Get outdoors for Love Parks Week
25 July 2025
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire offer a wealth of green spaces to celebrate the Love Parks spirit, where nature, history and community beautifully come together. Love Parks Week is a nationwide, annual celebration organised by Keep Britain Tidy, that highlights the vital role parks and green spaces play in boosting everyone’s health, wellbeing, and sense of community.
From manicured city gardens to wild coastal reserves and sprawling woodland trails, the region is blessed with spaces that invite us to pause, play and connect with the outdoors. Here are some standout spots where you can enjoy, appreciate and support this summer:
Duthie Park
This delightful 44-acre city park, endowed in the 1880s, is famed for the David Welch Winter Gardens, a tropical indoor oasis with the UK’s third-largest cactus collection. You’ll also find boating ponds, fountains, a charming bandstand, café and open lawns perfect for picnicking.
Seaton Park
Sprawling along the River Don, Seaton Park covers 27 hectares of riverside pathways, floral beds and a hidden walled garden planted in 2017!
Johnston Gardens
A tranquil pocket jewel, this horticultural gem features streams, ponds, waterfalls, vivid floral displays and a photogenic wooden bridge! It’s a favourite for picnics and wedding photos, thriving on its Britain-in-Bloom accolades.
Hazlehead Park
One of Scotland’s largest with 180 hectares, Hazlehead offers woodland walks, a pitch-and-putt, dual golf courses, historic maze (since 1935), pets’ corner and newly refurbished family-friendly play facilities. The £1 million inclusive playpark features zip-lines and wheelchair-accessible trampolines.
Victoria Park
Aberdeen’s original public park (established 1871) is small but scenic, centred around a granite fountain built from 14 local stone types. It boasts a sensory garden, shaded lawns and a casual, musical local vibe on weekends .
Cruickshank Botanic Garden
A peaceful 11-acre walled haven tucked behind King’s College. Boasting rare plants and themed sections, it’s an oasis for a relaxing stroll or picnic, right beside the Zoology Museum.
Union Terrace Gardens
Recently redeveloped, this central garden bursts with spring wildflowers, has new play areas, accessible pathways and a tranquil amphitheatre-like vibe, ideal for a midday coffee break or to watch the world go by.
Westburn Park
Adjacent to Victoria Park, this 10-hectare riverside retreat features mature trees, open lawns, café, skatepark, cycle track and the Gilcomston Burn flowing through.
Forvie National Nature Reserve
Home to dynamic dunes, the Ythan Estuary, seal haul-outs and a large eider duck colony this spot offers pristine coastal wilderness where wildlife watching and dune hiking go hand in hand.
Clashindarroch Forest
One of Aberdeenshire’s largest forests, managed by Forestry & Land Scotland. It offers Nordic walking trails, snow sports in winter and wildcat sightings, offering a true woodland escape.
Glen Tanar Estate
A 25,000-acre Highland estate in the Cairngorms National Park offering forest and river trails, wildlife safaris, salmon fishing and chances to glimpse pine martens, eagles and even rare wildcats!
Balmedie Beach
A gem for beach lovers and dune enthusiasts with wide sandy shores, coastal trails, dunes ideal for sand-boarding and picnic zones. This beautiful spot is notable as one of Scotland’s award-winning beaches.
Whether you're after a peaceful picnic, a family day out, a refreshing dog walk or simply a chance to immerse yourself in the regions great outdoors, there’s something here for everyone.
This Love Parks week, don’t forget to tag us in your adventures @VisitABDN or use our hashtags #VisitABDN or #BeautifulABDN for your chance to feature across our social channels.