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They make easy family holidays as they pretty much always cater to kids as well.
In the South West, you'll normally find them in close proximity to beaches or other attractions too.
Ranges of accommodation types and prices mean you can customise your stay better.
Best of all, you don't have to go to the events they have on, as some can be a bit dire.
www.johnfowlerholidays.com
www.brixhamholidaypark.co.uk
www.theoldehouse.co.uk
In among the steep, tangled streets of Great Malvern lies a Victorian lavatory. This may not be the first destination in mind for a child’s day out but ‘The Theatre of Small Convenience’ is the world's smallest theatre. It houses a variety of exceptional and quirky performances such as puppetry, storytelling, poetry and music. The shows are performed on demand every 5-10 minutes and with a seating area for the audience and each production is made very personal and memorable. This is guaranteed to excite and amaze young children.
www.wctheatre.co.uk/
Nearest Train Station is 15 min walk away.
This is a gem. My daughter and I have spent many delightful Saturday afternoons in this brilliant little theatre. Originally built by by Oscar Hammerstein it's an enchanting space off of Time Square, on 42nd. The shows are eclectic, funny, informative, and cultural courtesy of traveling companies from all over the world, including the UK. A must see for anyone visiting with children!
The Chicken Shed Theatre is a theatre company working to use an inclusive creative process which means everyone is welcome, and everyone is valued. Chickenshed runs Children's and Youth Theatre workshops for 600 people, education courses for over 100 students, community outreach projects and a network of satellite 'Sheds' across the country (and two in Russia) so even more can benefit. Every extraordinary piece of theatre created at Chickenshed shouts out the same thing: anyone can thrive in an environment where everyone is welcome.
Chickenshed, Chase Side, Southgate, London
N14 4PE
Box Office: 020 8292 9222
www.chickenshed.org.uk
Google map: tinyurl.com/ygdjrgs
I recommend the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon, London. This theatre only does shows for children. I can still remember the excitement of school trips there. Coming from a family that did not do things like go the the theatre, it opened up a new world to me.
Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon
London, SW19 1SB
www.polkatheatre.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/yfltmyv
This is a theatre designed specifically for and partly by children. The program ranges from 0-18 and has some world class companies performing like the recent brilliant Theatre Alibi show 'High Muck-a-Muck'. The staff are very welcoming, very friendly and there is always a buzz when you walk in. It's also a great place to meet friends and family as the cafe operates throughout the day.
Historically, there was a panel of young children along with the board who contributed to the design of the theatre so it has children at the very heart of its program. Simply a brilliant place and deserves to be celebrated.
www.theatreroyal.org.uk/the-egg
Five minute walk from Bath Spa station, next door to the Theatre Royal.
Google map: tinyurl.com/yjdja4m
A theatre company for children that actually does what it says. No clever remarks/jokes aimed at the adults, but instead a clearly understandable story with songs, audience involvement and lots and lots of fun!
Brunton Theatre
Ladywell Way
Musselburgh
East Lothian EH21 6AA
My heart sank the first time I visited Ashridge Estate in the northern Chilterns on the Bucks/Herts border. With so many cars parked, I envisaged hordes of people. But as soon as we set off on a three mile circular walk we lost everyone and had the panoramic views from Ivinghoe Beacon - and a glimpse of several deer sprinting off through the woods - to ourselves. There are 5000 acres so plenty of room for everyone to crunch over fallen golden beech leaves right now. At times we were walking part of the Ridgeway National Trail which looked enticing and could have extended our walk, but my favourite bit is spotting the lion chalk figure which advertises Whipsnade Zoo.
The tea rooms near the Bridgewater Monument are justifiably popular and the visitor centre staff are friendly and eager to share their knowledge of wildlife to look out for. Many dog owners were bonding while their pets bounded, and it was good to see a fair number of wheelchairs and pushchairs on the easy access paths.
Bookings are being taken for fallow deer rutting, and fungal foray events this month.
We took the family camping there in the summer holidays and had an amazing time.The staff are really friendly and helpful. The kids loved the woods and the craft centre. Great location with beautiful views, but not too far away from civilisation!
