Central Forest Park
🏟 Playground & park · Hanley / Sneyd Green, Stoke-on-Trent
Central Forest Park
A large free country park near Hanley with a safari-themed adventure playground, climbing boulders, a lake and Europe's largest street-style skate plaza.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 24-hour pedestrian access; car park open 8am until dusk · Free · No booking needed
About Central Forest Park
Central Forest Park is a large, free country park created by Stoke-on-Trent City Council on the site of a former colliery, covering around 49 hectares close to Hanley and the city centre. It is a green, open landscape of grassland, trees and a lake, laced with paths for walking, cycling and dog walking. The main draw for families is the big safari-themed adventure play area, a short walk from the car park, which is split into two sections: one designed for younger children aged around five and under, and the other for over-fives, with larger equipment including a sizeable climbing frame and a big tyre swing. There are also natural boulders for children to clamber over. Right next to the play area is the Stoke Skate Plaza, described as Europe's largest street-style skate park, which is a magnet for skateboarders, BMX riders and scooter users of all abilities. The park offers free parking off Chell Street, open from 8am until dusk, with 24-hour pedestrian access, plus public toilets and picnic areas. Its former colliery setting means it is rich in wildlife and even carboniferous fossils in the old pit mound shale. Dogs are welcome, and entry and parking are free, making it an affordable all-ages day out.
⭐ What makes this place special
- Safari-themed children's play area (split for under-5s and over-5s)
- Stoke Skate Plaza (large street-style skate park)
- Lake
- Walking and cycling trails
- Picnic sites
- Public toilets
🏞 Facilities
- Free entry
- Parking: Free car park off Chell Street (open 8am until dusk)
- Toilets on site
- Accessibility: Disabled access
- Dogs: Dogs allowed
🧒 Ages & play
- Safari-themed adventure play area
- Climbing boulders
- Equipment for under-5s
- Large climbing frame
- Large tyre swing
📍 Nearby places to play
- Drive Park (Birches Head Recreation Ground) · approx 0.2 miles · Birches Head
- Northwood Park · approx 0.7 miles · Northwood, Hanley
- Etruria Park · approx 1.1 miles · Etruria
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❓ Frequently asked questions
Is Central Forest Park free?
Yes. It is a free country park managed by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and the car park is also free.
What is in the playground?
There is a safari-themed adventure play area split for under-5s and over-5s, with climbing boulders, a large climbing frame and a big tyre swing.
Are there toilets and a cafe?
There are public toilets on site. There is no dedicated cafe, but there are picnic sites.
Where is Central Forest Park?
It is off Chell Street (ST1 6BB), close to Hanley and the city centre, with a free car park off Chell Street.
Is there parking?
Yes. There is a free car park off Chell Street, open from 8am until dusk, with 24-hour pedestrian access to the park.