Days out with Kids

Warwick Castle offers you a thousand years of history, a fabulous day out for the whole family.

Visit the dungeons where a prisoners fate was to be forgotten forever! The Armoury contains over 1000 pieces from all over Europe. The castle boasts beautiful staterooms and a chapel full of exquisite furnishings dating back to the 17th century. Walk through the magnificent gardens landscaped by Capability Brown. Events organised throughout the year include jousting, knights fighting and lots more.

Open every day except Christmas day.

Facilities: Restaurants, picnic area, open air barbecue, gift shops, disabled access.

Web: www.warwick-castle.com

The Forbidden Corner is a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises created in a four acre garden in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

This is a great place for a family visit. It is of interest to children and all age groups. Recently voted the best childrens' attraction in Yorkshire.

Treak Cliff Cavern is the only place where Blue John Stone occurs naturally. Take a guided tour into the caves that have been mined since the 1750's. Experience the wonder of Witch's cave, Dream cave, limestone cave formations, stalactites, and stalagmites. Facilities include a coffee shop and gift shop.

The Tank Museum houses the world's largest and finest collection of Armoured Fighting vehicles from unique WW1 tanks to the latest main battle tank of the British Army - Challenger.

A great place to visit, Croft illustrates the turbulent history of this part of England. The essentially defensive exterior contrasts with the comfortable and decorative state rooms inside. Most date from the 18th century and there are fine plasterwork ceilings, rare furniture and family portraits. A walled garden and a fantastic avenue of 350-year-old Spanish chestnuts are added attractions.

Skipton is one if the best preserved and most complete medieval castles in England. View the Banqueting Hall, the Kitchen, the Bedchamber and Privy. Climb from the depths of the Dungeon to the top storey of the Watch Tower.

With over 900 years of history the whole family can enjoy a wonderful day out.

Web: www.skiptoncastle.co.uk

The Mary Rose fought in many actions over a distinguished career of 35 years before sinking in 1545. This famous Tudor warship lay for 450 years under the seabed before being raised in 1982. The Mary Rose is the only preserved 16th Century warship in the world.

Orginally built by the first Earl of Suffolk between 1603-1616 this country mansion remains one of the most significant Jacobean houses in England. Successive owners have left their stylistic imprint, both inside this wonderful house and in the surrounding parkland.

The gardens are ‘Capability’ Brown’s most successful pastoral landscapes and remain substantially as they were when first created. Later features include a restored Parterre garden, a rose garden and fountains, and the restored 19th century walled kitchen garden now in use as a working organic kitchen garden. Attractions thoroughout the year include open-air concerts, craft and garden shows and landscaped garden walks.

Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, there\'s breathtaking scenery, a spectacular chairlift past amazing coloured sand cliffs, rides for the children, shops to browse through and places to eat in (or out).

Web: www.theneedles.co.uk

Formerly a medieval priory, Newstead is a beautiful historic house set in magnificent gardens and parkland extending over 300 acres.

Newstead is best known as the ancestral home of the poet Lord Byron. Visit Byron's own apartments, including important manuscripts and letters. Take a guided tour through the haunted Abbey's dark passages. Beautiful gardens including the Japanese garden, Spanish Garden and Rose Wood.

Facilities include restaurant, tea rooms, gift shop and children's play area

King Arthur's Labyrinth is an underground visitor attraction in Mid Wales with a unique presentation that has captured the public imagination. The tour of the Labyrinth includes a walk of a quarter of a mile through the caverns and the temperature underground is cool. Warm clothes and sensible footwear are advised.

This is the fifth cathedral to be built on the site. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren after its predecessor was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666. St Paul's has been the setting for many historic occasions, including the marriage of the late Diana, Princess of Wales to HRH the Prince of Wales.

It has become a symbol of national endurance, particularly since it survived World War II bombing while many surrounding buildings were destroyed. The nave, transepts and choir are in the shape of a cross, as in a medieval cathedral, but the majestic interior reflects the Baroque movement in architecture.

• Drive through Wild Animal Reserves
• Boat trips to Chimp Island
• Sea Lion Shows
• Birds of Prey Displays
• Fun Fair
• Restaurant & Bar Facilities
• Gift Shops
• Adventure Playground
• Pets Farm & Lemur Land

Open: 7 days a week 15th March – 20th October 2008, 10am – 5.30pm. Last admission 4.30pm

Directions: J10 M9 4 miles along A84 towards Callander signposted on M9 & A84. On-site parking

Ten themed galleries of interactive, informative exhibits make up Thinktank, Birmingham’s museum of science and discovery. It’s a truly modern museum where visitors can investigate everything from locomotives and aircraft to intestines and taste buds! This exciting, award winning science centre offers ten galleries of historical artefacts, modern interactives and futuristic facts.

Combining science and entertainment in spectacular fashion there's something at Thinktank for everyone.

Selling print-your-own tickets since 1999, 365tickets.com is your one-stop-shop to the UK’s best attractions. Pay gate price or less for 300+ attractions including theme parks, heritage sites, sightseeing tours and river cruises in the UK and abroad. 365tickets.com also offers up to an additional 10% off tickets when you book online for more than one attraction in one transaction.

