I have visited the NEC Multiple times over the years for insomnia gaming festival & always found the venue to be clean, plenty of toilets and huge venue that can hold a massive capacity. Get in here is very simple, but the word of warning I do give people is to book parking in advance as if you don’t, it can be quite expensive. If you do book an advance, it costs around £5 for the day which isn’t bad at all considering you will probably be at the venue for sometime. The NEC Provides such a huge variety of shows and I really do like the venue, I do recommend this place.

Birmingham NEC must be one of the best places in UK for professional events for businesses. I went for the labs exhibition and particularly water purification systems. Happy days as the actual company I had been dealing with was there and made it much easier to understand what it was i needed. Rather than what I thought I needed. Good follow up and learned a few new things while there. Easy parking. Shuttle busses every ten minutes. Food and beverages in the halls. Enjoyed the day. Got what I needed from it.

Great exhibition space, well organised, right next to Birmingham International station and airport (with a short ride on the airport shuttle). Plenty of toilets, including accessible ones and changing places, with lifts and ramps between levels. There is a large shopping centre just 5min walk away for even bigger choice of restaurants. The Classic Motor Show is a great event for the autumn, when all open air vehicle displays wind down. Reserve the whole day or two, as you won't like to leave! Don't miss the halls 7-8, as it's easy to overlook them. Thank you, Classic Polonia for your great display!

NEC: A Review The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham is a truly massive venue with a surprising amount of space. I recently attended the Gravity exhibition and was impressed by the center's accessibility and efficiency. Getting to the NEC was incredibly easy, with direct access from the motorway, which is a huge plus. What really stood out, however, were the fast-moving queues. For a center of its size, they've clearly mastered the flow of people, making entry a breeze. Overall, the NEC is a well-designed and highly efficient venue that makes attending large events a pleasant experience. Its ease of access and quick-moving queues are a testament to its excellent management.

We are so lucky to have such a colossal exhibition centre only and hour away from us. We went to motorcycle live show which was fantastic, all the latest machines for next year. At the same time there was two other events on at the NEC which just shows how massive and versatile this place really is.

Nice place to dwell on the past. Had a bit of a market on inside.. sadly I couldn't get past the helmet stand.. They also had guest speakers too.. Henry Cole and the main man Alan milnyard. Few other events on too.. got a bit to packed, so left for a coffee across the way.

Great day out at the bike show,my friend has booked a few test rides out on a few bike he likes, there were a few bikes I liked, which surprised me, the India FTR 1200 and a Dot which I thought was the best bike their, never seen one before, look them up ( Dot motorcycles ) they're not cheap but if you had one you'd soon have crowd around you, I think they start about 20k up.

Great venue. Attended to see the BK fighting, which was surprisingly civilised, clean and well laid out. Toilets were very accessible and the staff pleasant. The only issue was the ridiculous price of £9.25 for a pint.

I went to BP Pulse Live for Bryan Adams and it was an unforgettable night! The sound and atmosphere were amazing, and the whole event felt so well organised. I also saw Boyzone here before, back when the venue had a different name, and it’s great to see how it has only improved over the years. A brilliant place for live music and creating special memories!

Really enjoyed the concert that we attended here. We didn’t hit any big queues and everything was very well organised. Pretty much straight in, quick check and scan of the tickets. Seats were easy to find and the staff were helping and pointing in the right direction too. On booking I thought we would be really far from the stage but actually on arrival it looked much closer than expected. I would definitely book other things here!

great venue! highly recommend getting the premium tickets if you can, the lounge is lovely, you get two free drinks, parking passes and we didn't have to queue at all to get in. all the staff were lovely! could have done with more merch stands as the queue was very long. with the premium tickets there was an option to order merch and they'll bring it to you, but it wasn't the full selection. overall a lovely experience, and twenty one pilots was the best concert ever.

Visited for Horse of the year show. Facilities inside were good, and the show was amazing. The £20 parking charge was a bit steep when you considered what had already been paid for the event tickets. Sadly excessive charging for parking at captive events (theme parks, concerts etc) is becoming increasingly common and a pet hate of mine!

Great arena, I had a nice experience there! I went for a Louis Tomlinson concert back in November 2023, and the staff really honoured the queue numbers — which is very rare —, by putting us in order before getting into the venue. I got a good spot really close to the barricade and enjoyed the concert to the fullest.

Premium hospitality for WWE Raw Overall the experience was fantastic Food, service, drinks, seating, decor was all absolutely to the level I expected However I'm only giving a 4 star review as doors where delayed by 40 minutes and for the price of the ticket I find that utterly unacceptable

Award winning Victorian Gardens, plus a coffee shop, sensory garden, a hothouse and events restaurant, a lake, monuments,a boating lake, ancient trees. Changing colourful flower beds . So picturesque. Art in the Park exhibition etc. Years ago the very lovely Victorian gardens used to hold a fantastic light-show. Thousands of people used travel by coach to visit. This year a small laser light show and an exhibition in the Parish Church, marked the past exotic, extravaganza. Leamington Spa is a great place to visit. Over 200 restaurants and coffee shops. Voted friendliest place to live in England several times. I've lived here for nearly 40 years. And yes, it truly is an exciting place.

The Jephson family have been making the Royal family's underwear for over six hundred years. Each item is individually hand monogramed and every item is hand made by true underwear masters. It's said that Princess Margaret was the only member of the family not to wear the Jephson brand but this has been dismissed by those in the know as a rumour started by a rival to Jephson pants. Prince Edward is particularly fond of the Jephson boxer shorts and has dozens of pairs in multiple colours. The gardens were named after the family in recognition of their undercracker achievements in 2004.

Jephson Gardens is a beautifully maintained park in the heart of Leamington Spa. The gardens are full of colorful flowers, peaceful walkways, and lovely fountains, making it perfect for a relaxing stroll. The river views and glasshouse add extra charm to the setting. A calm and scenic spot that showcases the town’s natural beauty — simply delightful!

