Quinta do Santo da Serra

Two things bring people here. The first is the animals: deer, ducks, peacocks and other birds live on the grounds, and some are kept in shelters where they can be fed. It works well with children. The second is the Miradouro Inglês at the end of the park, a viewpoint over the mountains and the coastline.

The rest is trees and quiet. Old eucalyptus and other large trees shade the lawns, benches are spread through the grounds, and the park does not fill up. There is a minigolf area and open ground for games. Dogs are allowed.

The park grew out of an estate whose walks were used mainly by foreign women living on the island.

• Animals: deer, ducks, peacocks and other birds roam the grounds, and some are kept in shelters where they can be fed.
• Minigolf: there is a minigolf area, but it is not obvious where the clubs and balls come from.
• Dogs: dogs are allowed in the park.
• Shade: large old trees and benches throughout, so there is somewhere to sit out of the sun.
• Weather: Santo António da Serra is cooler and damper than the coast. Bring a layer.

Santo António da Serra lies inland in the east of Madeira, and the usual way in is by car. There is street parking around the village, including by the church, and the last stretch to the park is on foot from wherever the car ends up. The entrance is step-free, and there is wheelchair-accessible parking. The viewpoint sits at the far end of the grounds, so the walk through the park is part of the visit.

Better: early morning, when the park is at its quietest and the light over the coast is at its cleanest.

Avoid: days of low cloud, when the viewpoint gives nothing.

Santo António da Serra sits inland and catches cloud that the south coast never sees. A grey morning here can be a clear one down by the sea. The animals are out whatever the weather, so a dull day is not a wasted one.