Public Playgrounds (swings, climbing, slides, etc)

I was thinking back when we lived in the UK previously (sans kiddos) and I couldn't remember ever seeing a public playground with climbing equipment, slides, swings, etc. Now that we are heading back over (albeit a different area of the UK) with kids, I am looking online to see if there are any local free playgrounds and I'm not finding anything. There are a few giant indoor play areas that cost per visit. I am just looking for a good old public playground Are they not that common or am I missing something on how to find them?

We have loads up in Manchester. They are usually an amenity of a larger park.  Where are you moving?

There are free public playgrounds all over the place - I just spent the morning at one near my parents' house with my friend and her young son. There are at least 3 or 4 playgrounds in my hometown (population 15,000) and dozens in the city 15 miles away.

You probably won't find many of them mentioned online though, as they aren't the kind of thing that is advertised on the internet (I can't find a mention of any of the parks I know when I do a Google search) - they are just small local parks in residential areas of towns.

You should find local parks listed on the local councils website.

We have loads up in Manchester. They are usually an amenity of a larger park.  Where are you moving?

Good to hear!!  I have a feeling I'm going to be hitting up every park this summer. 

agree with the amount in and around Manchester- we found the word of mouth recommendations to be the best sources so let us know where you'll be moving too and maybe there will be some who can suggest places

I'm the OP (posted under a different name on accident). We'll be near Havant (Portsmouth) Hampshire. I guess I'm just used to a county website here in the US with a list of the parks and playgrounds there, so was hoping I'd find some random local ones. I really don't remember seeing any when I lived in a small village near Bath years ago - but I KNOW they must exist Hopefully, once we get over there in a couple of months, I'll scope them out.

Just found one via Foursquare (someone checked in) so I know of at least one near us. I'm sure there are more then, hopefully some close ones within short walking distance. I think it's like PP said, just not easy to find out about online. With a 2 year old and another on the way, I suspect we'll be at playgrounds most every day