What are your favourite family days out in the UK?

[Titsalinabumsquash]

We can't go on a proper holiday this year, DP's work won't allow for it but we can manage a 2 night break somewhere. I have 3 kids (8,6 and 8 months) I'm looking for some attraction with near by accommodation. It's going to be a complete surprise to the kids, were just going to drive and not tell them where we're going until we get there.

My job today is to pick 3 places for me and DP to make a final decision on tonight.

So far I have

Wookey Hole - 2 nights, we would get a suite in the Wookey hotel, we've never been there but it looks quite fun and its close enough by to be worth the drive just fr a weekend and its in our price bracket. We'd drive up in Saturday and stay Sat and Sun night.

Chessington - we've been here before, the kids absolutely loved it, DS2 has adopted a Zebra there, he's Zebra mad. Usually we stay in the near by travel lodge, then we'd stay in the Chessington hotel overlooking the Zebras. 2 days 1 night stay.

I need a third thing, is there anything I'm missing? I've not traveled the UK a lot, is there a gem somewhere that would be amazing for 2 active and lively boys?

If you have children similar ages could,you also ask what they'd prefer, I don't want to give the game away by asking my 2!

Longleat? They've got loads of stuff including an adventure castle, safari, maze and house plus they've just opened a penguin enclosure.
They also have lots of Deadly 60 things going on through the summer.

Plus I'm not sure you'd need 2 days at Wookey Hole and Longleat is about half an hour away from Wookey.

Thomas land at Drayton manor?

The West midland safari park ,its brilliant ,I've been loads over a number of years and I've yet to have a bad visit . If you're staying overnight locally you can then do Drayton Manor the next day ,which is another lovely day out.

I think they're a bit old for Thomas Land, we went there a couple of years ago though and it was great. :)

Longleat is an option, I've been before but the kids haven't, I'd have to look up accommodation though.

Thanks! Keep em coming.

Look up Stay and Play in Leicestershire. They do a deal where you get hotel accomodation and tickets to 2 (or 3 can't remember) attractions for about £100. They include a theme park, National Space centre etc. You can choose from a list...

West Midland Safari is a much better day out than Longleat , if you like theme parks and zoos Flamingo Land is nice , they have some interesting rides and the animals all look happy ( or they did when I went a couple of years back) and its in a lovely part of the country .

Legoland? I hear that the Legoland hotel is brilliant fun, treasure hunts and themed rooms. There's certainly enough at Legoland to keep you occupied for two days too.

I think you need a castle! Warwick is expensive but would be a brilliant and exhausting day out. Stratford close by for something cultural, or Kenilworth for another castle.

Where are you travelling from, and how far do you want to go?

Otherwise how about Puzzle Wood www.puzzlewood.net/ and Clearwell caves www.clearwellcaves.com/.

Ooh, you could hire a boat on the Norfolk Broads? Sleeping in a boat would be way cool.

Oh lots of replies!

We're in West Sussex, I don't mind driving 4-5 hrs ( I did 11 hrs straight at Xmas!)

I will have a look at all the places suggested. Thanks

Not sure you need two days at Wookey hole either. What about Bristol- the Gromit trail, zoo is lovely, SS Great Britain, suspension bridge plus good deals on hotels?

If you want fairly cheap the Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth is free and its lovely ,maybe you could tie that in with a day somewhere else . If your son likes Zebras I'm sure he would like the donkeys .

Not done it myself but heard great things about the safaris at Port Lympne in Kent

After all that a Legoland advert came in the TV yesterday and the kids practically wet themselves with excitement, I of course said 'oh not this time boys, were having a quiet summer hols' before sneaking off and booking 2 nights with Qbots. :D

Thank you all again!

We went to Legoland last month. DCs are the same age as yours and they absolutely loved it.
You need 2 days there definitely! We only did 1 and missed loads.

Don't forget the DCs swimsuits!

Camp at Umberslade Farm Park - do Warwick Castle one day and Cadbury's World the next.

Just came to say Warwick Castle!!

Legoland is great though.

warwick castle is fabulous! We have been a few times as live close by, but this time there was loads more to do with lots of 'horrible histories' activities. We had the kellogs 'adults go free' vouchers, managed to get 5 (one under 3) of us in at a reasonable price!

We are thinking we will do Legoland at the end of august. So, it would be best to book 2 days there?? Can that be done with my Tesco points? Are other tips??