Go wild this summer!
The 50 greatest family days out...and they won’t break the bank
LONDON & SOUTH EAST 1 MAKE A SPLASH ON THE THAMES
WHERE: ThamesJet Speedboat.
WHY GO: Perfect for adrenaline junkies, this 50-minute trip along the Thames takes in famous sights including the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe and The Shard, before the boat cranks it up at Canary Wharf and performs some daring aqua-batics. GETTING THERE: Westminster Pier (citycruises.com/thamesjet). COST: Adults £39; children under 16 £29; family of four £129.
2 RIDE WAVES AND GIANT INFLATABLES
WHERE: New Forest Waterpark. WHY GO: The UK’s largest outdoor water park offers activities including wakeboarding and kayaking, and a host of inflatables. GETTING THERE: Ringwood Road, Fordingbridge, Hampshire (newforestwaterpark.co.uk). COST: £15 for a one-hour session.
3 CRACK SECRET WARTIME CODES
WHERE: Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire.
WHY GO: Explore the iconic huts and blocks where codebreakers helped Britain win the Second World War. Among many items on display are machines that deciphered the German Enigma codes.
GETTING THERE: Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, Milton Keynes.
COST: Adults £18.50; children aged 12 to 17 £10.75; children under 12 free; family ticket £48.25.
4 JOIN THOMAS AND THE FAT CONTROLLER
WHERE: The Watercress Line, Hampshire. WHY GO: Experience a ride on a real steam engine along this ten-mile heritage railway line. Children’s activities – including a nine-day Thomas The Tank Engine festival in August, featuring the Fat Controller and vintage fairground rides – are plentiful.
GETTING THERE: Just off the A31, about seven miles from Winchester. There is also a mainline link at Alton station.
COST: Adults £18; children aged two to 16 £12; family of four £54.
5 MEET THE MEERKATS AND SAY HELLO KITTY
WHERE: Drusillas Park, near Eastbourne, East Sussex.
WHY GO: Widely regarded as the best small zoo in the country. Visitors can meet hundreds of exotic residents, from monkeys and meerkats to penguins and pandas. It’s not all about animals, though – don’t forget Hello Kitty’s Secret Garden (open on selected dates) and the Get Wet! splash park.
GETTING THERE: Alfriston, East Sussex (drusillas.co.uk).
COST: Family of four (booked online in advance) £71.80.
6 ENJOY ISLAND LIFE ON TWO WHEELS
WHERE: The Isle of Wight.
WHY GO: The ever-popular island has been named by the Lonely Planet Travel Guide as one of the top ten destinations in the world for cycling. Getting around on two wheels is incredibly easy and there is a wealth of safe routes. In September the island hosts a week-long cycling festival, which features more than 100 guided cycle rides and activities. For further information visit nationaltrust. org.uk/features/cycling-on-the-isleof-wight. GETTING THERE: Bicycles travel for free on Wightlink ferries (wightlink.co.uk). COST: Free (except ferry travel and bike hire, if required).
SOUTH WEST & WALES 7 CLIMB A MOUNTAIN WITH THE KIDS
WHERE: Pen y Fan, Wales, or Potter’s Hill, North Devon.
WHY GO: The highest point in the Brecon Beacons National Park at 2,907ft, Pen y Fan is also easy to get to – it’s just a 40-minute drive from Cardiff. A four-mile circular walk with spectacular views starts from the car park and you can have a picnic at the top.
For a less strenuous walk with younger children, try Potter’s Hill in Woolacombe, and enjoy incredible views from the summit across the bay towards Baggy Point and Morte Point.
GETTING THERE: For Pen y Fan, start at the Storey Arms Outdoor Centre or Port ar Daf car park. For Potter’s Hill, the starting point is the Marine Drive car park.
COST: Free.
8 ULTIMATE ADVENTURE IN BLYTON’S PLAYGROUND
WHERE: Brownsea Island, Dorset.
WHY GO: With rare wildlife plus activity trails and even a den-building area, this adventure-filled sanctuary has something for everyone. It was the inspiration for Whispering Island in Enid Blyton’s Five Have A Mystery To Solve.
GETTING THERE: There is a half-hourly boat service to Brownsea from Poole Quay and Sandbanks (brownseaislandferries.com).
COST: Ferry: adults £11.50; children £6.75. Entry to the island: adults £8; children £4.
9 GO APE WITH SOME CHEEKY MONKEYS
WHERE: Monkeyworld, Dorset. WHY GO: This 65-acre park is a chimpanzee rescue centre and
home to the stars of TV’s Monkey Life and Monkey Business. Daily talks by keepers provide an insight into life at the park. GETTING THERE: Near Wareham, Dorset (monkeyworld.org). COST: A family ticket (two adults and two children) £38.
10 ZIPWIRE THROUGH A TROPICAL RAINFOREST
WHERE: Eden Project, Cornwall.
