Families say it’s one of the best places around for a cheap day out
11:36, 30 Apr 2026Updated 15:12, 30 Apr 2026
Boating lake at Stamford Park(Image: Ridgehill Enterprises / Facebook)
When the sun is shining nothing beats a day out at the park.
And in the warm weather we’re enjoying right now, there’s one park in particular that’s a huge hit with families across Greater Manchester.
Stamford Park is on the border of Ashton and Stalybridge in Tameside and attracts visitors from miles around.
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As well as the usual attraction of a playground, it’s got water fountains for children to play in, a boating lake to hire rowing boats and pedalos and even has its own little train, which costs £1.50 for kids and £2 for adults.
The water fountains inside Stamford Park(Image: Tameside Council)
There’s also a woodland area, The Dingle, for youngsters to explore – and there’s an aviary too, open 9am to 3.30pm.
In the play area there is a huge sandpit for little ones to enjoy, as well as a zip line for the older ones. The water fountains are on daily from 11am to 4.45pm.
Towards the end of last year a new accessible swing was fitted for those with disabilities who can’t use the other equipment at the site.
Boating lake at Stamford Park(Image: Ridgehill Enterprises / Facebook)
Pedalos and rowing boats cost £10 and are available from 1pm to 5pm on weekends (last boats 4.30pm). From May 1 there will also be paddleboard sessions available to book at weekends – 10.30am and 11.45am – costing £15 an hour.
If that’s not enough, the park also has its own crazy golf course and you can collect a ball and club for £3 from the cafe, which opens 10am to 4pm daily.
The park’s got some great reviews on Google too, where it has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 and hundreds of five star reviews.
The train at Stamford Park in Tameside(Image: Tameside Council)
“Spacious park ideal for families,” said one recent visitor. “It has a water feature what is very popular during hot weather. There are parking areas around the park, but both can be very busy during school holidays. It’s a clean and maintained park, please look after it.”
Another said: “There’s a good selection of play areas. A sand pit type of play area, a climbing frame type of play area. Huge fields. In the summer they turn the fountains on and the kids seem to like it. There’s also a cafe. Parking can be tough in the summertime.”
And a third commented: “Been here various times over the last couple of years, can highly recommend for a short walk, a picnic or a couple/few hours with the kids.
“There’s lots of green space, a bowling green, a football pitch, tennis courts, a kid’s sand pit and play area with climbing equipment.Also, there’s water fountains and a boating lake.
The water fountains inside Stamford Park(Image: Tameside Council)
“The cafe has great food and drink options with indoor and outdoor seating. Parking available close by for free.”
The park is managed by Tameside Council, but the boating lake is operated separately by Ridgehill Enterprises. Find out more on the website here.