Ten top UK days out

Not so long ago it was considered good enough for children to entertain themselves over the summer holidays, writes Sarah Stone. The highlight of the six weeks, if, indeed, there was one, would probably have been a trip to some fusty old museum where the closest thing to an interactive display would be the warden shouting at you for touching a brontosaurus bone. Either that, or sand sandwiches on some windswept, sewage-blighted British beach.

How times have changed. These days there are more places and events geared towards children than you can chuck a brightly-coloured bouncy ball at. We take a look at some of the best days out for kids this summer.

Hampton Court Palace, Surrey
A perennial family favourite, one of the best things about Hampton Court is that children under five go free when accompanied by a paying adult. Lose yourself in the world famous maze, enjoy costumed guided tours and learn about Tudor life in the Young Henry VIII exhibition. Children will have heaps of fun completing the activity trails, but what they’ll really love is Hampton Court’s famous ghost stories. Ask a friendly warden to share some spine-tingling tales and just watch their rapt expressions.

Hampton Court Palace, opening times: 10.00-16.30. For ticket prices and more details, visit: www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace

Jorvik Viking Centre, York
Kids will relish the multi-sensory re-creations of Viking streets at the Jorvik Centre - especially the foul smells wafting from the cesspit. They will also get to see genuine Viking artefacts, meet Jorvik Vikings and learn about Viking life. There are a number of special events going on this summer, including sword fighting workshops and the chance to make Viking armor – booking essential.

Jorvik Viking Centre, opening times 10.00 – 17.00. For ticket prices and more details, visit: www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk

Sensation, Dundee
Discover the wonders of science with more than 80 hands-on exhibits. See live science shows which use everyday household ingredients to amazing effect, then step into the Mindball Arena to experience the future of cybernetics. Mindball is a two-player challenge, where competitors try to move a ball using nothing but brain waves.

This summer, toddlers will love the amazing Fossils and Funny Bones exhibition. They can venture from a prehistoric world - complete with its own dinosaur costumes and sound and light effects - into a cave, through a fossil finders lab and on to a dino dig, where they can dig up and examine the remains of those prehistoric worlds.

Sensation, opening times 10.00 – 17.00. For prices and more details, visit: www.sensation.org.uk

King Arthur’s Labyrinth, Machynlleth, Powys
Sail on a subterranean river through a waterfall and into King Arthur’s Labyrinth. Walk through tunnels into vast underground caverns where early Welsh stories about King Arthur are brought alive using sound and light effects.

You can also visit the Corris Craft Centre where children can have a go at making cards, painting pottery and dipping candles.

And if they still haven’t had enough excitement, there's a large play area complete with swings and slides.

King Arthur’s Labyrinth, open from 10.00, last boat ride 17.00. For prices and more details, visit: www.kingarthurslabyrinth.co.uk

Wonderland, Telford
Wonderland is an award-winning adventure park that celebrates traditional fairytales. In a beautiful woodland setting, enchanting walks lead you through the world of fairytales where children can discover their favourite fairytale characters and their houses around every corner.

Special events this August include visits from Fireman Sam and Dora the Explorer, and a Fairytale Fun Day where fairytale favourites come to life with storytelling, fun and games.

Wonderland is open from 10.30 – 18.00. For prices and more details, visit: www.wonderlandtelford.com

National Sea Sanctuary, Gweek, Cornwall

Set in the picturesque Helford Estuary by the beautiful Cornwall village of Gweek, the National Sea Sanctuary makes for a fantastic family day out.

You'll see Grey and Common Seals, Fur Seals and Californian & Patagonian Sea Lions. Visit the working seal hospital, watch interactive talks and feeding demonstrations. The Sanctuary also provides a haven for a variety of other animals, including otters, native moorland ponies and goats. There's also a cafe and gift shop.

The National Sea Sanctuary is open from 10am in summer. For prices and more details, visit: www.sealsanctuary.co.uk

Pemberton's Welsh Chocolate Farm, Llanboidy

Take a tour around a model village and watch chocolate craft in action. The kids will get a chance to decorate delicious truffles and, of course, taste their handywork. In the old corn loft, they'll discover Pemberton Chocolate's 'Hobo Gallery', a collection of lifelike figurines. And if they still haven't had their fill of chocolate, at the Cocoa Bean Cafe they can savour orange or strawberry flavoured hot chocolate, served with lashings of cream and marshmallows.

Pemberton's Welsh Chocolate Farm is open from 10.30 – 18.00. For prices and more details, visit: www.wonderlandtelford.com

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Greater London

There's even more reason to make the trip to Kew this year with the opening of a brand new Treetops Walkway. At 18 metres above the ground, children will be awe-stuck at finding themselves up among the lime, sweet chestnut and oak treetops.

There are so many other things for them to see, from the world’s tallest indoor plant to bananas growing on trees.

They can also learn about plants through play in the unique interactive learning area, Climbers and Creepers. Here they can wiggle through tunnels like a field mouse or slide down a giant pitcher plant.

Kew places special importance on engaging and educating children at a young age so that a new generation is excited about caring for the environment.

Kew Gardens is open daily in the summer from 9.30 - 18.30. For prices and more details, visit: www.kew.org

Butterfly Farm, Stratford-upon-Avon

Come face-to-face with nature's most beautiful and fragile insects - thousands of butterflies fly free at Europe's largest butterfly farm. Whatever the weather, you'll be able to stroll through an exotic rainforest: a lush landscape of tropical blossom with splashing waterfalls and fish-filled pools.

Also on view are more than 15 different types of spiders (including the big, hairy ones!) in Arachnoland, stick insects, beetles and leaf-cutting ants in Insect City, and some of the largest, spikiest, hairiest caterpillars you'll ever see.

Butterfly Farm is open from 10.00 – 18.00. For prices and more details, visit: www.butterflyfarm.co.uk

Lulworth Cove, Dorset

And lastly, what childhood summer holiday would be complete without a trip to the seaside. Lulworth Cove in Dorset (nearest train station is Wool) is the perfect secluded location for picnicking, paddling, stone skimming and enjoying the gorgeous coastline. The town of Lulworth has ample shops, pubs and places to stay. Durdle Door is just along the coastal path, offering a bigger and sandier beach to play on. Lulworth Castle is just up the road and has a children’s animal farm (www.lulworth.com/castle_farm.htm), plus woodland and extensive grounds to explore.