Great afternoon visiting these splendid gardens. Every member of staff we met was welcoming and friendly. Drought has been hard in the ground staff, but it looked really great and I would happily visit again soon. Got there at midday on bank holiday Monday, had to wait a few minutes for a parking space, but it wasn’t a problem. Rounded the day off with scones and tea for 2 at £10.20. Great sculpture exhibition on from now to end of season.

A truly beautiful National Trust garden. The garden itself is divided into numerous "rooms", each of which is very different in character but all equally beautiful. The cafe was nice and serves a good selection of food and drink, including cakes, snacks and light lunches. Hidcote is a must-see place!

One of the best National Trust properties we've visited - and we've visited a few! The garden seems to go on almost forever, with paths winding through each area. The planting is wonderful and the setting on hillside overlooking the distant Malvern Hills is spectacular. Well worth a visit!

Visited when they had a lovely sculpture exhibition in the gardens. Beautifully maintained property with so much to see, we spent well over four hours here. Great value for money and the photos speak for themselves.

The gardens are absolutely stunning, especially the Old Garden, White Garden, Maple Garden, and Pillar Garden. Every turn reveals something new and exciting! The clipped wall is a fun feature for kids to explore, and beyond the formal gardens you’ll find a forest walk, sheep pasture, meadow garden, Italian Quiet Garden, pool garden, shade garden, orchard, lily pond, and charming garden structures scattered throughout. The paths are easy to follow, and having a map definitely helps. If you’re visiting with children, pick up a Flamingo Frankie’s Trail guide at the entrance—it features eight family-friendly play stations that make the visit even more engaging. Don’t miss the shop and nursery right at the entrance, offering adorable garden décor and a wide variety of plants for sale. The house itself is also a highlight, beautifully decorated and featuring a flower-themed art exhibit that I thoroughly enjoyed. With two young kids, I spent just over 1.5 hours here (without visiting the gift shop or café). If I came alone, I’d easily plan for two hours or more. An absolute must-visit for nature and garden lovers!

Absolutely beautiful, and not even vaguely spoiled by the rain we had, in fact it might have enhanced it. Beautiful trees and flowers and a really interesting layout in the garden. Even saw a wild rabbit having a grassy snack which made me so happy. The tea room/cafe had lovely food and the cakes looked incredible. Friendly, helpful staff. And the shop was one of the best National Trust ones I've been too which meant I spent far too much in there. A lovely few hours could have been a whole day.

Such a pleasant and refreshing place to wander, with gardens that feel much cooler thanks to the shelter of tall, mature trees. Despite the challenges of the current hose-pipe ban, the gardens are clearly well cared for and are surviving beautifully. Hidcote is a truly stunning National Trust property. The garden is laid out in a series of historic walled sections and open spaces, each with its own distinct character, yet all equally charming and rewarding to explore. The café is also very good, serving a wide range of drinks, cakes, snacks and light lunches—perfect for rounding off a visit. We always enjoy coming back to Hidcote; it never disappoints.

With not a lot of time to spare, we ran through this wonderful landmark and got a wonderful experience. Shakespeare’s birthplace felt like a familiar home even though it was our first visit there. The volunteers were incredibly helpful and friendly, went above and beyond to help and support each visitor. The tickets that we bought only covered Shakespeares birthplace but there was an option to see Anne Hathaways home which due to time constraints, we couldn’t do. I also believe that the tickets also allow you to go back over a 12 month period as many times as you want to. All in all, a wonderful place to see, visit and enjoy.

Drop in short visit to Stratford upon Avon, Shakespeare Birthplace. If you start from The Shakespeare Centre then gradually work around from there. Adult price was £30 might be worth seeing if there's discount codes to see if you can pick up cheaper tickets, there are concessions available. I would advise you to pre book online. The price includes Shakespeares, Birthplace, Ann Hathaways cottage and Shakespeares new place. As you walk through Shakespeares Birthplace you come through a large gift shop that's well worth a good look around, my apologies to the ladies in the sop for taking a video, however there's no problem if you care to take a picture. As you walk towards your next stop you'll pass the statue of Shakespeare ideal photo opportunity, to the bottom of the street turn right and just before the Guild Chapel is Shakespeares New Place. Ann Hathaways cottage is further away so maybe hop back into the car and set the GPS to get you there. A very nice walk is to be had along the river and around the park. As we had limited time we will be returning when we have some nice weather and we will make a whole day of it.Theres plenty of gift shops , cafes and bars a a reasonable variety of shops and through the summer there's boat trips to be had. All in all a nice place to visit with plenty to do.

I was very pleased with my visit. I travelled there via the park and ride. I was happy for it to be open on a Monday and as it was not too busy it allowed me to walk around the exhibition in my own time. It was a very informative visit as it included clear and easy to read information as well as volunteers who were well-informed and attentive to visitor questions. I would recommend the visit.

A fascinating place for those who love Shakespeare’s work. If you’re not familiar with his life or literature, it may feel a bit slow or less engaging. Plan anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours depending on how deeply you want to explore the museum and the surrounding exhibits.

I really enjoyed our visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace. We bought the 3 site pass at the door and visited here first. We started by going through and exhibit with some background and information on Shakespeare and then outside and in the queue to enter the house. There was about a 10-15 min wait to get into the house itself as we were following a school group. Inside the house there were staff in multiple rooms who provided background to the spaces and information on Shakespeare life and the home. We found it very informative. Before or after entering the house you can walk through the beautiful garden right outside it. The exit is through the bookshop/giftshop.

Lovely experience. Had a live theatre with famous lines being enacted by wonderful actors. Saw Macbeth / Romeo Juliet. There were guides inside to tell us about Shakespeare’s early life with his family. Lovely garden and a very nice gift shop. Bought some lovely souvenirs from there. Weather was perfect. Good reminiscent of life of Shakespeare.

Very charming street with a lovely park. BUT … VERY touristic. If focused on learning about Shakespeare, then this is the place to be. If focused on the Cotswolds and charming villages, then you may wish to skip Stratford Upon Avon and venture to smaller villages that offer a more peaceful experience.

This was a late in the season visit. Not all the attractions and vendor stands were open. It did not spoil the visit. The best attraction was the falconry quest. The birds were amazing and the handlers ensured that everyone was buzzed by a bird. The barn owls was majestic and graceful. The peregrine falcon was fast and precise. When looking up at the condor as it flew over was awesome. At the end of the show I couldn't tell you what the birds were, but the sky was full. It was amazing, worth the 3 hour drive for this. The horrible histories maze was fun and informative. There are peacocks everywhere. Other wildlife in abundance squirrel's, Robin's and ducks. There are plenty of seating and concession stands. There are plenty of staff who are helpful. Yes there are a lot of areas accessible for wheelchair users but it is hilly in places.

The knights lodge was big enough for 3 of us nicely dressed with a modern bathroom- breakfast was good too - I'd recommend as a short stay. Castle speaks for itself don't miss the dungeon tour - absolutely brilliant my son is 8 and loved it best £6 pp I think iv ever spent

Had a fantastic day with my dad. Birds of prey are fantastic! Really loved seeing them! Lots to see and do. Lot's of choice of food and drink. It's well worth the money. The car park has plenty of space. It's a good day out for the family or just going your own. The castle was really good! Something for everyone. 😁👍. Plenty of toliets. Clean.

Amazing! I enjoyed spending half a day visiting this stunning castle. It’s so big and beautiful, I could stay there the whole day. I love to go again.

Absolutely amazing visit to the castle for Halloween!! The special touches everywhere for Halloween were super fun. It was a great day out with the family with lots of performances, some Karaoke, plenty of food options and lovely views from the top of the towers. Definitely a must visit!!

My friend and I had a wonderful day at Warwick Castle. Such beautiful grounds and such an interesting place to visit. We loved the guides tours, so engaging and informative. The bird of prey show was absolutely outstanding.

A Truly Magical Day at Warwick Castle! From the moment we arrived, Warwick Castle completely exceeded our expectations. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and every corner feels steeped in history. The live shows were absolutely fantastic — the Falconer’s Quest was a standout, and the actors really bring the medieval atmosphere to life. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about making the experience memorable. We especially loved how interactive the exhibits were — perfect for families and history enthusiasts alike. We left feeling like we’d stepped back in time for the day. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun, educational, and truly magical day out. We can’t wait to return!

It was great to see so many vehicles designed and built in Britain, but suddenly, to see the decline, even though it's been that way for a while, was a little depressing. Great experience though. The kids (2-7yo's) loved it too. Particularly the land speed cars at the end. Tickets are valid for a year so can go back again and again.

This experience is truly exceptional and perfect for the entire family. Whether you're looking for an exciting adventure, a chance to bond over shared activities, or simply some quality time together, this destination has it all. I highly recommend you visit and see for yourself the delightful attractions and engaging experiences it offers. Don’t miss out on creating lasting memories together! Cars are fun for all ages.

There is a lot to take in here. If you have children (currently Children 5-16 £8-£9, Under 4 s free - but cheaper with GO CV 2025) then it is filled with activities for them to do. I think it is always like this - not just during school holidays when I visited. There is a good range of locally built cars, bikes and motor cycles. The Jaguar 'section' brings a modernity to the historical units here, as does the Land Speed Record Thrusts 1 and 2. I was hoping to see a Jaguar C or D type but sadly not here. There are a few tractors, light military vehicles, trucks and buses, but the vast majority of the displays are cars and (motor) bikes and cycles'. The Triumph / 1970's / 80s sections were good - the range is fairly narrow as they are Coventry or locally built models. I couldn't quite get why there were some examples from Birmingham and surrounding areas - there were a lot missing if that's the rationale. Still, better to see them than not. It isn't as big as I thought from the outside. I like to see inside the vehicles but there were a lot where I couldn't do this, partly because of the way they were displayed - maybe not enough room? I think it was the unpainted monocoque shell of a Jaguar XJ220 hanging vertically - but I couldn't see any info on that. Signage was generally OK. The basic floor plan map (attached) could do with a bit more detail I thought, as could some of the displays. The 4D simulator wasn't working on my visit (30th Oct 2025) However, apart from the small bits of nit-picking above, there were so many interesting things to see. There were several unexpected delights too. Cars using fabric instead of metal, cut-aways of cars and car parts, some really unique cars, the 85th anniversary Blitz section, a huge collection of model die-casts (e.g. Matchbox) and much more. Definitely worth the entrance price - which is cheaper if booked online. The ticket is valid for readmission for a year. So, maybe when I come back (and I will) I will get to try the 4D simulator. I had intended to adopt a vehicle(!), but for £100 a year, that didn't seem good value on inspection. I also had a coffee at Baxter Baristas (enclosed in the museum. It was pretty good. The home-made cakes looked tempting too. The toilet facilities only seemed accessible if you used the cafe? I parked very close-by at Bishop Street Car Park CV1 1JN. Cash - i.e. change, or app only. A reasonable price for a heavily pot-holed lot. Not sure if there are any security cameras here - certainly not visible. No directions to the museum from here though and about a 4 minute walk.

