Days Out with kids

Our honest reviews of the best days out near every region we have visited — from theme parks to National Trust properties, beaches to wildlife parks.

Top Attractions by Region

Nottinghamshire

  • Wheelgate — family theme park, great for ages 2–10
  • Sundown Adventureland — toddler and young child focused
  • Rufford Abbey Country Park — free entry, lake, sculpture trail
  • Sherwood Pines — cycling, GoApe, walking, Bodhi’s birthday tradition
  • Go Ape Sundown Adventures — after-dark treetop adventure (Oct–Nov)
  • Clumber Park (National Trust) — cycling, lake, café
  • RedKangaroo Nottingham — indoor trampoline park
  • Splash Art Republic Nottingham — indoor water play
  • National Ice Centre Nottingham — public skating sessions
  • Tenpin Nottingham — bowling
  • Little Nature Tots — outdoor nature sessions for young children
  • Forest Folk Play — forest school play sessions
  • Boots and Brambles — outdoor adventure play

Derbyshire

  • Bluebell Dairy Farm — alpacas, Highland cows, tractor school, farm ice cream
  • Matlock Farm Park — animals, tractor rides, indoor play
  • Heights of Abraham — cable car, show caverns, adventure playground
  • Chatsworth House — house, gardens, farmyard, Christmas market
  • Rother Valley Country Park — watersports, cycling, walking

Yorkshire

  • Yorkshire Wildlife Park — polar bears, lions, giraffes
  • Diggerland Yorkshire — ride real diggers
  • Piglets Adventure Farm — lambing, bottle feeding, The Beach indoor play
  • Rudding Holiday Park GolfFEST (seasonal)

Cornwall & Devon

  • Camel Creek Adventure Park — 7-day return pass, Thunder Falls, Morgawr
  • Eden Project — Biomes, Enchanted Earth 2025 immersive experience
  • Camel Trail — 18-mile traffic-free cycling
  • Splashdown Quaywest, Paignton — water park, bring wetsuits
  • Lappa Valley Steam Railway — narrow-gauge steam, boating, mini golf
  • Paignton Zoo

Midlands & Beyond

  • Twinlakes, Melton Mowbray — theme park and water park
  • Warwick Castle — medieval castle, jousting, Merlin’s Dragon Tower
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham
  • SEA LIFE Birmingham
  • Cadbury World, Birmingham
  • Belton House (National Trust), Lincolnshire
  • BeWILDerwood, Norfolk