East Park

Is it right for my child?

• Animal lovers: the Animal Education Centre is a free zoo inside the park. Live It Hull says it holds domestic, farm and exotic animals, with information boards on diet, habitat and how endangered some species are.
• Playground fans: the council describes a large collection of modern play equipment designed for all ages and abilities.
• Explorers: 130 acres of parkland, the Ferens boating lake and the Khyber Pass, a rock folly with its own waterfall.
• Noisy fun: the council lists outdoor musical instruments made from reclaimed materials for children to bang and bash.
• Rides: the park has a Wicksteed splash boat, a ride since 1929, and swan boat pedalos on the lake. The council page does not give their times or prices, or say whether they run in November and December.
• Water warning: the park has the Ferens boating lake, a model yacht pond and a waterfall. Keep young children close at the water’s edge.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Arrive with time to spare. The council’s table gives a 4pm closing time for the weeks ending 8 November to 27 December 2026, and calls the times provisional.
• Reach the Animal Education Centre by 3pm, its last entry time. Under 16s must be with an adult.
• Download the winter activity sheet “East Park Animal I Spy” from Live It Hull before you go.
• Leave the dog outside the play area. Only assistance dogs are welcome there.
• Drive in through the car park at Woodford Leisure Centre, which the council names as the main vehicle access.
• Booking adapted bikes? Sessions must be booked in advance before 10am by phoning East Park Reception.

Prices and tickets

The council lists no entry charge for the park, and the Animal Education Centre is free. Live It Hull says the centre is free to visit, and the council calls it a free zoo.

• Adapted Cycling Scheme: registration £1, then £7 per person per session or £21 for a family ticket. Carers go free.
• Splash boat and swan boats: the council’s East Park page does not list prices.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• Toilets: public toilets sit at the rear of the boathouse, next to the Animal Education Centre. The council says they are open daily.
• Accessible toilets: the council says disabled toilets are available. There is a Changing Places toilet in the Central Pavilion, and another at Woodford Leisure Centre.
• Baby changing: the council’s East Park page does not mention baby changing, so bring a mat.
• Pushchairs: Hull Libraries lists pushchair access at East Park Library in the Pavilion. The council park page does not describe path surfaces.

Food and drink

The Central Pavilion Cafe serves homemade food, snacks and drinks, with views of the park. The council also mentions hot food and ice creams there.

• Café hours: the council page does not give opening hours for the café. Plan around the park’s 4pm closing.
• Picnics: the council mentions a picnic area at the water play area. That area is seasonal, and the page gives no other picnic spots.

Getting there and parking

• Address: East Park, Holderness Road, Hull HU8 8JU, to the east of the city centre.
• Car park: the council says the main access for vehicles is via the car park at Woodford Leisure Centre. It does not list parking charges, opening times or Blue Badge spaces.
• On foot: pedestrian entrances are on East Park Avenue, Ings Road, Summergangs Road, James Reckitt Avenue and Holderness Road.
• Buses: the council page does not name bus routes, so check with your bus operator before you travel.

When to visit

• Park hours, November and December 2026: the council’s opening times table lists 8am to 4pm for each week ending 8 November to 27 December. It gives 8am to 4.30pm for the week ending 1 November.
• Provisional times: the council says these times are provisional only and could change.
• Animal Education Centre: open to the public daily from 10.30am to 3.45pm, with last entry at 3pm.
• Water play: the council’s water play page says East Park’s facility opens from the end of May until the beginning of September. It opens on weekends, bank holidays and school holidays. The East Park page lists splash pad sessions Monday to Sunday but gives no dates.
• Christmas and New Year: the council’s table does not mention Christmas Day or Boxing Day separately. The Animal Education Centre page does not mention Christmas or New Year arrangements.
• Rainy day backup: East Park Library in the Pavilion has a children’s library with books, toys and computers. Its autumn and winter hours, October to March, are 10am to 2pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. It is closed on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Additional needs and disability support

The council and Hull Libraries list this support at East Park.

Frequently asked questions

Is East Park in Hull free?

The council’s East Park page lists no entry charge for the park. The Animal Education Centre is free to visit. The adapted cycling scheme charges £7 per person per session, with carers free.

What time does East Park close in winter?

The council’s provisional table gives 8am to 4pm for each week ending 8 November to 27 December 2026. The Animal Education Centre has last entry at 3pm.

Is the East Park splash pad open in winter?

The council’s water play page says it opens from the end of May until the beginning of September. Do not plan on water play in November or December.

What animals are at East Park Animal Education Centre?

Live It Hull says the centre holds domestic, farm and exotic animals. The council describes animals and birds from around the world. Under 16s must be with an adult.

Are there toilets at East Park?

Yes. Public toilets are at the rear of the boathouse, next to the Animal Education Centre, and the council says they open daily. The Central Pavilion has a Changing Places toilet.

Can I take my dog to East Park?

The council says only assistance dogs are welcome in the play area. East Park Library welcomes well behaved dogs in the main library only.

Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Hull City Council pages for East Park, water play, play areas and the Adapted Cycling Scheme, Live It Hull’s Animal Education Centre and Woodford Leisure Centre pages, and Hull Libraries’ East Park Library page. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.