This is a picturesque and historic attraction nestled in the Cotswolds. Built in the late 18th century, this iconic folly sits atop one of the highest points in the region, offering breathtaking views that stretch across multiple counties on a clear day. We arrived after closing time after 5pm. So, we parked just on the side road close to the entrance without needing to pay. I would say :narrow road nearer to the tower to drive. Didn't go in the tower but the views are worth the hike. Great shop and cafe. There is a pay park at the top during opening time. Not recommended for disabled access as there's a moderately steep hill & a good 10-15 minute walk. Lovely views over the countryside when you get there though & the Tower is majestic when you come to it. As it's quite small, you do have to wait for others to come so we didn't go inside on our visit. It's £5 to park, £14 per adult to go up the tower and £12 for the nuclear bunker experience. Views from the hill outside the tower however are free and spectacular, Visitors can explore its small but informative museum, enjoy peaceful walks through the surrounding country park, and even tour a Cold War-era bunker nearby.

First time visiting Broadway Tower and its park. You can visit the park for free and see the deers and the beautiful view overlooking the countryside. It’s nice if you like to have a long and quiet walk. I personally haven’t walked around much as if was raining but I visited the inside. The tower is quite small with only three rooms to see and a rooftop. You always have an audio guide with some audios and videos to see. Here you can learn about the history of the tower and also some immersive stories. It is very interesting. The tower is beautiful inside and out. During Christmas it’s decorated so even more magical. The view from the rooftop is also amazing. I spent around 45 minutes inside but I listened to the audioguide. If you don’t, you can visit the tower for 20 minutes or less. So I recommend only if you’re interested in history and want to take your time. However I think the ticket is a bit expensive for the size of the tower. At least you contribute to the maintenance so it’s a good thing but the ticket could be a bit less expensive.

Wow simply an awesome little find on our travels in the Cotswold. We Drove straight past it and saw a busy carpark, and as we drove around the corner saw the gorgeous view's and the glorious Tower. So we did a U-Turn and drove back to the carpark, which from our days experience was really cheap £3. We had totally no Idea what we stumbled across , so parked up and went for a stomp around to see what it was all about. We spent a magical couple hours walking, looking around the tower and around the Nuclear Bunker. We only walked the outside, and didn't go inside, but what an amazing gorgeous walk with a couple of distance options for young , old and the enthusiastic. When you decide you have seen enough and had enough fresh air, the Cafe Bar, is a real mix of Joe blogs general public just wanting a coffee and snack or indulge if fine wine and fine food . It's a real mix lovelyness inside. This place is simply a must stop off point on your journey. It was

An impressive landmark with great views but massively overpriced. We paid £3 to park and a further £4 each to access the “grounds” as we couldn’t justify an extra £10 each to go inside the tower. The grounds themselves were nothing special with no clear signposting or information boards, so even that felt like £8 wasted. There are also two car parks, two cafes and a clothes shop for some reason. I’d advise trying to park close to the entrance, where parking appeared to be free, and taking in the views from there. Walking to the tower is also a good option if time and mobility/fitness allows.

Amazing experience! We booked tickets in advance and got to the tower early, before opening, to walk around and enjoy the view. Our tickets also included touring the WW II bunker located on the property nearby.

Lovely walk up to the tower. Lovely view of the countryside. Deer park with a stag and lots of does. Plenty of benches on the way up. But I didn't go into the tower as £14 entry!

The Tower is a beautiful landmark, nearby there is a nice café with a second one just further down in construction nearly finished. On a nice day You can enjoy the panorama and is perfect for a nice walk. Near the tower there are some red deers. The 14£ to go on top of the tower a bit overpriced to my opinion, considering the £5 for parking. Also the Nuclear bunker is interesting but I am not sure if there is an extra charge for that one as well.

Visited here during a weekday break to the Cotswolds in October advised to book in advance which with gift aid was £12 a ticket per head which for easily nearly 4 hours spent here is very well worth it 👍 there's plenty to see if you do the full walk with the trees this time of the year in all their glory of a riot of colour's most of the paths are hardstanding with a few steep inclines of softer ground but we took our elderly dog round in his buggy ok & there were a few disabled buggies getting around ok as well I'd say also brilliant for kids for an outdoor excursion with plenty of "off path" area's for them to explore & let some energy off in the fresh air also a large garden centre & restaurant here the restaurant having a very extensive menu at all reasonable prices with the food very very good quality the restaurant is,also dog friendly with a lovely outside verandah seating area sadly didn't get time to visit the old fashioned tool shed but I'll definitely do that next time we're back in the Cotswolds I'd like to see the Arboretum in spring as well with the blossom so would definitely visit again also a shout out to all the lovely staff 👏👏👏

Beautiful place to visit carpark free, café and toilets on site. Beautiful gardens and grounds. The trees and their colours are absolutely beautiful. Im not a photographer but I took some lovely photos.

Loved our visit here. We have been last year so it was good to come back. A bit quieter in the autumn as well which I prefer. Relatively quiet and easy to get something from the cafe after a good walk around. Trees were beautiful and there was a red carpet of leaves. Have a great nursery here as well with plants, trees and bonsais.

Large area to explore. Good car parking. Restaurant was very busy but good choice of food, although not much for GF diets or low carb. Many very established trees and shrubs including some giant Redwoods. The church was small but interesting. Barefoot House is private but it’s where the Mitford family lived for some time. You’re provided with a good map that shows the steeper trails. Seating provided in certain areas so you can have a breather and take in the tranquility. You could spend a day here easily.

We had a wonderful trip to Batsford Arboretum. I had hurt my knee a few days before so we nearly cancelled but I found I was able to loan their tramper mobility scooter. This allowed me to keep up with family and see the whole venue which even without my injury I would never normally have been able to do even without my usual walking aids. The colours of autumn were exhilarating and the variety of trees and plants was surprising. Supportive caring staff in reception, shop and cafe.

First time here - would absolutely recommend. Beautiful entrance and plenty of parking, you are given a map when you walk around, it’s quite hilly but beautiful views and it’s so peaceful. We will definitely be back!

Batsford Arboretum is such a beautiful and special place I visited midweek with my family and everyone felt very relaxed and calmed from being there, a great way to reset surrounded by nature - would highly recommend to anyone looking for a place for mindfulness and relaxing in nature

Beautiful riverside in the sunshine. Brunvh menu , no greenn red or fungi to bother with. Beautifully cooked poached eggs wgich could have done with being reheated. Excellent hash brown. Gluten free a difficulty as limited meny and staff didnt know and the one we had resented having to find out. Cumberland sausage was advised as gf and tasred good. Fingers crossed it was. This is a beautiful setting but nowhere as good as the restaurant on the 3rd floir. Lets the brand down. The manager said she would adress issues, i hope she does.

