Day out suggestions for Monday 14th Nov in the South West

[Youkilledmyfatherpreparetodie]

Hi all. I was hoping to take advantage of an Inset Day on Monday to take a 6 and 7 year old somewhere fun and uncrowded....but so much is closed 😬. Longleat, Paulton's, Chessington, Wake The Tiger are all on winter shutdown or hours. Any ideas please? We've done London and Bath to death.

Portsmouth

Westonbirt Arboretum

Hmmmm. Maybe. We have been many times!

Thanks. What would you recommend in Portsmouth?

Train to Portsmouth Harbour for lots of naval history.

Historic Dockyard - either wonder around it for free or get an annual ticket to see Mary Rose, Nelson's Victory and Warrior ships. The ticket I think includes Submarine museum (not open on Mondays tho) so u could return.

Harbour tour to see the modern navy ships which might be in the harbour, eg aircraft carriers.

Spinnaker Tower

Gunwharf quays designer outlet for shops and food.

Follow the Millennium trail (3km or so) to see some historic defences - u can download a map

Walk or catch the bus to Southsea Pier for Southsea castle. There is a model village somewhere there and a hovercraft station so u can watch it going to the Isle of Wight (the only hovercraft in UK I gather).

Aquarium and there is more but I am sure u will run out of time for everything so u have to come back.

Eden Project

I second Eden - the ice skating has started

A day at the beach? One with rock pools.
What about the Sea Monster thingy at Weston SM?
Or Bristol? @Bristol used to be good, and you can do harbour boat tours.

Bristol.
Get the train to Temple Meads Station.
Walk out the side entrance and go towards the river where there is a ferry stop. Get a hop on hop off ticket which will enable you to travel the whole length of the Floating Harbour (one is by SS Great Britain). There's plenty of eateries, We the Curious (science museum that used to be called @ Bristol. It also has a planetarium), The Underfall Yard; unless it has changed the M Shed museum is closed on Mondays.

Further away from the Harbour is the Clifton Suspension Bridge which has a small visitor centre.

Thank you!

This is a great idea. Thank you!

Thank you so much. We've done it all 😁

Great idea. Thank you.

Where are you coming from @Youkilledmyfatherpreparetodie

Swindon 🙂

Ah ok. I was going to suggest going over the bridge into Wales. My children always enjoyed the sense of going into another country when they were about yours' ages. I don't know what's open at this time of year but we have had great days out visiting Caerphilly Castle, Raglan Castle, Forest of Dean, Brecon Beacons, St Fagans, Chepstow Castle, Wye Valley, Symonds Yat, Goodrich Castle, Caerleon Roman ruins. Most of those are reliant on good weather though!

Personally, if you've not done Portsmouth Dockyard yet, I'd go with that.

The wild place
Adam Hensons Farm Park
Roves Farm

Thanks - great suggestion 🙂

Thanks so much. We've been to all 🙂

Not sure if it's too far, but Winchester Science Centre is good.

Oh ignore that, it seems to be closed in the week.