Easily a must see if visiting Coventry. I'm personally not a huge car fanatic, but there's no other place where you're gonna get to see the two fastest land vehicles ever made. That alone is worth the visit. Tickets are £15 if booked in advance and a around £16.50 if booked in-person on the day (for adults). However, while the ticket is valid for multiple entries for a span of 1 year either way, I'd recommend booking online in advance simply because it's cheaper.

Brilliant vehicle museum devoted to products made in Coventry or nearby. Huge collection very well presented. Interactive section for smaller children. Cars, bikes, motorbikes, lorries, armoured cars, buses, fire engines and the world's fastest cars.

Great museum, with lots of interesting cars and bikes from all times. Including the record-breaking Thrust 2 and similar vehicles. Takes around 2 hours to finish the whole museum, take that into consideration when parking your car. The one day tickets are only available for Coventry residents.

Interesting museum showcasing the various forms of transport originating in and around Coventry. So, not as much scope as some in terms of makers but does include both motorcycles and cars, trucks and buses - plus bicycles.

Lovely experience. It was a wonderful time, spent around 2 hrs. The best part was the 4D movie which was just wow. And then the avenue was the good experince. If could show more about how chocolates are made nowadays then it would be more interesting. I have seen cadbury making process in a different country and that was more into the process making, so thats what a gap was I feel... rest everything was an amazing experience. It was my best birthday present.

Its not a very big place, but informative and there were things to do. We also got a taster cup of chocolate, it was nice. Saw a demo about how the chocolate was made. Unfortunately when we went the rides were not working and my child was so disappointed! The ticket was not cheap, so all the rides should work properly!

Terrible place to visit, definitely not worth £52 for 1 hour and 20 mins after traveling for over 2 and a half hours. Press and play features not working, other functions not working. Interactive machines not working and one that was working went into error mode when we tried to use it. Nothing for adults and it is more themed for children under the age of 8. The 4D attraction was not good at all unless your of a toddler age, motion seats just move a little and vibrate and the other motion seats in the other video tour slightly move from left to right and was over in 5 minutes. Staff at each station do not explain what to do and what you can do at the chocolate making feature which you don't actually make any chocolate or decorate anything, instead they just say the initial hello and tell you to start and then talk amongst each other in front of you about their personal life's. Booking online isn't any quicker as they have a zigzag queue line for any prepaid visitors. The price of a ticket for an adult ticket is the same price for a child under 15 and the whole experience is far from value for money, it is not something you want to plan as a day out. There is lots of places marked on the map as no visitor access also, and when it came to an abrupt finish ending up in the gift shop to spend more money, we where not told if there was anything else to go to or see and nobody creating us at the door or giving us wishes on our way. Parking is free and about good thing as the whole place appears run down, washed out and offers little to do for the whole family. It is more like walking around a mirco museum with a family playground and cafe.

Would be better if you had kids. Overall nice experience if you’ve never been, lots of history and memorabilia but other than that just cinema screens showing animations that you have to que for every section. ‘Free’ chocolates are less than they use to be which used to be the best part. Lots of opportunities to upsell photos, rides, drinks, food, gifts.

It was heart warming to know the history of Mr. Cadbury, his struggles and triumph. Their design and way of story telling is awesome. Kids will enjoy the rides and play area. There is some for adults too. Don't forget to buy chocolates at a discounted price at their shop.

I visited Cadbury world in Birmingham on a weekday as I predicted this to be a little quieter than a weekend which it was. I managed to get a few snaps of the factory as you take a trip an a good history lesson of the beginnings all the way to present day. I like the tour and I think it’s pretty cool, especially seeing the chocolate makers on the ground floor making the chocolate fresh and shaping these for souvenirs to buy or for special events coming up. The gift shop is also pretty cool and worth a visit, having some cool novelties you can buy and take home with you. HOWEVER, for being a chocolate tour, the ride was not working when I was there, which was disappointing. Also, you only get 2 free bars of chocolate included in your tour visit, which is a little ridiculous considering that you pay a decent price to go.

A place that offers information, fun filled activities and entertainment. Booking tickets in advance is must. It will save you a trip and money. Arrive by about your time of entry, they let people queue and enter in batches. The tour begins with a historic display of cocoa production and evolution of chocolate while it travelled across the world. Then the first chocolate shop and birth of Cadbury, some stories of the family and how they ventured into this business. Followed by the making of chocolate, staffs demonstrating the process and later you get to do it by yourself. Inside they also sell some crazy structures of chocolate. Then you get entertained by 4D movie, dwelling into the world of characters Cadbury has introduced. Followed by a nice exhibit narrating the story of Bournville village and a fun filled ride where you collect the ingredients (virtually) to make your own chocolate. If you may have forgotten to collect something, don't worry you can buy them from their store that has EVERYTHING CHOCOLATE!!! A one of its kind place to engage all age groups. You get some free chocolates on entry and can buy more at exit. There is a cafe inside this building. Parking available. Cloak room is only for large luggage bags. Enough numbers of toilets available in intervals throughout the tour.

There is a helpful little tip for visiting - in the corner of the gift shop there is a lift back up to the toilets. These are back at the beginning of exhibition so you can head round again to pick up any bits you missed! It is a great half day out with the kids. The centre feels like it could do with some updating and refresh on some of the side activities but the exhibits are all great, and the feeding / talk times flow quite well through your visit. The staff are all super friendly and helpful, our daughters especially loved the roaming pirate!

It was am awesome experience! I'll be honest when I first went in, I thought it was quite small, however it is extended at the back so it was indeed quite spacious. Easily took us 2-3 hours to explore the entire place at a slow pace with a 5 month old. The penguins were adorable at the start, the amount of fish in each aquarium space was quite adequate. I did wish we could see the otters though, only managed to catch s tiny glimpse in the room at the far back. The area with the jellyfish was so mesmerising. There were different photography stations located at multiple areas. You could take photos at each station, and at the end you could choose which pictures you'd like to buy and what package. Overall there was a lot of cleanliness, tanks were clean, the walkways were clean too. We ended up going at a busy weekend, but still could easily manage to get around with a baby pram. There was however a pram parking area, if you will, to store the prams if you'd rather do that. Definitely worth a trip.

Had a lovely visit here on Saturday, wasn't too busy and no wait to go inside. We booked it in the morning through our Merlin passes and there was plenty of admission availability. So many things to see if you take your time, but it's easier said than done. Lot's of talks going on throughout the day, we really wanted to watch one of them but there was too much pushing and shoving from other adults and didn't want my child getting trampled on. Some better crowd control would be ideal at the talks/feeding times. Nice gift shop at the end with plenty of stock and very lovely staff.

Visited on a Saturday with pre-booked tickets and went straight in. It was as busy as you would expect on a weekend. Theres a route to follow and as long as you are patient in certain places you can see everything (unless creatures are hiding) There are some additional options like photos taken and a VR experience included in the admission charge. There is quite a bit to see and different areas. There are toilets at the start and halfway through, there is a shop at the end but no cafe. It takes around 60-90 mins to go round but we didnt do any photos or VR. It does look a bit tired and dated in places and the enclosures look a bit on the smaller side especially for the Penquins and Sea Otters. We used Tescos Clubcard vouchers to pay but our tickets would have been £55.00 which is steep for what you get but, if you used all the things offered it might seem better value for money

National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham: A Submerged City Escape ​The National SEA LIFE Centre in Birmingham offers an engaging and surprisingly intimate exploration of the underwater world, making it a perfect family outing in the city centre. While its footprint is smaller than some coastal aquariums, it packs a real punch, particularly with its signature attraction: the UK's only 360-degree Ocean Tunnel. ​Walking through this clear acrylic tunnel is genuinely jaw-dropping, providing an immersive experience as sharks, rays, and the beloved giant green sea turtle, Molokai, glide directly overhead and beneath your feet. This highlight alone justifies the visit, offering incredible photographic moments and a true sense of being submerged. ​Beyond the ocean tunnel, key exhibits include the playful Gentoo penguins in their icy habitat and the charming sea otters, Ozzy and Ola, who reside in the Mammal Rescue Facility. Interactive elements like the rock pool, where visitors can gently touch a starfish, keep younger guests highly engaged. Other sections, like the jellyfish displays and the Clownfish Kingdom, are vibrant and well-presented. ​While tickets can be pricey, seeking out available discounts or utilizing combination passes with nearby attractions like LEGOLAND Discovery Centre offers better value. Allow about 90 minutes to two hours for a comfortable tour. Despite sometimes being busy, the SEA LIFE Centre remains a truly "splash hit" and a memorable journey into marine conservation and discovery.

We had a fantastic afternoon here with my daughter and grandson! It’s such a wonderful place, and we especially loved watching the feeding the sea otters, Ozzy and Ola. The gentleman narrating was so friendly and knowledgeable, answering all our questions with enthusiasm. He’s a real asset to the centre and made our visit extra special — we only wish we’d caught his name!

It's OK for young children, not a long experience for the price so would definitely plan other activities around this if you are travelling into Birmingham. Staff are very friendly and knowledgeable and the venue is clean and tidy. The immediate area, Brindley Place, is clean and well presented and has parking nearby.

my wife and i went on sunday 2nd may, The place was heaving, not much social distancing going on. The Website says "...We have restricted admission tickets per day with the priority being to ensure social distancing is adhered to. Our visitor capacity will be reviewed regularly.".. This is rubbish as the car park was so full we had to park on grass right near the very end, it took us ages to walk to the entrance. we saw 2 Giraffes, 1 Rhino, a few chimps , 2 Tigers, some Lemurs and Penguins, not much else as there were queues / crowds for anything that was open, including the shop. in my opinion vastly overpriced entrance fee for what is available. won't be going again.

Rip off car park charges.

Not impressed. A lot of the animals are locked away in their quarters. Also to cold for a lot of them to come out

Clean surroundings, well cared for animals, helpful and polite staff.

Good zoo and always looking at new areas for animals.

Amazing zoo. Great place to spend the day

All good.