We went on my birthday for a pre-theatre meal. The service was exceptional. I was made to feel very special. There was a full vegetarian menu. The food was delicious. After the meal I was given a special birthday cake plate. Thank you.

We had a lovely pre-theatre dinner at The Rooftop Restaurant at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and it was the perfect start to our evening before Cyrano de Bergerac! 🎭 The food was beautifully presented and full of flavour — from the delicious tomato soup and smoked salmon starter to the perfectly cooked main and heavenly desserts 🍰✨ Everything felt fresh and well-balanced. The service was attentive and friendly, and the view over Stratford-upon-Avon made the experience even more special 🌆💫 Even though I was fighting off the flu and stuck with tea instead of wine 🍵😅, it was still a wonderful birthday evening. Highly recommend for anyone visiting the theatre or looking for a relaxing, elegant meal in a great atmosphere! 💖

Came here for pre-theatre dinner on a Friday evening. At £35 for a three course meal, this was excellent value for money. The menu had lots of options and the we both agreed that the food and service were excellent. The restaurant decor was cleverly done, with great views across the park and river. This place most definitely exceeded our expectations.

We often eat at the Rooftop restaurant and have enjoyed excellent food and service, everything served in time for us to go downstairs and enjoy the theatre experience. However, on Monday evening, in spite of the restaurant not being very busy, we had to wait quite a while for our drinks and then we were served with such a delay that we had to rush our main course in order to ensure we were not late for the performance. Disappointing.It seems staff are much more efficient when they are busy as they seem to focus better: my g&t was presented with almost completely melted ice cubes , it seemed it had been prepared much earlier and then had sat on the bar counter for some time.

Lovely evening pre theatre with excellent service. Huge wine and drinks list (almost too much!) and nice food options. We had the vegetarian options which were delicious and they catered for GF very well. Overall will return and recommend

Special mention for the lovely Louise who made my mother and I feel so very welcome. She was friendly, knowledgeable and really took the trouble to ensure we had everything we needed. She is a real credit to you. Give her a pay rise! The “small plates” are a great idea. A full meal would have been too much for us so soon after breakfast and before sitting through a show. The interesting and delicious selection of small dishes and sides was ideal.(The little cubes of black pudding hash were especially yummy). It was also a very pleasant surprise to be offered complimentary sparkling water. This trip to the theatre was my gift to my mother for her 95th birthday.I can’t think of anything she would have enjoyed more and it will be a very special memory for us in the years to come. Thank you!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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.

Visited Poole’s Cavern yesterday and had a great experience. Our guide, Anne, was friendly, welcoming, and made the tour really engaging. She explained everything in an interesting and clear way, which made the visit even more enjoyable. Highly recommend!

It's the people who work here that really makes this place. The cavern is a fascinating, geological wonder with an interesting history, but it was our tour guide, Callum that brought it all to life. He told us about the man John Poole who the cave was named after. He was a thoroughly nasty character who got a very satisfying cummupence, courtesy of the Buxton locals. Next he spoke of some of the other artifacts found including but not limited to Roman remains in a shrine to a water goddess. He spoke of the caves acquisition by a rich Victorian gentleman, and the side hustles that the impoverished children that were hired as tour guides at the time would use to extort more money out of the wealthy elite. Very industrious. It even has connections to Mary Queen of Scots, more specifically her portrait artist. The cavern also boasts 'poached egg stalacmites' that are only found in this cave system. Fascinating. This excavation is run through a charity that has already broken through into more of the cavern and hopes to soon use drones to bring footage from a cave blocked off from human eyes thousands of years ago. I would urge you to book a guide, buy the guidebook which is excellent and run amok in the giftshop which is full of crystally goodness as all this goes in towards this very important research. If you're really lucky, you might even get Callum to show you around.

We were suprised that due to my husband walking with a rollator and not being able to do stairs we were able to part of this tour for free which included a carer. Our guide was very knowledgeable and staff were really friendly. Would thoroughly recommend it. Also a sculpture walk next to it which not accessible but looked amazing. Also Go Ape next door.

Brilliant experience! It’s really well laid out and the lighting is very atmospheric. Dog friendly too, for a quid. There are guides in there too with lots of info if you’re on a self-guided tour. Can walk through it in 20-30min if you’re in a rush.

A living relic of ancient history right beneath our feet. We'll worth an easy stroll on a well lit, well supervised and grippy, almost adhesive path. The coffee alone is worth a quick visit and the staff are a pleasant and accommodating bunch.

Our tour guide Anne was absolutely brilliant. She answered my children’s endless questions and was so knowledgeable and interesting. She made it very fun. The cave was gorgeous and truly fascinating.

First time visiting Buxton and this was a must see. The cave itself is quite something and access is straightforward with an easy to follow linear path. The kids loved it! Guides are approachable and knowledgeable. The gifts shop has some wonderful little keepsakes and is actually very fairly priced (not often the case for gifts shops) with some wonderful things for under a tenner. Plus, it sells Buxton brewery beers! Highly recommended day out.

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.

Visited the Football Museum in Manchester and it was a mixed experience for me. There are some good interactive bits, especially for kids – things like penalty shootouts, making your own magazine cover, and different touch exercises. The building itself is very striking from the outside and the architecture is worth a look. Inside, there’s a lift to every floor, clean toilets, and a café if you fancy a break. The staff were friendly and even chatted to me about the team I support, which was a nice touch. The gift shop has plenty to browse such as shirts, signed frames, posters, magnets, badges, etc. On the downside, some of the interactive sections have long queues, sometimes up to half an hour. It’s also cheaper to book online, but if you turn up on the day you pay quite a bit more, which feels unnecessary. I found it a little expensive for what’s there – most of the displays are about football from the 1800s to early 1900s, with not much focus on modern football. There are some trophies, but again, mainly older ones. They have baggage lockers, but they’re not cheap either. Overall, worth a visit if you’re a big football fan or have kids who’ll enjoy the activities, but I wouldn’t rush back.

Hmmm, so am interesting viewing and a way to spend a couple of hours. BUT in my opinion, not worth the £17 "donation" (so they can also claim an extra 25%) entry fee for adults. Lots of stuff for kids to do (some are chargeable extras or ticket upgrades) and one to visit for the real football fan. Great to see the Jules Rimet trophy (I would have expected the museum make more of this) and also a (replica?) of the premier league trophy. £10 I think would be a fair price....

Definitely worth an hour or two for the dedicated fan, especially if you have kiddos who can play all of the interactive challenges like the penalty shootout or the passing accuracy- there’s even a VR section where you can immerse yourself with the professionals! And your ticket is good for a year so you can come back again if you don’t get to everything the first time through. The gift shop has a nice selection of items to include some retro jerseys as well! I should’ve bought the Beckham England jsy for £100…

This place is filled with history and nostalgia. One of a kind museum delving into football origins and the great championship clubs. Took about 30 mins to cover this place plus about 20mins to cover the coffee shop at ground floor..found some interesting souvenirs as well to take home. Walkable distance to other historical places. Well recommended. Wonderful time

Generally great. Loved second floor for kids. The generalised pc bregade. Takes away from fundimentals of the history of the game. Would have liked more about mens game and history.