WHY GO: Experience the sights, smells and sounds of a tropical rainforest without leaving the UK at one of the most innovative and inspiring attractions in the country. The Skywire, the longest zipwire in England at 2,165ft, allows you to soar over Eden’s community of plants and animals at up to 20mph.
GETTING THERE: Bodelva, Cornwall. The nearest railway station is St Austell (edenproject.com). COST: Family tickets bought in advance online, £64.
11 DUEL LIKE A WIZARD AT HOGWARTS
WHERE: Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire.
WHY GO: Harry Potter fans love Lacock Abbey, which stood in as Hogwarts in two of the films. Visitors can enjoy a wizard duel and explore the family trail.
GETTING THERE: High Street, Lacock, Chippenham (national trust.org.uk/lacock-abbey-foxtalbot-museum-and-village).
COST: Family ticket £33.50; underfives go free.
12 COME FACE TO FACE WITH A T-REX
WHERE: National Show Caves Dinosaur Park, Wales. WHY GO: Explore one of the world’s largest dinosaur parks, featuring more than 220 lifesize models. Come face to tail with a brachiosaurus or cower in the shadow of a terrifying T-rex. There are also three show caves, including one where the remains of 42 skeletons dating from the Bronze Age were found. GETTING THERE: Abercrave, Swansea (showcaves.co.uk). COST: Adults £15; children aged three to 16 £11.50.
MIDLANDS & EAST ENGLAND 13 DIVE IN AT THE DEEP END
WHERE: Aqua Park Rutland and Aqua Park Suffolk. WHY GO: The biggest inflatable
aqua parks in the UK, these feature more than 70 obstacles including climbing walls, trampolines, balance bars and slides.
GETTING THERE: Rutland (open now) is located at Bull Brig Lane, Oakham (aquaparkrutland.co.uk). The Suffolk site (opens July 7) is at Alton Water, Holbrook Road, Ipswich (aquaparksuffolk.co.uk).
COST: About £20 per session.
14 BROWSE IN THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP
WHERE: Blists Hill Victorian Town, Shropshire.
WHY GO: Transport yourself back to the Victorian era with a visit to this fascinating town. Shops sell a selection of curious goods.
GETTING THERE: Blists Hill, near Telford, is operated by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (ironbridge.org.uk/explore/blistshill-victorian-town).
COST: Adults £17.95; children £10.95.
15 VISIT A TRULY MAGICAL KINGDOM
WHERE: Bewilderwood, Norfolk.
WHY GO: Set in 50 acres of woodland, Bewilderwood is the opposite of most theme parks. There are no gaudy rides or fast-food outlets – instead, visitors can enjoy climbing trees, crossing rope bridges, building dens, listening to stories and hiding in treehouses. Suitable for toddlers to teenagers. GETTING THERE: Hoveton, near Norwich (bewilderwood.co.uk). COST: Prices are based on height: under 92cm free; 92-105cm £14.50; over 105cm £16.50.
16 BECOME A ROCKET MAN (OR WOMAN!)
WHERE: The National Space Centre, Leicester.
WHY GO: Home to the UK’s largest planetarium, a 3D-simulator experience and 140ft-high rocket tower, this is the perfect place for wannabe astronauts.
GETTING THERE: Exploration Drive, Leicester (spacecentre.co.uk). COST: Adults £14; children £11; under-fives free.
17 CYCLE THROUGH ROBIN HOOD’S FOREST
WHERE: Sherwood Pines.
WHY GO: This is brilliant for offroad cycling. The family cycle route (three miles) is ideal for those with small children, and the adventure cycle trail (six miles) is a great choice for those looking for a longer ride with picnic stops.
GETTING THERE: The nearest town is Mansfield (forestry. gov.uk).
18 SEAL THE DEAL
WHERE: Natureland Seal Sanctuary, Skegness.
WHY GO: The much loved home of rescued, orphaned or injured seals, plus alpacas, penguins and tropical butterflies. GETTING
THERE: North Parade, Skegness (skegness natureland. co.uk) COST: Family of four £30.
THE NORTH & YORKSHIRE 19 PADDLE UNDER A WATERFALL
WHERE: Stainforth Force, Ribblesdale.
WHY GO: This spectacular series of pools and waterfalls beneath a packhorse bridge is fantastic for either a supervised paddle or a brisk wildwater swim. A large waterfall with a deep cauldron is very popular with braver souls who like to jump from the rope swing.
GETTING THERE: Just north of Settle. COST: Free.
20 JOIN THE MAZE CRAZE
WHERE: York Maze (open from July 14). WHY GO: Created from over a million maize plants, the UK’s largest maze – the size of eight football pitches. There are also 20 rides, attractions and shows to enjoy. GETTING THERE: Dunnington Lodge, Elvington Lane, North Yorkshire (yorkmaze.com). COST: Family of four £54 (booked in advance).