Stoke Road
Paignton
TQ9 7PF
Google map: tinyurl.com/yzsyfpo
Just 30 minutes by road from Calais, Ferme du Vert is a charming little farmhouse in a peaceful bucolic setting, and great value for a weekend break. The rooms are lovely, the food is superb - the owners have their own fromagerie - and the small collection of farmyard animals makes it a hit with young children.
www.fermeduvert.com/
La Ferme du Vert, rue du Vert - 62720 Wierre, Effroy
+33 (0)3 21 87 67 00
Google map: bit.ly/eHVUzD
We spent a fantastic weekend cycling from Canterbury to Whistable then along the coast to Birchington with our nine-year-old. It was the perfect introduction to cycling holidays covering around 20 miles with a night in Whitstable in the middle. Our host John, met us at the start and got us going with maps, routes and an emergency number in case things went pear-shaped. The cycling was mainly flat with a few hills suitable for a "family challenge". The second day was superb as we pedalled along the coast passing seaside towns and a Roman fort. We came home feeling like we had really done something different and experienced something new as a family. Next time we are going to try a tour along the Thames.
We booked with Capital Sport who do cycling tours around England. Would highly recommend them to anyone.
www.capital-sport.co.uk
The Plockton Inn is a good pub and a wonderful restaurant which, while it offers a variety of dishes, is oustanding in offering seafood of the highest quality.
The atmosphere in the bar is merry, as you'd expect, especially in the evenings, when sailors - both professional and amateur, the latter being a somewhat tedious feature of Plockton in the summer - recount the day's adventures. But push gently through to the bar and make your order. It's well worth it. The quality of the food is extraordinarily good and the portions are generous. Families with young children evidently enjoy the atmosphere which is informal and, when live, traditional music is being performed, pleasantly noisy.
The Plockton Inn, Innes Street, Plockton, Ross-shire, Scotland IV52 8TW. Tel 01599 544222.
www.plocktoninn.co.uk
Google map: tinyurl.com/ybu7aqb
A must visit for animal lovers. You can even borrow a dog to take for a walk, and the pot-bellied pig is charming. Don't forget to take loads of carrots!
www.nerjadonkeysanctuary.com/
Apartado de Correos 414, Nerja, 29780, Malaga, Spain, +34 664 558 133
Google map: tinyurl.com/yc7w8aq
This waterside location is ideal for picnics, and if you're feeling energetic you can walk all the way to Conisbrough castle following the
river Don. There is a pub called the
Boat Inn to reward you for the numerous walks which go from Sprotborough Lock to Cusworth Hall, Doncaster and Sheffield
If driving follow the road signposted High Melton and Sprotbrough from Doncaster - the lock is well indicated
Alternatively follow the river Don east from Hexborough and Conisbrough
You can do all of these things if you dare to venture to Pembrokeshire for a session of coasteering.
My wife and I went for a compromise of the adrenaline junkie and scenic views adventure and we found both in equal quantities. We stayed In a small B&B near St David’s and visited the Cathedral for a little calm before the following mornings storm. It is well worth the visit.
The next morning we arrived with little expectation of what the day had in stall for us, but the briefing soon sorted that out. While we were told of the Cliff jumping, climbing, scrambleling and swimming that we would be doing we changed into wetsuits and safety gear. Before we knew it, we were making our way down to the Pembrokeshire National Park coastline starting with the easy tasks of cliff climbing and long jumps into the sea. As the day progressed, we tried such landmarks as the washing machine, the quarry jump, the angled run and the toilet (not to be missed). Three to four hours later, we were back in the lodge warming ourselves with a cup of tea and chasers laughing with the rest of our group.
Some of the route was real edge of you wetsuit stuff, especially as there was a good swell while we were there. However, there were options at all stages to suit all abilities, Lower jumps if you like, or for the more enthusiastic in our group a chance to practice your Bear Grillis style back flip off a cliff.
Give it a try as it will not limit your adventure time to just one activity and you can be there and back in a weekend.