Fantastic couple of hours spent at the NFM - Packed with one of a kind memorabilia from every era and generation of football. Lots of interactive stuff to do for the kids, both young and the young at heart kids! Ticket prices are very reasonable, and the gift shop isn't one that feels overpriced either

Good price for an annual pass. The stories are informative and staff are friendly. Many exhibits are interactive. Suitable for both solo travellers and families.

The support acts sound quality didn't seem too great for an arena, and they could do with some additional facilities - especially useful would be access to toilets from near the front of the arena, instead of having to fight through the entire crowd to the back. Otherwise a good experience and the show was incredible.

Good venue, Especially when it comes to boxing events no better in the country! Parking is plentiful so no need to worry about that. Prices of drinks good luck very expensive!

Awesome concert seeing disturbed (and megadeth - though wasn't that interested in them, but they were good). All staff i interacted with were nice and directed which entrance needed to go in by. Actual concert was great, really good live and such a good mix of songs (the Sickness album plus few other biggest hits). Couple of mosh pits happened but never close enough I'd be pulled in but was fun to see (incl someone in Ronald mcdonald style onesie). Cool firework, light and fire displays throughout plus huge 'the guy' appeared and David did his death row act before diving straight into psycho all bloodied up. Only negative was some of the attendees chucking half filled beer and water bottles

Watched The Offspring there yesterday, Fantastic place for a concert, load, bright lights fireworks and confetti. Staff were excellent and friendly, managed to park in the multi storey car on site, we arrived 2 hours before the venue opened its doors and it was getting quite busy, Easy access to the bar and merch areas, toilets got ridiculously busy between acts, but kept clean.

Not my first visit but as always memorable. Great acts great atmosphere, absolutely love it. Never a bad gig here.

Overview of AO Arena
The AO Arena in Manchester is a massive venue that rocks the scene, hosting everything from concerts to sports events. It’s one of the largest indoor arenas in Europe, making it a popular spot for major artists and events. With a capacity of around 21,000, it’s got the space to bring in big crowds and create an electric atmosphere.
Venue Experience
1. Accessibility: Getting to the AO Arena is pretty straightforward, whether you’re driving or using public transport. It’s located near Manchester city center, so there are plenty of bus and tram options. There’s also parking available, but it can fill up quickly, especially on event nights.
2. Seating: The seating is generally well laid out, giving good views from most angles. If you’re up in the higher tiers, you might feel a bit far from the stage, but the sound is still solid. For a closer experience, snag seats in the lower tiers.
3. Atmosphere: The vibe here is next level. When the lights go down and the music starts, you can feel the excitement in the air. The crowd is usually buzzing, making it a great spot to enjoy live performances.
Amenities
1. Food and Drinks: The food options are decent, with typical arena snacks like burgers, fries, and nachos. Prices can be a bit steep, so it’s good to come prepared if you’re on a budget. There are also bars serving a variety of drinks, including beer and cocktails.
2. Restrooms: The restrooms are spread throughout the venue, which is a plus. However, they can get crowded during intermissions, so plan accordingly if you need a break.
3. Merchandise: Expect to find plenty of merchandise stalls for the artists performing, but be ready for some long lines, especially if it’s a sold-out show.
Events and Performances
The AO Arena hosts a wide range of events, from music legends like Ed Sheeran and The Weeknd to sporting events like basketball games and wrestling. The variety keeps things fresh, and there’s usually something happening that’ll draw big crowds.
Safety and Security
Security is tight, which is reassuring. You’ll go through bag checks and metal detectors, but it moves quickly enough. Just be mindful of the venue's rules about what you can bring inside.
Final Thoughts
Overall, AO Arena is a fantastic spot to catch live events. The mix of accessibility, atmosphere, and sound quality makes it a must-visit if you’re in Manchester. Just remember to plan ahead, especially with parking and food, and you’re in for a great time! 🎉

Went to see disturbed with my sister and daughter. I was really worried about queueing and standing because if mobility issues. However, the staff accepted my access card and were very helpful. The concert was brilliant and we all enjoyed it. My daughter started suffering from a migraine and the medical staff were understanding and got us sorted with paracetamol and water before it got too bad. I would definitely recommend seeing concerts here!

Went to Chatsworth for the Christmas markets, light trail and to see the house wonderfully decorated for Christmas. Really enjoyed the decorations in the house, which was a nature theme this year, bringing the outside in. The grandeur of the house is magnificent, with a great history, you can wander round at your own leisure. There are guides in every room who are friendly and very approachable ready to answer any questions you may have. There are lots of places to eat and drink and some nice gift shops, plenty of toilets and amenities for baby changing and people with disabilities. The grounds are extensive and well kept, I particularly liked the rock garden, which looked lovely lit up. The market is very good, with all the usual Christmas stalls, selling gifts and food/wine/ gin tasting, most off the stalls I did notice were card only, I did draw some cash out and ended up spending it in the gift shops. The ground the stalls are on is all got a ground cover on so not muddy. There is plenty of seating areas for when you grab a coffee or burger etc.

We enjoy visiting Chatsworth House. This time an art exhibition was on display, which changed the experience in a positive way. We don’t always get to see the animals, but we were able to this time around. The weather was great. The staff were helpful. We had a poke around the shops. A lovely day out. I would recommend to anyone, especially if you haven’t been before

Visited Chatsworth Christmas on the 23rd November. It was truly a lovely day. The Christmas market is excellent, very different from your average UK Christmas market. The quality of food, drink and products on offer was brilliant. Definitely visit the Scone hut, they are truly to die for. Chatsworth House Christmas display is outstanding and walking the garden just adds that extra dimension to a great day. Add in the gift shops and the overall atmosphere and you will not be disappointed. If you are local in Derbyshire then do one thing, go to Chatsworth, its a no brainer.

The Chatsworth Christmas ticket gives you access to the House, unlimited entry to the gardens for one day, and you can also access the Christmas market (which is free). It’s a lovely day out and well worth the ticket price. Be warned, food and drink inside is very pricey (but what do you expect?). I’d recommend the Stables for something lovely and warm that doesn’t break the bank.

Fabulous visit to chatsworth house & Christmas Market. Lovely stalls to look round. You will love the house with all the Christmas trees and the wonderful decorations. The walk round the gardens were just wonderful too. So worth a visit at this time of year.