21 WALK THE WONDER WALL
WHERE: Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland. WHY GO: An old favourite thanks to the dramatic, rolling hills in which this iconic landmark sits. Don’t be put off by its 84-mile length – there are plenty of easier, family-friendly routes, such as the Thirlwell Castle Walk, which covers under two miles and features only slight inclines. The circular Steel Rigg and Sycamore Gap walk is also family-friendly. At four miles, it offers some of the Wall’s most spectacular views.
GETTING THERE: The Thirlwell Castle Walk starts in the car park at Greenhead; the Steel Rigg walk starts at Henshaw.
COST: Free.
22 GO WILD IN THE LAKE DISTRICT
WHERE: The Lake District Wildlife Park.
WHY GO: Home to more than 100 species of wild and domestic animals, this award-winning park gets top reviews. Attractions include meerkats, lemurs, otters and zebras. GETTING THERE: Keswick, Cumbria (lakedistrictwildlifepark.co.uk) COST: Adults £9.95; children £7.95; under-threes free.
23 DRIVE YOUR VERY OWN DIGGER
WHERE: Diggerland, Castleford and Durham.
WHY GO: Children and adults can ride, drive and operate real diggers, dumper-trucks and other full-size construction machinery. Diggerland also features dodgems, go-kart and play areas.
GETTING THERE: Willowbridge Lane, Castleford, and Langley Park, Durham (diggerland.com).
COST: Height over 90cm £16.99 (booked in advance online).
24 BECOME A ROCK STAR
WHERE: Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire.
WHY GO: Brimham Rocks is an amazing collection of natural rock formations in Harrogate, managed by the National Trust. It works in partnership with Harrogate Climbing Centre (harrogateclimbingcentre.com) to provide regular sessions for all ages and abilities.
GETTING THERE: Summerbridge, Harrogate.
COST: Introduction to bouldering sessions from £15.
SCOTLAND & N. IRELAND 25 FORAGE FOR FREE FRUIT
WHERE: Strathmore Valley, Perthshire (other good areas include Fife, Grampian, the Highlands, Arran, Ayrshire and the Borders).
WHY GO: There are ten different edible types of berries found in Scottish woods, including wild cherries, sloes, rowan and juniper berries. Wild berries grow predominantly in Perthshire, par- ticularly in the Strathmore Valley. For a more structured fruit-picking experience, visit one of the many ‘pick your own’ farms, such as Cairnie House and Fruit Farm in Fife (cairniefruitfarm.co.uk). Admission from £6.50.
GETTING THERE: Throughout Scotland. COST: Free or an admission fee, depending on location.
26 SIGHTSEE FROM A TREE
WHERE: Rowallane, County Down, Northern Ireland.
WHY GO: Swing from the branches of the trees at these stunning National Trust gardens. Home to trees varying in age, size and colour, there are plenty of great climbing opportunities suitable for children. GETTING THERE: Ballynahinch (nationaltrust.org.uk/rowallanegarden). COST: Adults £6; children £3.50; family ticket £15.90.
27 LOOK OUT FOR THE LOCH NESS MONSTER
WHERE: Loch Ness (of course!).
WHY GO: What better way to occupy the children on a walk than trying to spot Nessie, while soaking up the dramatic scenery. The much loved circular Ness Islands walk (a collection of small islands in the middle of the River Ness connected by a series of footbridges) will take you up to two hours. GETTING THERE: Ness Islands Walk starts at the Infirmary Bridge, Inverness. COST: Free.
28 HUNT FOR FOSSILS
WHERE: Waterloo Bay, Larne, Northern Ireland.
WHY GO: Billed not only as a fossil-hunters’ paradise but also the start of the most stunning coastal routes in the world, running to Giant’s Causeway – Northern Ireland’s only Unesco World Heritage Site. The rocks in Larne are home to tiny marine fossils dating back 200million years.
GETTING THERE: Larne is a 30-minute drive north of Belfast.
COST: Free.
29 BECOME AN EXPERT BIRDWATCHER
WHERE: World of Wings Bird Park, Glasgow.
WHY GO: Scotland’s largest birdsof-prey centre, with more than 70 breeds to see and impressive flying displays every day. Visitors praise the enthusiastic staff and the opportunity to hold eagles and hawks and fly owls in local woodland. GETTING THERE: Blairlinn Road, Cumbernauld (worldofwings.co.uk). COST: Adults £7; children under 12 £4; children under three free; family of four £20.
30 CYCLE THROUGH ‘FORGOTTEN’ FOREST
WHERE: Davagh Forest Trails, Northern Ireland.
WHY GO: Perfect for families, there are walks and cycle routes suitable for all ages and abilities (bike hire is available), a play park and barbecue facilities at this so-called hidden gem of a ‘forgotten’ forest. GETTING THERE: About 12 miles from Cookstown. COST: Free.