Hazlehead Park

Hazlehead Avenue, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, AB15 8BJ, Scotland
1-90 Years

Description

Hazlehead Park is a sprawling 180-acre green space located on the outskirts of Aberdeen, making it one of the best things to do with kids in Aberdeen. This historic park offers a fantastic outdoor play centre and nature-focused environment where children can explore expansive woodlands and enjoy a variety of active amenities. It serves as a perfect destination for families looking to spend a full, high-quality day outdoors without the need for expensive city-centre attractions.

Visiting the park grounds is free for all members of the public, ensuring an affordable day out. While the open spaces, gardens, and playgrounds cost nothing to access, certain attractions like the Pets' Corner and professional sporting facilities may carry small entry or booking charges. Families can easily pack a picnic and spend hours enjoying the fresh air and diverse landscape.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this historic park delivers a perfect balance of active fun for children and relaxing scenery for parents. Its combination of modern play equipment, traditional animal encounters, and peaceful garden trails makes it a standout choice for local families and visitors alike.

Features

  • Free
  • Host birthday parties: No

Features

Key Features

  • Modern Adventure Playgrounds: Features extensive, inclusive play equipment designed to keep energetic children occupied for hours.
  • Interactive Animal Encounters: Includes an animal corner where children can meet a variety of species in a well-maintained, educational setting.
  • Sensory Nature Walks: Offers peaceful, tree-lined trails, a dedicated Memory Path, and extensive woodland perfect for spotting local wildlife.
  • Vibrant Horticultural Displays: Showcases beautifully maintained rose gardens, heather beds, and colourful rhododendron borders.

Highlights

  • Scotland's Oldest Maze: Challenge the whole family to find their way through the historic hedge maze located right inside the park boundaries. It is a fantastic, interactive way to get kids moving and thinking, and it provides a memorable highlight to any visit.
  • Pets' Corner: This popular spot allows children to get up close with a variety of animals, including rabbits, chinchillas, miniature donkeys, and tropical fish. It is an excellent educational experience that is consistently praised for being well-cared-for and engaging for toddlers and younger children.
  • The Memory Path: For families wanting a break from the active play areas, this tranquil pathway offers a peaceful walk surrounded by nature. It is a perfect spot for a quiet, relaxing stroll that allows parents and children to appreciate the lush, green environment of the park.
  • Formal Gardens: The park features stunning, meticulously cared-for garden areas, including a large rose garden, heather beds, and vibrant azalea borders. These areas offer a colourful, sensory-rich environment that is visually stunning during the spring and summer months.
  • Modern Play Parks: The park includes multiple large, well-maintained playground areas suitable for all ages. With modern, safe equipment, these areas are designed to offer a variety of challenges and fun for both younger toddlers and older, more energetic children.

Beyond the Main Attraction: Around the park boundaries, visitors can find professional-standard football pitches and two golf courses, including a pitch-and-putt option. For fitness enthusiasts, a free 5 km Parkrun event takes place just outside the park every Saturday morning at 09:30. The surrounding woodland also provides excellent terrain for hiking, cycling, and deeper nature exploration.

Facilities

  • Toilets: Public toilet facilities are available on-site for visitor convenience.
  • Food Options: The Park Café is situated in the centre of the park, serving hot drinks, pastries, and snacks.
  • Picnic Areas: There is ample green space available throughout the park for families to bring their own food and set up a picnic.

What to see

What Visitors Love

  • The Pets' Corner is frequently cited as a highlight for children due to the variety of animals and the interactive nature of the experience.
  • Families appreciate the wide variety of activities available in one location, from quiet nature walks to high-energy play zones.
  • The grounds are consistently praised for being clean, well-maintained, and visually beautiful, especially during the summer.

What Visitors Don't Like

  • The lack of free parking near the entrance can be a frustration for some, as charges may apply at specific spots.
  • Some visitors find the park's expansive size overwhelming without a clear map, making it helpful to look for signposts upon arrival.

FAQ

  • Is Hazlehead Park suitable for toddlers?: Yes, the park is very family-friendly, featuring safe, modern playgrounds and an animal corner that is perfect for younger children to explore.
  • How long does a family visit to Hazlehead Park take?: Most families find that three to five hours is the ideal amount of time to explore the playgrounds, visit the animals, and take a stroll through the gardens.
  • Is there a place to buy food inside Hazlehead Park?: Yes, the Park Café is located in the centre of the park and offers a range of hot drinks, pastries, and snacks throughout the day.

Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

The park is open to the public all year round, 24 hours a day. Note that individual facilities, such as the café and Pets' Corner, have varying daily operational hours.

Address: Hazlehead Avenue, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, AB15 8BJ, Scotland

Post Code: AB15 8HB

Council: Aberdeen City

County: Aberdeenshire

  • By Bus: Regular local bus services, such as the #11, run from Aberdeen city centre and drop passengers off a short walk from the park entrance.
  • By Car: Parking is available on-site, though please be aware that charges may apply. Visitors should look for designated car park areas upon arrival at Hazlehead Avenue.

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