Pickering Park

Is it right for my child?

• Animal fans: Live It Hull says the aviary holds African birds, small mammals such as meerkats and porcupines, and reptiles including tortoises. The council also lists a meerkat area.
• Climbers and swingers: the council says the play area has equipment for children of all ages, including swings, a spinning bowl and a multi-play activity centre.
• Toddlers: the Friends of Pickering Park, a volunteer group, describe a toddlers’ play area alongside one for older children. They also mention a zip wire.
• Wheels and sport: the council lists a bike track, an activity trail, a multi-use games area and playing fields for football and rounders.
• Outdoor gym: there is an outdoor gym and a calisthenics zone. The council gives no age guidance for them.
• History hunters: the park opened on 13 July 1911. Look for the lion shield on its iron gates.
• Water safety: the fishing lake is a real hazard for toddlers. The council’s fishing rules ban wading, swimming and inflatables.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Live It Hull lists aviary hours of 10.30am to 3.45pm every day, last admission 45 minutes before closing. School visits get exclusive access, so ring 01482 300 300 before a weekday trip.
• Do not promise paddling. The council lists the paddling pool as open during the school summer holidays, which ended on 6 September 2026.
• Bring snacks and drinks. The official pages do not mention a café, but there are picnic benches near the bandstand.
• Leave the dog outside the play area. The council says only assistance dogs are welcome there.
• Plan your parking. The council park page does not mention a car park (see Getting there and parking).
• Planning to fish? Read the council fishing rules first. The pass page says passes are sold at East Park Reception during working hours.

Prices and tickets

The council pages list no admission charge for Pickering Park, and Live It Hull says the aviary is free to the public. The aviary page does not mention booking for families.

• Outdoor gym: free to use, the council says.
• Fishing: from 1 April 2026, an adult day ticket costs £6.75, a concessions day ticket £4.70 and an adult annual pass £51. Juniors aged 15 and under are free.
• Children fishing: the pass page says under 12s must be accompanied by a paying adult. The rules page says under 12s must be with a responsible adult.
• Rod licences: the two council fishing pages disagree. The pass page says anglers aged 12 and above need one, and the rules page says 13 and older. Check with the council before a 12 year old fishes.
• Hull Santa Fun Run and Walk, 6 December 2026: on 13 November 2026 the Friends’ page listed entry at £10 for adults and £7 for children aged 3 to 16. It listed £30 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children, with Santa outfits included.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

The council says a toilet block next to the paddling pool has male, female, child and disabled toilets, and they are open daily. Baby changing is in the disabled toilet. The council does not give toilet opening hours.

The official pages do not describe path surfaces, slopes or pushchair routes. They also do not mention a Changing Places toilet or a feeding room.

The council says the park is staffed daily.

Food and drink

The official pages do not mention a café or kiosk in the park, so pack your own food and drinks. The council says there is a bandstand with picnic benches nearby.

For the Santa Run on 6 December 2026, the Friends’ page said there would be mobile catering with bacon sandwiches, burgers, tea and coffee.

Getting there and parking

The council gives the address as Pickering Park, Pickering Road, Hull HU4 7AB. It says the park lies to the west of the city, about 3 miles outside the city centre.

• Car parking: the council park page does not mention a car park or parking charges.
• On-street parking: for the 6 December 2026 Santa Run, the Friends pointed to on-street parking on Hessle High Road (HU4 6RU) and Pickering Road (HU4 7AB).
• Buses and trains: the official pages do not give bus routes or the nearest station.

When to visit

Live It Hull lists the aviary as open every day from 10.30am to 3.45pm, with last admission 45 minutes before closing. The aviary page does not mention Christmas or New Year arrangements.

The council page gives no opening hours for the park itself. It says the park is staffed daily and the toilets are open daily.

School groups can book education visits at the aviary. Live It Hull’s school packages page says schools get exclusive access to the site during their visit. It does not say how this affects public visits. If the meerkats are the main reason for a weekday trip, ring 01482 300 300 first.

The council’s water play page says the Pickering Park paddling pool opens daily during the schools’ summer holiday, from 10am to 5pm. It may close at short notice for draining and cleaning. The council pages give no winter opening.

Hull Santa Fun Run and Walk, Sunday 6 December 2026: on 13 November 2026, the Friends of Pickering Park listed this family event in the park. The Friends’ page gave 10am for Santas arriving and 11am for the start hooter.

• The Friends said the 2.5km course takes in most of the park, including the whole lake perimeter.
• The Friends described it as a fun event, not a race, that entrants could walk.
• The Friends said under 16s must be accompanied by an adult, who does not have to take part.
• On 13 November 2026, the Friends’ page welcomed spectators and linked to online entry.

Frequently asked questions

Is Pickering Park free?

The council pages list no admission charge for the park, and Live It Hull says the aviary is free to the public. Adult anglers pay for a fishing pass. On 13 November 2026, the Friends’ page listed an entry fee for their Santa Run on 6 December 2026.

What time is Pickering Park Aviary open?

Live It Hull lists it as open every day from 10.30am to 3.45pm. Last admission is 45 minutes before closing. The page does not mention Christmas arrangements.

Is the Pickering Park paddling pool open in winter?

The council lists the water play area as open daily from 10am to 5pm in the school summer holidays. Those ended on Sunday 6 September 2026. The council pages give no winter opening.

Are there toilets and baby changing at Pickering Park?

Yes. The council lists a toilet block next to the paddling pool, open daily. Baby changing is in the disabled toilet.

Can I take my dog to Pickering Park?

The council says only assistance dogs are welcome in the play area. The Friends of Pickering Park say they welcome dogs, and ask owners to clean up after them.

Is there parking at Pickering Park?

The council park page does not mention a car park. For the 6 December 2026 Santa Run, the Friends pointed to on-street parking on Hessle High Road and Pickering Road.

Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Hull City Council pages for Pickering Park, water play, fishing and fishing passes, the Live It Hull Pickering Park Aviary page, and the Friends of Pickering Park pages for facilities and the Santa Run. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.