The Essentials
- Location: Just off Junction 31, M6
- Visitor Village: Open daily, 10am – 4pm
- The Cafe Situation: The main cafe is Saturday & Sunday only (10am – 4pm), but it opens 7 days a week during Lancashire school holidays.
- Welcome Centre: Open daily, 10am – 4pm (usually has warm drinks and snacks if the main cafe is shut).
- Car Park: Open 6am – 9pm
- Cost: £6 parking for the day (Machine or RingGo App)
- Toilets: Located at the Floating Village only
- Food: Two cafes and picnic benches available
- Pram Friendly: Yes, solid paths for single and double buggies
The Floating Village & Cafe
We’ve probably all seen the signs for Brockholes from the M6 junction a thousand times, and it really is a solid local shout for a day out. The floating village is a bit of a novelty and the kids always love looking over the edge of the boardwalks. Most of it is fenced off, but you definitely have to keep an eye on them as some parts don't have barriers and they can wander off pretty quickly if you aren't careful. If you’re heading into the cafe, try and snag a seat by the window - it’s a nice spot to look out over the lake while you have a coffee. They also sell local flowers in the visitor centre which are usually pretty cheap and a nice touch if you want something for the garden.
The Play Area & The "Loo" Situation
One thing to keep in mind is the layout. The parking is basically in the middle, with the floating village one way and the play area the other. The play area has been revamped recently and it’s great. Loads of swings, slides, and climbing frames that our kids love. There is also a bigger one nestled further back into the trees which is better for older kids so they have their own space.
The main thing to remember is that once you’re at the play area, you’re about a ten-minute walk away from the toilets and the cafe back on the floating island. It’s worth doing a loo trip before you head to the park, otherwise, you’ll be trekking back and forth when someone inevitably needs to go.
Prams, Paths, and Parking
As for the walks, we’ve never had an issue with the paths. They are decent enough for single or double buggies, so you don't need to worry about getting a pram stuck in the mud, even if there are a few puddles about.
It’s £6 for the day to park, which you can pay at the machine with cash or card, though it gets busy so we usually just use the RingGo app. There is plenty of parking available too. It can end up being an expensive day if you’re buying lunch for a family of four, but you can take your own food and use the picnic benches on the floating cafe to keep the costs down. Between the parks and all the different trails, we think it’s worth the money for a full afternoon out.