What a palava! For our first visit.. no one on gate so was chased over the carpark after being seen by the person meant to be on the gate...(?) Stopped and then told where to park, further than I planned.. there were near by spaces. Paid to get in; £2 per person for a walk.. dogs are free. Ticket was described as a 'permit' and told to keep it handy if asked to show it (2 middle aged women and 2 dogs). Time in the Park is 'time limited' 3hrs. On our walking route we got asked for 'dog permit' by a guy in a car paroling the walk route, who then wanted to have a friendly chat... he meant the adult entrance permit. We both thought that this was unnessary. Also having paid for a time limited visit, chatting to a member of the Park team for 'their role' was not on my visiting agenda, as friendly as they meant to be, gave me mixed feelings about being at the park.. scrutinised, untrusted, policed. One person, friendly enough, kept an eye open and stopped us and directed us to an unsigned makeshift bridge leading to the lake and explained that there was a bridge to cross a wide stream hidden by the trees. I really support the idea of a community run Park with all of the amazing facilties here but felt like I was not meant to be there and unwelcome. I'm sure there's a better way to manage a resource with so much potential where visitors can go and actually 'relax' in a lovely natural environment.. perhaps needs some more development and potentially apply for environmental grants to improve the nature reserve and its groundwork management? Cafe and toilets on site in the carpark - not at the lake where people spend most of their time visiting. Can easily miss turning. I'm sure more signage will be invested in as the project develops. In summary; great central place, amazing out door water resources, keen workers/volunteers. Needs visitor and signage developing.

The staff couldn’t have been more helpful, they were tripping over themselves trying to help. Information & help was superb, plus only £6 each to Paddleboard. Water was really warm too. All in all we had a fantastic time here. Will definitely be returning very soon. Thank you 😊😊😊😊

Great for paddle boarding, friendly staff, took the paddle board from the parking lot to the beach for me which was great. Dog friendly. Nice, relaxed and clean. Sure it will get even better when more development is done to it.

Intersing place to visit. Roman fort geting rebuilt with an ancient technique. If you find Gary, he will answer every your question about it. Check out a web page for a historical events. The lake is crystal clear and full of wildlife. You can swim or paddle, take your own (do not forget a life vest or float) or hire a kayak. Clare at the desk will give you all the information you need to know. Cafe is nice and reasonably priced. Everyone was friendly and helpful.

Beautiful place to visit. Love the Roman fort. Swim, kayack, paddle board or walk. I like the fact that money raised goes towards developing and improving the park which is run by volunteers.

My first time here found it on GoPaddle app but really glad I did! Beautiful location! Warm welcome and find farewell. It really felt like a step in the past too leaving your things on the side of the lake and knowing that the other people there wouldn't pinch anything, it was like leaving the front door open. Anyways beautiful location and so so relaxing!

Outstanding facilities and very reasonable price. Took my own Kayak to get some practice in before embarking of Kayaking the canal network and this was absolutely spot on. Staff, many of whom are volunteers, couldn't do enough to help and made the experience extra special. Booked already to go again this coming Sunday. What I believe is important to point out that this is park with a project, so look this up. It's a park run by volunteer's who are raising funds for the ultimate goal so hiring out this lake is just superb. Ideal location, superb prices what more can you want. Priced up other lakes around the area and so expensive to use. This lake is cheap and money made goes back into the park and helps achieve its goals.

Well worth a visit but a place in development with a few quirks. Visited on Bank Holiday weekend. We hadn't realised you could only stay for 3 hours, which was disappointing when we had planned a day out. Was told this 4 times before we left the car park by different helpers so felt a slightly unwelcome start. Roman Fort in development so only the perimeter and a building shell to see so far in regards to permanent structures. There was reenactment actors there in a temporary camp, who were really knowledgeable and showed us how the Romans camped made weapons etc. Great interactive history, and seeing it now you can watch it grow on subsequent visits. The Fort nor the lake is near the carpark so bare that in mind I'd you have people with mobility problems. A wheelchair would also struggle as paths rough. People were managing with push chairs. Toilet facilities at lake are porter loos, there are proper ones on carpark. Not a problem for us and walk was pleasant. Options to walk the full lake perimeter too if you have time. The warden Paul was really friendly and does regular loops in jeep to take your equipment to lakeside. The only problem with this is the stress of the 3 hours ticking so my husband missed the family picnic to rush back to the carpark to get the equipment loaded. We were then pumping up the SUPS at Mac speed straight after lunch. Rules on lake to wear life jackets or tow float which is no problem and usual water safety but we were told off for letting the children 9 and 12 jump off SUPS to cool down and swim next to us (in LJ with close adult supervision). Micro management like this is not for us as we are all a very water savvy and experienced family. Overall great potential and am sure it will grow from strength to strength. If you want to attract visitors from further a field please allow people to extend their visit. Warden ended up giving us extra time as the jeep loops had been a bit slower but having a clock ticking when you are outdoors having fun really ruined the experience.

