Days out ideas- London/Hampshire/Surrey - mixed age/ability group

[Zapx]

Hi everyone, I’m hoping for ideas. My Dad has early stage dementia, my brother has learning disabilities, and I have three kids aged between 1 and 7. My Dad and my brother do not live with me but my Mum desperately needs a break.

As such, I have a committed to taking the whole group out for the day one day a week. We have Merlin passes, so over the summer we did a rough rotation of Legoland/Warwick Castle/Chessington/Sea life & London eye. Now though, with winter approaching I can no longer do legoland/chessington/Warwick castle… so I’m after ideas! Another place we’ve enjoyed has been Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

We can do central London, and things south (think 1.5 hours max away from Alton type thing). Dad and sister would happily go round National gallery etc, my 1yo not so much(!). I was thinking maybe Longleat safari? Or Hampton Court? Tower of London? Might be able to get to Paultons Park. I’ve not been to any of those - think they may be open through the winter though. Ideally I need options for all weathers…

All ideas very gratefully received!

I was going to suggest Longleat so definitely that! Hovercaft over to Ryde?

Ah, I came on to suggest the dockyard!

Steam train ride

RHS Wisley

Marwell zoo?
Beaulieu (if they like cars)

I saw an advert for the ‘watercress line’ this weekend, which is a steam train from Alton.

Brooklands Museum in Weybridge? You could combine that with RHS Wisley or Claremont Landscape Gardens or Painshill as they're all very close (do check A3/M25 closures in advance though).

Milestones museum is nice, indoors and a bit of something to interest everyone (especially the slot machines at the end)

I loved the fleet air arm museum recently but that might be a bit far

Solent sky in Southampton is lovely although parking is on the road, but the volunteers have always looked after us really well when we have been

Winchester Science Centre
I was going to say the Watercress Line as well- they have themed days and it’s a fun day.
Hinton Ampner and Mottisfont are NT places, they have a lot of trails and activities in the gardens and Mottisfont often has exhibitions
Southampton Sea City Museum?

Bird World maybe combined with nearby Alice Holt forest.

Mottisfont, Hinton Amber, Exbury Gardens (has a steam train too.) Exbury is near to Lepe Beach.

Near Stockbridge, Longstock Water Meadows (only open part of the year but really lovely, then up to the John Lewis nursery and cafe elsewhere on the site after.) Or Houghton Lodge which is also nearby.

There is a place you can walk Alpacas called Hensting Alpacas. There's a nice garden centre nearby called Brambridge where you could have lunch after. Might have to check minimum age for the children though.

Finkley Down Farm near Andover.

Marwell Zoo.

British Wildlife Centre, Birdworld, Rural Life Living Museum. Science Museum and Wonder Lab part of it. Agree Brooklands would be fab for them. Wisley and Kew Gardens.

Beauliue - is this too far? Has a car museum, stately home, gardens etc - something for everyone (in New Forest)

Wisley?

Hollycombe Steam Museum might be fun - it's near Liphook. Outdoor though, so more for summer/nice days in spring or autumn.

The Watercress Line
Christmas at Marwell is lovely
Christmas at Paulton's is busy, cold and full of families arguing

There’s a sculpture park near Dorking which was surprisingly DC-friendly.
As an alternative, especially as the weather gets worse, could either you look after everyone in your DM’s home while she goes out (eg for a leisurely lunch or a mumsnet cliche spa day), or bring them round to yours?