This was my 7 yr old daughters first visit to a proper theme park she absolutely loved it. I am not so keen on rollercoasters as I have gotten a bit older, however the roller coasters here, although fast at twisty, did not feel like they were trying to fling you out of the atmosphere. Very enjoyable rides, and my daughter is already itching to go back, and also eager to try something bigger and faster. The whole family enjoyed the small zoo which is there also. The Red Panda, Gibbons and Meerkats were the favourites.

Our family had the most wonderful stay-and-play experience at Drayton Manor Resort, and I can’t recommend it highly enough! My wife, our 5-year-old son, and I visited recently during their Halloween special, and it was a magical experience from start to finish. Everything — from the themed décor to the warm hospitality — made it one of the best family getaways we’ve ever had. The highlight of our trip was, without a doubt, the Thomas Land theme park. Our little boy is a huge Thomas the Tank Engine fan, and seeing his face light up when we entered was priceless. He absolutely loved riding on the Thomas-themed trains, meeting his favourite characters, and exploring all the fun rides designed especially for younger children. The park was beautifully decorated for Halloween with pumpkins, friendly ghosts, and cheerful seasonal music, creating a festive yet family-friendly atmosphere. Every corner had something new to discover, and it was clear that a lot of thought had gone into making the experience enjoyable for both kids and parents. We also stayed overnight in one of the Thomas & Friends-themed rooms, and it was simply amazing. The attention to detail was outstanding — from the Thomas bedding and wall art to the little touches that made our son feel like he was sleeping in Sodor itself. He was so thrilled that he didn’t want to go to bed, and the next morning, he didn’t want to leave! In fact, he kept asking if we could stay “just one more night” so he could go back to Thomas Land again. The staff throughout the resort were friendly, helpful, and always smiling, which made the experience even better. The food options were great, and everything was clean, well-organized, and family-oriented. Overall, Drayton Manor Resort is a dream destination for families, especially those with young children. We created some truly special memories and can’t wait to visit again — maybe next time for Christmas or summer!

Wow, what a season, and it’s not over yet! Well done Drayton Manor for the friendliest welcome, be it customer services, ride staff, and catering staff. New entertainment, more atmosphere, and an incredible Halloween theming, and the light and firework show last night 😱. We have had a brilliant year and look forward to Christmas! Keep doing what you do - great value great family entertainment 🙏

We had a wonderful day at Drayton Manor! The rides were fantastic, and we were pleasantly surprised by how many of the thrill rides our children were able to go on. The Halloween entertainment was excellent — our children especially loved the trick-or-treating experience. There was great entertainment and a fun atmosphere all around the park, with lively music adding to the Halloween spirit. The park itself was really quiet, so we were able to walk straight onto most rides, which was a huge bonus. All the staff were super friendly and really embraced the Halloween theme, which made the day even more enjoyable. We had lunch at Safari Pizza, and the family deal was great value for money. Later, we treated ourselves to Halloween milkshakes and a Halloween waffle while watching the water show — both were delicious and again, very reasonably priced. The water show was a lovely extra touch that we all really enjoyed. The zoo was another nice addition to the day, and it was lovely to see how well cared-for the animals looked. A few rides, like the rapids and the pirate ship, were closed, but honestly, we wouldn’t have had time to fit them in anyway — there was so much else to do! It’s a shame we don’t live closer, as we would definitely buy an annual pass. However, we’re already planning to return soon for the Christmas celebrations 😀 thanks !

Loved the Halloween theme. The park was not very busy. We had fast passes but didn’t have to use them. It’s great that they allow you to use the fast passes at a later date.

Drayton Manor is perfect for children up to about 13, or for teens who prefer medium size coasters. My pre teen enjoyed all the rides, it was the perfect fear level for her. There are 5 big rides, plenty of medium size rides and loadsss of little rides for toddlers. The theme was Halloween and the whole place was decorated lovely! We didn't get chance to visit the zoo, but we will definitely be back to do it all over again and make sure we save time for the zoo.

I did the stay and play offer for myself and my son. We had a free room upgrade when we arrived which was lovely. Included in our stay were two days entry to the park, fast track passes for rides, free parking and breakfast. Friendly helpful staff, clean and comfortable rooms. The park itself was tidy. Wait times for some rides were long, especially The Wave! Took ages for them to load the trains , giving half the train to fast track and half to regular waiting customers, just felt wrong considering how long we were waiting. Great for younger children with the Thomas land. My son is 17 and we still had an amazing time.

Almost 5 stars but this was our first visit & entering the carpark we had no idea or signs to say which way to the entrance or instructions to pay for the carpark. It wasn't very busy today but we thoroughly enjoyed our time spending over 4 hrs. The staff were delightful & oh so helpful. Fish & Chips were utterly delicious, best I've had in a long long time. The houses & shops were wonderful, bringing back so many memories. All in all a truly wonderful day, thank you.

Such an amazing experience. The museum and what it offers is phenomenal and the staff and volunteers are so engaging. The way they have set this up is exemplary and we learned so much from the people there and the exhibits. The forging and Army and Navy store were two of our favourites as well as the canal and chain shop area. A must see if you are here, a short train ride from Birmingham New Street to Tipton and it's about a 15 minute walk to the museum. Excellent day.

Well worth a visit. Great family day out. We have two boys 7 and 11. They engaged really well. The fun fair cost more but parents of little ones went on free and they were great. Staff were super 👌. The fish and chips were amazing much better than we get these days and cheaper. The demonstrations were informative and entertaining. Definitely go down the mine but watch your head! The gift shop was reasonably priced.

Really enjoyed it and here. Took my 8 year old. Lovely to walk around and really takes you back. Even I remember houses like these when I was alot younger. The boat rides do have an additional cost. There is alot to see and do. Although they do have some eateries we didn't bother. I think I'd have preferred a packed lunch regardless. Definitely recommend a visit here!

Open air museum, this is more like a small, Industrial Revolution, town with plenty to see and do. Very good parking facilities with plenty of disabled space as well as spaces for families, especially those with younger children giving easy access to site. A quick 2 minute walk from the car park to the main entrance where you are greeted into a large atrium in a modern building with a comprehensive gift shop to the right on entry. To the left there is an eatery serving up hot and cold food, and the usual coffees/teas and soft drinks etc. Exiting the main entrance the is a world of history in front of you starting with a tour of the mines. Sadly even early In the morning 10:30 (30 mins after opening) there was a long queue however this was accessible during the day. Old buildings galore, presented in various period decor all accessible to view both upstairs and down as well as black smiths, foundries, smelting, brick production, the list goes on. Heritage building with cars and bikes for viewing. The museum also runs a bus service with busses from 1940’s. They operate an early funfair with several period rides including ghost train, carousel and penny slot machines, well worth a ride. To the rear of the museum there is a modern building dedicated to the canal trust and preservation with the ability to take passenger on a boat ride through the caves where they mined line stone. Several found outlets in the various building, accessible toilet throughout the site, actors on site who interact with the public. All in all a fantastic day out FYI, I travelled from Essex the morning of the visit. Worth every penny.

What an amazing day we had at the Black Country living museum. We got there about 10am and stayed about 5 hours . So much to see and do. The staff was very friendly and helpful and willing to answer any questions. The fish and chips was amazing . Had one or a few beers in various locations. Then we went back for peaky blinders night . What a great time that was. Music and attractions all over the museum. Can’t wait to go back for a 40s or 60s night next year.

Absolutely incredible experience, we do come quite often due to being in the midlands but the new updates are fantastic and there is so so much to do. I actually don’t think the museum is open long enough to do everything they now have on offer. Not to worry you are able to return as many times as you like within a year with those tickets! Incredible! Such a good time had by all!

We had an amazing day out at the arboretum. We had a mixed family group from 89year olds to 3 year olds and a dog. We had a fantastic day there, they strike the atmosphere perfectly with somber areas and moments but encourages the young people to learn and be fun and look at the wildlife around the arboretum. The dog was able to walk round all bar two places which were perfectly reasonable and there were bins and toilets everywhere needed. . The staff were nice, accessibility ♿ was at the forefront of the staffs mind with buggys to the top, toilets and ramps everywhere.

Beautiful and peaceful place to visit. Time for reflection and to honour those that gave their lives for us. Dog friendly and lots of paths around so that you can go at your own pace and visit the memorials that you want to see. There are over 400 memorials, set in landscaped woodland and gardens. Cafe and coffee shop at the visitor centre with lots of seating inside and outside. Staff were very friendly and helpful also there to help

A really beautiful and peaceful place. Many of the monuments are stunning, and really honour the memory of those people they represent. We paid a small amount extra for the land train tour. This allowed us to cover most of the site, albeit in not a huge amount of detail. The commentary onboard was very interesting and informative. I had no idea the main feature of the armed forces memorial has a solar feature built in which allows a shaft of light to illuminate a central plinth at 11am on November 11th each year. Would recommend it to anyone to visit and pay respects to those who fought for freedom. Money raised by car parking and tours goes to the British legion.

As an American visiting the UK, I had the privilege of spending a day at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, and I can honestly say it was one of the most moving and meaningful experiences of my trip. The grounds are absolutely stunning—beautifully landscaped, peaceful, and incredibly well-maintained. Every memorial tells a story, and the sheer scope of remembrance here is both humbling and inspiring. It honors not only members of the British Armed Forces, but also civilian services and international partners, which gave it a universal sense of respect and unity. What struck me most was the quiet dignity of the place. It's not just a collection of memorials; it's a living, breathing space where people come to reflect, honor, and remember. The staff and volunteers were welcoming and knowledgeable, and the visitor center provided helpful context for those unfamiliar with UK military history. The chapel service was simple yet powerful, and the entire visit left a lasting impression. Whether you have a personal connection to the armed services or simply wish to understand more about sacrifice and service, this is a place everyone should experience. A truly unforgettable visit. I’m grateful for the opportunity to pay my respects.

What a beautiful place. Its so peaceful. The staff were very helpful when we tried to find certain monuments we specifically wanted to see. There were plenty of benches to sit on too scattered all about.

Lovely, clean, friendly and fully accessible grounds. Very touching and informative place to visit. Lovely cafeteria. Children's playground. We attended armed forces day and were provided with a day long entertainment provided by members of the armed forces. Scooter and wheelchair hire available, plenty of disabled parking which may be pre booked.

