MNHQ needs your best "visitor attractions for children in the UK"

Diggerland, West Somerset Railway, Warwick Castle, Blackpool Tower

Can someone find a way of 'stickying' this thread somewhere so we can all look at it when the kids are climbing walls/we're off on holiday etc..? Or even get it organised by region (go on MNHQ, after all we did just write yer blardy article for ye...)

The Crealy fun p[arks in Devon and Cornwall. Both great for kids of all ages, not too expensive, a mix of animals, indoor and outdoor play areas, funfair rides, etx and once you get in virtually everything is included. The food isn't too unhealthy or expensive either - at least compared to other funparks.

Just to echo previous recommendations for
Bedgebury Pinetum, very good value for money as you pay per car, and the forest has so many different play areas for children we found it a struggle to actually get round them all in an afternoon!

We also like the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch near Ashford, the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch railway and Groombridge Place.

Science Museum Launchpad
The whole of the South Bank down to the Pool of London (the fountains in the ground behind the Unicorn Theatre
A trip to see the Seals on the North Norfolk Coast through Temples or Bishops Boats here
Hever Castle - beautiful grounds, brilliant adventure playground, water fountain maze, programme of jousting displays etc BUT MUST TAKE PICNIC - ON-SITE FOOD IS HORRIBLE
Arundel castle - a brilliant castle with access to the keep, motte and bailey, nice days out along the river.
Battle - the Abbey and the Battle of hastings battle field with good interpretatipon - good for those with special interest and visitors from Normandy!
Port Lympe zoo - the one with the big gorilla enclosures, also safari trip and animals in spacious conditions
The Edinburgh International Children's Festival

Pecorama in Devon is great, especially for younger children. Light railway, model railways, gardens to explore, good playground, a show and facepainting etc. Low key, good family entertainment. Had a great time there.

Wildwood - near Herne Bay in Kent.

Eureka

love it!

And the tots theme park that used to be called 'pets corner'?

Sundown or something,

In no particular order we love:

Legoland

Monkey World

Odds Farm Park

Natural History Museum

Kew Gardens

Woburn Safari Park

The seaside - anywhere!

another vote for Moors Valley in Ringwood (New Forest) - loads to do and you only pay for parking and all very halthy and wholesome

www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.14466

CARRISBROOKE CASTLE on IOW

esp on Jousting medival days

They are really deffo brill

Staffordshire has monkeys! Next to Trentham - it's called the Monkey Forest and is surprisingly engaging, spesh when the helpful sciencey people explain all the monkey behaviour (of course I know it all already... )

Yes also Snibston I agree it?s excellent, lots of hands-on stuff to do for all ages.

We also like Conkers in the National Forest tho you need a nice day as the best stuff is outside. The adventure playground is really good as are the woodland walks etc. Food in the café a rip-off tho and poor service IIRC ? but then we always take a picnic.

chatsworth in Derbyshire has a fantastic adventure playground and farm which is good for most ages as well. Plus the grounds are lovely ? fountains etc ? and the house is interesting too if yr kids like that sort of thing.

Bit £££ if you do all of them but they have introduced a ticket which allows you to visit house, garden and farm+playground over 7 days for £10 for kids which is pretty good value in a way. Make sure you take a change of clothes for the playground as they all get very wet/sandy in the play area (and quite right too )

sundown is fab for very young ones.

Also up north how about

Eureka
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
The Deep

willows farm is fantastic. It's a great place for kids from toddlers to about ten. Animals, rides, tractors, diggers, giant sandpits, cafes. Loads to do, reasonably priced. Great day out.

Another vote for Natural History Museum (London). My boy loves "the Dinosaur Museum".

Also Robin Hill on IoW was wonderful.

And Kew Gardens. (well, maybe more for me!)

A holiday in Cornwall was fabo - the place where they have set up gardens from all around the world is amazing - and they are well set up for children activities (esp over 5s).

The castle that you walk across to at low tide and up the hill is pretty cool too (sorry about names but am rushing out the door to pick-ups.

I wasn't impressed with Legoland - a bit shabby when cf to Disneyland.

Moors Valley near Bournemouth is a great day out, especially when the weather is nice.

Paulton's Park is fab, but mainly for littler children say under-12s.

Springfields nr Newquay. Lots of animals pony rides, lamb feeing etc and indoor play

Another vote for Chester Zoo, I'm getting membership this year so we can go ALL the time.

Another vote for Gullivers. Its great because its all geared up for kids, the adults can ride too, great eating/picnic facilities, toilets everywhere. Really enjoyable.

Also Kinderland although its closed for refurbishment during these winter months. Really cheap admission fee, all the usual facilities, loads of outdoor play areas for adults and kids, indoor play areas too. Stay all day if you want.

I agree with the nominations for Forbidden corner - not at all commercialised like some places.

We also loved the natural History and Pitt Rivers museum in Oxford, my daughter was fascinated by the shrunken heads and the mummy. :D There were lots of things for the toddler to touch as well.

Science Museum in London is well loved by us as well.

We also love using our English Heritage membership - we've seen some great places that way.