Theme Parks: Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington WoA, LEGOLAND Windsor, Disneyland Resort Paris, Port Aventura, Disney World Resort, Florida, Orlando FlexTickets - and much more.
Heritage Sites: HM Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, Warwick Castle, Hampton Court, Windsor Castle, Warwick Castle, Tower Bridge Exhibition.
Visitor Attractions: London Eye, The Dungeons, Madame Tussauds, Original London Sightseeing Tour, The Big Bus Company, Jorvik Viking Centre, Ripley's Beleive it or Not!
Natural World: London Zoo, London Aquarium, 10 UK SEA LIFE Centres, Whipsnade Zoo
River Sightseeing: London Ducktours, City Cruises, Thames Clippers, Flying Fish Jet Boat Tours
Eating Out: Hard Rock Café VIP Meal, Medieval Banquet, Bateaux London

Plus much more!

Lyme Regis Museum stands in the heart of the town, just where the beautiful coastlines of Dorset and Devon meet on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Built on the site of the home of Lyme’s renowned fossilist Mary Anning, the museum is one of the architectural gems of the town and is packed with fascinating displays. Find out about Lyme’s early and maritime history, its internationally important geology, its fossils and the many significant writers connected with the town, from Jane Austen to John Fowles.

Why not visit and see the Lyme Bay Ichthyosaur, the huge fossilised skull of a predator that swam the Dorset seas in the age of the dinosaur? The museum also runs its famous fossil walks where you can walk in the footprints of Mary Anning and discover your own fossil treasures from 200 million years ago.

Web: www.newhavenfort.org.uk

Muncaster Castle, home to the Pennington family for 800 years, is a genuine treasure trove of art and antiques. Its Great Hall, Octagonal Library and elegant Dining Room are all windows on a grand past. But Muncaster's wild history reveals a flipside to life in a stately home. The castle evolved from the Pele Tower, built to repel marauding Scots. Those who stay here say it is haunted by ghosts, including the legendary Tom Fool. Visit the Tapestry Room if you dare.

The wild setting of ancient woods and soaring mountains also provides opportunities to explore the designated paths and walks.

Web: www.muncaster.co.uk

Come along and enjoy the fun at North Wales's premier farm park. The park is set in the wonderful scenery of North Wales, enjoying marvellous views. It has free parking, picnic areas, cafe selling drinks, snacks and light lunches, kid's play areas, toilets and washing facilities, disabled access, nature trails, and lots of animals, including 'Solo' the Llama!

Web: www.pybfarmpark.co.uk

Wonderful nostalgic look at automatic musical Instruments.

The Corgi Heritage Centre features a complete history of the Corgi company from its early days as Mettoy, set up just before World War II, to the introduction of the Corgi name in the mid 1950's, right up to the present day. The Centre begins with a walk-through history with illustrations and examples of vintage Corgi models - "The Ones with Windows" - guaranteed to start you reminiscing!

Experience hundreds of tropical butterflies, flying free in a jungle setting of exotic plants, fish filled pools, and splashing waterfalls. See strange and fascinating animals in Insect city. Enter Arachnoland to get close to deadly and dangerous spiders - in perfect safety!

Discover 2,000 years of history at this impressive castle with the aid of a free audio tour. Find out about its Roman origins, its turbulent history in the Dark Ages, its famous visitor in 1066 and its role in WWII. Perfect for picnics or you can eat in the Castle Cottage tea room

Crathes Castle, Crathes, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 5QJ

Go Ape is a tree top adventure based in the heart of Crathes Castle, nr Banchory. We take one lush, green forest and a healthy dollop of breathtaking scenery; blend with a smattering of tree-top high wires, tricky crossings and wind-in-your-face zip wires; finished off with a liberal dose of people in search of their inner Tarzan. The result is spectacular. The Go Ape experience gets the adrenalin pumping, gets people out of their comfort zones and above all (no pun intended), it’s just great fun. We hope to see you swinging through the trees soon!

Min Age: 10 years. Min height: 1.40m/4ft 7. Max weight 130kg/20.5 stones
Baboons (under 18s) must be supervised by a participating adult. Booking essential.

Take a look and book at www.goape.co.uk

Web: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Where else could you start the day patting a piglet and end it panning for gold?

Hatton Country World Farm Park is a fun-packed paradise for children and adults, with a unique mix of animals, advenutre and all-out activity!

Web: www.hattonworld.com

Web: www.zoomindoorplay.co.uk

Web: www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk/

Spend a fantastic day out in Beale Park with its' two large splash pools, farm animals, bird aviary, ponies, large adventure playground, pets' corner and more. Something for everyone! Web: www.bealepark.co.uk

Horton Road, Ashley Heath, nr Ringwood, Dorset BH24 2ET

Go Ape is a tree top adventure based in the heart of Moors Valley Country Park, nr Ringwood. We take one lush, green forest and a healthy dollop of breathtaking scenery; blend with a smattering of tree-top high wires, tricky crossings and wind-in-your-face zip wires; finished off with a liberal dose of people in search of their inner Tarzan. The result is spectacular. The Go Ape experience gets the adrenalin pumping, gets people out of their comfort zones and above all (no pun intended), it’s just great fun. We hope to see you swinging through the trees soon!

Min Age: 10 years. Min height: 1.40m/4ft 7. Max weight 130kg/20.5 stones
Baboons (under 18s) must be supervised by a participating adult. Booking essential.

Take a look and book at www.goape.co.uk

Hollywood Bowl offer bowling fun for the whole family. Birthday parties catered for. Log onto the website for full details of a venue nearest to you.