Such a beautiful park in the heart of Royal Leamington Spa. Well kept gardens with floral displays and gorgeous mature trees. Lovely lake with an array of water birds. To top it off there's a lovely cafe that has great coffee and nice nibbles. Plus, toilets nearby.

Lovely place well worth a visit. Clean tidy and beautiful disability and autism friendly, lovely gallery and glasshouse was nice. Sensory garden was a bit tired and needs work but will definitely visit again.

Great place for a picnic and a family day out. Lovely gardens with a fountain and also chance to ride on a boat along the river. A walking suspension bridge to access the play area and the boat hire place. Easy access to a car park too at Rossfield street.

Huge, well maintained public garden includes green house garden aka Glass house as well. Surprisingly, never visited before despite in a way everyday..and my chance or serendipity took to this excellent public place..backside is Mills Bridge another epic small cute vintage one which connect to road on back.

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!

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!

Great artefacts with areas for improvement. Visited on Wednesday, 03rd September 2025. Booked our free entry tickets in advance and paid for parking in advance, as there is a discount. There is a suggestion you make a voluntary contribution, but having had snacks and a sandwich and parking for circa £50+ you may want to hold fire as they get you one way or another. Easy to find, but watch you don't accidentally pull into the operational base, which is in advance of the museum entrance. There appears to be a dedicated train station a stone's throw from the entrance, and plenty of parking. As I say, parking is chargeable, which is unusual for a site where the parking has no alternative purpose. There is an entry building and 3 airframes to visit around the car park. The description boards for these airframes are completely faded and cracked, which is a shame. Once inside the entrance building, there is a café with a convoluted mobile ordering system and a very limited range of hot food options, but what there is inc chilled is way overpriced. There is a decent little shop opposite as well as toilets. Once through this building (you walk through to the rear, which is un-signposted and feels a little strange) or leave from the entrance and walk around the building. Behind the building, you come across a Nimrod, which wasn't open on my visit, as well as a PBY and Neptune. Again, faded signage felt strange compared to the money spent on the entrance building. You then enter a RAF 100 building, a Second World War display and then the massive but poorly designed Cold War Hangar. The first 2 hangars are brilliant and display stunning examples of airframes and artefacts brilliantly, but the Cold War Hangar is awful. The 3 V Bombers are located in it, but due to the lack of an elevated walkway, you have access to both the equivalent Fleet Air Arm Museum and Duxford; you can't really see the airframes at their best, as everything is crammed in, due in part to the frankly stupid style over substance shape of the building. Not aided by the last third of the building being closed off for no valid reason, it appeared. Still a wonderful museum, but with scope for improvement.

Having visited a number of millatry museums Cosford rates high on the list for the range of exhibits, organisation and value for money. Entrance is free with a donation requested but this can be as little as you wish so when added to the,£,7.50 car parking fee it's a really cheap day out for a family. On the subject of car parking there is plenty of space and it's all accessible for less able folks. If the weather is good or you just like aircraft there are plenty of outside displays and on specific days some of these are opened up to visitors to tour inside. Some of these are the largest examples of types like the Hercules, Nimrod and Shakelton. There is a play area for younger children all served by accessible paths. There are a number of halls displaying a huge variety of aircraft from world war one through prototypes of experimental models, to early examples of current aircraft. There are also some armoured vehicles and static displays. Interactive wise you can make a virtual reality parachute jump, fly a red arrow, sit in a Spitfire (and other types) cockpit and learn how mankind almost wiped itself out in the cuban crisis. The cafe has a reasonably priced menu selling hot and cold food and drinks and ther is plenty of seating in a clean well laid out eating area. All in all a great day out at great value.

Thus museum is very interesting. It shows some of the same exhibits as its counterpart in London but it has unique exhibits you will not see in London. For example it has vehicles, like cars. It even has an German Leopard tank. Some of the exhibits are American and Eastern Block aircraft. I visited both RAF museums and they are both great.

Amazing day out at the Royal Airforce Museum at Hendon, not tje midlands as titled bu Google! Some great planes there, free entry too! You just need to go online and book your entry. A great day out for any aircraft fan with plenty of historic war planes and accessories, well presented and very helpful staff. Coffee shop/restaurant/canteen and shop on site. All in all a great day out!

This is a superb museum and has such a great variety of aircraft on display. The information boards were very informative and takes you through the history of the aircraft on display. The cafe was clean and service was good even though it was busy. Enterance to the museum is free, just the parking to pay for. Thanks for a great visit, will be definitely returning again 👍

Amazing experience, went on a school trip where all staff were extremely impressed making me want to go on my own. Staff are very knowledgeable, lots of different planes and other items there, everything is well looked after. Tickets are free so just have to pay 7.50 for parking which as the you dont pay to enter you can't complain.

Excellent museum and extremely well curated. All sorts of Aircraft and history background to the various political and social history of the time. The Vulcan and cold war and fall of the east west divide is excellent particularly for those of us that grew up in that time it's all very poinent very reasonable parking fee that acts as a donation as the museum is free entry

We visited this attraction for the first time and it did not disappoint. In fact, it was better than expected, with the whole family enjoying the beautiful animals and stunning gardens and castle. We were surprised how much it had to offer. Many varieties of animals, big to small, cute to scary and everything else in between! The gardens themselves were absolutely amazing, it was a pleasure to walk around all day, soaking it in. There were also a number of playgrounds for the kids a long the way and we all loved the chair lift. - We managed to get over 20,000 steps! The facilities were a little dated (restrooms and restaurant) but functional and offering what you would expect. Overall, good value for money for a family of 4, will likely visit again if we are in the area.

Good selection of animals, enjoyed photographing them all. The site is on quite a hill, and there are lots of hills and steps. Land train is useful for getting to the top. Some areas are rejuvenated and look great, other areas look tired. We had eaten before arriving, which I am glad we did, as food prices were very expensive. £5.50 for a sausage roll is too much.

