a country park deserves a little more than a slice of cake and a cuppa, so once you are done exploring Burton Dasset Hills, hop in the car and head over to The Yew Tree country pub for a proper meal. And if you’ve brought your dog along for a day out in the countryside, they will be more than welcome as you sit down for a good old-fashioned pub dinner!
📍Priory Park – Warwick
Priory Park is the perfect place for a relaxing walk, with plenty of flora and fauna to explore. Whether you are looking for a space to engage the kids with our native wildlife or just a place to enjoy a peaceful afternoon on your own, this 12th Century Parkland offers a tranquil space to get in touch with nature again.
☕The Happy Witch
If you are looking for something unusual to do with your day after connecting with nature, The Happy Witch esoteric book shop and tea house offers a quirky escape to something a little more magical. The tea room offers 22 different blends of tea for you to choose from, covering a range of black, white and herbal blends to suit your tastes. For those who feel a little overwhelmed by the selection, you can ask the dedicated tarot deck for a recommendation! This one feels like the perfect addition to a day of grounding yourself in beautiful parklands.
📍The Recreation Ground – Stratford-Upon-Avon
If you are looking for a playground with tons of features and a feel-good vibe, The Recreation Ground in Stratford has got you covered. The playground is filled with all sorts of equipment for children to explore, including forest and river themed play features, a paddling pool, a sandpit and beautifully landscaped gardens.
☕Bardia’s Coffee
When you are all played out, wander into Stratford for an iced latte and a pastry at Bardia’s Coffee, which is packed with treats. With its cosy interior and selection of irresistible savoury and sweet snacks, it’s the perfect place to take a moment to refuel before heading out to enjoy the day again.
📍Castle Farm Play Area – Kenilworth
Castle Farm Play Area has been designed to make playing outdoors accessible for children of all abilities. This is the kind of place that encourages all children to play side by side, enjoying the fresh air as they engage in all sorts of imaginative games. The equipment includes trampolines, ladders and even a performance zone alongside the traditional slides and swings you would expect to see at a park.
☕Forrest Coffee House
Nestled in the heart of Kenilworth, Forrest Coffee House takes pride in serving its very own Craft House Coffee blend and handmade cakes. With smoothies, shakes and mouthwatering lunches on offer, this one is definitely worth a visit.
📍Riversley Park – Nuneaton
From a child-friendly museum and beautiful gardens to duck spotting and a brilliant play area, there is plenty to do at Riversley Park. This play area has a fun little twist with its beach-themed space filled with swings, tunnels and wooden frames to explore, keeping the kids busy for hours! Pop into the museum to explore local history and art while the children benefit from the colouring areas, puppet theatre and all sorts of activities to keep them engrossed.
☕Rhubarb & Mustard Café
A short walk to the Rhubarb & Mustard Café will bring you to a selection of food, drinks and desserts that will make you wish you could visit every day. The food here almost looks too good to eat (almost), so pick a table to enjoy a delicious cake or order one of their signature food boxes and enjoy a picnic in the park as a special treat.
📍Ryton Pools – Coventry
If you are looking for a full day out, there is plenty to keep you busy at Ryton Pools Country Park. Bring the dogs along and wander along one of the routes that take you through the park, giving you beautiful sights across the pools themselves as well as lush fields and woodlands. There are multiple play areas to discover, one of which is tucked away in the trees, all with plenty to do for children of all ages. One of the best ways to explore the park is on a bike, and if you aren’t able to bring your own, you even have the option of hiring one there. The list of things to do here includes nature spotting, den building, fishing, or even train rides on the days they are available. This is actually one of my favourite days out, so it’s got a big stamp of approval from me!
☕Farmers Fayre
Sometimes the best part of a day out with the kids is enjoying a cuppa with your friends while all the kids entertain themselves nearby. The Farmers Fayre at Ryton is absolutely perfect for this kind of playdate, sitting right next to a pirate-themed playpark, giving you the perfect distance to be able to supervise while being able to carry out a conversation! The menu at the café is filled with all the best café treats, and you won’t be short of choices with anything from muffins to toasties to Warwickshire Gelato ready and waiting for you at the end of a busy day!
We hope this guide helps you discover somewhere new this summer. As always, every independent food business featured held a 4 or 5-star Food Hygiene Rating at the time of writing, because we’re passionate about helping you discover local businesses you can feel confident visiting.
We would love to hear which parks and cafes are your go-to for a sunny day out. Tag us on socials or email us with your favourite pictures!
