Last weekend brought us some incredible weather with non stop sunshine & some serious heat!

It doesn't take people long to switch modes and embrace the glorious weather in full flow- sporting shorts, sandals and even hawaiian shirts and bikinis! And of course the shops are even quicker to embrace the weather, at the first opportunity, laying out sun loungers and other accesries on sale on mass.

It was great to see so many people making the most of it, the local parks were swarming with people.

So which are the best parks in and around Warwick, be it for outdoor games, peacefulness or sun bathing?

St Nicholas Park in Warwick has got to be the winner if you have children to keep entertained, with a range of activities including Motor Boats and Rowing Boats on the river, Adventure Golf, Giant Chess, Paddling Pool and Rides for young children. St Nicholas Park also has a skate park for BMX, Roller Blade or Skateboards.

St Nicholas Park also offers a couple of hard tennis courts and senior football pitches (bookable on Warwick 01926 450000). The park has some excellent floral displays and trees with plenty of grass to spare for relaxing or playing ball games or flying kites..

Jephson Gardens in Leamington Spa is hard to beat in the scenery stakes with some excellent flowers, plants, trees and buildings. Walking round it is easy to see why Jephson Gardens won a Green Flag Award which is run nationally in recognition of places being clean, safe, welcoming and green.

Boat hire is also available there which is a nice way to get a breeze up! Rowing boats or a motor boats are available. There are plenty of benches to sit on or lots of nice spots with character that offer shade next to the river. Most Sundays in spring and summer Jephson Gardens features a brass band which can be heard from most parts of the park.

Victoria Park, Leamington Spa is best if you are looking for great areas of open space, particularly ideal for ball games. Facilities there include grass bowls, ten all weather tennis courts, cricket pitch and skate park. There are also plenty of picnic tables just next to the play area

Abbey Fields in Kenliworth is well worth a trip, offering superb views of parts town and lake. This is the perfect park to stroll around. Being hilly it is actually the park of choice come winter for sledging. on the downside this doesn't make it so suited to casual ball games in summer.

However Kenliworth's Abbey Fields has an up to date play area for young children, hard tennis courts, bowls and even an outdoor swimming pool and sundeck for summer. There is plenty of bird life in Abbey Fields including ducks which you can feed by the lake.

Where do you choose to go locally to make the most of the sunshine?

If you have any recommendations please comment below.