An absolutely magical, Christmas experience! The house itself is mind blowing and each room makes you gasp with how much detail and care has gone into each and every decoration. It was laid out perfectly and even had sounds and scents through each experience. The gardens were beautiful to walk through and the Christmas markets were spectacular 😍 There was something for everyone to enjoy there! I cant wait to come back again next year 🎄✨️🎁

Bought tickets well in advance to visit the house and also the Christmas markets. My family enjoyed visiting the house, it's very easy to get around there are a few staircases which you need to navigate. As the visit is in preparation for Christmas there are lots of Christmas trees beautifully presented throughout and the staff are very helpful and informative. I thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas markets; having been to lots of busy public access Christmas markets like Manchester, Liverpool, York etc it was a fantastic relaxing experience to be able to walk around freely and visit the different vendors. Will certainly look at returning.

This time, I had the chance to visit the lounge of 9320. It offered hamburgers, hot dogs, fried fish, french fries, and some pies. The most impressive thing was the Asahi beer! The seats in the venue were quite comfortable. Although I'm not a fan of the City team, this venue experience was quite good.

Unbelievable stadium, but don’t expect a big atmosphere from the fans compared to other teams, except during the big games. If you’re going to a match, the leather seats between Blocks 121 and 131 are honestly the most comfortable ones you can book. Blocks 110 to 142 also have leather seats and are perfect if you want to focus on the match and enjoy the football. Just keep in mind that you’ll mostly be sitting among older fans there, so the vibe is usually calm. But if it’s your first time attending a big match and you want to feel the atmosphere, go for seats in Blocks 019 to 032 or 010 to 042. The seats there aren’t as comfortable, but you’ll definitely experience the best crowd energy when it’s a big game. If the weather looks rainy, make sure to wear a jacket or book seats higher up in the Level 100 or 300 sections for better cover. I had a great experience over the last three years in this stadium, and I really appreciate how easy it is to buy tickets through their official website. Based on what I know, there’s only one halal food option available inside the stadium, so it’s better to eat beforehand if you prefer halal meals. There’s also a small prayer room, which is a nice touch, but it would be great if they could add more prayer spaces in different stands or create a larger one that’s easier to access. That would definitely help reduce the crowding before matches or during halftime.

This was a great way to spend a few hours on the stadium tour. Funny and informative guides, really good atmosphere. Great to see where the players go about their match day rituals, through the tunnel club hospitality bar, into the gym and changing room, and right to pitch side. We even got the chance to sit in Peps chair pitch side and have photos with the man himself. Fantastic value for the price of the tickets, would highly recommend.

Had a fantastic day out ~ brought my son here for a birthday treat and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute.. Our tour guides (Tim and Mick) were amazing and very entertaining!!! Thank you for a great day, and we will definitely be back ⚽️🏆😎

Event staff at the Stadium were tremendously helpful for a 'black tie' charity fundraising event, couldn't have gone more smoothly - apart from two emergency evacuations, fortunately an hour before the first guests arrived! (False alarms but a good test of their processes by the security teams.) And, unusually, for Manchester, it wasn't raining (jj)! Result!

Iconic stadium. the travel in & out was streamline and immaculate. £5 burger inside were lethal too - wish I got 2 🙊

Arrived via the Manchester Metrolink tram (Etihad Campus stop—short walk). Turned up in the morning and found it closed until 10:00, so note that tours/City Store generally open from 10. This isn’t a public jogging venue like Jakarta’s GBK—no track access outside events—but the complex is clean, modern, and easy to navigate with excellent tram links. For match days, expect efficient security, contactless payments across kiosks, and a lively atmosphere around the concourse. On non-match days, book a stadium tour if you want more than exterior photos. Tips: come after 10:00, check fixtures/tour slots in advance, travel light due to bag restrictions, and use the tram for hassle-free access. Overall, a very impressive stadium even if you only have time for a quick look.

What a brilliant and beautiful place. I am a carer for a boy with disabilities who is not easily entertained or kept engaged enough to not want to leave place after 2 hours, Canon hall was different. Greeted by a lovely lady called Rebecca who scanned our ticket we booked online. Rebecca kindly and clearly explained about the pumpkin patch and the activities on the brochure given to you. Rebecca also gave me a great heads up about the free parking for care assistants - honestly really helpful annd genuine advice from her. The little boy I Look after enjoyed every section. - The goats -the sheep ( sheep racing was his favourite) - watching the cow get moved about - all the other animals -the two different park sections - the pumpkin patch -the pumpkin carving - anddddddd a soft play area ?!? We were spoilt for choice. Spent 4 hours here, could have been a lot longer if we didn’t have to get home. On our way out we also bumped into the lovely Rebecca again who interacted brilliantly with the little boy I look after and explained to us the best way to get out ( give that woman a raise she was great). Canon hall farm is a beautiful, scenic place to come to, and most staff are friendly and genuine. I recommend it highly 👍

I took my daughter there for her birthday and we loved it. We enjoyed seeing the animal. I watched a sheep race. They have a indoor area and outdoor area. They're really good the food was fresh and well served. I do recommend this place

The parking was really big and more than enough spaces. We pre paid online. The farm is fantastic, it's well set out and enough for all ages to enjoy. The animals are well looked After and the surroundings are well cared for. Love the farm shop. Definitely will be back again. You could take your own food and leave it in your car until needed, also cafe well laid out, clean and has a play area for. Kiddies.

Beautiful mature trees... plenty of space for dogs to run around and play off lead. Very dog-friendly all round! It can be busy on nice days, but there's plenty of parking, especially in the top car park. A great destination for family members of all ages.

This place has been on my bucket list for such a long time. What a gem! I could’ve have walked around three times instead of twice. Visited with my teenage son and hubby. We all loved it. Staff are friendly. The lemon drizzle style ice cream was AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS 😋 The chips are delightful. The shop was great. But the highlight for us all was all the fabulous animals. Piglets, chickens, sheep, meerkats, alpacas, Guinea pigs, reptiles, cows, goats, reindeer. I could go on and on. The animal feed was cheap and loved by the sheep and cows. I was disappointed that we couldn’t get closer to the animals but it was still a fantastic day and I didn’t want it to end. The paths are well maintained. The animals look so happy and well looked after. I was sad to leave, especially as we’d not seen farmer Dave or Rob, but maybe next time as I will be back.

Really enjoyed our visit here and so did the grandchildren who proudly left with their pumpkins, had cake and coffee in the lucky pup and really enjoyed that also, next time I will stay over at one of the local hotels and take a closer look at Barnsley. Really enjoyable visit and will be back.

What an excellent place to visit, will definitely be returning. The set up is great you have the chance to buy animal food and feed certain animals. It’s a great place to take the kids with lots for them to do. We ate in The White Bull and the food was amazing, the farm shop is also a great place to go with an extensive range of local produce. Well done Cannon Hall Farm.

