Here we have rounded up some fun family days out near the capital. We’ve got the best ideas for things to do with kids.
Legoland Windsor Resort
Play, watch, build and ride at this adventure theme park within the rolling Berkshire countryside. With Duplo Valley (playgrounds, gentle rides and puppet shows), Miniland model village -for the smallest visitors- Adventure Land aquarium, Imagination centre and Lego City boats, cars and ‘Fire Academy’ for juniors plus rollercoasters for the older kids, there’s something for everyone. New highlights for 2017 include Lego Ninjago The Ride – a 4D interactive ride plus a ‘training camp’ with Zane’s Temple Build and Cole’s Rock Climb.
Rides and play things high and low, for kids big and small.
London to Legoland 1 hour 5 mins by car.
Chessington World of Adventures Resort
For generations Chessington boasted a charming zoo and a few slides, but anyone visiting from the 1970s wouldn’t recognise the place now – rollercoasters swoop around the theme park, the updated and expanded zoo is complemented by a Sea Life Centre and there are several accommodation options for those making an overnight stay of it. New for 2017 is The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure taking you through the deep dark wood to come nose to snout with the mouse and his fellow furry creatures. You can stay in Gruffalo themed rooms, too.
Lions, tigers, roller coasters and the Gruffalo.
London Waterloo to Chessington South 35 mins by train then 10 mins walk.
Thorpe Park
Whereas Legoland and Chessington best suit ages from toddlers to 11-year-olds, many of the rides here are designed for teens and older children, with height restrictions and thrills to match. That said, parents with young (or short) children will find plenty to do and a handful of more laidback rides. Teenagers will love the white-knuckle rides like The Swarm and Stealth, and franchises offer some brilliant branded adventures including Angry Birds Land, a ride themed to ‘I’m a Celebrity’ with a restaurant to match (crickets, locusts, and mealworms at Bush BBQ restaurant anyone?) and the park’s newest addition Derren Brown’s Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon.
Rollercoaster thrills and ‘Celebrity’ jungle spills.
London to Thorpe Park 1 hour 10 mins by car.
Hobbledown
This former farm park has been transformed into a mystical themed adventure land. There are still animals to meet and play areas for running about (including an indoor area for rainy days), but there is also a landscape of quaint huts and abodes belonging to the curious medieval-looking Hobbledown folk who care for the animals and ‘work’ in the crystalline mine. An interactive treat with seasonal special events for children of all ages.
Farmyard fun for your little ones.
London to Horton 1 hour by car.
