The Family Day Out Thread
Discussion
aveyheks said:
RosscoPCole said:
Join the National Trust. The car park sticker is worth the membership fee alone.
...until I found the Scottish National Trust which allows entry to all NT properties in England, at approx. 2/3rds the cost.
What it doesn't cover is car parking fees! (Although I expect last year's window sticker will still work it's magic.)
The Don of Croy said:
aveyheks said:
RosscoPCole said:
Join the National Trust. The car park sticker is worth the membership fee alone.
...until I found the Scottish National Trust which allows entry to all NT properties in England, at approx. 2/3rds the cost.
What it doesn't cover is car parking fees! (Although I expect last year's window sticker will still work it's magic.)
ETA : oh no, they've removed it!!
FBP1 said:
Can't believe that no one has mentioned any of the Diggerlands yet! Any where that lets 5 year olds drive heavy machinery will always get my vote 
Dad gets to have quite a bit of fun too
Friend mentioned it to me on Wednesday, sounds bloody brilliant! Not sure if it would be suitable for a three and a half year old? Dad gets to have quite a bit of fun too
Can anyone recommend anywhere Dorset area (or not too far away) for a three and a half year old boy? Ideally something to do if the weather isn't very good. Tomorrow we are off to the tank museum, not sure if he'll enjoy it though, but he likes toy guns so hopefully!
Although have just seen that the weather is okish tomorrow so may think about Monkey World.
Ki3r said:
Friend mentioned it to me on Wednesday, sounds bloody brilliant! Not sure if it would be suitable for a three and a half year old?
Can anyone recommend anywhere Dorset area (or not too far away) for a three and a half year old boy? Ideally something to do if the weather isn't very good. Tomorrow we are off to the tank museum, not sure if he'll enjoy it though, but he likes toy guns so hopefully!
Although have just seen that the weather is okish tomorrow so may think about Monkey World.
Hope so. We are off there in three weeks! Can anyone recommend anywhere Dorset area (or not too far away) for a three and a half year old boy? Ideally something to do if the weather isn't very good. Tomorrow we are off to the tank museum, not sure if he'll enjoy it though, but he likes toy guns so hopefully!
Although have just seen that the weather is okish tomorrow so may think about Monkey World.
We have a Whipsnade pass and its been very good. I recon we go every couple of months.
Don't bother with the new River Cottage cafe though. Its like ZSL asked many families what they wanted in a restaurant and cafe and ZSL ignored all of them. Food was overpriced and far too pretentious.
We took our four year old to Thomas Land at Drayton Manor for his birthday. They periodically do Thomas Land only entry, including this upcoming half term and it's much cheaper to get in because you're only getting the Thomas Land bit, not the whole theme park. If you have a Thomas mad child, it's really a good value day out (assuming you get them out of the gift shop without a fist-full of trains).
For instance, there was a skating rink there, much like you get around Christmas, included in the entry (£18 adult, £12 4-11). Given it's a usually a fair few quid to use a rink at the local dodgy Christmas market, this seemed pretty decent, especially as I reserve special hatred for anywhere that charges you entry and then charges you for rides/experiences on top.
Plenty of rides suitable for 2-3 year olds and a few faster/higher ones than will entertain an older child too.
https://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/february-half-term - it's open 9th to 24th.
For instance, there was a skating rink there, much like you get around Christmas, included in the entry (£18 adult, £12 4-11). Given it's a usually a fair few quid to use a rink at the local dodgy Christmas market, this seemed pretty decent, especially as I reserve special hatred for anywhere that charges you entry and then charges you for rides/experiences on top.
Plenty of rides suitable for 2-3 year olds and a few faster/higher ones than will entertain an older child too.
https://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/february-half-term - it's open 9th to 24th.
thismonkeyhere said:
The Don of Croy said:
Normally I'd agree, but at £98 for family membership I'm calling it a day...
£98 is very good value if you make use of it.
I haven't counted, but I reckon we use it at least 15 times/year. Probably more.
So, around £6.50 per day out for a family of four.
Inspired by this thread, we paid a family visit (boy 9 girl 4) to Birdworld in Farnham today.
Excellent value, really uncrowded (Palm Sunday?), nice staff, clean loos and plenty to keep the children entertained. A nice adventure playground, feeding the birds with purchased seeds and/or mealworms, a 'train' to see the big birds and lots of events daily - feeding this and that, flight demonstrations etc.
