British parks play an important part in the country’s communities, and are often a hive of activity throughout the year. The majority of towns and cities in the UK have at least one park, providing an open space of countryside where people can go to walk, run, cycle and play.
Many dog owners in the UK walk their dogs in parks; doing this can be a good way of socialising with friends or meeting new people.
Most public parks in the UK are owned and maintained by a local government. Parks are a vital aspect of British towns and cities, especially in heavily populated areas such as London. To find out where your nearest park is and where parks in other towns or cities are, have a look at a map or on the internet. Some local government websites have details of local parks – the address is usually www.yourtown.gov.uk - e. g. www.london.gov.uk
All public parks in Britain are free and anyone can go in them. Some have cafes and public toilets, and they are sometimes closed at night time. Many parks have play areas for children, featuring swings, slides and roundabouts. There are areas for ball games such as football, unless it says otherwise in the park. You can also go to a park to fly a kite, play Frisbee, meet friends or have a picnic.
Social groups sometimes meet in parks, and there are often activities going on which anyone can join in. For example, tennis clubs, walking groups and other leisure activities can take place. Some of the UK’s bigger public parks have music concerts during the summer months. Have a look for a notice board in your local park or contact your local council to find out about this.
National Parks
There are 14 National Parks in Britain, and they are home to some of the most beautiful and valued landscapes in the country. A National Park is an area of relatively undeveloped and scenic landscape. Unlike national parks in other countries, the ones in Britain often include towns and villages, which are usually hotspots for tourists. A visit to one of the UK’s national parks is well worth it, if you are visiting or living in the country for any amount of time. The website is: www.nationalparks.gov.uk
By Jennie Musgrove
USEFUL WORDS
open space = an area of land with no buildings on it
playground = an outdoor area where children can play
adventure playground = an area where children can play which has large structures, ropes etc. for climbing on
park bench = a long seat for two or more people, usually made of wood
duck pond = a small area of still water, especially one that is artificial, where ducks may swim
walk a dog
countryside
national park = an area of land which is protected by the government for people to visit for its natural beauty and historical or scientific interest
Walking Idioms
I felt as if I was walking on air = felt very happy
Don’t run before you can walk! = don’t do things which are difficult, without learning the basic skills first
They were so unhappy that they walked off the job = stopped working in order to go on strike
Walk tall when you arrive for your interview = feel proud and confident
He knows how to walk the walk = acts in a way that shows people he is really good at what he does, and not just good at talking about it
It’s not a difficult exam – you’ll walk it! = easily achieve something you want
Police officers have to walk the beat every day = walk around the area that they are responsible for
She walked me off my feet yesterday in Oxford Street! = walked so far and so fast that I was very tired
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 16 September 2008 )
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Whilst all reasonable efforts have been made, the publisher makes no warranties that this information is accurate and up-to-date and will not be responsible for any errors or omissions in the information nor any consequences of any errors or omissions. Professional advice should be sought where appropriate. Copyright OKinUK Ltd August 2008
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