Decided on Bank Holiday to visit this place, as had a free day and wanted to learn more about British History. This place is incredible. So much to discover about Armed Forces. So much history and theres insane amount of memorials and statues. Absolutely fascinating. Parking was not a problem even on a busy day. Organised. Entry is free - you pay £8 for parking all day though. Which is fair enough in my opinion as you will spend at least 3 hours minimum. Thats if you just walk and rush pass everything. Full day if you want to see and read. Theres lots of trails to walk, and you are constantly around the trees, ponds etc. Really lovely place. You also have museum inside. Cafe. Shop. Toilets. All the things you need. So, if you want to get them steps in, learn about armed forces history, be surrounded by beautiful nature-this place is for you!

Shugborough Hall is a place well worth a visit. It is a National Trust site located in a large estate in rural Staffordshire. There is plenty to see and do for Adults and children alike. On a nice day there are some very pleasant walks that you can do, as well as visit the house. There is a gift shop, toilets and tea room/restaurant close by. The Hall and all of its history is quite fascinating. As I like my photography I loved seeing some of Lord Lichfield's cameras and equipment, as well as the many photographs mounted on the walls. Some are of famous faces that you will recognise, and some of the Royal Family over various years. There are also events put on throughout the year. I have visited twice in December to see the spectacular display of Christmas Trees. They differ every year, and sometimes follow a theme. They also put on a light show display in December. I haven't seen this yet, but do plan on it this year. I have heard it is very impressive.

Wonderful national trust free entry day. Blessed with fine sunshine. Greeted by 2 very helpful members who explained the map. Added onto planned guided visit to new garden at 2pm. This proved really good with the gardener being very interesting. Volunteers in house brilliant, informative and friendly despite impromptu fire alarm, they were unflappable. Beautiful grounds, gardens and all with our rescue dog Maddie. (She stayed in the car whilst we went inside house). Just had such a lovely relaxing day. Thank you 😊

Lovely day out at Shugborough - the staff are 10/10 and gave brilliant service. The gentleman and lady upstairs in Patrick Lichfield’s apartments on Saturday were brilliant, friendly and knowledgeable and great help. The girl working the ice cream counter near the mansion tea room (but not inside the tea room) was amazing, really helped us with our intolerance while ordering an ice cream, super friendly to all customers in front of us and gave exceptional service to us with our celiac dietary needs. It’s a shame a lot of Shugborough has shut since the national trust took ownership, but still has lovely grounds on a sunny day.

Shugborough is simply beautiful whether you're visiting the house or just walking the grounds. Me and my fiance visit often as we just love walking our dog through the grounds and picking up a coffee at the tea room. Very friendly staff upon entry, plenty of info boards explaining future plans, the house is gorgeous inside and out with lots to see. Staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable with the history of the the house. It's just a fab place to visit.

First visit today and what a fantastic place! We decided to join as family members and it was well worth it. The grounds, gardens and mansion are all beautifully kept — full of history and charm. The tea rooms were excellent too, perfect stop for an autumn treat. Even during October half term it never felt crowded; plenty of parking and so much space to explore that you’d hardly notice how busy it actually was. A brilliant family day out — we’ll definitely be back! – O’Toole UK | Keeping it real, one visit at a time.

Had a wonderful day, strolling around the gardens and small walk plus a joy to hear so much history from the volunteers in the hall. The cafe was reasonably priced with good food and coffee.

Amazing place the mansion has lots of things to admire the gardens spectacular iff your going with your family pack up for the day and spend a full day exploring this huge place its a little pricey so best to make it a day and enjoy or the other option join the national trust and visit some of there amazing places

I enjoy all the fun slides. The changing room is clean. You get a cheaper price when you book in advance. The downside is a lack of signage of where the water park car park is located and one of the claw machines is faulty.

A really nice and atmospheric water park, with plenty of theming. The water was warm and clean. The staff were polite, even though it was busy, they still had time for everyone. The only problem was the amount of time we spent quing to get an inflatable for the slides. It was also a cramped waiting area for the inflatables. But apart from that, we had a really nice day out.

We enjoyed it. Fun place to take the kids and we will comeback. The toilets however were dirty I attribute too it being very busy. Also it took a while to find a parking spot at least 20 minutes so I suggest arriving at least half an hour before your booking.

Was quite anxious as my 7 and 10 yo went off in different direction. Staff friendly and had the use of AI life guarding, continually scanning swimmers and those in trouble. Rides where great, queues manageable, pools warm , food was a bit pricey. Parking free.

Never been here before so took the grand children who had a wil of a time. Recommend fast track if you can afford it as there are long waits og up to 2hrs on some rides.

Pretty average water park. Firstly, there is only one big slide (master blaster) which I waited about 70 mins for. There are also lots of reliability issues with the slide and almost every time I get in the queue for this slide it end up stopping for 10 mins. The changing rooms and even parts of the water park smelt terribly of urine and a lot of the changing rooms are dirty. Also the lockers require 20p so keep that in mind. There are also some flumes outside which have a short queue for each one but are really fun. I also enjoyed the smaller ring slide which I only waited 5 mins for. It seems everyone just goes to the master blaster leaving the rest of slides with barely any queue. The water park is quite crowded and areas like the lazy river and pool get really busy. If you really like water parks then I suppose it’s worth a visit but if you aren’t that bothered then I’d give it a miss.

It all started with Doug in reception who was polite, helpful and welcoming and it just got better after that. The 20 Pence man was fabulous and then all the staff poolside were great. The pool was warm, exciting and really fun. My 6 year old loved it. We will definitely be coming back. Well done Alton Towers.

I'll start with the car park. It's decent size and well maintained. I completely do not agree with flat rate you have to pay on top of the entry tickets. Regardless if you are there for just couple of hours, half a day or full day, still have to fork out another £12. Park itself is spread out across vast space. There's lots and lots of walking. Rides are decent. Other attractions are good as well. For us it worked out quite expensive as we've come with a child under 2 years old mainly to visit CeBeebies Land. I've managed to pop on some rides when he had a power nap. Overall we've enjoyed our time in there and definitely rate it higher than any other UK theme park. Problem is, once you've been to Universal Orlando and other Florida parks you gonna find all rides in any UK park not as thrilling and stunning as what they have in there. We've found all staff to be friendly, helpful and polite. Cleanliness throughout the park was decent including rest rooms. We've even found a nice kebab takeaway on site which was a plus.

We’ve been to Alton Towers three times now, and it never disappoints! Whether you’re a family, a couple, or a solo rollercoaster thrill seeker, there’s something here for everyone. With a little help from Cadbury’s (who will you take vouchers — are a huge help! As it can be a little pricey) we were able to enjoy another amazing trip. The whole park is lovely and clean, and all the staff we met were really friendly and helpful. If you’re planning a visit, just be aware that during peak times the queues can get quite long for the rides. We went out of peak this time, and it was incredibly quiet — barely any waiting at all, which made the day even better! Just a heads up also food in the park is very pricey if you don't want to take food with you, but as a one off it's ok. like us going three times we learnt to take sandwiches and snacks and bought a coca cola refillable drinks beaker we take everytime. We noticed families taking the travel trucks with their bits and bobs into carry around for the day of there is a large amount of you who which is a brilliant family hack. Some of the food wasn't that spectacular and very cheaply made as you would get in most big theme parks but some little hidden gems in the park were lovely like the coach house confectionary in gloomy woods serving up there social media viral black ice creams and sweet foods. Overall, Alton Towers is an amazing day out full of excitement, laughs, and memories. Can’t wait to go back again!

We had an amazing day in Alton towers. We went on a Scare fest event, it was brilliant. I really recommend to download the app to see the waiting times in queue as well as if it’s closed or having a weather delay. It’s good to see every ride update so you don’t make any unnecessary walk. To be honest even the 45mins ques were quick. Staff were very friendly and helpful, food is nice but pricey. Bring comfy shoes and snacks!!! We went for opening which allowed us to go on every main ride. The scare mazes were fantastic, the themes the actors were spot on!!🖤🧡 Both day and night time all the resort looks very stunning with the rides lighted up and the Alton Castle! 🏰 all the park is very looked after. Definitely coming back next year!

Great visit everytime. The food stalls are expensive but if you can take some food to save yourself some money. Definitely recommend visiting during scarefest even if you dont do any of the scare mazes. Staff are brilliant they keeps things moving quickly so the ride times stay as low as possible and the park stay open 9pm meaning you can get to go on the rides in the dark. Which is well worth it!

Honestly hands down best theme park in the UK. The theming is immense and absolutely mind-blowing. Has the best rollercoasters in the UK and the best inverted coaster in Europe. The food is amazing Sand is worth it, especially the loaded fries on Tower Street. The Smiler is one of the most intense rides out there and is definitely a coaster worth going on, even if you are far away from the park it is definitely worth a visit. Loads of kids areas to adventure but some big areas for the thrill seekers. My favourite coasters in order: 1. Nemesis Reborn (Got on it 2 times in 1 day and got front row) 2. Smiler (Can be rough sometimes but is so thrilling) 3. Galactica (Really underrated and immense fun) 4. Wickerman (Best wooden coaster in the UK bc of Megafobia) 5. Oblivion (Short and boring after the drop) 6. Rita (The launch into the turn is amazing and forceful) 7. THI3TEEN (The droptrack's airtime is absolutely stunning) 8. Spinball Whizzer (Quite painful and colours don't suit Alton) Haven't been on: Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure, Runaway Minetrain. Honourable mentions: Toxicator (Best flat ride in the UK coming in close with Samurai. Sharkbait reef (I love fish and this was cool for a Theme Park) Hex (I love the story and the ride is quite unique) Congo River Rapids (Great family ride) So overall the price is worth paying and the food is worth eating. You should go to Alton Towers if you are wanting thrill and you can also go if you need a family day out with the kids. (Scarefest at Alton Towers is the best Halloween event at a major theme park throughout the whole of the UK and the vibe of the park already fits a Halloween vibe)

Look I totally get that there may have been issues with staffing as it was the last day of scare fest, but we still paid the same amount then any other days. Ultimately I have seen a huge difference in the service from staff at the resort, I’m not talking about the ones on rides or at the guest services, the main issue is the food and restaurants staff and the facilities. Shocking difference, the attitude on some of the staff and the serious lack of any customer service. It was like they have just grabbed a load of teenagers out of school and plonked them down, in all the restaurants and food stalls. 1. Total mess around the food stalls including hotdog stand. 2. Unlit areas when they have organise for night rides and attractions there were broken lights everywhere and massive dark spots across the park, including near the food stalls as. 3. Toilets, this shocked me as I had never experienced issues with unclean toilets at AT before. Really smelly and no cleaning staff in sight. Almost every toilet in the resort had an issue . 4. Lots of areas of the park were closed as they were setting up for bonfires night, it was almost like an excuse for staff to behave like the resort was half closed. 5. Monorail stunk of alcohol, first thing in the morning and generally needs to be cleaned up it’s old worn and looks uncared for. 6. Staff at the video stalls after a ride has some serious attitude problems, not all of them, but sone would just stare at you, not saying anything, and then mumble and give annoyed looks. The attractions/rides, as always were great. And the actors of the scare mazes were brilliant. but what makes Merlin entertainment brilliant is the whole magic of the resorts and the magic was definite missing and most of the staff just didn’t care, this could be because of the way they’ve been treated who knows but I was very disappointed, it’s lost its magic for me.

