If you’re looking for some fab days out in the South East this summer, but don’t know where to start… I’ve got you covered! Here’s my handy list of some amazing attractions around the area, perfect whether you’ve got a mini adventurer, adrenaline junkie or aspiring farmer in tow! Have an amazing summer!
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Adventure Wonderland – Bournemouth, Dorset
**Get An Exclusive 20% Off Tickets**
This is the perfect day out for little ones aged between 3 – 10 years! With lots of fab rides, including the ‘Jabberwocky’ helta-skelter slide, a Runaway Train, Flying Elephants, Ghostly Galleon and Yoyo Swings and so much more, there’s sure to be something that your mini thrill seeker will love! Better yet, you can grab 20% off of tickets when you book with Picniq! Find out more.
Longleat Safari & Adventure Park – Warminster, Wiltshire
**Get An Exclusive 20% Off Tickets**
Animal lovers will be in their element at Longleat, where you’ll find some fab attractions such as Jungle Kingdom, Safari Drive Adventure, Penguin Bay, Adventure Park Longleat House and so much more! You’ll also get to meet animals such as the lions, monkeys, rhino and cheetahs, as well as cute deer in their drive through safari! Get 20% off tickets when you book with Picniq! Find out more.
The Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery – Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
Situated in the village where Roald Dahl lived and wrote, this story centre is perfectly aimed for children aged 6-12 years old. As well as a crafts room to get creative and messy in, there are also galleries where the children can learn and discover the inspiration behind some of their favourite stories. Find out more.
Liberty’s Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre – Ringwood, Hampshire
**Get 49% Off Family Tickets**
Liberty’s is home to a large collection of birds of prey, reptiles and creepy crawlies! You’ll get to see some owls, hawks and eagles, as well as pythons, bearded dragons, snakes, tarantulas and much more! You also have the chance to see these amazing birds and see them in daily programme of falconry shows. Grab 49% off family tickets when you book with Picniq! Find out more.
Leeds Castle – Maidstone, Kent
Combine 900 acres of beautiful parkland with 500 years of history and you’ve got the perfect day out for your little knights to explore! Previously a Norman stronghold and a royal residence for six medieval queens of England, Leeds Castle also offers gorgeous gardens to explore, birds of prey to meet, a dog collar museum, craft centre and an adventure playground. Find out more.
Marsh Farm – Chelmsford, Essex
30th July – Meet the Gruffalo
6 August – Meet Peppa Pig
**Get 13% Off Tickets**
Budding farmers will love meeting some cute and cuddly animals, as well as having the chance to groom the ponies. Head to the bouncy pillow for some unique fun, plus climb and slide at the extensive indoor and outdoor play areas! This Summer don’t miss the chance to meet all your favourite characters at Marsh Farm including The Gruffalo, Bing and Flop, Peppa Pig, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Paw Patrol. Find out more.
Woburn Safari Park – Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
This lovely safari park gives you the chance to makes friends with some amazing animals, including bison, zebras, wild, horses, rhinos, lions, giraffes, and monkeys! Woburn also offers some fab workshops over the summer until the 3rd of September, which gives little ones between the ages of 8 – 12 to go behind the scenes at exhibits, hands on animal experiences, fun games and more! Find out more.
Millets Falconry Centre – Abingdon, Oxfordshire
£1 off entry per person and 10% off any pre-booked experiences with a Days Out Card
Come and find out about 70 different types of birds of prey to see what they are capable of and learn about how they live in the wild! You can go along to see a demonstration and watch some feeding sessions, as well as take part in Millet Falconry experience days. Get £1 entry per person and 10% off any pre-booked experiences with our Days Out Card! Find out more.
Gulliver’s Land – Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
With over 70 rides, attractions and experiences aimed at younger children between the ages 2–13, this is the perfect theme park for your little thrill seekers! Dare to climb aboard some amazing rides, as well as the Log flume, dodgems, Pirate ship and so much more! Find out more.
Broughton Castle – Banbury, Oxfordshire
This moated and fortified castle, which is set amongst stunning parkland, offers the perfect place to find some peace and relaxation! Head inside to admire its beautiful decor and stunning paintings. The tea room also offers some yummy sweet treats and snacks. Find out more.
Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary – Ventor, Isle of Wight
Make friends with some friendly donkeys at this lovely donkey sanctuary. You can even adopt a donkey to support the work of the charity! They also offer birthday parties, caring for donkey days and lead a donkey days. Find out more.
Jakes at Tri-Lakes – Sandhurt, Berkshire
Set within 19 acres of beautiful countryside and lakeland, Jakes at Tri-Lakes has lots of fun features, including a giant slide and a separate area for the under 4’s. Have a kick about on the indoor football court, test your stamina skills on the assault course and feed the animals in the mini farm. Find out more.
