Children's Attractions in the UK
Just for Kids: It's all child's play at a range of new British attractions
Daniel Allen
Family holidays in Britain are full of surprise and adventure. From amusement parks and kid's cities to zoos and stately homes, Britain has a fantastic range of attractions for kids. Here are some of the newest ways to entertain the young ones (and young at heart).
Kidzania, London
At KidZania, of which there are now 19 dotted across the globe, the idea is simple: these are "the only places in the world where a kid can think, work, feel and play like an adult". At London's version, which opened in Westfield in Shepherd's Bush in West London earlier this year (2015), children aged between four and 14 can try out a range of jobs - playing a surgeon, firemen or fashion stylist for the day - in a sprawling, ultra-realistic, indoor replica of a city. Children are tagged electronically with a bracelet on entry, allowing parents to keep track of them while they relax or go off shopping.
Dreamland, Margate
The Dreamland amusement park first opened in 1920, as holiday makers and day-trippers flocked to the East Kent coastal town of Margate. After years of decline, however, many of Dreamland's big rides were dismantled in the 1990s, with the park finally closing in 2003.
After years of renovation, Dreamland finally reopened in June with beautifully restored retro-fitted rides and amusements taking visitors back to the golden age of the great British seaside holiday. With Kent voted Europe's top family holiday destination by readers of Lonely Planet, there's no better time to take the kids.
Chester Zoo Islands, Cheshire
Chester Zoo, in Chester in the north west of England, is one of the largest of the zoos in Britain requiring a full day of exploration. The zoo is home to over 12,000 animals, so there's no shortage of things to see. Added to this list is the newest and largest attraction - the Islands at Chester Zoo - which recreates the tropical environments of six South East Asian islands.
Highlights include searching for the Sumatran tiger tracks, an encounter with the magnificent Bali starling in Nusa Penida, and a treetop meeting with an orangutan. Visitors can also take the Lazy River Boat Trip around all six Islands to discover more of the exhibit's fascinating wildlife.
New Forest Aqua Park, Hampshire
Set in 50 acres of beautiful New Forest countryside and lakes, there's something for everyone at the New Forest Water Park - whether you're on holiday or just fancy a great day out.
Two picturesque lakes set in the heart of the New Forest countryside play host to a range of water activities such as wake boarding, paddle boarding, kayaking and fishing. The summer of 2015 saw the park open a large inflatable obstacle course inspired by the game show "Total Wipeout". Visitors have the option to camp on site by one of the park's lakes or in nearby woodlands.
Thomas Land, Drayton Manor, Staffordshire
Drayton Manor's locomotive-themed Thomas Land is now "bigger and better than ever" thanks to a £2.5 million expansion. With three brand new rides, plus a "stunning" new Sodor Airport terminal, Thomas Land has expanded by 40 percent. Opening in the Easter of 2015, the new rides include Flynn's Fire Rescue, Captain's Sea Adventure and Toby's Tram Express. In addition to the new rides and café there is also a fountain dedicated to the ever-popular Fat Controller, three Victorian fairground games and a bandstand for live performances.
The wider Drayton Manor Theme Park is also home to numerous other rides, including the 54-metre tower drop, Apocalypse, voted UK's scariest ride by Channel 5's The Gadget Show, and Europe's only stand up coaster, Shockwave. It also boasts a 4D Cinema and a 15-acre zoo.
draytonmanor.co.uk/thomas-land
RockReef Activity Centre and Zip Wire, Bournemouth Pier, Dorset
Located on Bournemouth Pier, the all new RockReef Adventure Activity Centre opened its doors last summer, offering three adrenaline-inducing experiences - 25 different "Clip 'n' Climb" climbing walls, an aerial obstacle course and 65 metres of pier caves.
The centre's latest attraction is the world's first pier-to-shore Zip Wire, on which thrill seekers can race out and "zip surf" on a 250-metre dual zip wire, 25 metres above the waves, to land on the beach.
