Getting out and about with the family can inspire memories that you and your loved ones will cherish for the rest of your lives, so this year why not try something a little bit different? Whether you’re becoming one with the animals, touring the castles of royalty from days gone by, looking for an educational event that still offers a whole host of fun, or just wanting a day out by the sea, these ideas will soon have you reaching for the camera to capture memories you’ll look back on with a smile.
Port Lympne
Boasting 600 acres, visitors to the park are able to see over 700 animals across 90 different species including the county’s only giraffe herd and spectacled bears. Open throughout the year, visitors will find play areas, restaurants, cafes, picnic areas and seasonal kiosks. Port Lympne also offer’s Kent’s only authentic safari experience through the South American, Asian, and African experiences to see amazing free roaming animals.
Port Lympne also boasts a variety of unique overnight accommodation experiences. Perhaps you’re longing to soar through the sky with your very own Treehouse, looking for an interactive experience with a stay in a transparent dome, aptly titled ‘The Bubble’, which offers 180-degree views over the neighbouring animals and of the night sky above. Or you might prefer the lodges. With full size windows from the accommodation right into the enclosures of the animals they are named after, a stay at either Lion Lodge or Tiger Lodge would be a truly unforgettable experience.
Weston Super Mare
There’s no need to wait for the sun to rear its head or even for an eventful weekend in order to enjoy all that Weston Super Mare has to offer. Stake a claim on the soft sand for a day of delight and see how well you fare in creating a sandcastle masterpiece, scoff as much fudge and hot, fresh doughnuts as you can or perhaps take a stroll along the famous Grand Pier.
Here you’ll be able to experience the thrills of Britain’s smallest rollercoaster, or simulate being a formula one driver for the day, both unique rides that you can't find anywhere else in the country. The indoor theme park has hundreds of amusements on offer, a range of thrilling rides and attractions to suit all ages and the best indoor play area in Weston-Super-Mare.
So whether you’re looking to keep the kids fully occupied for hours on end, or just ready to compete against your partner to see who can bring home the most cuddly toys from the claw machines, it’s guaranteed to be an incredible experience.
Hever Castle
The Hever Castle Estate has a wealth of history; most notably it was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I, arguably two of the most recognisable monarchs in British history.
New for this year, an exhibition will be detailing the factors that moulded Anne’s character as well as the rise of the Boleyn family in British society. Becoming Anne: Connections, Culture, Court, which runs until November (2022), is the first of a series of exhibitions detailing the life and times of Anne Boleyn. Launched on 4th March 2022, you can walk in her footsteps as it would have been 500 years to the day of her first recorded appearance at the English court in 1522.
Today the Estate has something for everyone. Explore the historic castle, take a stroll through the stunning, award-winning gardens or around the majestic lake, make the children’s day with a visit to the Tudor Towers adventure playground or even take in a display from the interactive military museum. This diverse offering and the independent ownership of the Castle make Hever a truly unique place to visit, stay, and experience.
We The Curious
We The Curious is a science centre and educational charity on Bristol Harbourside. It’s an interactive space where everyone can ask questions, explore and test out ideas together.
With over 300 exhibits, We The Curious is a must-see for all ages and takes you on an incredible journey exploring the inner workings of the world around us. Going against what you would normally expect from a tour around an exhibition hall, they encourage you to get stuck in, in every way. DO touch the exhibits, do use your phone, DO laugh out loud, bring your kids, friends, grandparents or come and escape on your own.
Join Morph and friends in Aardman’s exclusive exhibition and become an animator for the day. Be awed by icy bodies and cosmic rays, walk through a tornado, create your own TV show or cover yourself from head to toe in a giant bubble!
Legoland: Windsor Resort
Whether you are earning your very first driving licence behind the wheel of a LEGO car at the LEGO City Driving School, riding a Dragon through a medieval castle or discovering a lost underwater city in your very own submarine – the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort has something for the whole family.
Prepare to buckle up and soar into a mystical realm powered by imagination on three major new attractions, including the UK's first Flying Theatre Ride. Turn your adventure into a long-lasting journey with the chance to stay at the Legoland hotel; with an amazing, themed room to suit every LEGO-lover, including swashbuckling pirates and magical wizards, you’ll never see anything else like it.
Zip Trek Adventure Park
Take an exhilarating aerial ride through a stunning Scottish Pine Forest on Alvie Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms. Offering an exhilarating experience that’s truly like no other, an adventure at the Zip Trek Park will have you flying through the trees, gliding over the water and sailing through the air over an incredible gorge.
With over 1.5km of zip wires to blast around on you will start at the top of a beautiful valley and zip line all the way to the bottom, going from one zip slide to another under the safety of the instructors. You will be given a harness, gloves and a helmet, so all you’ll need to bring is shoes that don't fall off and sense of adventure!
A unique way of getting the family excited at the chance of getting out into the open air, you have the choice between a choose-your-own style adventure or stick to the laid-out paths. Guaranteed to be a day you won’t soon forget about, let this thrilling experience be something to bring your family closer together.
