Top 10 Places for Family fun

Whatever your kids are into you’ll find something to keep them entertained along the Great West Way, from splish-splashy water parks to wonderfully wild safari parks...

Cotswold Water Park 
The term ‘water park’ doesn’t convey the magnitude of this place - it’s a complete holiday destination with lots of lovely lakeside accommodation ranging from camping to swish self-catering villas. The park encompasses a whopping 150 lakes - and there’s even a beach, not quite what you’d expect in the Cotswolds countryside! There’s plenty to keep kids and grown-ups busy including archery, fishing, golf, horse riding, kayaking, wakeboarding and bird watching. And when you’re not picnicking on cheese and pickle sandwiches by one of the lakes, there are family-friendly places to eat and drink. 

Hampton Court Palace 
This extravagant royal palace is sure to leave a lasting impression on young minds. From stories of Henry VIII and his six wives, to tours of the Tudor kitchens where up to a 1,000 meals were prepared each day - your tiny courtiers will be gripped. They can also let loose navigating the maze that featured in ‘Three Men in a Boat’ by Jerome K Jerome, and play make-believe in the Magic Garden with its climbing towers and steam-breathing dragon. 

Longleat Safari Park 
One way to get the kids attention? Buckle them in for a thrilling safari drive-through monkeys at Longleat, just south of the Great West Way. Those enigmatic macaques aren’t shy, so make sure you wind up the windows – unless you want an extra cheeky monkey in the backseat. Elsewhere there’s lions, tigers, a pack of wolves, zebras, ostriches and much more. For those that want to get hands-on with the animals, there are various feeding opportunities – extend a branch off the pier for the giraffe, hand-feed deer from your car window, throw fish to the sea lions from the boat on the lake, hold cups of nectar for rainbow lorikeets. Cute!

Westonbirt Arboretum 
Just north of the Great West Way, Westonbirt is well set up for young naturalists. The nice clear paths and new Treetop Walkway make arboretum adventures easy, whatever the season. Keep an eye out for special events and activities, too. Their Enchanted Christmas never fails to ignite the imaginations of little ones with its twinkly tree lights and magical trails - Mr & Mrs Christmas also like to attend. Spring and autumn are also natural highlights, with a confetti of golden leaves or pink blossoms bound to put a bounce in your tiny tot’s steps. 

We The Curious 
Bristol’s forward-thinking learning space is full of super fun experiments for budding scientists. At We The Curious you can run on a giant hamster wheel, dress up like a bee to collect pollen and even have a go at making your own animation, inspired by stop-motion Aardman hits like Morph and Wallace and Gromit. (Watch out for cool new exhibitions coming soon as the museum is in the midst of an exciting revamp.) There’s also a planetarium where you can all don special 3D specs for a seasonal adventure in the night sky. Top tip: We The Curious programme Big Screen Bristol in Millennium Square, putting on film screenings and major sporting events for everyone to enjoy free and al fresco.

STEAM 
If you’re looking for things to do with kids in Swindon, the Museum of the Great Western Railway is a must. There’s plenty to enthral children, including a steam train simulator where they can get behind the controls and a 1930s platform, reconstructed to give a sense for the old glamour of train travel. You might think the figures you see around the museum feel a little too life-like - that’s because they were cast from real Swindon folk, including ex-railway workers. Good to know: After perusing the gift shop, you’ll find more shopping at the Swindon Designer Outlet next door. 

Brunel’s SS Great Britain  
When it comes to Bristol for kids: schedule plenty of time for a visit to Brunel’s restored SS Great Britain. Its evocative cabins are filled with the sights, sounds and smells of its first journeys across the seas, from steerage to first class. Brave hearts can also climb the ship’s mast, as sailors once did, and get a grand view over Bristol’s floating harbour and toward the colourful houses of Clifton Wood. Included in the price of the ticket is entry to the new Being Brunel museum, where you enter the genius mind of the Victorian engineer. The gift shop’s pretty great too: who doesn’t need a bath duck dressed as Brunel?

Legoland Windsor Resort 
This is probably one all kids everywhere will enjoy. In fact, it may well bring back happy memories for adults, too. You can visit just for the day to explore the amazing attractions, from Miniland - a lego replica of the world - to a Lego reef where you can build your own digital fish. There are some great rides sure to ramp up excitement too, like the Pirate Falls Treasure Quest, the Spinning Spider and the Vikings’ River Splash. You can also stay overnight in one of the resort’s fantastical hotels - check out The Castle with its fairytale-themed rooms. 

The Living Rainforest 
Thought you were exploring the temperate climes of the English countryside? Well, as we’re discovering, it has a few surprises to reveal... including this tropical rainforest near Newbury in Berkshire. Kids won’t believe their luck when they step out of the car and into these glass houses, home to Cinnamon the sloth, primary-coloured toucans and blue poison dart frogs. Wannabe-keepers can even try a Keeper Experience, where they’ll get behind-the-scenes access to the animals and find out what it takes to care for them day-to-day. 

The Wave
Time to get your surf on! But you don't need to head to the seaside to enjoy the thrill of riding the waves. The whole family will love a day out at The Wave near Bristol - an inland surfing destination created to bring surfing, nature and a fresh way of thinking to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Surf lessons are offered for children aged 6 and above. 

For more information and help planning your Great West Way journey, take a look at our suggested itineraries and the family fun guide. You can also visit our See & Do and Explore pages.