Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Site stuff

Join our Innovation Panel to try new features early and help make Mumsnet better.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

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

210 replies

AbbyMumsnet · 27/02/2008 13:47

Afternoon all. We've got to pull together a piece for Sunday Telegraph v' quickly on the top ten visitor attractions for kids in the UK. (Hence the title of this thread.) Would love your help - and feel free to add a line or two about what makes your nomination worthy of inclusion! Thanks ever so.

OP posts:
FioFio · 27/02/2008 14:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Elphaba · 27/02/2008 14:29

Can I suggest/request that you choose attractions that cover the whole country and not just the south?

Ta.

Elphaba · 27/02/2008 14:28

Another vote for

Chester Zoo
Manchester Museum of Science and Industry
Chestnut Centre otter and owl park in Derbyshire is great too

Also, not really an 'attraction', but The Lakes in general - blardy fab for children. Tarn Hows is a great place for a walk with kids, boats on Windemere, Lakeside and Haverthwaite steam railway (goes to banks of Fell Foot Park - NT).

FioFio · 27/02/2008 14:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

FioFio · 27/02/2008 14:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MaryAnnSingleton · 27/02/2008 14:24

ds liked The Museum of Army Flying at Andover very much and the Hawk Conservancy, nr Andover.

feetheart · 27/02/2008 14:23

Whipsnade Zoo - it's expensive as a one-off but if you live close enough an annual ticket is fantastic. We are about 25 minutes away and must go at least twice a month. No need to spend any money (though the cakes are LOVELY), its massive and beautiful even on a cold, damp winter's day

Notquitegrownup · 27/02/2008 14:22

Cotswold Wildlife Park - Burford Glos
Godstone Farm Park - Nr Gatwick
Theale Falconry Centre - Yorks
Cotswold Falconry Centre - Nr Bourton on the Water.

Kathyis6incheshigh · 27/02/2008 14:21

Another vote for The Deep.
Amaaazing with tiny ones who are just learning to walk - am dying to take ds there now so he can totter over to the tank and point and stare open-mouthed like dd did....

Wimpole Hall and Home Farm (National Trust, near Cambridge) has a great farm and play areas and is very child-friendly.

GrinningSoul · 27/02/2008 14:19

i meant horniman museum, of course.

GrinningSoul · 27/02/2008 14:18

The natural history museum in Oxford - like a mini - and therefore much more managable - version of the London one. Great free activities in holidays, links with The Northern Lights trilogy (Lyra visits it!), spooky shrunken heads in the Pitt Rivers museum (which is hidden at the back of the main museum.)

Also, Museum www.horniman.ac.uk in SE London. Fab interactive music gallery, new aquarium, changing exhibitions, beautiful huge gardens, location on top of hill so views over s london are great, free, easy to get to by public transport or car as is on the south circular.... great cafe and picnic spaces...

janestillhere · 27/02/2008 14:17

National Railway Museum, York - totally brill even if you're not that interested (As I wasn't) I am a convert and stand open mouthed at the size of those trains!
Kid activities always on, picnic areas if you take your own butties, nice grub in the restaurant on the platform. Oh I'll shut up now. It's great. And it's free.

Gingerbear · 27/02/2008 14:17

Save me the bother - here, all the best places in Yorkshire are here [http://www.yorkshireattractions.org/]]

peanutbear · 27/02/2008 14:16

Blue PLanet aquarium very child friendly loads to do and see the sharks are fantastic

THe Maritime museum at liverpool docks is fantastic very breast feeding friendly they even made me a cup of tea lots for the children to see a floor for different children's activities and its free

bossybritches · 27/02/2008 14:16

Second Gingers recommendation for Forbidden Corner in the Dales!

they have timed tickets so book early

In fact the Yorkshire Dales in general - never very crowded even in August & there is always LOADS tos ee & do for the kids!

Gingerbear · 27/02/2008 14:15

The Pencil Museum in Keswick is great.
Magna in Rotherham is good for older children.

jellies · 27/02/2008 14:15

Moors Valley

tortoiseSHELL · 27/02/2008 14:14

Oh, and the SS Great Britain in Bristol - you can go back free for a year afterwards, and the children love seeing the ship and going below decks. And then you can get chips at Brunel's Buttery!

FioFio · 27/02/2008 14:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

tortoiseSHELL · 27/02/2008 14:13

Bede World in Jarrow is great during the holidays - they do special events for the children.

Horse World in Whitchurch - lovely lovely surroundings, beautiful horses, but it's also a charity so you are doing good by visiting! (They rescue horses that have been badly treated). Also has a great tearoom, beautiful garden, soft play for the children.

Cotswold Farm Park - lots of farm animals (obviously), tractor rides, really friendly staff, perfect for all ages. If you go in Spring you can see lambs actually being born which is amazing for the children to see.

sparklesandnowinefor9months · 27/02/2008 14:12

Oooh yes Bozza i forgot that one, NRM is fab too!

FioFio · 27/02/2008 14:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

bozza · 27/02/2008 14:11

National Railway Musuem.

Gingerbear · 27/02/2008 14:10

Woodside Falconry centre, near Lincoln, for the racing pigs, flying display, and tropical house if it is cold!

marina · 27/02/2008 14:09

Second Fio's recommendation for Bedgebury and also The Enchanted Forest at Groombridge Place in Kent.
It's a really fun and original day out, and refreshingly free of corporate advertising and products.