Reasonable prices and good fun. Nice way to get the kid out into the great outdoors. The lake and the surrounding area is clean and well maintained and on a nice summer's day you could easily spend the whole day here. Life jackets etc can be hired on site, All the staff were helpful and the little cafe had some nice food on offer. Some sort of basic changing area around the lake area would be a plus as it's a little bit of a walk back to the toilets and the porta Toilets aren't the best but this didn't take anything away from the experience.

Nice to have a walk and to see the fort and lake, lots of people wandering around. Could do with a sign on the road as we drove past it.

Took my own Kayak and have been several times, cost is about right for the 2.5 hours (£6). All the team are really helpful and nice to see that they control any disruptive behaviour in a calm and effective manner.

To everyone reading these reviews before considering coming to the park. If you are considering coming to use the lake for kayaking or SuP Boarding you MUST wear a life jacket at ALL times whilst on the lake and we operate a non splash and play policy .1 life jacket=1 person. If you are coming here to swim you MUST use a tow float at ALL times whilst swimming in the lake,1 float=1swimmer. Failure to do either of them will result in you being asked to exit the water. Simple little rules that,when followed, will result in you having a wonderful time on the site.

Looking forward to seeing it progress, but so far looks like great work and absolutely beautiful. Note: this attraction is NOT SUITABLE FOR PRAMS! If we were made aware we would have taken our baby-carrier harness as the footpaths are extremely rocky and rough, very hard to navigate on pram wheels! It would have been nice to know this before arrival, I suggest the park rangers warn visitors if they see them getting a pram out the car! And please make it obvious on visitor pages etc.

Had a lovely walk around the site. Nice views of the lake. Could do with more seating around the lake. Disappointed that people doing water sports had put their bags on the benches we (walkers) had nowhere to sit to enjoy the lake.

We went to see the fort and the Romans. They advertised weapons demonstrations and a children's army. Unfortunately there was none of that. There was nothing going on at all. There was a few tents with the people dressed as Romans just sitting in them talking to each other. There was one building where a guy spoke with us and a gentleman in the yurt also But that was it. I feel like it was poorly organised and lots of people wandering around not quite sure what was happening. They also charge full adult prices for children over 13. I feel like it just needed a bit of organisation to get things going. A fantastic idea, just poorly executed

Just had a great couple of hours at Park in the Past, fantastic location. We took our own kayaks, £5 per boat is a bargain and the lake was 👌. I can't comment on hire facilities, buti believe they're reasonably priced.

Fab adternoon. We are really exxited to be joining the volunteers to build the fort. Paul the biss is so knowledgeable about the early romans its rewritten my understanding of our history.

Really nice day at the park. The guide was very helpful and knowledgeable and we learnt a lot about Roman forts. Also had a nice picnic by the lake, although the cafe looked really good.

Genuinely amazing, this place is a great place to visit if you like roman history but I think it will get better and better in the future so I will definitely visit again.

My grandchildren had a whale of a time re-enacting a Roman battle, complete with swords and shields. Excellent work going on there by all time involved.

What a delightful surprise. Well done to all who are working so hard to make this enterprise work. We walked to the fort where all our questions were answered by a very amiable gentleman. Then we walked round the lake and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the nature around

Great time paddle boarding today. Even take inflated kayaks and SUPs to lake side for you. Poor Wardens are run ragged explaining the rules about water safety to some people! Great facility, close to home, I will be back. Only feedback I can give is that the car park signage for exit could do with being improved.

1st visit to the lake today after a very simple online booking process. Staff on arrival greeted us and directed us to the checkin cabin, all the staff were really friendly and helpful. Kids and I loved our newly purchased Kayak from Go Outdoors and paid a very reasonable £5 launch fee for 2hrs fun! Can’t wait to return. Thank you for a great day👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

The lake is a peaceful place, lovely to swim in. Small cafe, adequate parking. Also nice for paddleboarding but it is quite a walk down to the water, staff will take your inflated paddleboard down when available. Lots of interruption to the development of this place due to covid but it is a lovely and peaceful place to spend time.

