50 best public gardens in Britain

It's what Sunday afternoons were made for. When the weather's fine, Britain's public parks burst into life with colourful and exotic flora, paths and ponds, teashops, playgrounds and wildlife. There are as many in cities as there are out of town, so enjoy the groomed outdoors wherever you live, says Anna Pavord, The Independent's own gardens expert

Best for activities
Bicton Park, Devon
Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham
Gunnersbury Park, London
Osterley Park, Isleworth
Peasholm Park, Scarborough
Queen's Park, Cheshire
Rufford Country Park, Newark
Sefton Park, Liverpool
Staunton Country Park, Havant
Waterlow Park, Highgate, London

Best for childrenBattersea Park, London

Carnfunnock Country Park, Northern IrelandCrystal Palace Park, LondonHillsborough Walled Garden, SheffieldHaigh Hall Gardens, WiganHolland Park, LondonHorniman Gardens & Museum, Forest HillJesmond Dene, nr Newcastle-On-TyneWorden Park, LancashireRoundhay Park, Leeds

Best for plants and flowers
Calderstone Park, Liverpool
Cannizaro Park, Wimbledon
Cefn Onn Park, Cardiff
Clyne Gardens,Swansea
Colzium Estate, Glasgow
Golden Acre Park, Leeds
Heaton Hall, Prestwich, Manchester
Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa
Lister Park, Bradford
Valley Gardens, Harrogate

Best historic interestBirkenhead Park, WirralChiswick House, LondonClumber Park, WorksopEndsleigh, Milton AbbottGreenwich Park, LondonHyde Park, LondonKensington Gardens, LondonThe Leasowes, BirminghamRegent's Park, LondonSt James's Park, London

Best lesser-known
Borough Gardens, Dorset
Carlisle Park, Northumberland
City Centre Gardens, Birmingham
Embankment Gardens, Bedford
The Hill Garden, London
Johnston Gardens, Aberdeen
North Marine Park, South Shields
Morrab Subtropical Garden, Penzance
Postman's Park, City Of London
Riverside Gardens, Derbyshire