Absolutely amazing place! Definitely recommended for all the family If you're an older family I would recommend two days - would also recommend looking at the Waterpark as it is fantastic for all the family Only negative that you would expect, the food, drinks and merchandise is expensive so make sure you save up if you intend on eating and drinking on park

Beautiful gardens with free street parking if you can find it or loads of paid parking either around the town or in the gardens which can be located by the main road. Free public toilets, a small railway train that goes around the park for £2.50 per person, lasts around 5 minutes and is very cute, allowing you to see and take in the park from different angles. Theres loads of different paths, trees, wildlife and plants, some with information plaques, as well as frequent benches, bins and play parks for the kids. Extremely child, disabled and pet friendly. The streams, ponds and riverways are very well kept, as is the whole park and its lovley to see the ducks and wildlife enjoy it too.

Nice easy walk round a pond. Lots of water birds, ducks ,geese, herons. Quite a bit of duck poo on paths near pond. Nice bar, cafe, swimming pool, music venue.

Love the pavilion gardens here in Buxton. Some nice snack/eateries, locally made beers and I particularly like the "hot house" garden, and walking around the park.

What a lovely and unique place. We walked around gardens for a bit, lots of wild birds, small water lakes, had live music playing, which made atmosphere really nice.

Disability freindly in most of Buxton pavilion.Family freindly clean beautiful park and buildings, small train ride in the park lots of geese and other birds in the park.a small river running through the park.you have Buxton opera house with a tea room and inside garden area.not far away is the famous Buxton spring water well you can use your own bottle and fill it for free.You could have a full day out here all while including a day at the opera.

Absolutely stunning area. Great park with wide clean pathways. Plenty of wildlife around. Lovely facilities in the pavilion

Beautiful, well maintained gardens and old heritage buildings. Would be lovely to see more of the Pavilion buildings themselves open and used though.

Stunning house, visit if you can as a wonderful and rare tour of the behind the scenes showing the butlers pantry and the brewery site. Also the Regency dressing room, do take advantage and dress up as your own Mr Darcy/Elizabeth as it really enhances the experience for you and those around you. The garden is great even in Autumn and dogs are very welcome A great day

Like a dream 🌿🏛🌿 From the Paddock cottage and Scottish Highland cattle to the the Cage and rolling grass hills. I visited many national trust locations during my recent trip to England and I can safely say that Lyme Park was my favorite. The property is expansive and beautiful. The house also had many interactive exhibits. I can't wait to return one day and experience it again.

Vast grounds, interesting house and knowledgeable volunteer room guides. The main lake near the house was part drained, so otherwise five stars. Gardens are worth a look, but the "cage" whilst open on the ground floor is quite a walk for not very much until it's refurbished and fully open again.

Had a great time, as always at Lyme Park with our daughter & grandchildren. (5&3) We love the gardens & all the Summer activities for the children are fantastic, along with the adventure playground which our girls loved! We enjoyed the refreshments in the cafes. It’s really great place to visit with so much history to explore in & around the house. We’ve only really just scratched the surface & we want to do more of the walks all around the estate in the future.

Unfortunately, the house is closed until the end of November, so I didn't have a chance to explore a house with six centuries of history. Walking around the gardens doesn’t take much time. There’s a bookshop and a nice café.

Huge grounds where dogs are welcome to roam. There's places where they are even allowed to run off lead, which is a rarity at national trust properties. The house is impressive to look around, and the gardens must be stunning in summer. The trees were in glorious colours on the autumn day we visited, but the flower beds were mostly empty and the fountains and pools drained for the winter. I can only imagine what it must be like in the summer. Maybe we'll come again and find out! Dog friendly section in the cafe was great. There's a bit of a steep walk from the car park up to the house entrance, but I saw accessibility parking signs so perhaps they avoid it.

The wide and beautiful garden was turned into a play area for the children’s summer event. My kids had so much fun! The house inside was also very large and interesting. There were children’s toys inside the house, and my kids had the special experience of playing freely in a historic building!

The Theatre of Dreams. What can I say, I was blessed to witness MANU vs Arsenal on 17th August 2025 in this iconic stadium, steeped in history. The atmosphere buzzes way before the kick-off. The vibe is unbeatable. Although MANU lost, it was truly a blessed moment for me coming from the other side of the globe. Old Trafford is an incredible pilgrimage for anyone who watches sports.

Going to a Manchester United game as a New York football fan was a dream come true. We stayed at the adjoining Football Hotel with an amazing view of Old Trafford. On game day, we had the Red Cafe Hospitality package and enjoyed a three-course meal before the game. The first course was a delicious and creamy soup. Next, I had the pork belly with mashed potatoes, which was astounding. Lastly, we had chocolate and fruit. While enjoying our meal we were charmed by ex-Manchester United players telling us stories of their playing days. The staff were so nice and friendly. Our seats were padded and comfortable at the Stretford end of the field. United won 2-0 and wett returned to the Red Cafe and enjoyed a drink and a wonderful meat pie. I will definitely be back. What a great time.

Visiting Old Trafford is truly a worthwhile experience. You’ll have the chance to explore the main functional areas of the stadium, learn about the rich history of the club, and visit the traditional trophy room. It’s an unforgettable tour for any football fan and a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the legacy of Manchester United.

The theater of dreams! A show! one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world, you can breathe the English atmosphere, the passion for Man Utd and The magic of the Premier League! Incredible experience

My wife & I visited here in Nov 2022 the day prior to my surgery at the Spire. Awesome day & great to see my favourite teams stadium even though they have gone down hill. Either was good & would recommend. 👌

Visited Old Trafford for my first ever matchday experience, a 1-0 loss to Everton, and despite the result it was an unforgettable day. I’d been before for a stadium tour, but you really don’t appreciate the sheer size, atmosphere, and beauty of the place until you’re actually in the stands surrounded by thousands of supporters. There really isn’t a bad view anywhere in the stadium. The seating space was decent, and even from my spot I could take in the pitch and the scale of the ground without any obstruction. The atmosphere, chants, and energy of the crowd were something special, the overall experience was definitely better than the performance from the players that day. A must visit for any football fan, and I’m already looking forward to coming back for another match, hopefully with a better result next time.

Old Trafford. Full of history and atmosphere. One of the great football grounds. The security on entry to matches is slow. Arrive early on match day to get through the checks.

Amazing library and is worth a visit especially since their is no admission fee (please feel free to make a donation). Although the library looks quite old, it only opened on January 1, 1900. It took ten years to build and was founded by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her husband, John Rylands. The staff here are extremely knowledgeable, it's worth waiting for the talk they give about the building's history. They're are some very impressive works in their collection. A copy of the Gutenberg Bible, a copy of Shakespeare's famous First Folio from 1623, and many more impressive items. It is a true functioning library and you can view books in their collections. We were very impressed with the library and will come back on our next visit to Manchester.

Went to this library with my friend previously, very astonished to see the lovely architecture and design of the place. Also there is a mini bay with a modern building right beside it, yet they were blended together very well. The differences and blending of both buildings are just fascinating. Again, our visit is just magically enhanced by the rare but welcomed sunshine. Took such great photos because of it as it shows how beautiful the stained glass windows are ♥️✨

100% worth a visit, for exploring or studying, I'd recommend getting in there early though before the crowds assend upon the library. It's like stepping into a library from Hogwarts, or more accurately put, I can see where the inspiration for a set from Harry Potter came from. Free entry, but you may need to wait in line for 10-15minutes, but don't let that put you off visiting as you will not be disappointed.

One of Manchester’s best attractions to visit. Very highly maintained building with a blend of old and new architecture. The reading rooms are beautiful and so is the library upstairs. The building is well laid out. They also offer a free talk giving you insight into the history of this place. Toilet facilities on site. Free entry. Staff are friendly too.

Absolutely stunning place, John Rylands Library is a must visit in Manchester! Part of the University of Manchester, this Gothic style library is open to the public for free. The architecture is breathtaking like stepping into a 19th century castle. Vaulted ceilings, intricate stone carvings, and dramatic lighting give it a magical, almost Hogwarts like atmosphere. The collection is equally impressive. Even if you’re not a book lover, the building alone is worth the visit. Peaceful, historic, and visually spectacular. Just remember, it’s a working library, so be respectful and keep your voice down. Perfect for fans of history, architecture, or anyone looking for a quiet escape in the heart of Manchester.

Today i visited the John Rylands Library in Manchester, England. It is a neo-Gothic building that was founded by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her husband, John Rylands, and opened in 1900. The building is considered one of the finest examples of neo-Gothic architecture in Europe The library is part of the University of Manchester and houses a large collection of rare books, manuscripts, and archives. The money in which the library comes from has a bit of a dark past. The Rylands' wealth was significantly linked to the transatlantic slave trade, as much of the cotton used in their mills was cultivated by enslaved people in the Americas.

Free entry and waiting time differs at what time of the day and what days you go. Friendly and approachable staff. Beautiful architecture. Exhibition is in the level 1 and reading room in level 2. Reading room has religion, history and geography books and Level 3 has research rooms to study the books which require appointment. People also come here for photoshoots such as for their graduation photos. Definitely worth a visit if you are coming to Manchester.

Had a great time here for my friend Edens birthday. Everyone who served us that night was brilliant. I got chatting to one staff member Mit great guy but well done team

Great cocktails. I had a very good Negroni. Warm and attentive service in this atmospheric and intimate bar we stumbled on when trying to escape the rain. Highly recommended.

There is this one bartender who is a rude and arrogant. Our pints were not full and when we asked him to fill it to the bro he made sure to fill it but later made a very very arrogant comment and a rude face. Suggesting that my boyf and I were asking for something which was not usual. I have been to this this place so many times. The last time we went here we had a lovely time. Our bartender was as a lovely man!! He made sure we were look after! But this time it was comepelt opposite! A really rude guy!serving downstairs!

