Belle Vue Park Reviews Summary

Park Environment

Pros:

• "A beautifully maintained traditional British park."
• "Lovely garden, long as you dont mind a hill to walk up, as the whole of gardens is based on a hill."
• "Its peaceful and you forget that you're in a city."
• "A beautiful roaming park, with lots of trees and plants to see, and wide open green spaces, with lots of benches to sit on."
• "Lovely mature trees - haven of peace and tranquility."
• "The Park is very well looked after and the people who work there do an amazing job with all the plants and keeping the park looking great."
• "Beautifully laid out park. Lots of landscaped area and a good amount of natural area."

Cons:

• "Can get really busy at times, but a lovely park to play on, or just take a stroll around."
• "The bridge safety rails were broken and taped off not very securely."
• "Some of the levels of walking are quite steep so be mindful if you struggle with that."
• "It is on a very steep hillside, so if you have a heavy pushchair can involve a bit of pushing."
• "I was keen to see the water feature/lake but it was dried up and had some litter unfortunately."
• "The flower beds are not what they once were."
• "However, I saw 3 rats playing in the grass alongside a path and I didn't feel I wanted to remain."

Accessibility

Pros:

• "It's a friendly place."
• "A safe, easy access park for all."
• "It is fairly accessible, with wide, well maintained pathways that give access to most areas if you can't use the steps."
• "Safe secure car park that is free to disabled badge holders and free after 16.00."
• "Easy parking, coffee, toilets and a very nice, quiet and beautiful area to walk or seat in one of the multiple benches and relax."
• "It's also a great park for families with children, having lovely walks, with lots of open space for a picnic, and a playground area that is well kept with all the usual park apparatus."
• "Clean, fresh air, outdoor place for just blowing off steam, relax."

Cons:

• "For wheelchair users, I think you'd struggle and would definitely need a helping hand to fully enjoy this park."
• "Also, I would say, this park isn't fully disability friendly, and it is important to note that it is steep on a hillside so may be tricky in parts."
• "It is very hilly so be ready for it."
• "Wouldn’t recommend to those who struggle walking hills, or are wheelchair bound without sufficient strength to manoeuvre around very steep heels!"
• "If you have difficulties walking bit of a struggle from the car park."

Parking

Pros:

• "Pleased to find free parking near one of the gates."
• "Good car-parking, nice small play-park; tennis and basketball courts; ample benches."
• "A decent amount of parking. Machine takes cash and card."
• "This park has ample parking space, please do carry cash.. the card machine was not working when we were there."

Cons:

• "On the down side, parking isn't great as you have to pay, and it isn't very big so can get full very quickly in summer."
• "The only downside is you have to pay for parking like many other park's in the City."
• "Lovely lunch ....just a shame about the parking ticket!"
• "Parking machines are always out of order or sketchy to use."

Café and Tea Room

Pros:

• "The afternoon cream tea was delicious."
• "The tearoom is has beautiful decor and the food is delicious."
• "There is a nice cafeteria inside the park."
• "Cafe almost overwhelmed but excellent simple menu. Good coffee and cakes plus simple hot food."
• "The tea room does a brilliant breakfast and the evening events they put on are brilliant."
• "Coffee shop here is well priced and serves good quality coffee and tasty bakes."
• "The cafè at top is well worth it!! From cream teas, jacket potatoes, other lunches and variteies of cakes."

Cons:

• "Visited sun ,cafe has market menu, very limited."
• "Lovely park absolutely rubbish service in the tea rooms waited over 39 mins for 2 milk shakes ended up getting a refund."
• "Went for afternoon tea, staff very nice but tea disappointing. Scones dry, cakes sickly and sandwiches poor."
• "The bill was questioned at the time Of payment but the cafe assistant insisted we were paying the correct amount."
• "A bit hot today in the mainly glass building."
• "We ordered a pot of tea and toasted sandwiches but declined milk for the tea and asked for hot water instead. We were charged an extra £1 for the hot water."
• "The coffee was served in a takeaway cup and ice tea in a plastic tumbler, not a glass."

Events and Activities

Pros:

• "Look out for the summer programme of events in the Park."
• "Plus on the first Sunday of every month they have a fantastic market which is well worth a visit."
• "The bandstand has the occasional activity or event going on through the summer."
• "There's live events going on at the moment all different types definitely worth a look."
• "Went to the Food Festival night tonight. Great to see people out watching Live Music from the amazing 'Three Oclock Club' enjoying a beer and locally produced food."
• "Great fun, we went to the monthly market, very good stalls with lots of homemade items."
• "They also put on various fates / food fares etc."

Cons:

• "The tea room was closed when I went there maybe because of the pandemic."
• "Just shame there are often dog excrements left on the court."
• "There is another court yard with centre fountain, but sadly I have noticed it has been unkept and is looking shabby of late, which is a shame."
• "On this occasion found it to be in dire need of TLC."
• "But oh why do you have to drink Tea/Coffee out of useless paper cups when sat outside."
• "Stunning grounds a beautiful and tranquil place! the tennis courts need to be better taken care of they are great courts however they are covered in dead foliage could do with a clear out once a week to keep on top of it."
• "NCC need to fix the wooden bridges and clean out the ponds as they are full of rubbish."