I visited Dudley Zoo and Castle with my wife and two kids, and we had a great time. There’s plenty to see and do, and all the animals looked healthy and well cared for. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout the day, and the grounds were clean and well maintained. The castle grounds are particularly impressive, with lots of interesting information about the site’s history. It’s a long day out, but there’s enough variety to keep everyone entertained. A couple of small downsides – the signage could be clearer, as it was sometimes difficult to get your bearings even with the map. The food was also quite disappointing and expensive: a £6.50 burger was just a plain patty in a bun, with no salad, sauces or cheese, and the chips were cold. The main café building itself looks quite tired and could do with a refresh, though I can understand that much of the money rightly goes towards the care of the animals. Overall, I’d definitely recommend visiting, but I’d suggest bringing your own food or picnic to make the most of the day. It’s a great family outing with a lovely mix of wildlife, history, and scenic views.

Dudley Zoo is a great day out in any weather! The membership is amazing value, and the new playground is fantastic. We went most recently on a grey, rainy day and still saw the tiger, lions, lynx, giraffes, arctic foxes, owls, red pandas, flamingoes, giant tortoises, lemurs, penguins, meercats, all the reptiles, wolverines, geladas and much more. Great fun for children and adults alike. Also love the BSL signs up on some of the animal enclosures.

This zoo and castle combination is a nice place to visit. The enclosures for the animals are suitable and they seem well looked after. I got some great views and photos. You can see Lions, Tigers, Red Pandas, Giraffes, Tapir, Lemur, various monkeys so there's a lot to see. There is a fun chairlift and a few rides. The buildings are not in great condition, but it does have a certain kind of charm. My impression is that this zoo will not last forever, and no one will build a zoo in a castle grounds again, visit while you can.

A fantastic day spent here. Loads of animals to see. Went to the bird of prey talk/display. It's really interesting & well worth doing. History of the castle was great to discover. Would definitely recommend this place to visit.

Absolutely fantastic time at Dudley Zoo. We went on a Thursday afternoon and it was really quiet. The non-zoo animals were baking in the sun, it would have been nice to see bowls of water out for them (the birds and so on). Great selection of wild animals, absolutely beautiful.

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.

Loved it, was a lot of fun, even as an oldie. Would loved to have seen more of the factory and some more of the history of cadburys. Also has a lovely afternoon tea while we were there. Please take your time to look and use all the activities or you will be out in less than 2 hrs but saying that I think the entry fee is reasonable.

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.

It's not just about chocolate (although that's rather a key theme …) but also about how the workers were treated. Very well. A quite interesting self-paced tour. Three free (well, included in the admission price) bars of chocolate for each guest, plus a sample towards the end of the tour. Then there's the museum to see, too. Oh, and the shop, just in case you haven't already got enough chocolate.

Fun, historic town. Lots of great little shops that have been used to fill lots of the buildings with authentic businesses from around 1900. In proper dress and character docents. Terrific stop for anyone driving through ironsgate village. Super nice area for kids to play and experience what it was like 125 years ago. Loved this place, but too many stores had no one to explain what you were looking at. The fish and chips were fresh and delicious

A truly wonderful, insightful visit. It was amazing revisiting as an adult after coming here as a child, what a fantastic experience to share with my 13 year old son, who was just as impressed as I was. A huge mention to the wonderful staff who make this experience incredible. Every member of this team from the reception throughout all the staff who are in full Victorian character are absolutely amazing. A real credit to this set up are you guys. You were all so welcoming, engaging, knowledgeable and totally endearing. What a fantastic landmark we have and to share such an incredible part of our history. It makes us and you feel proud of our heritage. Thankyou 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Really enjoyed our visit to Blists Hill Victorian Town. I haven’t been here since I came with my primary school, so glad to see it’s still as amazing at 23 as it was back when I was 8 (I walked in and remembered the layout and the fun memories of my school trip there, if that doesn’t speak volumes of how amazing this place was and has continued to be then I don’t know what could) . Went as a family day out with our dog, we were amazed at how dog friendly it was, out of everything there were only two places we couldn’t go with our dog which was no bother and completely understandable (sweet shop & bakery). The animals located in the town were well cared for and friendly with knowledgable handlers who were more than happy to answer questions, clearly knew the animals likes and dislikes and spoke fondly of their quirks showing a love and dedication for their four legged cast members. Our favourite Victorian character was the local police man (and his “cousin” singing in the pub - who was a very good singer). We met him on our way in and straight away were greeted with a welcoming warmth before he directed us towards our first stop of the day the post office for our very own dog licence which was decently priced as were a lot of items sold in their other shops around the town. My mum’s favourite activity was George’s carriage ride. The beautiful boy took us both and our dog around the town, he looked happy and well taken care of which as long term animal people it was a joy to see him comfortable and enjoying his work. My favourite stop off was the last one of the day for us. It was the printing shop which we visited after having a ride around the town in George’s carriage. Inside the printers we were taken through the different printers, how they are used to help create prints for the village and answered our questions from possibilities of injuries to how the different printers work in terms of changing letters, sizing of letters etc (it looked like a lot of fun and now I wish I could own one). we came away with a couple of notebooks and a postcard that fit perfectly in with Halloween. We will definitely be looking at Blists Hill Victorian Town for future day trips out, and we hope next time we visit we’re in the season for the use of the fair ground as it would have been lovely to have seen those in use.

Wow..What a excellent Victorian Town Everything as it was back in the day. You feel like you're in the Victorian Era. I got myself a one off adult single ticket, £27 Oct 2025 prices, you can buy a multiple pass to see other extractions which works out cheaper in Ironbridge area. It started with a short guided tour at 11.30 with Emily, She was so friendly, kind and so enthusiastic and told us all along short history about the town. The Town itself has shops,Bank, butchers ,bakery, clothing shop and a forerunner to WH Smith with a post office, and plenty of other shops. And don't forget to have a sing song at the pub on the corner The mine as well is a great reminder about how hard it was to work here and the forge, and the tile factory. The houses are open so as you enter you will find now and again a person dressed up and he or she will tell you about the house. There's a few places to eat and have hot/cold drinks. I had a trip as well in the carriage with George the shire horse pulling us around the town. The car park, you pay on exit ,just make a note on what time you actually park. I paid ( £6 for 5hrs, Oct 2025 prices) A must visit while you're are in the area of Ironbridge.