Beautiful discreet cocktail bar. Gorgeous decor and ambience. Makes a mean old fashioned. Really skilled staff.

Great tasting cocktails, very good ambiance plus very enthusiastic staff! The cocktails were amazing just a bit pricey but they were well worth it! The bartender even made me a customised drink when I asked for something that they would recommend for me - and that was absolutely lovely! Will definitely come back here!

So glad we found this place. From the moment we were greeted by the quirky friendly host the staff were so friendly throughout. This is also a serious cocktail place for people who like proper cocktails from mixologists that know their stuff. Thanks for a great night!

Nice, but quite expensive for what it is. We were expecting more of a science theme, but the drinks weren’t anything special. My partner got a good recommendation from a member of staff, but it was just not worth the money. It was also very loud, to the point where you couldn’t even have a conversation, with some patrons being very rowdy and staff not doing anything about it. Overall, it was okay but we wouldn’t go again, but we did like the ice cube!

We went with three kids 1, 3 and 7. They all thought it was great. The newer areas like Oz are well kept but some of the other areas just need a lick of paint and a tidy up. We saw a lot of rubbish and uncleaned parts of the park (picture of the lake). Every member of the young staff team were great, couldn’t be faulted. The rides are fine for that age, although most had a decent queue of 20 mins to 45 mins. We stayed in the lodge accommodation which was fine, don’t expect anything exceptional (the price reflects that). The safari lodges were chip board throughout with no doors separating the rooms and the shower filled up within seconds so your wash will be quite rushed. With that said as adults we saw both negatives and positives. The kids only saw the positives. If your going for a day or two with an overnight stay it serves the purpose.

We went on and SEN day where the park was quiet and both ourselves and our two little boys really enjoyed it. Weather wasn't great but we were still able to use all the rides, staff appeared to be more understanding of everyone's situations and if there was no queue they allowed us to stay on the ride for another turn which saved the hassle of having to get the kids off the ride to then put them back on after walking back to the entrance. Park is showing its age and could do with a general clean and update, but still a really fun day

Wow what an evening. We went as a large family group last night to the Land of Lights in Gulliver's World. This was our first time to this kind of event and we were not disappointed at all. The whole experience was truly spectacular. The lights were fantastic, the food great. We had pizzas all round nd the kids really enjoyed the witch ice-cream tubs, while the adults went for the delicious hot chocolate. All the staff were really friendly and helpful including all those on fire out duty for roasting the marshmallows . Along with I think it was Pete and Amanda who were really friendly and exceptional in their service 😁. I would highly recommend this if you have never been. We will definitely be back and watch out for further events at Gullivers.

This is a really fun theme park for the kids. I think the ages they are aiming at are probably between 6-10 but they still have some rides for the older kids too. Some rides are very popular & the wait time can be up to 30+ minutes but when I went it was Bank Holiday Sunday so was bound to be busy. My daughter is 14 & although some rides are for little kids they still had a few aimed at older kids such as the rollercoaster & drop ride which were really fun. We will definitely return & take my niece again when she's a bit older.

We went bank holiday Monday for my son’s birthday, paid £122, for 4 people we managed to get on 4 rides. Then over £100 extra inside the grounds, Really disappointed, most rides were 2 hour queing times. it wasn’t even they were really packed the problem was they had 1 person loading the rides, that same person would then have to strap each person in so the safety checks then set the ride in motion, then stop the ride unload the ride then reload the ride, the big rollercoaster only had 1 carriage running. Considering it was a bank holiday they should have had more staff working, knowing the weather was hot and it would be busy. The place is card only the internet went down couldn’t buy drinks ice cream nothing for like 40minutes. When we finally got round to getting drinks got through the massive ques there were no bottled pop left no bottled water. We went in the restaurant at the main entrance for lunch, the food was served quite quickly, but while eating lunch the power tripped like 7 times. I have made a formal complaint said I would hear from them within 7 days, I’m still waiting 2 weeks later 🙈 would we visit here again No, and we’re local only around 20minutes away, we normally do the eat sleep play and have been to Milton keys and Sheffield and Yorkshire. Never had any problems like we had in Warrington, I don’t think we will visit here again.

I took my 4 year old grandson and 2 year old granddaughter my grandson couldn't go on any rides with out an adult as it would mean leaving my granddaughter alone my grandson was so up set. The only saving grace is that the santa trip was excellent its truly worth it my grandchildren really enjoyed this part of the day, just wish you didn't have to pay full price if you can't use the rides. Also if your planing to go take another adult with you so your little ones don't feel left out. I must give a shout out to the young man on the merry go round he seen how up set the babies were and let them stay on for an extra go he is a great asset to the gullivers team.

It was our granddaughters birthday and we went along to the park with her. It turned out to be a great day out. There are tons of rides for younger children and lots of parks to play in with picnic area's nearby so you can eat while the kids play. There isn't very much for older children to ride on, so it's limited in that respect. But if you have younger children, it's great value for money and you can easily spend all day there and just about see it all.

Very Enjoyable day out with the family. Drive through the safari takes about an hour although you can stop if you wish, you can also go round multiple times. There's a nice nature trail to do on foot. The falcon show and sea lion show are both really enjoyable. There are also a number of rides available aimed at smaller children.

Fantastic day. The place is full of majestic live stock. Elegantly going about their safe life's. If only humanity could take a leaf out of their own lives. Being around animals for a day, the park was great. Worth every penny spent.

Great afternoon out at the safari park. We braved to baboons (our car got off lightly but we did see quite a bit of damage to other cars so beware). The sea lion show is well worth a watch. If you get chance go through the drive through safari at different times as we did see some animals we didn't see the first time round.

I hadn't been to Knowsley Safari Park for years and wasn't quite sure what to expect. However, it greatly exceeded my expectations, as it was immediately clear it was very well run. To be able to see the animals up close in large open spaces was fantastic. Amazingly, if you wanted to you could drive round again, which I thought was outstanding. The food areas were clean and well presented, with friendly staff, and a good choice of food, at very reasonable prices. I really enjoyed the talks on the various animals, in particular it was obvious the girl who delivered the Meerkat talk really enjoyed her job. To come away after a day feeling both entertained and educated is a rare event, very highly recommended.

Overall we had a good time. Kids had fun when baboon ripped a piece of rubber from my front windscreen. Had to wash my car on the drive home from all the monkey prints all over it 🤣 Park needs some TLC, looks tired. Food at the Oasis was not great. Packed lunch next time. I felt sorry for the “birds of pray” like eagles as they had very little space in their cages to fly, they seemed quite restless.

Knowsley Safari is an absolutely brilliant day out for the whole family! The experience is excellent-it's amazing to drive through and see plenty of animals right up close in their open, natural habitats. Getting to see the rhinos, lions, and deer from just a short distance away is truly unforgettable. Our children loved it a lot; it was the highlight of their trip! Between the drive-through and the walking safari attractions (like the sea lion show), there's more than enough to fill a whole day. Highly recommend for a thrilling and memorable animal experience

Wow what an amazing experience. The drive through safari was excellent! Rhinos right be side us as well as lions. The baboon enclosure had 2 options. 1 where you could drive through at your own risk of the baboons breaking your car( we chose this option and car was fine bar all the mud ) or where you can view from a distance. We also did the normal zoo which had excellent shows. Would definitely recommend this zoo to anyone

Museum not open on Monday or Tuesday, so just walked around the grounds which were lovely. Stopped at the cafe for tea and cake which was lovely. Lots of places to enjoy a picnic. Need to pay for parking.

Lovely grounds to walk around. Clean toilets at the hall and a lovely brew at the rotunda by the car park. Only down side.. Reflection pond was empty at the time we visited

A beautiful historic house and art gallery, set in a really nice park with a wonderful garden. I particularly liked the chapel, long gallery and the Victorian kitchen.

Expectations exceeded. It's a forest, magnificent gardens, a stately home, a museum and an art gallery all in one. Even the coffee was good. All the staff were friendly and knowledgeable.

What a lovely place! Beautiful, well tended grounds, and a stunning, newly renovated stately home to look around. Sleepy ducks round a pond and fountain, wonderful flowers and ancient trees. A very nice cafe. Despite being a weekday when we visited, it was pretty busy, and we were lucky to find a parking space. Parking was cheap though, as was entry to the hall and museum.. cheap for me, and free for my student companions. My ticket is also valid for the whole year, should I wish to return, which I certainly will. Definitely worth a visit if history, nature and beautiful houses are your thing.

Excellent place. Ticket price is £5.50 for an annual pass, so can visit as many times as you want in a year. Staff welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable and informative. Lots of 'behind the walls' secret panels that were highlighted, along with information and historical stories. Great cafe in the grounds with a good assortment of food and drinks at a reasonable price. Nice outside grass and garden areas too. Great afternoon spent here

Amazing place my 4 grandchildren loved it I even got thanks of afterwards they found all the 19 mice

Absolutely brilliant! What a wonderful experience and to be able to get up so close to these beautiful animals. We bought the owl experience for my brothers birthday and he loved it! He couldn't stop smiling! All the volunteers are very knowledge, friendly and passionate about the birds and the sanctuary. I love the fact it's not commercialised. Its all about the birds and creating a safe and natural environment for visitors to enjoy too. Thank you for having us and allowing us to take photographs of a very memorable day.

Great sanctuary to see owls and bird of prey up close. The volunteer guides were informative and friendly, and all guests can experience handling some birds during the flight display show. Highly recommended place to visit and hope to get another chance to come again! =^^=

We found this place while looking for something to do on our journey back to north wales from the lake district. What an absolute gem of a place. It's £12 entry you get to see the various birds in the aviaries. There is also a flying display in the price at no extra cost. The display was absolutely fantastic finding out about the individual birds you also get the birds flying to your hand also. This place isn't a big company owned place. It's run by volunteers. All the money they receive goes to the care and feeding of the birds. I would highly recommend this place if your in the area.

Great little place. All volunteers which you can tell really love the birds they look after. The show was really good and got to hold one. No show will be the same because the birds will only do what they want to do, which is great they are not forced to do anything.

What a lovely little place. It's run by volunteers who are lovely. There is an array of owls and some birds of prey. It is £12 to get in and they also have consessions. It opens at 11am (ish) and closes at 2pm. From 1230pm to 2pm there is a flying display. This is very informative and you get to fly the birds. You can get a drink, hot or cold and snacks but there is not a cafe as such. I must reiterate just how nice the volunteers are. Will definitely go back again.

