Any suggestions - Family days out near Newbury in December?

[1400spincycle]

Please can I ask any Mumsnetters who know this area for any suggestions?

I am trying to do a ‘half- way’ meet up with family for a present swop the week before Christmas. They are coming from Surrey and we are starting in Gloucestershire. It doesn’t have to be Newbury but that looks about half way according to the map?

Our group will include a couple in 70’s. ( active but grumpy!) and a 3 and 5 year old. It would be great if there is an inside option in case of bad weather?

Nowhere too expensive but can pay a reasonable admission if needed?

many thanks

bump please?

The Living Rainforest is a family favourite. There's a cafe and an outdoor play area.

Highclere Castle? Downton Abbey was partly filmed there, lovely grounds and an Egyptian museum. Not sure about opening times /cost, though

The Living Rainforest is great for this time of year

Another vote for Living Rainforest

This is sort of fine to travel from from Newbury but there might be a more direct route for all your parties to get to:

Blenheim Palace Christmas Market and Christmas light trail is brilliant.

Or you could go to the West Berks Museum, pop round the corner to Bills for lunch and/or the Panto at the Corn Exchange (they are all in a 2 minute radius of each other) in Newbury Town Centre.

In Swindon there is a great park - it feels like a national trust place but its not as there is no entry fee- called Lydiard Park.

I like going for a walk in Goring and going to Pierreponts (its an independent cafe) for lunch. Its so pretty there. But that depends on the mobility of your group.

We enjoyed The Hawk Conservatory Trust near Andover for a family day out.

Beale Park do a Christmasy things but I found that once you paid the entrance fee that there were all sorts of added extras such as paying to go on the little train - that I thought was a bit off. So I won't go back but that might be suitable for your group seeing as you are now pre-warned!

The Vyne near Basingstoke is my all time favourite National Trust House. I like the cafe, the outdoor space, the house is interesting, the grounds are stunning. But being National Trust there is an entrance fee if you are not all members.

The living rainforest looks perfect! Thank you so much.

Enjoy. I've been going there for over 25 years and its a lovely place.