Shibden Park — Attraction in Calderdale

WARNING! First either download the appy parking app prior to your visit or take change for the parking machine. Max you're going to need is £1.50. We got a £50 parking fine, which we will protest about, but the app was very difficult on a sunny day being as you have to put your payment details into the fields, once the app is installed, and you need to verify your email. Although I the notice says you can pay at the end, it does not make it clear that all the above needs to be done before leaving for he carpark. When you have an eager 2 year old, waiting about is not conducive to a great experience. That said, the park itself is amazing. Lots to do for all ages. An amazing boating lake, with rowing boats and pedalos also has a lovely range of water birds, the ducklings were beautiful. Sadly ignorant people were feeding the birds on white bread! There were no signs to say don't do it, poor birds must have been bloated!!!! The recreation parks were designed for different age groups. The train journey takes about ten minutes and only costs two pounds per person. It was an excitingly bumpy ride, you definitely need your seat belt on. The café was great and organised very well. We used one toilet that was dark and frightening for our grandson. Unfortunately the toilets by the playgrounds was all locked up! The woodlands were full of birdsong. We saw a pond with Lilly Pads and a variety of birds who were happy to be the centre of attention. Shibden Hall looked interesting, though not to our two year old companion. All the people in the park were very friendly, all the children well behaved. There we dogs around on leads, but none barked and we saw no dog dirt, though there are some areas full of bird poo to be avoided. Also there is some stagnant water quite close to the café, which was unpleasant! Other than that the grounds were very well tended. A really positive and delightful day was married by a parking debacle and a fine! Otherwise I would have...

Parking is £1.50 for the day. There was a large car with an overflow. It's gravel underfoot do hard for mobility issues.

There is a large cafe with toilets a range of snacks and ice creams. The ice lollys started at £2.50 ice cream from £3.50 per scoop. Lots of seating inside and out .

There is a land train that takes you around the grounds. We didn't use this today but looked a great attraction. There is currently a fun fair too but we didn't go to that either.

We had a lovely walk around the duck pond and stopped for a picnic along the way.

The children enjoyed a go on the little singl paddle boats and didn't wait long for a turn and had a good amount of time in them. There are also rowing boats but we didn't go on those.

Afterwards we headed up the the playground area, there is an public toilets here too. They were a bit smelly and not that clean but better than nothing.

The playground is split into two areas one for younger kids and one for older kids.

I had children aged 3x 2year olds and ,9yo with me and all had a great time.

We then took a walk around the other side of the lake and went for a ride on the miniture railway. We could park up our pushchair and jumped on . The driver was lovely with the kids. We were charged £10 for the 5 of us .

Everyone waved back at us the kids loved it!!😍🚂💖

We had earned snacks so went to the cafe the staff were really friendly and helpful.

Looking forward to returning to look ok around the shibden hall and go on...

A truly beautiful place. The house is wonderful treat on the eyes, so much to take in with help at hand if required. Not a house to explore if you have mobility issues as there are lots of stairs. The gardens and surroundings are fantastic for everyone. There is a small train that travels around the property and for a small fee all ages can travel upon it( it's a great one for small children) The boating lake is separated into three areas, one for boating, boasting rowing boats, a smaller area for small children to have fun to play in a one person vessel and of course the end where the wild birds are, and can be fed.. There are swans, Canadian geese, ducks, gulls, coots to name just a few... There is a cafe at the bottom in the valley, with adequate bathroom facilities for all abilities. There is a playground for the children with traditional swings and slides to play on. Shibden park lends its grounds to everyone, to play and have fun, to picnic and take in the beauty of the grounds and house. The whole of the park and much of the house was designed by Ann Lister, and I'm sure if she could see what she had created she wouldn't call it 'Shabby...