What a little gem, just under 30 minutes from home! We spent around 3 hours here and the time absolutely flew by. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and you can really feel how much they care for the birds. The flying display was a highlight: not only spectacular to watch, but also full of interesting facts that we learned along the way. The sanctuary is run entirely by volunteers, so every penny goes directly towards the care and upkeep of the birds. They do take card payments, but if you can, bring some cash along as it helps them avoid card fees and means more support goes straight to the upkeep of the sanctuary. We also got a great local tip for lunch afterwards at The Farmers Arms, just a few minutes away, which rounded off the day perfectly. Highly recommend a visit - we’ll definitely be back!

This place was absolutely fantastic!! Such a special day. I came with my family and immediately the staff are super friendly and helpful, they all clearly have lots of passion for the birds they care for. the displays are wonderful, you get a good view of the birds and get to see them up close. All the birds have educational signs posted to their enclosures about the species and conservational status so it's super great to teach children too. There are many birds to see, along with a small park to roam in and you can make a day out of it with a picnic. The best part by far were the Owl showings. It's an intimate little gathering where the volunteers show the owls up close, out of enclosure, and even give you the oppurtunity to hold and feed them. This is of course, only if the owls feel up to it, which is my favourite part about it, as it puts my mind at ease knowing the best interest is in the animals rather than the audiences entertainment. The Owls were super friendly and playful the day I went, and so were the volunteers, who really just have so much love for these birds, and make sure that each and every member of the audience get to participate fully. All this for a relatively cheap price considering the experience, can't recall the exact amount but it was worth every penny!! Aboslutely recommend for anyone who loves birds, animals or has kids with a passion for learning and nature

A great green open space and nature reserve for birds (no dogs allowed to protect ground nesting). Good set up where you can get a bite to eat and relax inside or out. The play area was a bit disappointing for the kids as it was under construction/refurb, but in fairness it looks like they're making a good job to make it better for the future.

We had a great time at the superhero event. My children are 18 months, 6 and 7 and they all joined in the fun! From mud throwing to den building, we were all entertained for a good 2 hours! The staff and volunteers were so friendly and great with the children. Thank you!

A lovely place to go visit with family, friends or just yourself. I usually walk all the way to Brockholes from the Preston city centre but even if the walk is long, the scenery makes up for it. A lot of greenery and amazing nature at Brockholes. A chance for you to bask in the nature and atmosphere and see the views. Definitely a must visit!

Had a lovely walk around Brockholes nature reserve. The weather was very pleasant nice sunny autumn day. Topped off with a coffee and ice cream. The car park has gone up to £6 which doesn't seem bad for all day parking but steep if your only there for a couple of hours. This makes people like cyclist park on the roadside so they don't gave to pay. The café is closed Mon, Tue, Wed now. Since we have been going the shop and plant stall have gone. The ice cream cafe has closed. You can get a coffee from the visitors centre out of a flask but the quality is poor and they charge £2.50 a cup. I know it's volunteer led, I know there is a cost to everything but if you don't provide facilities people won't bother going.

Ample parking, a great cafe and lots of well surfaced paths. Plenty of birds to see & photograph. The floating village is an amazing construction too.

If you love nature or bird watching you will love this place. Great for walking or picnic. Little shops there with local crafts, something to eat . Grab a coffe and enjoy the nature :)

It's nice enough here. Well kept, good walking paths, nice cafe and visitor village. We did see a few unusual birds, some butterflies and damsel flies. The walk through the trees is lovely, like an enchanted tunnel. What did spoil it for me though, was the overwhelming traffic noise, with the site being right next to the motorway. It made the walks far less peaceful than they should have been, and made it difficult to use the bird identification app that I often use on walks. The pollution from the traffic isn't great either. That said, it's free entry, though you do have to pay for the car park, which was fairly pricey at £6 for a few hours. I'd suggest a visit if it's nearby to you, but I wouldn't travel too far or you might be disappointed.

Had a wonderful and interesting tour by Sandra. You do need a tour to see most of the castle, but it was well worth it. Courtyard and businesses inside are free otherwise. Fascinating to be inside both the historic (and only closed recently) prison and the still functioning crown courts. Building is stunning and lovely views from just outside too

Amazing place to visit we had a coffee and sat in the grounds. You can pay £9 to go on a tour as well. It also has holding cells that are currently used for HM Prison. There are only a few Parking spaces outside that you have to buy a ticket for . Recommended

We took the guided tour of the castle, reasonable for £9 per person. Since it used to be a working prison and parts of it are still a working court, you have to take the guided tour to see the full thing. We had a lovely guide, very engaging and informative. The tour lasts about an hour. The castle has a lot of history, quite a lot of it is dark, the tour touches upon these themes too. There is a Prison Museum too. The courtroom is part of the tour, unless it is in session on the day. Photography isn't allowed in those parts of the tour. I would recommend visiting castle, doing the tour and then visiting the Priory at the back of the castle, there are some remains of roman baths too.

We did the tour as a family and it was really interesting. Great value for money. They give you lots of insight into the history and had a lot of knowledge. Simon made it fun and interesting and kept the whole group engaged. It’s my second time of going and I would go again. Dogs are not allowed but I couldn’t resist getting a snap of our dog there.

Worth a visit the tour is only £9 PP. Lots of history and interesting things to see, from the court rooms, prison cells and torture chamber devices. Must be able bodied, as the castle is old, dark in places and lots of steps.

Arrived not really knowing what to expect and with no intention of doing a tour. However the very engaging man at the ticket office talked us into doing the tour and as it turns out I’m glad we did. ‘King’ David was an extremely entertaining guide and got us all involved in the commentary during the tour. Educational content and drama was in abundance and my wife and I were very happy with the afternoon in the castle. Highly recommended.

You need to book on a tour to go inside. We arrived at 10am and booked onto the 10.45 tour so had a look round the Pendle Witches exhibition room and part of the police museum first. The tour inside was really interesting and the guide was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and entertaining. It lasted about 80min and was well worth the £9 fee.

Never heard of this place before so we thought we'd give it a go. Being in early October and a Monday it was quiet when we arrived, plenty of parking. Not the best of days weatherwise but that didn't put us off. It's definitely a trail that needs moderate fitness as it's fairly up and down with many steps, plus good boots are needed (especially in the wet as the rocks are slippery). But if you take time there shouldn't be any issues. Some amazing waterfalls with good viewing points. There are cafes at the start and half way round but the one by the carpark was closed. (Monday). There was an ice-cream van further up the trail. Overall a pleasant hike with great views. Is it worth £11 per adult? I'd say yes as someone has to maintain it.

This walk is amazing. We went as a family group with 4 adults and 2 children aged 3 and 6 yrs. We thought the prices were a bit steep at first but the car park is very good and the toilets are clean and modern. The walk is exciting and awesome. There are waterfalls all the way up and on the way back down too. The path is stoney and slippy at times with lots of steps so adequate footwear and clothing is necessary. Absolutely brilliant.

Was a bit skeptical when i had to pay 11 each to walk around the trial. It was worth it. Many beautiful waterfalls and takes about 2 hours at least to complete. It took us 5. We like to stroll and really admire what were looking at. We even got to walk behind one of the falls which was breathtaking.

Way better than I imagined..walk took 3 hours to complete,and we saw many small to medium waterfalls. Entrance at £11 IS good value,don't let it put you off. Parking is plentiful,with excellent toilets just before yo pay to enter.

Great but long hike, the trail is well prepared but you need to factor in some 3hrs of your good paced walk for the full loop. Cafe with some refreshments and snacks half way through. Best to visit Autumn-Spring due to no leaves obscuring views and waterfalls full of water

The parking is free, but a entrance fees apply. The fee is absolutely worth it considering the work that must have gone in creating the paths, bridges, observation decks and walkways, truly a mark of engineering skills. Safe to walk if you are careful, and have good footwear. Not suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs or anyone that isn't able to negotiate rocks, changing surfaces (which can be slippery) and heights! Amazing sets of many waterfalls of different categories, beautiful scenery and even a small snack cabin half way around in the middle of nowhere, as well as a lovely one towards the end of the walk. What a lovely village this is set in and surrounding areas are truly wonderful. Definitely go again as it's not the most strenuous of walks, and taking in all the sites and steady away take a few hours and about 4.5 miles circular. I will revisit in the winter when the water is higher, as I would imagine it's a powerful force to watch. Go check out this amazing place.

Beautiful views lovely and peaceful. I enjoyed the Waterfalls. But I won't lie, this trail is not easy in the slightest. I found it extremely difficult at times despite taking regular rest breaks. A lot of people turned back halfway through and we wondered why. The last half of the trail is mainly a hike through scenery and nothing to do with the waterfalls at all. The map does not match the trail which I found very unhelpful, there are numbers at certain points of the trail as you go along. I would suggest finishing at 8 or if you want to see the last waterfall 10. There is an ice cream van but it's another 10/15 mins after the last waterfall and is over a bridge with a steep decline and incline. Overall I'm chuffed we managed to do it in just over 3hrs but I wouldn't do it again. There is a toilet block and plenty of parking but the price seems a bit steep at £22 for 2 adults.

Lovely little unspoilt seaside town, plenty of car parks, campervans aloud to park on the seafront promenade. Great beach, dog friendly beach at the far end (north side). Plenty of eateries and watering holes, amusement. Its a lengthy promenade which makes for a good walk.

Absolute must for this iconic photo, get a selfie with Eric or if you're a horrendous teenager, do him durty with a .5 I have the feeling Eric and Ernie would have loved these photos! I can't see the place, so here's a top tip, the indoor market has a bakery near the rear exit, Chunky Steak Pie! 10:10 @ £7.50 would easily feed 4 ppl.. bread, cakes pies all delicious, unfortunately I can't find the business name to review it, so get yourself a pie for the way home! And thank me later! P.S Tyson where were you? We were hoping to see the 3rd best reason to visit Morecombe 🥊our one and only GK World Champion Get'Up!

It's a lovely view over Morecambe bay but its a fantastic tribute to a great and funny man. Well deserved. Made us happy and sad at the same time.... And No, he's not going to sell much ice cream at that speed 😄

Excellent tribute to one of the UKs favourite and best comedian of the 20th Century.

A great statue with the surrounding information on the dynamic duo! Well worth a visit.

Morecambe seafront is a pleasure to visit. The promenade is very smooth and well designed which means all users can enjoy it. The view over the bay is magnificent which adds to the experience. The statue of Eric Morecambe just makes me smile and brings back good memories of the great man.