Such a great interactive museum. My kids aged 5 7 and 11 all absolutely loved it. So much to see and do to keep them entertained. Dressing up, role play, interactive exhibits all ready to be touched and experienced. Eureka are also extremely helpful and accommodating to children on the spectrum. With resources there to support parents and children who may be overstimulated. We got there at 10 and left about 3 so a good chunk of the day. We took our own picnic and refreshingly for a museum they have both inside and outside picnic areas which is great. The only downside really is the price. They do have different discounts available but it can get quiet expensive for a larger family, although once you pay in you get a years membership so another plus

Went with my 9yo. I wouldn't say it is a full day out. We felt most of the museum is aim at 5 and under. We spent three hours here and did several of the attractions twice.. Personally would not say it was worth the £55 I paid..another thing I didn't realise was the car park is pay and display another £6 added to the day.. Lots of places to sit with a picnic. Cafe is as to be expected a little expensive.

Had a lovely day at Eureka and it was surprisingly easy to get to via Rochdale train station and when you get off the train, Eureka is right next to the station. My daughter was very wary of the ABOUT YOU section as it freaked her out but after we got her passed that she enjoyed the gaming room, Lego, drawing, play house exploring. Well worth a day out.

Amazing place! Every time we go it's a different adventure. My 3 and 6 year old love it and it doesn't matter how many time we go.

Myself and my 2 boys had a great time at Eureka. Having children with sensory needs can be challenging, however the staff at Eureka were so helpful. We were able to borrow headphones as I hadn't brought a set (not used too often but my eldest was struggling). They had themed backpacks too that you could borrow with sensory toys. Within minutes, my youngest became very dysregulated and one of the staff members took us to a quiet room. The room had a bubble fish lamp, toys, confortbale seating and a phone we could use if we needed anything. This was incredibly helpful. The rest of the day went smoothly and I would highly recommend Eureka to family's with children who have ASD and sensory needs!

I took my four year old to Eureka! recently given that I thought he’d enjoy it and the fact that it also states it’s an autism friendly venue. I’d say it is generally suitable for an autistic child, and for anyone who is disabled, and we saw lots of disabled visitors whilst we were there too. It was nice to be able to let my son wander and explore fairly safely and follow his lead. Whilst there were areas that my child was able to engage with, such as anything that had a button he could press or some of the more visual areas, there were probably too many simple buttons where it was just simple cause and effect rather than things that can be manipulated, moved or transformed in order to understand what they were trying to communicate. A large proportion of the attraction also relies on a child’s imaginary play ability, such as the small world area with the shop, bank and house, which is not always suitable for an autistic learner unless there are more physical or scaffolded elements to it. There could be more adaptations made for different types of learners in general. It was also a shame to not see any letters, numbers or shapes as part of the broader learning experience. More visuals paired with text would also be useful for some autistic learners in order to offer clarity. The area where there’s a ‘dark forest’ for example could have benefitted from text or audio instructions on how to play and interact with the attraction and would have helped my son to understand what to do. The toileting facilities were too scant, and the loud hand dryers are also an issue in terms of sensory sensitivities. The ‘change and feed room’ could have done with a toilet inside too where I could have changed both my four year old and five month old at the same time safely and without distraction or noise, and used the facilities myself. The outside area has an absolutely giant sand pit, which I think takes up space that could be put to better use.

Went here when I was 8 or 9 with primary school and I remember how cool it was. I'm 40 now and couldn't wait to take my lad. What the heck has happened to the place? It's not at all how I remember it. It's more like a creshé for toddlers not the interactive adventure filled fun experience I had when I was at school. My lad is only 6 and he was bored after 2 hours and so was I. There's a food court that was so busy there were no tables left. So we went to the picnic area and again no seats so we waited another hour to sit down and eat something. £18 each is a bit steep for what you get which unfortunately isn't much now. Coming back has ruined a good childhood memory and we Won't be coming back in a hurry sadly.

A great day out for all. Beautiful gardens, surrounded by stunning scenery and extraordinary sculptures. Well worth a visit. The gardens are situated in a valley so you need to be fairly fit to walk down and back but the slopes and steps make it possible even for older visitors.

Loved it here. Beautiful park full of loads of amazing sculptures. Lots of areas to explore. I particularly enjoyed the William Kentridge exhibition and the chapel too. Highly recommended and look forward to my next visit.

A random day out, selected by my daughter. I had never heard of the place but found it really enjoyable. The day we went was early November, very misty with a slight drizzle toward the end if our time, this actually made the atmosphere quite eerie. £9.50 entrance fee seemed fair. We only had a few hours so want to go back probably on a sunny day as there is a lot more to explore.

This has long been on my list and well worth it. I was bowled over with the exhibits, enjoyed myself even with the rain. Plenty of trees to shelter under. Huge park, the site map shows routes and distance, a few times I was disorientated needing some more signposts. I worked out I walked over 12k with my round trip and gallery walks. A fun Art Studio in the Underground Gallery with objects, paper and coloured pencils to create ones own art. Accessibility: Good, one room I thought was difficult due to the door and the gallery in the Chapel. Otherwise Lifts, Ramps and accessible Paths. Scooters and Wheelchairs for hire. Some hilly areas, and you need to get onto the grass to get close up to quite a few sculptures. Car Park: Not too far from the entrance with parking for disabled nearer. Staff: Friendly and helpful. Toilets: In the main building and another set in the park. Disabled loo.

Stunningly beautiful natural landscape with amazing works of art scattered all round in a sensitive way. Could spend all day there. The cakes in the cafe looked amazing too! Biscoff cookie sandwich, yes please!

Love this place for an amazing pit-stop whenever we have to drive south. The grounds and sculptures are first-rate anyway, of course, but the restaurant serves great food and the balcony has fantastic views over the rolling landscape. A nice meal and a stroll around here does a wonderful job of wiping out two hours of driving, ready for the second leg.

The sculptures are set in beautiful grounds and the sculptures are extremely varied. There are a number of location maps around the grounds but I feel where individual pieces are could be made more clear.

Very interesting in that is covers the entire Bronte family. Much more interesting than just their books. Enjoyed this much more than I expected. An added bonus is the cute town within which they lived

Wonderful museum. I'd wanted to visit for years and finally did recently. Spotting the parsonage from the exit/ back entrance of the church was such a magical moment. I really recommend getting your first glimpse there. The environs were so beautiful, what an appropriately magical atmosphere. The parsonage was delightful. Highlights were the piano, Anne's bloodied handkerchief, Branwell's painting of Emily, Charlotte's hair and dress, Maria's inscribed comb, and Patrick's glasses. I also loved seeing the apostle cupboard referenced in Jane Eyre. I'd been a fan for years but was unaware that their poor, elder sisters had been so close in age to them. That was really thought-provoking. I bought lots of things from the gift shop - my favourite of which were simple copies of a drawing of and by Anne, my favourite Brontë. The moors were to die for. Spectacular trip.