I visited Blists Hill Victorian Town about 20 years ago, and it was great to come back and see how it’s changed. It’s still a fun and educational day out! I loved the traditional fish and chips from the old-fashioned chippy and the Victorian-style photos. It’s a shame you can’t get some of the old-fashioned sweets they used to have, but we really enjoyed the singalong around the piano in the pub which was definitely a highlight of the day.

Definitely would recommend visiting Blists Hill. We spent numerous hours with our 10yr old son and he loved it as did we. I’d suggest going on a dry day as there is lots of walking outdoors and the fish and chip shop should you choose to go to doesn’t have indoor seating. Staff were all very pleasant and knowledgeable. Well worth the visit.

Visited for the Blists Hell Halloween event The spooky atmosphere was fantastic the setting and ambience were really well done and made for a really eerie vibe. Of the few scare actors I managed to see, those I did encounter were absolutely brilliant especially the clown with the balloons, the plague doctor, and the Nosferatu-style vampire. They really brought the event to life and deserve a lot of credit. Unfortunately, the event was let down by overcrowding. It was difficult to see everything due to the sheer number of people, and the queues were SO long. I queued 45 minutes for fish and chips, and another 20 for the bakery, not the fault of the vendors, but a clear sign of how overcrowded the event was. There were quite a few intoxicated and stumbling guests, which did feel inappropriate given how many young children were present. At one point, several areas were closed off due to fire alarms, which caused a lot of confusion and crowding. The movement of the crowd during that time was very chaotic almost like a stampede and raised concerns about how well safety was being managed. Finding staff was also hard with so many visitors in full costume, it was hard to tell who was part of the team. The atmosphere was affected by some rude behaviour from other attendees pushing swearing, and a general lack of courtesy. While the event itself had potential, the crowd size and lack of control made it hard to enjoy. Wouldn't rush back but that has more to do with the overcrowding and rude attendees than the event.

A nice little museum, it only took 15 minutes to walk around and read all the information boards. It was worth visiting to find a little history out on the Ironbridge. There was a shop too. You can walk over Ironbridge and see the river and take in the lovely scenery. Then you have the shops, cafés, etc. Ironbridge is a great place to visit.

The Toll House sits opposite the the village at the end of the Ironbridge that spans the river Severn. The ironbridge was the world's 1st iron bridge built in 1779 and is a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. Set in this beautiful village that has attracted visitors from around the world for many years. Today crossing the bridge is free. So you can marvel at this amazing structure from on top or the path below besides the river Severn. Loads of gift shops and a few cafes are available close to the bridge. We'll worth the visit and the only cost was the car parking. At this time of year its great as the village and bridge arnt packed with loads of visitors. Would definitely recommend for all the family.

Marvellous little free museum at the end of the famed Iron Bridge. Used to be the Toll House for the bridge and it has an interesting history. I liked the highlighted fact that ferry operators who had been put out of business by the bridge were exempt from the Tolls. Anyway being a Toll House it is very small but it is full of interesting information boards about the bridge and surrounding area. It has a two floors and is well kept and immaculate. Lovely friendly helpful staff too, namely Laura and Mell (see I did remember). It has a small shop as well. Well worth a visit!

We popped in here yesterday (15/6/25) very interesting exhibition. The chap that was staffing the place chatted to us for ages, he was so interesting and informative about the bridge and the local area, he was brilliant. A man perfectly fitting his job.

Great little free museum on the history of the Ironbridge & of course, being the toll house for the bridge, it is conveniently situated right next to it!

Free small museum about the Ironbridge’s history set in the original tollhouse, which was in use from 1779-1950, and still displays the original tolls on the exterior. It’s across two small floors, and worth 15-20 minute stop to learn more about bridge’s history - including how it came to be built and restoration work over the years. Also a small shop for souvenirs.

Welcoming informative staff. Plenty of information both on the tollhouse and on the other museums in the gorge area.

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.

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. Easy to get to with a garden centre and craft workshops. Great cafe and fab day out in the lovely cotswolds.

An interesting place to visit whilst in Bourton-on-the-Water, it being a scale model of the town itself. Reasonable admission charge...it was quite busy when we attended and have to say that people with mobility issues may find it difficult due to the narrow undulating walkways around the exhibit. It was interesting to see the detail and the craftsmanship used to create the village buildings and scenes.

It was a rainy day when we visited with no wait time. It was a pleasant experience to see a replica of the actual village. There is a place to park your push chair if you are with a little one as they don't allow push chairs into the model village with its narrow lanes. Overall, good place to visit.

Tourist attraction features a miniature village with model houses and buildings, impressive craftsmanship and attention to detail. The reasonable ticket price £5. Unforgettable experience for kids and adults. Highly recommended. A walkable distance from Motor museum.

I've heard about the Model Village, so we made sure to stop by during our day trip to Bourton-on-the-Water. It was really fascinating to see the whole village recreated in miniature, with such great attention to detail. You can walk around quite quickly, but it’s fun to take your time and notice all the little features. It doesn’t take long to explore (around 20–30 minutes), so it’s worth popping in if you’re already in the area. Entry is good, and it’s a unique attraction, especially if you enjoy quirky sights. Glad we visited, it added something extra to our trip!

A nice model village, with the added extra of it matching closely the actual village of Burton-on-the-Water. However compared to other model villages I've visited it's slightly lacking in color, figures, vehicles, and humor. That said the work done in maintaining the building in the original stone must be quite an effort. The gardens are also well maintained and nicely laid out. Close to most to the village centre and to a couple of parking lots. Not the cheapest place but it's the Cotswolds everything is expensive.