Called today for a walk with the dogs. Not ideal if you have any mobility problems, as the walk down to the lake before the little bridge is all loose stone/ gravel. The walk was lovely. Called at the cafe after, we both ordered the ploughman's, how disappointing. A small bread roll, a few pats of butter,an individual cheddar piece(Aldi), an individual baby bel, a few grapes, a small pot of pickle, 3 slices of meat, very wafer thin, completely tasteless, I wouldn't give it to my dog! 2 small pieces of salami slice, paper thin, and an individual portion of honey?. My friend gave the meat to his dog, very poor, and , a waste of money, having paid £3 to park, and £ 3 entrance fee each. If they want to sell ploughman's, maybe invest in better quality produce, it does say local produce! From aldi?

Great place for SUP, water has always been clear every visit. Staff are friendly and courteous. And now with the addition of hot/cold food at the cafe, it’s just another reason to stay longer

We run an after school activity club and thought the kids would enjoy the Roman fort and activities. I tried to get in touch with them to find out prices as there was conflicting information online and we really needed to pre book. Sadly they never got back to me and we had to take the 15 kids elsewhere

An amazing place for natural beauty. Can see the bottom of the lake as the water is that clean! The staff are super friendly and there is even a roman Fort to explore. All dog friendly, and great coffee too!

Went for a swim - had a great time. Swam alongside lots of birdlife and enjoyed chatting with others using the lake, I'd definitely return. Missing a point because a man in a "volunteer" hi Vis made us a bit uncomfortable, was hanging around us and kept trying to catch my eye whilst speaking to the ducks and I was getting changed under my dryrobe. I understand he may be differently abled but couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.

A natural water lake, should never be paid, just for a walk £3.50! Let’s also mention there’s no life guard for swimmers and to just swim in the lake you’ll need to rent a toe floater! There’s no prices mention on the website! The walking trails also need some maintenance for something that it’s paid, and it’s just natural.

A nice walk around the lake. The fort was interesting and the staff very informative. I found £19 somewhat pricey for 2 children and 1 Adult to go for a walk though. Either way a nice morning out

We really enjoyed our visit to Park In The Past. We had a great walk around the lake and then visited the cafe. They are busy working on the Roman Fort which will be excellent when finished. Would recommend a visit.

Nice walk around the lake, lots of wildlife to stop and look at. Cafe/toilets are nice and clean, Cafe is reasonably priced too. Roman fort was closed so we couldn't go see it, still charged full price though :/

The Fort is brilliant, a lot of hard work put into building it.

Great place for a walk and to walk your dogs, you can go swimming and kayaking, all the different wildlife. Nice relaxing sit with a great view of the lake.

A hidden gem in North Wales. A lovely, peaceful walk around the lake with a baby and a toddler. We used baby carriers but you could quite easily use a pram or trike as well. A nice little tea, coffee and biscuit to finish off as well. Only suggestion would be more signage to let people know it is there but then again that might disturb the peacefulness.

The place has great potential, we took the grand children and did the 2 mile lake walk. It was a sunny day and we enjoyed the nature reserve, identifying the Fauna and Flora.

Lovely place to have a walk. They give you a map and its just £2 for an adult eith free parking. Plenty of benches if you want to take a picnic and we found it absolutely fine with the pram, a little bumpy but absolutely lovely views.

Lovely outdoor space and it's nice to watch it slowly develop. Lake is well kept and lots of nature. Friendly staff.

Lovely place. kayak hire all great. very safe. But there’s a big BUT please do not shout at people.And belittle people.The lady Sharon today I’m sorry we’ve come from Chester today,and honestly there was no need to shout at the gentleman like you did.Chucking his shoes at him in front of about 20 people.Take him to one side and explain the rules,he wasn’t a young man he was in his 40s.You don’t get anywhere by screaming at people.It’s not the first time I’ve heard you shouting.This is not very professional.It just puts people off. Everyone was looking at you today.I’m not sure if you like you’re high authority. I do understand there has to be rules but I was in the water and this gentleman was a very good swimmer.I could tell he was used to outdoor swimming.And I do get it you have a job to do for peoples safety.I totally get it.But the screaming at him I did not get.

Probably more designed for paddle borders and wild swimmers, took two small children to get their feet wet and have a paddle in the lake but was baffled by all the rules, only allowed to stay for 3 hours, kids can't paddle unless you pay extra. Saying that once the Fort is completed it will be a brilliant family day out. Great for organised water sports but not great for kids who just want to build dams and throw stones etc.

Really amazing place to be all staff warm and welcoming and lots of wild life

We went for a dog walk round the lake this morning which was great and very accessible. You can finish off with a coffee if appropriate. Swimming in the lake is also great. Staff are friendly and helpful Would highly recommend.

£2 per person for an alright walk, which is silly when there are so many free amazing walks in the area. All felt a bit policed and over the top for a public park and would be a lot better if managed differently. Walking should be free which would then encourage more people to come to the cafe / use the watersports etc