Wonderful visit to Howarth, Yorkshire, good scenery, fresh air, exercise and if you love the Brontë sisters like me, it's just a great reasonably priced day trip out from Manchester. Thought the bars , shops, goods, merchandising were interesting, some quirky, a few unique, but others, which were often the same but just in different shops , were a little over priced imo. And really only one reasonably affordable eatery, which i enjoyed a scone tea immensely

The Bronte's home ( The Parsonage ),a dedicated museum to the Bronte family. Interesting and in depth look into their life and times . Situated over two floors, with a shop and toilets at the rear. £13 standard adult entrance fee. Can get very busy on weekends and Bank Holidays.

I'm not a huge Brontë fan, I know their story and have read several of their novels and obviously seen a lot of adaptations and biopics, but I must admit to being a little disappointed by this museum. The best thing is knowing you're standing where they once stood, but a lot of the items are made up of recreations and copies of things that are held elsewhere or in private collections. The recreation of Branwell's study, overseen by Simon Armitage, is somewhat comical in its drunken-yet-brilliant-mind excess, and it always strikes me as odd how much is devoted to his lost genius, when there's literally three women who achieved right there, against the odds. At best, you can do the full tour of the house in under an hour, less if it's not busy (the rooms are small and the cordons only give you a finite space, so if there's more than two people in there, you have to wait your turn). The tour is self guided but staff are on hand should you have any queries. Have to say, on my visit some of the staff looked far from energised; their aura often seemed to be one of boredom and a desire to be elsewhere/invisible (to be fair it was around 2pm so lunch breaks may have been imminent) so there was a feeling of "please don't ask me anything". They may have also been annoyed at the two unruly children one party had, the adults of whom were doing nothing to control them. You are allowed to take photographs, but no flash if your wielding anything other than your phone. The last room explores the legacy of the sisters on film, but it's pretty basic, amounting to some film scripts and the odd photo. A more interactive experience, showing numerous clips from adaptations, perhaps with the original scenes from the novel accompanying in comparison, would be more interesting and likely to fire the imagination. The gift shop is well stocked, but you'll probably find similar in several shops on the main street, perhaps at a slightly lower price (though admittedly still inflated in comparison to other non touristy outlets; I was surprised to see pin badges going for £10 in one shop when similar would be £5 elsewhere). Toilets were clean, but the writing on the locks as small as that of the Brontës, making it difficult to know whether they're engaged. The grounds are lovely, overlooking the church and local allotments. Haworth is a lovely spot. Obviously if you are a Brontë obsessive, this is somewhere you have to visit, but for everyone else maybe not. That said, if you are in picturesque Haworth, it would be a shame not to visit. Price of admission is 13 pounds which may seem steep for such a middling experience, but it does give you access for twelve months. Then again, if you found it middling once, you probably wouldn't want to return

Brontë Parsonage Museum is well worth visiting if you are a fan of the famous novels from this family, or want to understand life in this area during the early to mid 1800s. Timed entry to minimize overcrowding in the small space of this house. The museum presents a close replication of the original kitchen, bedrooms, dining room, etc. Some items are original (e.g., Charlotte’s paintbox and spectacles). Each room has information about typical life in that space, including storylines about what the Bronte family members might have said and done on a typical day there. The last part of the exhibition shows information and artifacts from films and plays about the Brontës. I think more could be done to depict the life of this family, in particular, events and writing leading up to publication of the famous novels. Many relevant items are together in the latter part of the house (likely due to limited space elsewhere), but it seems clumped together rather than displayed in a way that systematically explains how the novels were conceived and came to fruition. My deepest impression is the difficult lives and poor health that challenged the Brontë sisters (and brother), which likely reflects how others in the community also endured in that era. The appeal of the Bronte parsonage is amplified by its picturesque location in the village of Haworth, which is a destination on its own. The graveyard beyond the Bronte home is also worth a look, although the Brontë family except Anne are buried under the church. Visited in late May 2025.

Beautifully curated and narrated exhibition. Really takes the visitor back in time. A fitting tribute to the Bronte family and their literary genius. The gardens are also absolutely beautiful. An excellent tribute to part of Yorkshire heritage. Thank you

I’ve been to many museums around the world, and this is definitely one of the best. The collection is astounding and there’s so much to see, you’ll need a whole day to do it justice. It’s great for all ages and you don’t need to have a particular interest in armies or weapons to enjoy your visit. The displays are beautifully arranged. The museum is free to enter and there are multiple free shows for kids and adults alike to enjoy throughout the day. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Leeds.

Fantastic day out. Loads to see and interact with. The historic role plays are very informative. A well stocked shop has plenty of items for all ages. If you fancy a snack and drink then the cafe has it all. There is a car park very close.

The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds is a treasure trove of history, offering a fascinating journey through centuries of arms and armour. The Royal Armouries itself dates back to the 15th century, originally serving as the national collection of arms and armour for the monarchy. Today, its Leeds museum houses this incredible collection, making it one of the UK’s most important historical institutions. The museum is divided into several impressive galleries, each highlighting different aspects of military history: • The Tournament Gallery showcases medieval European armour, including full suits worn by knights, ceremonial helmets, and weapons used in jousting and battle. It’s a striking insight into the skill, artistry, and traditions of the medieval period. • The War Gallery presents a chronological view of warfare through the ages, featuring firearms, muskets, and rifles alongside historical accounts that show how weaponry shaped battles and societies. • The Oriental Armour Gallery highlights arms and armour from Asia and the Middle East, offering a fascinating glimpse into the craftsmanship, styles, and cultures beyond Europe. The museum also features live demonstrations of swords, archery, and firearms, making history interactive and engaging for visitors of all ages. The exhibits are meticulously curated, providing context and storytelling alongside the stunning collection. Best of all, entry is completely free, allowing everyone to explore this incredible heritage without cost. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a student, or visiting with family, the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds offers a deeply educational and inspiring experience, celebrating the artistry, innovation, and history of arms and armour through the centuries.

A must if you're in Leeds. Free entry and four floors to explore with a ticketed seasonal exhibit on the top floor. Pieces of armour and weapons from all around the world and from many different time periods, arranged from oldest to newest. There is also a peace exhibit. Most of the Asian/African pieces are on the fourth floor, which was my favourite part of the museum. Live events happen throughout the day, tickets are available for seated positions with standing tickets free and first come first served. Showing up about twenty minutes before start time will almost guarantee you a seat but means you miss time in the museum. Modern building that is walkable from the corn exchange and main shopping district easily in about 15-20 minutes. I recommend the walk in daylight hours. There is also a water taxi service available that terminates near the entrance and a bus that gets you most of the way there, look online for full schedules and details.