We enjoyed walking this beautifully designed with detailed Model Village. Easy to find, no need for pre booking, price reasonable, and not busy when we were there, but it could be busier in spring or summer time. Worth visiting though specially for younger people.

Exactly as it states. Easy to get around the models. It's very well created. Probably wouldn't visit again however if as a first time visitor it's fantastic to see the art/model of the exact streets you may have just been walking down.

The museum itself is quite small but larger than you'd expect which was nice as you step through the tardis door upon entry. First room was really well done with some absolutely beautiful rare classics from early 1900's to 1950's the rest of the museum after that that was still good filled with lots of trinkets and memorobolia but I found it was a bit thin on offerings after the first initial room. Well worth a visit however. Parking was quite expensive and had to go around the village a few times before I found it but the museum itself was easy to find. Definitely recommended to see but I would say if you're on a mission to view all motor museums it's one to see if you're close or passing through. You'll spend a good hour in the museum and for the £9.50 entrance fee I didn't feel shortchanged. If you're near it definitely visit but I wouldn't drive 4 hours to see it if that makes sense. Luckily I live an hour and 10 minutes and I'd say that was worth it.

Fantastic place to visiting. They have a very nice collection of vehicles to see and some wonderful decor. It’s got a very nice vibe and feel to it for any motor fans. The staff were also very friendly and the rest of the village is great so make for a wonderful experience on the weekend. I would recommend the visit.

Had a wonderful time walking around this museum. The ladies at the entrance made us feel very welcome and ticket price very reasonable. Fantastic exhibits, much more than just cars. We enjoyed seeing all the memorabilia. The exhibits are all so well displayed and lots to see and read about. Fabulous old cars. Highly recommend a visit.

I was really impressed with the charm of this museum. I wasn’t expecting much in such a small town, but it’s packed with a lot of interesting things. Importantly, if you have a mixed group, with a couple of motor heads, and some people that are not, there’s enough old nostalgia, antiques to look at to keep them busy as well. There’s a pretty good size gift shop too

We thoroughly enjoyed this museum, it struck a cord with us to see the original Brum! It was more than what we were expecting brilliant. Also a little outdoor part for the kids where they can drive around a track.

Lovely little visit whilst staying in the Cotwolds this weekend. It's a massive museum, however, somewhere nice to pop in and see if you're travelling through or staying nearby. The museum takes you on a mini journey back in time through many different collections of motoring items. Free parking just down the road, also near cafes and restaurants in a nice area if you choose to stay. I wouldn't really say it was for a young audience, more dependant on personal interests. I did get a bit cold walking around, i understand temperature may be important for the maintenance of items, but i would recommend a jumper or two for those wanting to visit. I also say the iconic Brum from childhood tv shows.

We have been to the area a few times and finally managed to come and visit! Our son is obsessed with Brum and this was amazing to see. There were so many other interesting cars, exhibits and a play area as well. A huge thank you to the kind and caring staff at Cotswold Motoring Museum, this trip was made even more memorable because of them.

Never heard of this place which is a shame id 1000% of come earlier ! It's dog friendly as long as its on a lead which was perfect for our little Pomeranian who loved looking into the enclosure's. It took awhile to get around to see everything as two adults and a dog if you had a child could easily whittle away half a day with all there is to see, there's a lovely cafe that serves refreshments and a gift shop with lots of lovely items to keep as a memento.

Beautiful place with lots of different species of birds; loved penguin and flamingos. Well maintained environment. Enjoyed one hour sessions with tortoises,ducks and chickens. We had a walk around ,the sound of the brook and the wind on the trees gave an effect of walking in the woods. Just loved the place and will definitely visit again.

Well worth the money. Really nice place to walk around especially with the kids. The birds are all really well looked after and have spacious enclosures. This place is truly dog friendly. Also enjoyed that the penguin feed and talk was also given in sign. The Jurassic walk down is also good. Our toddler loved the dinosaurs hidden within the nature trail.

Really enjoyed our visit to Birdland! The penguins were so much fun to watch and the flamingoes were gorgeous. There’s such a wide variety of birds to see, with something interesting around every corner. A lovely place to spend a few hours. Highly recommend!

We were looking for things to do in the Cotswolds and stumbled across Birdland! What a fabulous place, if you had kids this would be brilliant to take a picnic as there are so many picnic benches dotted around. There is also an amazing play area and cafe too. It’s so picturesque in parts with the river running through. It needs the support for them to keep doing what they are doing. Please go and support!

My kids loved Birdland Park & Gardens! They enjoyed the penguins, the dinosaur trail, and the gardens. A lovely place for families — It’s better to book tickets online, it’s cheaper and saves time.

3rd Birthday day out for our wee dog. Great day out, so many different species. Loved it! Added bonus that it is dog friendly. The lady who served us on the way in was a little bit grumpy but all the staff going through and when we were leaving, were really nice.

It's one of my favourite preserved railways always neat and tidy and excellent locomotives in use. I would normally visit on a Gala day, so it was nice to visit on a normal day, which allowed greater time to look around the stations and to go on a shed visit. The shed visit was most informative, and it was nice to see locomotives in various stages of repair. I was able to have tea and cake from the cafe. Very enjoyable.

A fantastic experience! Beautiful countryside views, friendly staff, and a great way to step back in time. The steam train ride is fun for all ages, especially little kids — ours loved watching the engine and waving at people along the way. Highly recommended for families and railway enthusiasts alike!