Afterwards, we visited a pub called Spotted Cow in The Bourne/Lower Bourne a couple of miles from Bird World. It turned out (it was recommended as being 'Worth a Visit' on the Good Pub Guide) to be everything we ever wished to find in a 'country' pub. Nice friendly atmosphere, surrounded by trees, children's playground, TEA on tap from the Hogsback Brewery, top nosh and plenty of parking.
Quality day out and it cost about £100 with a packed lunch for a family of four.
Excellent value, really uncrowded (Palm Sunday?), nice staff, clean loos and plenty to keep the children entertained. A nice adventure playground, feeding the birds with purchased seeds and/or mealworms, a 'train' to see the big birds and lots of events daily - feeding this and that, flight demonstrations etc.
Afterwards, we visited a pub called Spotted Cow in The Bourne/Lower Bourne a couple of miles from Bird World. It turned out (it was recommended as being 'Worth a Visit' on the Good Pub Guide) to be everything we ever wished to find in a 'country' pub. Nice friendly atmosphere, surrounded by trees, children's playground, TEA on tap from the Hogsback Brewery, top nosh and plenty of parking.
Quality day out and it cost about £100 with a packed lunch for a family of four.
bolidemichael said:
Inspired by this thread, we paid a family visit (boy 9 girl 4) to Birdworld in Farnham today.
Excellent value, really uncrowded (Palm Sunday?), nice staff, clean loos and plenty to keep the children entertained. A nice adventure playground, feeding the birds with purchased seeds and/or mealworms, a 'train' to see the big birds and lots of events daily - feeding this and that, flight demonstrations etc.
Afterwards, we visited a pub called Spotted Cow in The Bourne/Lower Bourne a couple of miles from Bird World. It turned out (it was recommended as being 'Worth a Visit' on the Good Pub Guide) to be everything we ever wished to find in a 'country' pub. Nice friendly atmosphere, surrounded by trees, children's playground, TEA on tap from the Hogsback Brewery, top nosh and plenty of parking.
Quality day out and it cost about £100 with a packed lunch for a family of four.
Thanks for that. I'll add it to the list for when I visit my father. Excellent value, really uncrowded (Palm Sunday?), nice staff, clean loos and plenty to keep the children entertained. A nice adventure playground, feeding the birds with purchased seeds and/or mealworms, a 'train' to see the big birds and lots of events daily - feeding this and that, flight demonstrations etc.
Afterwards, we visited a pub called Spotted Cow in The Bourne/Lower Bourne a couple of miles from Bird World. It turned out (it was recommended as being 'Worth a Visit' on the Good Pub Guide) to be everything we ever wished to find in a 'country' pub. Nice friendly atmosphere, surrounded by trees, children's playground, TEA on tap from the Hogsback Brewery, top nosh and plenty of parking.
Quality day out and it cost about £100 with a packed lunch for a family of four.
Get a Purple Blue peter badge for free kids entry to loads of places.
http://childrens-binary.files.bbci.co.uk/childrens...
http://childrens-binary.files.bbci.co.uk/childrens...
You could also look at Battersea Zoo... going back to London. It's outside of the CC and ULEZ and they'll get tired out on the run/ride/scoot through the park to the zoo, if you don't park too close.
Other than that, read through some of the suggestions above if you haven't already done so. Plenty of suggestions which fit the bill.
Other than that, read through some of the suggestions above if you haven't already done so. Plenty of suggestions which fit the bill.
prand said:
if you were going to London, would visiting the Natural History and Science Museums be any good for you? Then pop down to the Old Brompton Road to Franco Mancas, most pizzas are under a tenner.
Went to Franco m in Oxford the other day - half the price of ask opposite and much nicer - v good for a chain petemurphy said:
prand said:
if you were going to London, would visiting the Natural History and Science Museums be any good for you? Then pop down to the Old Brompton Road to Franco Mancas, most pizzas are under a tenner.
Went to Franco m in Oxford the other day - half the price of ask opposite and much nicer - v good for a chain Had a brilliant day yesterday. Drove up to London and parked in Belgrave Square (free on Sundays). Walked to Buckingham Palace, watched the Battle of Britain fly-past (accidental timing!). Chilled in St James Park - walked to Covent Garden and picked up lunch from Honest Burgers and ate in a park next to the river. Then down to Westminster, mooched about and showed the kids the sites.
Then back through St James and to the car.
Very cheap day out - very enjoyable, no public transport!
Then back through St James and to the car.
Very cheap day out - very enjoyable, no public transport!
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