Top 10 days out with Kids along the Great West Way

There’s plenty of choice along the Great West Way for family days out, from splish-splashy water parks to wonderfully wild safari parks. Here’s a look at some of the best attractions for some unforgettable family fun.

1. LONGLEAT, WARMINSTER, WILTSHIRE

Longleat

At Longleat, a little south of the Great West Way, you can take your little lions on a wild drive through a safari park. From the madness of the monkey drivethrough to the awe-inspiring sight of real-life rhinos in the Big Game Park – it’s sure to be a lasting memory. Buckle them in to see their faces light up over those enigmatic macaques, who aren’t shy, so make sure you wind up the windows – unless you want an extra cheeky monkey in the backseat. Elsewhere there are 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!

2. WINDSOR CASTLE, WINDSOR BERKSHIRE

Windsor Castle

THE ROYAL COLLECTION. Photo: Peter Packer

A castle always goes down well with children excited to explore the turrets and to look out at the view, feeling like a king or queen. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. It has been the family home of British royalty for almost 1,000 years. Visit the magnificent State Apartments and St George's Chapel, one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in England. The Castle's State Apartments are furnished with some of the greatest works from the Royal Collection including paintings by Holbein, Rubens and Van Dyck.

BRUNEL’S SS GREAT BRITAIN, BRISTOL

Brunel’s SS Great Britain

SS Great Britain - Image credit Max McClure

Step on board an extraordinary iconic steamship – Brunel’s SS Great Britain is the world’s first great ocean liner, and the brainchild of the most famous honorary Bristolian, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Rescued from rust and wreckage in 1970, and since lovingly restored to her Victorian hey-day, a visit to the SS Great Britain allows you to step back in time and explore true stories from the opulent First-Class to the cramped and quarrelsome Steerage. Each kitchen and cabin, dining room and doctor’s surgery emanates authentic sounds and smells which bring the ship and its history to life. You can even step ‘underwater’ for a unique and magnificent view of the ship below the beautiful glass sea.

LEGOLAND, WINDSOR

Legoland

Of all the wow-worthy family attractions, there are a few big ones you should be aware of, and Legoland is one of them. The colourful block-built land dreams are made of. 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.

5. AVON VALLEY ADVENTURE AND WILDLIFE PARK

Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park

Iamge ©Giulia Spadafora 2022

Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park is full of farmyard favourites including a zoo, children's playground, mini train and go-karts. Make your visit extra special with a VIP Animal Encounter and watch the delight on your little ones' faces as they get up close with the meerkats and ponies. The Raptor encounter is a ‘roarsome’ experience for any velociraptor fan! Plus don’t miss their end-of-season family water fight!

6. KEW GARDENS, RICHMOND, SURREY

Great Pagoda, Kew Gardens

Iamge ©visitlondon.com/Jon Reid

For an unforgettable horticultural experience, make a beeline for Kew Gardens. For a quick and easy way to see the vast UNESCO World Heritage Site and save the children’s legs, hop aboard the Kew Explorer Land Train, which will whizz you around the main sites in around 40 minutes. Current highlights of any tour include the Palm House, built with a rainforest climate to nurture the plant life brought back by Victorian botanists; The Hive, an immersive experience that echoes the life going on inside a real beehive; and The Princess of Wales Conservatory, which is packed with all sorts of prickly curiosities from cacti to carnivorous plants.

7. HAMPTON COURT PALACE, RICHMOND UPON THAMES

Hampton Court Palace - Aerial view of Great Fountain Garden

Iamge © Historic Royal Palaces (Photo by Aerial Vue)

Kids will love a day out at Hampton Court Palace during their five-day joust in the gardens which takes places between the 2-6 August 2023. Hampton Court Palace is one of Britain’s most famous buildings, and a surviving Tudor treasure that was at the centre of court and political life for over two hundred years. Built to house monarchs, their courtiers and an army of servants, and designed to impress powerful visitors, this vast complex of buildings contains over a thousand rooms and is set within many acres of stunning gardens and parkland.

8. COTSWOLD WATER PARK

Cotswold Water Park

The term ‘water park’ doesn’t convey the magnitude of this place, a short detour from the Great West Way –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, bird watching and lovely off road cycle routes. In fact, National Cycle Route 45 going right through the Cotswold Water Park, on its way from Salisbury to Cirencester. 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.

9. WESTONBIRT ARBORETUM

Westonbirt

Just north of the Great West Way, Westonbirt is well set up for young naturalists. The nice clear paths and Treetop Walkway make arboretum adventures easy, whatever the season and there are 15,000 different species of trees from around the globe. Keep an eye out for special events and activities, too. Spring and summer are natural highlights, with a confetti of pink blossoms bound to put a bounce in your tiny tot’s steps.

NOAHS ARK ZOO, BRISTOL

Noahs Ark Zoo

Visit Janu the elephant and over 100 species of big zoo animals, including giraffe, lions, rhinos, tigers and spectacled bears at this familyowned zoo set on a working farm in 100 acres of beautiful, peaceful countryside. Founded by Anthony and Christina Bush, who have lived and worked here together as dairy farmers since 1962 when the original Moat House Farm was part of the Tyntesfield Estate. Get hands-on with giant tortoises, bottle-feeding lambs and up close to the farm animals and exotic animals, including llamas, camels and wallabies. The children will also love the tractor rides and playing in the hay barn!