A lovely tribute to the best comedy duo the world has ever had.

Great example of a lived in castle, of sorts. The exhibits art and written guides were excellent, as were the detailed explanations provided by the guides. Of a standout were the beautiful gardens which were resplendent in autumnal colours. The cafe was also a highlight with helpful active servers.

Fantastic place to visit. Great its still lived in by the owners who have owned it for centuries. A lovely cafe with devious food. Gardens very pretty showing autumn colour. The N/T volunteers were knowledgeable and friendly. Glad we chose this place to visit.

Enjoyed our visit here. We didn't get to see the house but enjoyed a short walk in the parkland and garden. We were pleased to see lots of benches along the walking route we took. There were a lot of fungi in the woods. Nice cafe and usual assortment of gifts. Pleased to get a National Trust passport stamp and pin-badge 🤓

An absolutely stunning gardens, growing all different varieties of apples trees to colorful flowers and a little place for the bees 🐝 and a cute placid cat that looked very proud of there garden. On Mondays the castle is closed although the gardens are open and the trail upto the hill top church has beautiful views of the vally and hills. Sizergh is well worth a visit if you get the chance! Oh and the National Trust cream tea with the fruit scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream go down a treat washed down was a hot chocolate or be traditional with a classic English tea. The farm shop is close by that had the most delicious smoked cheeses, I had to indulge with the sweet onion chutney and the little round crackers 😋 Thankyou

Lovely, reasonably sized cafe, with a good selection for brunch, lunches and afternoon tea. There are extensive grounds for walking, and a medium sized formal garden to explore, with many acres for brilliant autumnal colour. Car parking and entry to the gardens and castle are free for national trust members.

You need a few hours to explore the castle and garden. We had enquired about what would be the best ticket to buy as we had only an hour on our schedule. We were encouraged to buy the tickets for the castle and gardens and were assured that it can be done in an hour. But definitely need longer to enjoy the experience. We just ended up exploring the garden. But it is a very beautiful garden and you get a really good view of the castle.

Sizergh Castle is an absolute delight and a must-visit if you're in the Kendal area. It’s not just a beautiful, historic building, but a full day out with something for everyone. The house itself is fascinating, steeped in centuries of history and it's incredible to think the Strickland family have lived here for over 800 years. The rooms are beautifully presented and the National Trust volunteers are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, ready to share a story or answer any questions. But what truly makes Sizergh special are the grounds. The woodland walks are magical, with a fantastic trail that features unique and whimsical sculptures dotted amongst the trees. The gardens are a highlight - from the productive kitchen garden to the peaceful rockery and the beautifully sculpted lawns, it's clear a huge amount of care goes into their upkeep. Whether you're a history buff, a keen walker, or just looking for a peaceful and beautiful place to spend a few hours, Sizergh Castle is perfect. Highly recommended!

A great place to walk. There's a fantastic view at the top. There's Gruffalo/ Stickman sculptures halfway up the hill. There's also a sculpture trail that wasn't there last time I headed up Orrest Head. We parked in a free layby. The closest ones to Orrest Head have a time limit, but the one a bit further back hasn't a time limit. Great place to visit for families.

This is a hidden gem where you must go if you want to enjoy abundance of natural beauty. After you reach here you get a full 360 degree view of Windermere and the surrounding areas. Very serene and peaceful place. It is around 2 km climb from Windermere, not too steep but not very easy either. Actually there's an accessible road though I won't recommend people on wheel chairs to get here, strollers are ok. We went in the morning before breakfast so there wasn't any crowd. Just one note, the views show up only after you reach the spot, not much to admire on the way. Sharing a few pictures that I clicked here.

This is a really lovely spot. It has spectacular views over Windermere and the hill and mountains. There's a great information board showing what you can see. It's the first hill that Wainwright climbed when he came to the Lake District. There are 2 routes to get to the top, one is steeper and shorter and the other easier and suitable for push chairs.

Orrest Head is such a lovely walk and perfect for families. It’s an easy path from Windermere up through woodland that opens out to a beautiful viewpoint over the lake and surrounding fells. The climb is gentle but the view from the top is amazing, especially on a clear day. We’ve done it a few times now and it’s one of those walks you never get tired of.

Beautiful scenic view of Windermere and the mountains in the distance. Well worth a walk up. Easily accessible. Parking on street at bottle. 30 mins to summit.

Easy to get to from the station, cross the road the sign for the start is there. There are two ways to get up. The red route, which includes steps and the blue route, is an accessible route that allows wheelchairs and buggies. Great view from the top. If you have hay-fever, bring the tissues lol

Fabulous walk. Miles without styles. Great for individuals or families

Just back from an amazing 5 days here with the family. There was 15 of us in total aging from 3 years old right up 77 and we had 3 lodges. This was the 1st myself and my 6 year old daughter had been and the pair of us had the best time, it was non stop. All the staff were lovely and very patient. Would 100% recommend here and will definitely be back.

We stayed for a full week at moorland view, and the lodge was decent at best. Few cobwebs here and there but overall the place was clean + good dog supplies. However the same can’t be said about the facilities… The more times I have been here the more I’ve realised the facilities at centre parks has declined, and it’s getting to the point where it’s clearly noticable. Classic example is the subtropical paradise, where on the rapids there used to be jets of water that used to spray out, but wasn’t there this time. The overall temperature of the place aswell had decreased significantly and it was so bad I had to go outside to the steaming outdoor pool + the hot tub every few times I went down the slides. Forgot to mention construction was being done at the top of the pool which ruined the whole relaxing vibe, which I felt like could have been avoided. Oh another thing is only 4 of the hairdryers work, and with 30 people coming out at once, it’s not the most pleasant experience. Anyway moving away from that, another letdown was the bowling alley. A few years ago the bowling alley used to have massive lanes and bowling shoes, but now they removed the shoes and the alleys feel alot smaller. Aside from all of that it’s a great and beautiful place to go to still, but I highly recommend going to a different centre parks in the next few years as I know whinfell can do alot better.

We absolutely loved our holiday at Center Parcs, almost everything was perfect. Firstly, as you would expect the location is amazing. The kids loved the wildlife which was everywhere you looked. There are so many activities and things to do that you are never bored, however some of the activities are over priced. Every single member of staff we interacted with was so friendly, they were great with the kids and made you feel welcome. The swimming pool area is brilliant, so much to do and you can spend hours there. Check in and check out is easy too! The only very minor issue we had was in relation to the lodge upon arrival. The beds were not made…. Clean bedding was left but not put on so we had to make our own beds. For what is the equivalent of £350 a night I expect the beds to be made (they would in any hotel for that price). The bedding isnt particularly comfortable or ‘homely’ but we could get over that. Also, the bins weren’t emptied upon arrival which I firmly believe they should be. All in all, a really good holiday and we will almost certainly go again!

We stayed for 7 nights but in hindsight 4 nights would be just right. We stayed in a 3 bed woodland lodge but if we came back I'd opt for something newer/higher spec. The main areas were well cleaned but few cobwebs in the bedrooms. The kitchen is not very well stocked and the oven not great. We brought an air fryer which would be my top tip! Also some blankets - the bed covers feel cold and damp so putting a blanket down really helped. The staff here are all amazing - really helpful and friendly without exception. My son was unwell on the first day and they rearranged his activities without question. There's so much to do here but book your activities in advance as soon as they become available - we did: Segway experience, paddle boarding, aerial adventure, football factory, badminton, interactive squash, pickleball, bowling and pool. All instructors were excellent. We hired bikes for the duration of the stay and the kids loved the freedom of cycling around site - we visited the bird hide every day too. The swimming pool was partly closed which was disappointing and it's not as warm inside as it used to be but the kids loved all the slides and the waves too!

Great time as always and everything fine. Felt the accommodation was cleaned minimally hence the 4 stars. Essentials done but floors dirty and when you have crawling babies, that’s an issue. Otherwise nice experience as always.

3rd time here and we absolutely love it . It's just nice to get out doors with my grandchildren and not worry about cars although you do need to be alert as there are a lot of cycles about and the pathways are shared. They cater for all age groups and the dining is especially good. I hope to be back there in the very near future

Our lodge (Fell View) was in need of freshening up, but was otherwise fine. Shame there's so much building work going on - the lodges over by the Outdoor Activities (Meadow view) are being gutted, with heavy plant machinery going back and forth all day and shattering the peace. Also, the top section of the pool is closed for renovation (all slides and the outdoor pool still accessible), as was the indoor pool in the spa. Great that the place is being updated, but it felt like it was everywhere (including inside the butterfly centre). Had we known there was so much building work going on, we would have booked somewhere else.

Had difficulty getting here due to road closures, but the museum is well laid out and some of the exhibits can be touched, it needs to be used in conjunction with the vindolanda ticket as the two complement each other. My only criticism is that the video room needs a door as the noise from school visits can drown out the audio.

Good museum and interesting displays. Worth getting joint ticket with Vindolanda. Big plus is free parking at both sites. I walked east along Hadrian's Wall and on return went back into museum.

The Roman Army Museum does a fantastic job of telling the story of the men who served on Hadrian’s Wall. Through well-presented exhibits, films, and displays, it shows how soldiers came from all over the Roman Empire to defend this frontier. The museum really brings their lives, duties, and experiences to life in a clear and engaging way. It’s an excellent complement to visiting Hadrian’s Wall and a must for anyone interested in Roman history.

A wonderful Museum that provides insight into all aspects of Roman army history. A really interesting film half way which guides you through the history of the wall. A good couple of hours, if you do everything on offer! Incredible education on the history of animal bones my children still take about the talk one of the volunteers gave! 👌🏼👌🏼

The Roman Army Museum at Walltown is an excellent first stop for understanding Roman military life, especially in the context of Hadrian’s Wall. If you’re visiting the area, it adds a lot to the experience—especially with its films, interactive displays, and connection to the landscape. For families, casual visitors, or history fans, it offers good value. If you’re more of a specialist, you might want also to visit Vindolanda or some of the larger forts for deeper archaeology

This place is a must if your visiting Hadrians wall! Excellent. Watch the 20min film if your there, it was worth it and gives a great insight into a soldiers life on the wall

The museum was great on a rainy day but we were not able to go to the second location to walk around the actual Roman fort. The museum provided a good background on the growth and decline of the Roman Empire, the establishment of Hadrian’s wall, and the life of the Roman soldier. All of the items in the museum are items recovered from the fort. Wish there was more information on the any battles fought while the fort was occupied.