Particularly good or bad day trip experiences?

[ewchoc]

I'm planning a few days out for my precious two weeks off work this summer. DC are 4 and 8, and we're in the South East. I'm thinking zoos, castles, that sort of thing, and finding it hard to judge how much impact the coronavirus restrictions are having. Can anyone recommend places they've had great experiences the last week or so, or anywhere you've had a bad experience and would say to avoid?

We've bought a National Trust membership as they limit numbers at their admission able Gardens and houses etc. It was amazing to go to a usually very busy garden attraction on a Saturday and it not be packed with people! I guess most places with bookings will be the same, avoid free tourist places.

I second the National Trust suggestion - they do one way systems and limiting numbers really well. So far we've been post-lockdown to Polesden Lacey, Scotney Castle and Chartwell, all of which were great.
London Zoo was incredibly quiet on our visit despite being sold out. We saw a lot on the three one way routes.
Wakehurst is massive and easy to spread out.
And this weekend we went to Hever Castle, which is busier than National Trust places and the one way system is less effective but it's still a good day out and the parks and water maze is reopened with limited numbers and short sessions. To be honest we haven't had a bad day out yet post-lockdown.
I have written about these over on my Instagram, where I'm @museummum, and will. publish a guide to the summer holidays on my blog museummum.com later this week. Hope this helps!
We'll be trying our first English Heritage places later this month too.

Go to the beach and if it gets too busy you can go into the sea. Your child will love a day digging in the sand with a bucket and spade. You might want to take swimming trunks and you swimming costume too. Most people go to the beach when they are on holiday. Hope you have a lovely time and the sun shines for you all. X

We spent Sunday at the coast and it was fine. Loos open and attended to control people flow, numbers etc. Stalls and shops all adapted to allow for SD. It was fine.