I’ve been visiting the Royal Armouries in Leeds since I was a child, and it remains a timeless experience. Some of the exhibits are clearly veterans of many years, but they add to the charm of returning time and again. It’s a brilliant place for kids – the interactive displays bring history to life across different time periods without being frightening or sensationalised. One of the highlights, as always, is the magnificent elephant in its suit of armour – though I still don’t know how they manage to get it to stand so patiently all day while visitors admire it! My favourite exhibit was a temporary film and TV exhibit in 2008 which I visited with my high school history class and was able to view arms and armour from the critically acclaimed Lord of the Rings and Narnia feature films. On this visit, we enjoyed the temporary Roman Gladiator exhibition, which was well worth the small entry fee (the main museum remains free). A special mention to the kind lady at the desk who offered concession entry for NHS/Blue Light card holders – much appreciated. The museum could benefit from clearer signage, as it’s quite easy to lose oneself in the vast collection. I was a little bemused to find Steven Gerrard among the Tudor plate armour, but equally delighted to see Princess Diana represented in the peace exhibit – a thoughtful touch. The visit finished, as always, with a trip through the extensive and tempting gift shop. Overall, the Royal Armouries is a wonderful museum, full of history, surprises, and memories – well worth visiting, whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth.

A wonderful place to visit. Free entry. Lots and lots of exhibitions covering many centuries. We spent couple of hours in here but needed much longer. It’s really well spaced out, so even though it was busy it wasn’t cramped. Air con was very welcome. Kids loved the show that was on. Lots and lots to do and see and it’s set at leeds dock which is also a fab place to visit

Go early to catch as many shows as you can. We were there only able to catch the last 2 shows of the day. Hall of steel is an amazing hall to awe. A showcase in a gallery called Make Belief includes knife crime which is important for kids nowadays. A display on peace is too tug away. Though it is free admission, they seem keen on gaining donation to support the operation.

Great british pub awards dinner held at this arena. The arena is very substandard. No toilets on the event floor level. Causing havoc for women in heels. Really poor toilets. Lights missing, door missing on the men's. These are basics. For am awards dinner you would expect a venue that is able to cope with a certain level of customer expectation. Security staff were very polite and ok point. If you are looking to host a formal dinner or expecting a women in heels and men who like lights and doors in toilets. This is not the venue for you.

Has been there for Simply Red concert. Well organised everything was on time. Not impressed with t- shirt prices but I think that maybe the band indication. Good acoustic. Overall good experience.

We went to see Simply Red in September. We paid £175 per head for the North Gallery. It was a mixed bag. The photos are what you see from where it is. If you have the choice between the back few rows that are high up and the gallery, take the latter. If the cost difference isn't huge. The view of the stage is unobstructed, but if you want to see the artist up close, you may want to avoid this. The description of it sells it as more of a suite or corporate box. It's not, you'll pass those on the way. It's essentially a self-contained, tiny corridor with around 15 barstools, each with limited space to move or dance. There is a dedicated waitress service, and she was lovely, although you receive one token each for a complimentary drink. I had a Diet Coke, which half-filled the glass. I inquired and was told they only served 330ml bottles of Coke, hence it was half full. It didn't look good and didn't sit well with us. Subsequently, 2 alcoholic drinks and the Coke cost me £23. The toilets are immediately outside, so instantly accessible. The kitchen apparently closed at 20:30 - it may not always be so - which seemed a bit like the DC. For about 10 - 15 max people, at least offer cold snacks or sandwiches. Maybe they do, but if so, we weren't told. The external entrance to the VIP area is clearly visible and well signposted, with a dedicated lift providing direct access upstairs. If the cost wasn't significantly higher than the high rows, we would use it again. Obviously, that's an individual judgement call. On the other hand, we felt somewhat short changed. There was certainly no wow factor. But it was ok.

We had a fantastic night watching Busted vs. McFly on Sunday. I love this arena because it's set up so there aren't really any 'bad' seats, everyone has a good view of the stage. Getting in through security, getting drinks and toilets were so smooth it was a dream. I need to say a HUGE SHOUTOUT and thank you to the wonderful lady who was stewarding section 329, you really made our night in spite of some miserable concert goers. PSA, if you don't want to have a good time, don't go to a concert of a 00's boy and and ruin it for everyone else.

I have only visited the First Direct Arena in Leeds once and that was to see Chris Rock live. I got parked near the venue were pretty cheap, with a really pleasant surprise that right next to the arena, there were plenty of food options outside of the venue so you don’t have to buy expensive drink or snack in the venue itself if you choose to. The arena itself is pretty big, and spaced out quite nicely so you aren’t feeling claustrophobic when sitting down or getting up to walk around the arena for the interval. Overall, I would recommend it, and I will make a trip back here one day.

Great venue, we came here for the first time to watch John Bishop. The drink prices are very expensive for 6.90 for a large soft drink is absolutely scandalous. But the venue itself is good. Only not a 5 due to extortionate drink and food pricing

Visited on 7 Nov to see Peter Kay. We booked premium tickets which included a meal. This meant we could enter earlier than the normal door opening time and through a dedicated entrance. We were taken straight to our table where we enjoyed champagne and a tasty 3 course meal. With this package, your table is yours for the whole evening so you are not rushed to finish your meal and you can return to it for the interval. There are also dedicated restrooms with Molton Brown handwash, a lovely touch! For the performance, you enter the arena through an internal door, so no queueing and then you can show your ticket to return back through at the interval. There is a private bar with lots of staff so queueing is minimal but you can also preorder interval drinks. We did this and they were waiting on our table when we got there. Highly recommend this premium experience, all staff were excellent throughout, our server was fantastic (table 40), and security staff were also great. It was so great to see Peter, years after we originally booked and worth the wait x 🙏💙🇯🇵👁🤣

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Malham Cove is stunning! The limestone cliff is incredible to see up close, and the walk to the top is definitely worth it for the amazing views. The limestone pavement at the top is unique and really special. A great place for walking, exploring, or just taking in the scenery. Peaceful, beautiful, and unforgettable – highly recommend a visit! It is a bit of a trek and quite tiring!

Hard to know where to begin with a place like this. From the first glimpses of the cove on the approach to the views from the limestone pavement at the top, every step is a feast for the senses. Before you head straight for the top check out the glade at the base of the cove first. Almost surreal in it's beauty, it is the sort of place you never really want to leave, and in a sense I never will having carried a bit of it away with me in memory. Every step up towards the top provides sweeping vistas of the surrounding countryside to enjoy. Not the easiest of walks, had to take advantage of several opportunities to rest on the way. The reward for your efforts though is worth it. An otherworldly landscape of limestone slabs and the deep fissures between them. Mind your footing as you cross but make sure you fully explore everything (views and all) that the top has to offer. An absolute must see destination in its own right. Put this on your to do list now if it's not already there.

We arrived around 9am and there was some free car parking on the road. The main car park was full. Public toilets are clean with signs regarding routes. We did the circular route which was great for mixed ages but is moderate. Beautiful scenery. Nice cafes at the start and finish for a cuppa and slice of cake.

This is Mother Nature at its best!! Absolutely breathtaking scenery once you’ve reached the top. The limestone pavement is a marvel and the views across the Dales is spectacular!! Our dog loved the walk!! There’s a number of steps, sometimes uneven, so be careful. But it’s worth the climb to get there!!