I visited last year and loved it so much I went back this year - Twice within eight days. I had such a good visit when I mentioned it to other family members they said they would like to visit as well, so I went along with them for the second time. We boarded at Toddington where there is ample parking. There is a lovely café, located outside the station, with plenty of seating inside, and outside, to accommodate everyone. They offer the usual coffee/tea/hot chocolate selection, although with a small food menu. I can highly recommend the toasted tea cake. The station is lovely (although it will take a lot to beat Gotherington where you can the people who run it take a real pride in their little piece of heritage) like taking a little step-back-in-time and the volunteers who work there are great. No question is too much trouble for them. The journey is smooth and passes through some beautiful areas with far-reaching views and plenty of photography options both off, and on the train. They run different trains depending on their timetable. The first week they had a steam and old diesel running; the second both routes were run by steam. You can get on at any station, of at any station, and as long as you check the timetable first you are free to hop on/hop off, all day. The seats are comfortable, the carriages clean, and the onboard buffet is worth paying a visit to. Their bacon baps are delicious. If you want to travel in the first-class carriages - and why would you not? - they don't charge any extra (I really think they should) but it is encouraged you make an additional donation towards the railway upkeep if you do travel in one of their carriages. We all donated an additional £10 each which felt like a fair price.

Always great fun, a steam train ride. Friendly volunteers, tasty bacon rolls from the buffet car, tea and perfect Victoria sponge from the café at Winchcombe station. Dog friendly trains and platforms, tickets for dogs £5.

All aboard! Woo! Woo! Fantastic day out. The coffee was awful but who cares. I smiled from ear to ear the whole time I was there. Even managed to get on the chuff chuff's footplate to take some photographs. All aboard! Woo! Woo!

Although we bought our tickets on the day. It does get very busy. The volunteer staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. There’s plenty to see and do at the different stations. I do suggest you get an early train if you want to do that though.

I booked the recent Cheltenham Fryer, travelling with my partner, who is disabled. This was one of the most stress free experiences we have had. Everyone we came into contact with was so helpful, nothing was too much trouble. The train was clean, the fish and chips lovely, the train stewards brilliant. The station and cafe gave plenty of room. Beautiful scenery along the route, and the oh so evocative smell of steam trains. Well worth a visit. We will certain return. Again, thank you to everyone fir co tributing to a wonderful experience.

A beautiful place to worship, celebrate, seek solace, and just enjoy the moment. It’s free to enter but they welcome donations! Our little pooch was able to join us for a self guided tour around the abbey. Plenty of information boards to learn about its history. There is an adjoining cafe with toilets. Well worth the visit!

Beautiful church. If you have a couple of hours, don't miss out on the riverside walk along the Severn and the Anglo-Saxon chapels of St. Mary's and St. Odda's. Things you hardly get to see anywhere!!

This magnificent Abbey started life as a Benedictine Monastery in 1102. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540 the Abbey Church survived destruction because it was sold to the local parishioners for £453 and became the parish church. It has the largest Norman church tower in existence and is also famous for its beautiful stained glass which dates from the medieval period.

Intense resonant acoustic as a music venue. We came to experience some sublime polyphonic sacred music from the wonderful Tallis Choral Foundation. Allegri’s Miserere was a particular highlight.

Really impressive church. They were preparing for a talk about the moon, hence the gigantic moon in the pictures. I assume it'll be gone shortly. There are some very moving memorials to those who died in the wars. There is also an interesting section where medieval knights (I think) are buried. The absolute highlight for me was the shop. Probably the best church shop I've ever happened across, not big, but stocked with beautiful hand made items, all tasteful and reasonably priced. Over all worth a visit!

It's a beautiful building with an interesting history. Saved after the reformation by the local people who paid for the abbey to become the parish church, only the lady chapel and the abbey buildings were lost. Inside the Norman columns stand tall and give it a grand atmosphere along with the many heads looking down. There is some lovely stained glass from different periods, a gift shop with guide books and other items. Volunteers and staff are happy to chat and share the history of the abbey and the town. Parking is near by and there is a cafe near by

Wonderful experience. Visually stunning with much to see. It was a bonus to hear the organ being played. Top tip - look up! The ceilings are particularly beautiful.

Worth visiting for some fine architectural and other features. A large and impersonal building lacking atmosphere. Large number of unused pews in the main building while a service was on, attended by four people, in a side room. Not a church that is welcoming . But as an historical relic worth a look

I am aware of how many houses of the holy I'm getting through looking for the smiting one. Let's be clear, they're all magnificent structures. They're all remarkably well built, the craftsmanship is second to none and this example is fairly typical of how good they all are. My mind is blown on a regular basis and will continue to be blown as long as I remain untouched by lightning 🌩 bolt.

I’m not a Christian, but I love visiting churches when I travel, because I can feel the history, culture, and life in them. St. John the Baptist Church in Cirencester is a symbol of the town. I was captivated by its delicate architecture. I recently saw the musical “SIX” and became interested in the six queens, so when I found that there was a “Boleyn Cup” here, I was so excited!

The Church is beautiful, lovely service and I was made to feel very welcome ❤️ there is a fantastic selection of things to buy in the shop and the staff are very helpful. I will never forget my time here and I will definitely be back in the near future. God Bless you all 🙏🏻🕊️

Fantastic town excellent Baptist Church not religious but love buildings this is definitely one to go look around

Free to visit but they do ask for donations. Little shop inside, very pretty well worth a visit.

An excellent parish church which is large and grand enough to be a Cathedral. There are plenty of interesting exhibits inside the church, including some amazing monumental brasses and a Lego model of how Cirencester Abbey used to look. There is also a shop and a visitor book inside.

Excellent exhibits with great educational elements! The whole family enjoyed it. The people were very informative as well.

I told one of the staff that the mannequins looked too real and were a bit scary, and then she kindly showed me around the exhibition and told me some stories. All the staff were so nice and helpful, and I learned a lot about the history of Cirencester. It’s one of my loveliest memories in Cirencester. Thank you very much!

Made the mistake of "bigging" the Corinium up in my mind before entering. Big mistake. It could never live up to what my (former) drug addled brain could imagine and when you've taken as many hallucinogens as I have in the past I was expecting to be mugged by an iron age thug or Roman centurian around every corner. It's a museum and is full of museumy things from the past. Daft thing to write as I've yet to visit a museum which looks to the future. Thought it was a tad pricey even though I got the crinkley discount. The staff were nice in the extreme. They put up with the mouthy northern one (me) without banning me from returning at some point. I hope they've forgiven me for leaving my 'up the boro' message before I departed.

