Moss Bank Park — Attraction in Bolton

Moss Bank is a nice, sizeable park. It has benches and picnic benches which are all very handy. There used to be a model train that you can ride on, the track is still there but from the last few times I've been, I haven't seen it running so I don't know whether it still does. The cafe isn't great. Some nice staff and at least 1 who is, although polite, clueless. Things get forgotten regularly or just plain incorrect. The small animal farm and butterfly house, sadly, are no longer there. This has been replaced by The Hive, which I haven't visited. There are several play areas catering for a good range of ages. During the summer holidays, I don't know about other times of year, they have an inflatable play area. It's £5 per child up to 10yrs, the sessions are regularly scheduled and last up to 2hrs. Given how exhausted the kids were, it was good value. Unfortunately there was no seating in there for parents of anywhere suitable to safely store kids shoes etc...

Medium sized park. Very good play areas for all ages of children. Younger children's area totally fenced off, no dogs allowed inside the fence. Miniature railway which hasn't run for sometime but I know a group of volunteers are trying to get it running again. 3 free car parks but wouldn't recommend the one near the cafe as it's usually full of council workers' vehicles. It has tennis courts and bowling greens. Large field for playing football. Plenty of bins, benches and picnic benches. Cafe is ok but a little expensive and service isn't brilliant. Had to take a cup of mocha coffee back as it tasted disgusting. The machine had run out of chocolate. No apology received. Dogs not allowed inside the cafe but plenty of seating outside. Public toilets behind the cafe were disgusting! Looked like they hadn't been cleaned for quite sometime. 1 bar of soap which was soggy and dirty but plenty...

When I was growing up, I visited Moss Bank Park often, to play pitch and put, which sadly disappeared quite a while ago, play football, watch the bowls and snooker , and when I was working visit the Animals that were behind the toilet block. The rock gardens were brilliant when I was a young lad and were kept lovely with the scattered ponds and flowing water. I didn't venture around as much but the children's play area is a delight, sad to see the train has gone though the track remains........the cafe is adequate for visitors and provides refreshment. Not what it was due to lack of money to sustain all the old attractions I guess but a good park , ooh! I shouldn't forget the tennis courts🙂.....will be used more often in the coming weeks no doubt with Wimbledon in mind. Lovely memories, I hope it it's future...