Hobbledown Children’s Farm – Epsom, Surrey
Come and meet some adorable animals in Hobbledown Village, including birds, rabbits, llamas, sheep, meerkats and more! Bigger adventurers can take on the Aerial Adventure Course full of fun and challenging obstacles. Head over to the playbarn and an adventure playground where all ages can run riot. Find out more.
Herstmonceux Castle – Hailsham, East Sussex
Explore this fascinating moated castle, where you’ll get to walk around the Chestnut Tree Walk to the visitor centre and themed gardens to take in the beautiful surroundings. The castle also has a lovely tea room where you can relax and enjoy some yummy treats and hot drinks. Find out more.
Wilderness Wood – Heathfield, East Sussex
This family run park, which covers 62 acres, offers some lovely trails for you and your little explorers to discover some amazing wildlife. There are lots of events taking place, some seasonal, which the kids can really get involved in. Find out more.
Marwell Zoological Park – Winchester, Hampshire
Treat your little monkeys and animal lovers to an amazing family day out at Marwell Zoo! You’ll get to make friends with the likes of Giraffes, Leopards, Tigers, Lemurs, snakes… and so much more! Marwell also offers daily feeding opportunities, as well as an adventure playground for the little ones to let off some steam and the formal gardens to explore and relax in. Find out more.
Out of Bounds – Littlehampton, West Sussex
Active little adventurers will love getting stuck into the fab activities on offer at Out of Bounds! Have a go at Footgolf (golf but with a football!) or try Clip n’ Climb, an easy, safe and exciting way of climbing. The kids will love the multi-level soft play zone with its Giant Spiral slide or have a go at a family game of Laser Tag or ten pin bowling. Find out more.
Chilled in a Field – Tonbridge, Kent
**Get Up To 50% Off**
Come along to this quirky award winning and independent festival, set in the beautiful countryside in Kent, which is perfect for party people and their little ones! There’s lots of lovely areas that the kids will love, including Wonderland for little artists, ‘The Making Place’ where they can learn fascinating science and tech facts and the ‘Flying the Nest’, is a visual feast of costumes, props and puppets not to be missed! Get up to 50% off your tickets when you book with Picniq! Find out more.
Rugrats and Halfpints – Banbury, Oxfordshire
10% off entrance with a Days Out Card
Rugrats and Halfpints, the UK’s first sensory and soft play centre for kids aged up to 10, has lots to offer your little ones! Older kids, or “Half Pints”, will love the multi-level soft play frame which includes rope bridges, tumble towers and slides, as well as trampolines and activity boards. Get 10% off entrance admission with our Days Out Card! Find out more.
Mapledurham Watermill – Reading, Berkshire
Mapledurham Watermill, the last working corn and grist mill on the Thames, still uses traditional wooden machinery to produce flour for bakers and shops! Pick up some of their products in the shop on site, including a Mapledurham recipe book, from the very own Miller’s wife! Find out more.
TeamSport – Reading, Berkshire
This fab indoor racing track is the perfect any weather activity, come rain or shine! For the children there are individual or small group events where they get a full safety briefing and some great tips. You can also pick up some yummy food at the on site restaurant and bar. Find out more.
Mini Tank Elite – Eversley, Hampshire
This is a fab and different day which is perfect for your mini historians! Kids can race around the countryside in smaller versions of the real military tanks, giving a true experience of what it is like to control a real tank! Suitable for kids aged 8 and over. Find out more.
Huxley’s Bird of Prey Centre and Gardens – Horsham, West Sussex
Half price child with adult with a Days Out Card
Come and discover some beautiful gardens and magnificent birds at Huxley’s Bird of Prey Centre! You’ll get the chance to see the birds up close and learn some fascinating facts about them. You can also take a seat and watch the birds fly! Get half price on a child’s ticket with a fully paying adult with our Days Out Card! Find out more.
Fun Abounds Trampline Centre – Uckfield, East Sussex
This fun trampoline centre will leave your little gymnasts jumping for joy! There are lots of different classes and sessions to try out available for bouncers of all ages and abilities. Parents can join in too! Find out more.
The Pottery Place – Whitney, Oxfordshire
10% off Studio Sessions with a Days Out Card
Bring your creative little artists along to The Pottery Place, where they can choose from a large range of items to decorate. Everyone can have a go! Be sure to to keep an eye on their upcoming events over the summer half term! You can also grab 10% off studio sessions with our Days Out Card! Find out more.
Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre – Sandhurst, Berkshire
Take to the waters at Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre! Offering a range of multi activity days, including windsurfing or stand up paddle boarding, dragon boating or building a raft, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. There’s also canoeing, dinghy sailing and kayaking to try! Find out more.
Arundel Lido – Arundel, West Sussex
Head to this lovely pool to cool off this summer! Grab a sun lounger to relax whilst your little funs enjoy the paddling pool, main pool, football pitch and lots of other fab activities taking place throughout the week. There are activities for toddlers, as well as zorbing and inflatable sessions to give a go! Find out more.
Tiny Town – Aylesford, Kent
Get 50p off entry or a free cup of tea with a Days Out Card
Offering a 3G astro-turf football pitches, 12 Metre Traverse Climbing Wall and party log cabins, this ‘town’ covers 20,000 square feet and features a number of soft play zones which your active little monkeys will love! Grab 50p off your entry or a free cup of tea with our Days Out Card! Find out more.
Harbour Park – Littlehampton, West Sussex
This fun filled amusement park has lots to offer all of the family! Harbour Park includes fab attractions such as a Waltzer, The Crazy Caterpillar, The Formula One Circuit, and so much more. There is also a Giant Slide, The Jumpin-Pumpin Trampolines and even an Adventure Golf course! Find out more.
Didcot Railway Centre – Didcot, Oxfordshire
Come along to see a replica of Brunel’s Broad Gauge Railway, the Science Learning and Railways Exhibition and more. Little aspiring conductors also have the chance to meet Thomas The Tank Engine! Find out more.
4 Kingdoms Adventure Park – Headley, Hampshire
4 Kingdoms Adventure park, which covers 43 acres and is surrounded by the gorgeous River Enborn, offers the chance to see some amazing animals! You’ll also get to enjoy Go-Karts, crazy golf, play areas, climbing frames, peddle karts, and football and basketball pitches. There is also a toddler’s area for little adventurers. Find out more.
Longridge – Marlow, Buckinghamshire
This fab water park, located on the banks of the upper Thames, offers all sorts of activities to get stuck into! Try your hand at kayaking, dragon boating, bell boating, a high ropes course and giant water orbing! Find out more.
Manydown Family Fun – Basingstoke, Hampshire
This farm attraction offers lots of fun for your little farmers! Have a go on the mini tractors and go-karts, tractor and trailer rides, adventure play, woodland walks and more! There’s also a Manydown Maize maze open this summer. Find out more.
Polesden Lacey – Dorking, Surrey
This stunning house and garden, which offers amazing views of Surrey Hills, provides fun and educational events throughout the summer. Be sure to pay a visit to the restaurant and coffee shop with yummy homemade cakes available! Find out more.
Chessington World of Adventures – Chessington, Surrey
This fab theme park, which offers rides, play areas, a zoo and a Sea Life Centre! Dare to ride the likes of the KOBRA, Dragon’s Fury, Monkey Swinger, Black Buccaneer, Rameses Revenge, Rattlesnake and many more! Find out more.
Fishbourne Roman Palace – Chichester, West Sussex
Fishbourne Roman Palace, which consists of the remains of the building discovered 1960 by mistake during the digging of a water main trench, is the perfect place to bring your mini historians! You’ll see Britain’s largest collection of in-situ Roman floor mosaics as well as a fab museum gallery with lots of amazing Roman objects! Find out more.
The Observatory Science Centre – Hailsham, East Sussex
Mini astrologists will love gazing at the stars at this amazing observatory… which is the former home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory! With over 100 exhibits for the family to see, you’ll get to learn all about the planets, gravity, forces, sound, light and more. Find out more.
Botany Bay – Broadstairs, Kent
This lovely beach, found on the most eastern tip of Kent, has a stunning cliff backdrop and pillar-like chalk formations that the kids will love running around and exploring! Follow the sandy coastline around the headland to explore other nearby coves. Find out more.
Action Watersports – New Romney, Kent
Little adventurers will love taking to the waters at Action Watersports! Suitable for all ages and abilities, this is the perfect day out for all of the family. Take on the fun rides, see how long you can stay on the giant inflatable dolphin or rhino and more. Head to the private lake to have a go at is water skiing, wakeboarding, barefoot and jet skiing! Find out more.
Willen Lake South – Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
This 180 acre park and lake is home to an abundance of wildlife ready for you to explore as a family. For the mini thrill seekers there is also a high ropes course and other family activities include adventure golf, a children’s play area, and a mini railway to ride on. You could even try your hand at some watersports which include sailing, kayaking, canoeing and windsurfing, plus you can hire pedalos too. Find out more.
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