Parked at the visitor centre, 2+ hours £6 ,pay by card only. Toilets and a little shop in the VC. Tea shop and pub within 2 mins walking. Walked to Janet's Foss in approx. 25 mins, then continued onto Malham Cove. This part is uphill but not overly difficult. Circular walk, we took it easy and completed it in just over 2 hours. Lovely views. Take a camera.

Malham Cave is a stunning natural wonder with breathtaking rock formations and scenic surroundings. The walk up to the cave is refreshing, and the views are worth every step. A peaceful spot perfect for nature lovers, hikers, and photographers. Truly a must-visit when exploring Malham.

A well kept beautiful landmark that's easy to access thanks to the large car park in the village. Perfect for a moderate length walk if you want to ascend the steps, but just as nice to look at from the bottom of the rocks.

Loved it here. It was my first visit and the gardens are truly beautiful. Plants and trees are well established and currently displaying autumn colours in all their glory. Well worth visiting here. It's also worth converting your day ticket into an annual membership.

Went to go to bettys tea room as we had never been and WOW! Those pastries were out of this world. I had a vanilla slice which was the best I’ve ever had. Partner has a scone and he loved it. That had a lovely walk round the gardens and it was just stunning. The pictures don’t do it any justice.

What a wonderful place to visit, within walking distance of the centre of Harrogate! I came here on a coach trip, and stayed about two and a half hours. A lady at the entrance greeted us and gave us all a free map, which I found very helpful. Adult admission is £16.80 (it's £12.50 if you pre-book online), 5-16's get in for £5, and under-5's and RHS members go free. Lots of free parking. The garden is extensive, with well maintained tarmac and gravel paths, and a few hilly parts and steps, but most of it is wheelchair accessible, and you can hire a wheelchair or scooter at the entrance. Harlow Carr is a delight to explore, with colourful flower borders, a streamside walk, sandstone rock garden, lily ponds, a small lake, wildflower meadows, an arboretum, and much more. It all looked beautifully kept, the plants clearly labelled. I particularly loved strolling through woodland filled with lovely rhododendrons, azaleas, and other flowering shrubs, and relaxing on a swing bench among palms and exotic plants in the subtropical garden. There are plenty of wooden benches and shelters, picnic areas, toilets at the entrance and dotted around the garden, and a children's adventure playground and tree house in the woods. Three cafes, a garden centre and two gift shops. Betty's Tea House is the ideal place to chill: great view of the garden, and a good selection of drinks, cakes and sandwiches. The coffee was very good. Did not get to see all the gardens (you need at least three hours), but I thoroughly enjoyed wandering around them and getting close to nature. Will definitely come again!

Absolutely recommend. We got there by bus and there is a stop right off of the grounds which made it convenient. (Be sure to ask for the discount for not driving when you pay for entry. I think it’s 30% off for taking the bus or walking or biking). The cafe had a nice variety. The garden was extensive and so beautiful. Tons of space to lay out a blanket and enjoy the day. Def recommend staying for at least 2 hours (minimum) but you can spend the entire day here.

This place is a gem! Judging by the car park a lot of people already know. As to be expected, the gardens were beautiful and more plants than you can shake a stick at. There is a Betty's cafe right at the entrance and another inside, the food is homemade and very nice. Staff are very helpful and pleasant. You can hire a mobility scooter if required. It seems a little pricey for entrance fee.....but where isn't? However they have a number of exceptions which can reduce the cost. Not knowing what to expect prior to entry my wife and I were pleasantly surprised. I would highly recommend.....go early!

Beauty and peace here at all times of the year. My kids love it. Well worth the annual membership if you live nearby as it's not cheap for a single visit. Staff are always excellent. Lots of good gift ideas in the shops.

A fabulous place to visit. We go every season so much to see and its wonderful watching the newer projects as they develop. Plenty of places to eat and drink at reasonable prices. Though if you want to splash out there is always an option to visit Bettys Tea room and shop. Play area for the children and plenty of seating to relax in.

Visited on a Sunday. Easy to find, well signposted, plenty of parking. The routes were easy to follow and there are wider routes available if you eish to go off piste a bit. Dogs allowed on a lead. The rocks themselves fascinating to look at and you can climb most if you wish. It was a bit busy for my liking but worth a visit.

Great place to visit with kids to get them away from a computer/phone screen to enjoy nature, to play hide and seek amongst the rocks. I remember my parents taking me and my siblings to play and how much fun we had back in the day. Our most recent visit saw families doing exactly what we did, spending quality time together.

Brilliant place for an active day out. It goes without saying that it can be rather precarious when climbing so be sure to dress appropriately. Dog friendly, plenty of space for a picnic, a few on site food trucks and thats all you'll need. They do charge to use the onsite car park, but it was only a few Pounds for the whole day. You're also close to Ripon, which is a nice place to swing by afterwards or you can walk to the Rocks from there if you're able!

What an awesome place. It’s massive with a maze of twisting paths and interesting rock structures, lovely heather and ancient oak trees. It’s a perfect place to bring kids for a runabout and picnic. The car park is national trust so be a member or expect to pay a lot to park. There’s an asphalt path through the rocks that makes it easy for wheelchairs and pushchairs to see the rocks. Enjoy!

A lovely place for a chilled walk especially if you have kids. They can have a lot of fun climbing rocks with varying difficulty. Site is nicely set up with parking and have manned booths for information as well as I've cream stalls.

Well worth a visit. Especially for outdoor adventure. Lots of climbing, walking and fresh air. Little cafe, clean toilets and visitors centre with information. Plenty of parking and a really unusual sight with spectacular views.

Incredible landscape of sandstone rock formations of myriad shapes and sizes, most situated on open ground, with some hidden in lush woodland. Brimham Rocks comprises one of the largest areas of rock formations in the UK, with some spectacular examples of large rocks balanced on narrow bases, towering stacks, and a multitude of amazing shapes. The area also benefits from superb panoramic views over miles of surrounding countryside, overlooking the town of Harrogate and landmarks including Drax Power Station and RAF Menwith Hill. The site is well managed by the National Trust, with plenty of paid parking (free for members), and a refreshments kiosk and toilet facilities at the centre of the reserve. The main paths are well surfaced and provide easy access to some of the biggest rocks, buildings and trig point at the centre of the area, but to see everything you'll need to negotiate some narrower, steeper trails. The area's accessibility and close proximity to Harrogate means it can get very busy on weekends, particularly during peak season, so I'd advise arriving first thing in the morning if you prefer a quieter visit. I've seen striking rock formations in widespread locations including Staffordshire, Sussex and Fife, but no other individual location has matched the variety and extent of Brimham Rocks. A unique place, and a must see for landscape photographers and those with an interest in geology. I spent a bit over 3 hours exploring every corner of the area.