Where do you like to take the family on a day out? These are
some suggestions recommended by babyworld members!
- The south
- The South West
- London and the South East
- The Midlands
- Wales
- The North East
- The North West
- Scotland
- Where to next?
The South
“We have just had a nice day out at Marwell Zoo (near Winchester) and I would recommend it.” Olivia
“Longleat is lovely! It’s only about 15 minutes from us so we go there all the time. The children never get bored of it! In the winter we take our bikes – nothing is open but we can still see some of the animals etc - and there are no people.” Kaye
“There’s lots of stuff around Oxford – Farmer Gow’s (working farm where kids can feed, pet the animals and walk goats – quite expensive though in my opinion but fun), Cotswold Wildlife Park which has loads of animals, a petting zoo, etc. Again, pricey, but you could spend a day there easily without getting bored. I quite like some of the garden centres around here, particularly Millets as they have animals to look at, a play area, a maize maze and great cafe etc. You only have to pay to go into the maze area too so a real bargain.” Sam
The South West
“Monkey World, near Wool, Dorset. Excellent day out, especially if you watch Monkey Business, ITV Sunday 5.30pm.”
“Tass In Devon (where my parents are) there’s a great adventure park called Crealy Barton which has indoor and outdoor areas, rides for kids and adults and animals to look at. There’s also Diggerland near Cullompton which I hear is supposed to be good fun!” Sam
London and the South East
“I took the kids to London Zoo today and it was fabulous, we all enjoyed ourselves so much. We got there at 11.00am and left at 4.30pm to be home at 7.00pm. We’re exhausted but will 100% go again! The London Aquarium and the London Eye have also been big hits with my kids, as has Legoland and several of the National Trust places.” Lonnie
“I can recommend Colchester Zoo, the Natural History Museum in London, Duxford Air Museum (if they like planes), and lots of National Trust places.” Anne
“If you’re in or near London try the London Wetlands Centre – it’s £17.50 for a family to get in and is fantastic. It’s a nature reserve slap bang in the middle of tower blocks and factories etc, really weird but HUGE and it’s for the preservation of wetland birds from around the world, so there are bird hides and look-out posts etc and beautiful plants and lakes, it’s like being in the countryside. All the paths are easy for wheelchairs and prams and the really big tower hide has a lift so not one bit isn’t accessible. There is a great hands-on discovery centre there too which we couldn’t get the kids out of. The food in the café is lovely, all organic free range etc etc but expensive, I’d take a picnic. The kids also get to walk around with a keeper and feed all the birds in the different sections, they LOVED that, oh, and pond dipping too!” Anna
“Birmingham Nature Centre (children free, adults £1.30), Wonderland Telford (can’t recommend this highly enough!), Drayton Manor Park and Zoo (lots of rides for little ones as well as the zoo, beautiful grounds etc), Twycross Zoo, Staffs, National Seal Sanctuary, Skegness.” Kelly xx
“My fave is still Alton Towers although it’s very expensive! I also love The Deep in Hull where all the sharks and exotic fish live. It’s so hard to find places that are great for kids and cheap too.” Liz
Wales
“For anyone going to North Wales, we’ve just had a lovely week with our 18-month-old daughter Keira and her 17-month-old pal Eoghann. Recommendations:
- Conwy Butterfly World – the butterflies flying round were a real hit!
- Conwy Castle – great for running round and good views from the top.
Steps not bad for carrying toddlers to the top. - Canaerfon Castle – great for running round but need a good pair of
reins for the slit windows, many of which are not protected from little
ones falling out. Steps not so good so could only take Keira halfway
up the walls and not to the top. - Harlech Beach – sand available whatever the tide. Very shallow water
which is very warm and great for splashing about in. - Bodnant Gardens – great for mums and dads to relax in while the young
‘uns nap in buggies. - Take the train up then walk down Snowdon with little ones in backpacks
- great if walking is your thing. Quite tricky at the top where it’s
steep but ok once you’ve got past the first stages.” Spudwynk
“I’ve been to Portmeirion twice. What a gorgeous place.… I’d love to go there again one day.” Lisa
“Near me, in Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, are the Blue Reef Aquarium, which is small but fun, Whitehouse Farm in Morpeth (lots of petting of animals allowed) and Bill Quay Farm, Jarrow – a free city farm.” Spudwynk
“Beamish Open Air Museum – just off the A1M at Chester-le-Street, County Durham. It’s an Olde Worlde-type museum with Olde shops, bars etc. Lots to do and see, but quite expensive.” Di
“We love the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester and that’s free. The kids play away and learn and I can watch them film Coronation Street out of the window! Camelot is also good, as is Gulliver’s World in Warrington.” Suzanne
“I’d recommend Knowsley Safari Park (Prescot), Chester Zoo, Blue Planet
Aquarium – largest aquarium in UK (Ellesmere Port), Gullivers World (Warrington).”
Kristi
“We like the wild animal park near Barrow-in-Furness and Edinburgh zoo. Expensive for a large family but worth it. The Life Centre in Newcastle is good for older children and the Discovery Museum is good too – and free! Eureka in Halifax is fantastic if you’re in the area. The Railway Museum in York is another excellent freebie.” Sandra xx
“Almond Valley Heritage Trust at Livingston near Edinburgh. I was there last Saturday. Not bad but I didn’t get a chance to have a good look round as it was a big family day out so spent my time looking for various children! Craigtoun Park near St Andrews is OK but doesn’t have indoor activities for wet weather but everything there is free once you are in (eg boating lake, bouncy castles, trampolines, crazy golf, long train ride, big adventure park on a cowboy/Indian theme).” Claiain
Where to next?
- For more ideas on days out and travelling with your baby, see
our special page of features! - Want to share your day tripping experiences? Chat
to others on our forum! - Read our top
ten suggestions for great days out for the under-fives