An excellent museum with some quite beautiful mosaics and engaging history of Cirencester over the millennia. Let down by some sloppy attention to detail with their timeline boards. Guy Fawkes' assassination attempt was a year later and Edward VII was crowned a whole 3 years before.

Brilliantly presented museum. Small enough to get round in an hour or two yet packed with great exhibits. One of the best range of Roman exhibits I've seen. Kids really enjoyed the interactive elements and the light and open layout.

Such a fabulous museum tucked away. I can't believe we hadn't been here before. Incredible Roman mosaics. Such a swathe of Gloucestershire history. Amazing resource. Lovely volunteer showed us around the Roman section. Do visit.

Entered tobe met bt informative reception staff ! A very nice lady volunteer offered to show us around the museum. We accepted and the the 3 of us will forever be grateful for the knowledge she had and the information and explanation of the museum's wonderful displays!! Thank you !! 😊 13/11/25

This must be one of the most beautiful Cathedrals that I have visited. You can feel the history as you walk round. There are a number of wonderful chapels throughout. The vaulted ceiling is stunning as well as the stained glass windows. I would recommend going up to the whispering gallery. The views down into the Cathedral really worth it and tovaee the magnificent organ up close.

We really enjoyed visiting Gloucester Cathedral.The construction began in 1089 the Nave was completed in 1130.Over the centuries mor parts were added with different architectures styles. A magnificent building and it's said to be one of the finest ecclesiastical building in the UK.We really enjoyed ambling around the ethereal cloisters(a special treat for Harry Potter fans) and the beautiful stained glass windows

The Cathedral and its grounds are amazing. Entry is free but they recommend a donation and there are two tours that do cost extra. They are the crypt and highlights tour. We went on the crypt tour and our guides Peter and Graham were excellent. There are many hidden gems here and the staff and clergy we met were excellent. A great few hours can be spent here, it is very disabled friendly and there is a suprise for the Harry Potter fans.

Poppy Fields by Luxmuralis - Premium Experience Great experience. A premium ticket allowed us fast track entry (it was raining, so this was much appreciated) & a faster entry to the 1st experience. It also allowed access to an upstairs section which had good views, plus a cheeky glass of sparkling wine. The cathedral looked lovely lite up. Great experience overall & a good reminder of the sacrifices made during war & that peace is better than war.

Absolutely stunning. Voluntary donation to get in £5 or £10 for a family. Harry potter was filmed here it's stunning 😍 well worth a visit. We met up with friends and kids from ages 2 to 13 had an amazing day. So much to see and the architecture is truly breathtaking, there is 12pm prayers, you can light candles and so many interactive things. Wheelchair friendly and also visually impaired friendly (blind and deaf) absolutely brilliant day out.

Visited this amazing cathedral which holds the tomb of Edward II among others. Having visited Westminster abbey this was just as impressive. It was a pleasure to visit, and not to be missed. We did find parking available and entry to the abbey is via donation.

What a magnificent building! I can't emphasis how must have this cathedral is. Search for top 10 facts about it, learn about its history and enjoy visiting. If you are a history lover, you need at least three hours (maybe five for a best visit) to completely appreciate the whole visiting experience. Would highly recommend donating as it costs a lot to maintain this fascinating building.

Beautiful gardens. Especially in autumn with all the autumnal colours. I would think it is stunning through all of the seasons. Very well maintained with lots of interesting information about trees dotted about. I learnt a few things. There is a 2000 year old lime tree that doesn’t look that old. I found that fascinating. Very good for children. You walk along a lovely wooden bridge amongst the tops of the trees. It’s a bit cheaper to go in the week than at the weekend. You can buy a membership that is well worth it if you intend to go a few times. It was busy so it seems it is very popular there. Lots of parking. You can’t do it all in one visit so we will definitely be going again. They also do concerts there.

Always a great place to visit anytime of year but it is special in the autumn. Walk further away and you soon lose the people. Take time to read about the specimen trees. Lovely quality shop and cafe. Wonderful to visit trees that were living long before you were born and hopefully still there for great grandchildren. Puts life in prospective

We visited in late October—and wow, it was absolutely breathtaking. You honestly can’t imagine how beautiful a forest can be until you see this place. The colors, the atmosphere, everything felt straight out of a painting. Totally worth the trip.

It gets very busy when the weather's good, but the autumn leaves were very beautiful. The bridge was really good too, and there were plenty of vans selling different types of food and drink. It's worth getting a map, and you can pre-book online

Such a beautiful annual tradition my family and friends have of going to see the beautiful colours of autumn at Westonbirt. It never disappoints, and the further you go in, the less busy it becomes! Most of the area is accessible to wheelchair users, which is good!

The trees at the arboretum were amazing but a part from the trees there is no much more to see. I do appreciate that arboretums are for trees mainly but other parks I have visited before offer more interesting features such as sculptures, ponds, pagodas and other types of focal point that make the experience more memorable and unique. The map provided was not easy to read, so finding your way around was challenging .The entrance price was very steep at £21, so no much value for money.

Perfect day out in a beautiful environment. We have 2 dogs and there’s areas to let the dogs off, walk them on the lead as well as areas dogs aren’t allowed. There are literally miles of pathways to walk along. An autumn visit means you get to see all the beautiful colours- there’s a fabulous walkway through the trees that gives stunning views over the parkland - which has a lot of interesting facts for both adults and children. The food deserves a special mention - there’s a separate bbq station as well as the main restaurant with a great choice if you are gluten free or vegetarian.

This place exceeded our expectations. There was far more to see inside than we first thought. The grounds are amazing with some lovely walks down to the folly and amazing views all around. Lovely little snack shack serving hot and cold drinks and food. Well worth a visit.

