Half way between Warwick and Poole day out

[Willabywallaby]

Hi,

I'm looking for somewhere to meet up with a friend and her 1YO, half way so neither of us have to do too much travelling. I have 2 boys, 4YO and 6YO.

We were thinking a place with animals. I was thinking Marwell, but may be a bit far from her in Warwick, if it's more than a 1.5 hr drive it's too far.

Any ideas appreciated.

TIA

The Living Rainforest, near the A34/M4 junction.
It's at Hampsted Norreys, I think.

It's very nice - lots of interesting animals and reptiles.

Or Cotswold Wildlife park, near Burford. Bigger but maybe not quite as convenient.

From looking at the map, you're looking for something in the triangle between Oxford, Swindon and Newbury.

Hmmm.....will have a think.

Thanks for speedy response idothisaswell.

The living rainforest looks good, bit further for me , but still under 2 hrs, almost dead on 1.5hrs for her.

Burford is too far for me at 2 hrs 20 mins.

I'm loving my iPad google maps to estimate travel times!

Any other ideas you think of PoppyWearer are appreciated.

The AA is my preferred route planner for such things as it tends to be good on travel time. It says that it's 2hrs 50 mins from Warwick to Poole (M40, A34, M27, A31). So your search radius for places less than 1.5 hrs from both is pretty tiny!

Sorry, I did look at the map earlier and drew a blank. Can't think of anywhere around Oxford that fits your criteria!

Bucklebury farm park would be great. Farm animals to feed, tractor rides to feed deer, lots of outdoor play equipment. Or Beale Park, train ride, animals , birds, nice park and play equipment. Hths

I think the two I mentioned above would be better for your age range of children. I have been to all three places. The living rainforest is much smaller than the other two, with not so much to do. Another place we used to love to go to was Cholderton Farm park or Finkley down farm park.

Bluebell is right about Bucklebury/Beale being better for the age you are looking at. But idothis is right about the distance (Bluebell's suggestions are more like 2 hrs from Poole).

Up to you, really. Maybe get your friend to come and stay with you and go to Marwell after all?

Another idea could be Bowood House, which has a big adventure playground, soft play, a lake and a cave.

These are all great suggestions thanks, Beale park looks good, can't seem to get onto bucklebury through google, looks like I'll have to drive a bit further, but since we've not met for over year I need to make the effort.

Any more gratefully received

Managed to look at Bucklebury, at first glance looks better, distance much the same. Any preferences between the two?

Beale Park is bigger, and they have a great playground, but I haven't been to Bucklebury in a while so they may be just as good now. I would go with Beale Park. I wouldn't do Living Rainforest, for us that's a wet afternoon's activity not a whole day. (I live in Reading)

Thanks MrsJ, it's difficult to tell from websites and at a first glance Bucklebury looks better, are they the same in terms of inside stuff? Ie if it's still rubbish wetaher?

Actually I think Bucklebury is a better bet if the weather's looking dicey.

Bucklebury has a small inside play area, which has two slides which you use mats with (what do you call those?! Like a helter skelter but straight?) and a death slide and very small soft play area. Slides are fun. I don't recall Beale Park having much under cover at all, apart from train and small animal barn.
Did you look at Bowood and Cholderton? Both of these have indoor soft play barns so maybe better for poor weather.

Bowood was nearly 2.5hrs for me, not looked at Cholderton.

Cholderton only 1hr for me, but 2hrs for my friend...

Cholderton would be good for wet weather, as it has a big soft play barn plus barn with loads of different breeds of rabbit, and a nice coffee shop. Never seems as busy as finkley down for example. If you end up going to buckle bury there is usually an advert eith a code for free second child in the local paper or primary times. I think it says quote Newbury weekly news or nwn, would have to check though.

Is Odds Farm Park too much out of the way? They have quite a lot under cover, and definitely enough to do/see for a whole day.

It's coming up as 2 hrs for me...

I love those slides (as do my boys) so I think I will suggest Bucklebury.

Thanks for all the info

Bluebell99 if you by any chance see this today I'm meeting my friend tomorrow and would appreciate the discount codes. On anyone else that has Bucklebury Farm discount code knowledge!

TIA

Had a lovely day at Bucklebury Farm, thanks for all the info x