Pembrokeshire, Wales
It's a hidden gem in the heart of Bangkok. Tenface is a new boutique hotel with only 88 rooms but it makes me feel very impressed. Their well-trained staffs are perfect! The room is very big and clean, recommended!
Cusworth Hall is an eighteenth century and grade 1 listed country house and museum with excellent informative exhibitions about the people who lived and worked in the house.
It is without doubt Doncaster's premiere beauty spot with loads of open space for picnics and walks allowing you to enjoy a wonderful view of Doncaster laid out before you
Cusworth Lane, Doncaster, DN5 7TU
www.cusworth-hall.co.uk
Free admission
Nearest train station is Bentley and the hall is well signposted on the A1(M) and in Doncaster itself
Madeira is a really fun destination and not all twin-set and pearls at all. However, it lacks sandy beaches, so if you have little ones who want to paddle and build sand castles, catch the ferry from Funchal to the tiny island of Porto Santo. There's not much to do on the island except swim, eat and watch Christiano Ronaldo's massive hotel being constructed(purchased along with Figo, I believe), but it's a great day trip and the ferries are the old Isle of Man boats.
Zirndorf is a small town near Nuremberg and home of the Playmobil Fun Land. Hotel Knorz is a 20 minute walk along paths to Playmobil, signposted by Playmobil figures.
Hotel Knorz offers bed and breakfast in a 1960's built but refurbished building on 3 floors (no lift). They have serveral family apparments, which include a fridge, two ring electric cooker, kettle and crockery. So you can bring that fussy child and eat in.
Breakfasts are a buffet of cerals, cold meat, cheese, smoked salmon and fruit, with fresh rolls and croissants and hot chocolate and chocolate spread for the kids.
The hotel is down a quiet side road, but the garden rooms have the advantage of being away from what trafic there is.
Staff were very helpful and with only one exception spoke english very well. The families staying were all german apart from us.
Zirndorf is a very attractive town with many old buildings and lots of outdoor seating at restaurants and cafes.
Volkhardtstr. 18
90513 Zirndorf
0911 / 96 06 350
knorzhotel@t-online.de
www.knorzhotel.de
Nearest station is Zirndorf, which has a 30 min service Monday to Friday, hourly at weekends. Alternatively you can get the U3 tube and then bus 70 or 72 from central Nuremberg.
It is a 10 minute walk from the rail station to the hotel.
Playmobil Fun Land is a themed activity park based on the Playmobil children's toys. It is aimed at children under 12 and is fun interactive activities. There is minimal queing and no roller coasters, just lots of things to do. We spent two whole days there. Hight season entry (August 2009) was 10 Euros per person irrespective of age, so 40 Euros for a family of four per day.
Things to note:
Much of the play involves water, so come with swimming gear to stand under the waterfalls. If soemone gets wet, use the tumble dryers provided to dry clothes.
There is a large indoor section if it's raining. Outdoors, sandpits and things are covered with awnings on hot days.
Food and drink is NOT a rip off e.g. tea for one Euro, single scoop ice cream cone 80 Cents!
The cafeteria has lots of choice eg pasta with different sauces and pizza, very much aimed at kids. A kids meal is 42 Euros.
You pay a pfand (deposit) on all crockery which is then refunded when you hand it all in, so keeping everying tidy and clean.
Most staff speak very good english.
Much of the park is wheel chair accessibile (so good for buggies too) and they have a wheel chair raft on the boating lake.
We had two super days out and the kids would love to go back.
There is an appartment hotel with family rooms for four across the road from the park. However, as the park is not loacated in a particularly interesting part of Zirndorf we stayed at the Hotel Knorz, an easy walk to/from Playmobil and the town centre.
PLAYMOBIL-FunPark
Brandstätterstraße 2-10
90513 Zirndorf
Phone 0911/96 66-1700
www.playmobil-funpark.de
funpark@playmobil.de
Nearest station is Zirndorf which has a 30 minute train service from Furth which is on the main line to Nuremberg (or use the Underground)
Alternatively, get the bus 113 from central Nuremberg. Tourist info in Nuremberg have all the details and will printout timetables for you.
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