Newark Park is a real hidden gem! We had such a wonderful time exploring both the house and its stunning grounds. The historic house itself is fascinating, and the volunteers inside were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, sharing all sorts of interesting stories about its rich past. It felt like stepping back in time while still being warmly welcomed. The outdoor spaces are just as impressive – beautiful gardens, open lawns, wooded walks, and plenty of spots to simply sit and enjoy the scenery. We were delighted to see peacocks gracefully wandering around, adding an extra touch of charm to the day. For families or anyone looking for some active fun, the summer activities were fantastic. We loved seeing games like outdoor chess, croquet, badminton, skipping, and more set up on the lawns. It really gave the visit a playful, relaxed atmosphere. The mix of history, nature, and hands-on fun makes Newark Park perfect for all ages. Whether you want a peaceful walk, a bit of history, or a family day outdoors, it has it all. We left feeling happy, relaxed, and already planning our next visit. Highly recommended!

Lovely house, beautiful views. Single lane driving to reach it. House has an interesting history which the guides will hapilly explain. Lovely walks around the property but can be a little steep in spots.

A lovely place to visit. Plenty of walks, although a couple were closed for maintenance when we went. Ensure you wear really comfy footwear as some of the walks are a bit on the cobbled side. Situated in a very very quiet location. Some narrow lanes enroute to it, with several pot holes. There are signs put up which warn you.. Super views.

We stopped here on our way to the Cotswolds and found it an interesting experience. The house and estate is quite isolated and there was a long narrow road leading to the location with little room to pass meeting cars. The house is typical National Trust with friendly guides. The café was small with seating outdoors or in a marquee. Being situated on a hill, there were impressive views over the surrounding countryside, and the estate had options for longer walks than we were able to join.

House has interesting history and nice views. Gardens are well kept but not very big. A variety of walks available around the grounds if you’re feeling energetic.

For a day out in the Cotswolds with the National Trust, we chose Newark Park, with a most unusual history and possibly one of the oldest properties we have visited that was not a past residence. We exited the M5 at J14, so to avoid Cam and Dursley. We climbed up onto the hills, following the Newark Park signs and arrived at a peculiar junction layout. You'll understand my meaning when you arrive so be careful. Travelling along the narrow lane, we were met with "pothole" signs as we approached the entrance. We drove across the fields unaware of what was going to unfold in a short while. We parked in a large carpark, which was busy when we arrived around midday. We got our parking ticket from the machine and had our lunch before setting off. We were surrounded by trees and open fields and no view of the house or garden. We checked in and set off along the purple trail, which was the longest, for as far as we could. Part of it was closed for maintainable. My wife works at a primary school and was wondering how she could share prayer space with the children. The answer was falling all around us, conkers!! Who ended up being the donkey but for a good cause? The white parts could be used to draw a face and the conkers used like prayer stones. We walked down through the trees on good paths and with stunning views towards Bristol and still no view of the house. Turning around we chose the pink trail, which turned out to be workout, with its steep and rugged path. We finally found the yellow path that led to the garden and the house. It was reasonably level with views of the valley, open and finally we saw the house. We arrived at a children's wooden play area and were astounded to see animal carvings in and on the trunks. You have to walk around them, passing the owl, to get the full atmosphere. There were numerous animals that are found around the park. From here, we walked into the garden, with its "crinkle-crankle" wall and play area. The "crinkle-crankle" wall is named so due to its weaving design, being one brick thick and helping to protect the plants from the weather. It also strengthens the wall. We finally walked to the house and stopped to take in the stunning views over South Gloucestershire. We were greeted by the friendly and knowledgeable staff who gave us some additional information that added to what I had researched before we visited. Basically, the house was a hunting lodge during Henry V111's rule; one room width and four floors high. The servants area seemed to be partially buried. Over the centuries, it was to become a large family home. Climbing to the top floor, we were shown where the original house was in Tudor times and where the Georgian parts started. We could say we "time-travelled" between the two parts of what is a stunning place. From the windows, there were stunning views all around, especially over the forests where the deer were hunted. Also be advised that not the windows are real, many are false if you stand outside. As we left the house, we met one of the resident peacocks who declined to pose for a photo. We went to the cafe where we purchased hot drinks and snacks. There is outdoor seating, or in a marquee if you want shelter. It was overcast and breezy but we sat beside the house, over looking the valley. Some four hours had passed since we had arrived and the staff were closing the cafe. We walked back to an almost empty carpark and drove home, via Dursley. Our route from J14 was a more pleasant route. We had enjoyed a wonderful day out. It is a great place to bring children who have an interest in nature. The purple and yellow paths are suitable for families with pushchairs and mobility scooters. We were visiting a bit earlier as there was not the volume of autumn colours we have seen in other areas. Definitely a place to revisit.

This is a must visit in the UK. So peaceful and calm. There is ample space to park your car. You will have to have a look at the photos for you to get a glimpse of what you will experience, if you happen to plan a trip. A small play area designed for toddlers and also a range of farm animals, your toddler will be excited to see these. Some outdoor play facilities have been arranged as well.

Dropping a star because the booking info wasn't clear.. Given two booking times, 10am and 2pm.. it's not explained until after you've booked that it's "any time from 10am..." Plus.. it is a little pricey when you can access other parts of the forest for free.. BUT... It is like stepping into another world. The forest is magical. Even with other people there, it was quiet and beautiful. Lots of places to sit and enjoy nature. Steps are a little slippery so wear good shoes. There's also some farm animals to look at and an indoor and outdoor play area. Gift shop shuts at 5pm though the actual place shuts at 6pm.. something to keep in mind if you're saving your gift purchases until the end.

We spent a wonderful morning in this enchanting, magical forest. We wandered through there for about 3 hours, trying to make sure we didn't miss any of it, and back tracking to see views from different directions. We were lucky to go on a day with some sunshine, the sun light light hitting the mossy trees and lighting them up was just beautiful. Good facilities too, and friendly staff.

Please be aware , wear proper shoes, non slip and waterproof. A lot of mud, slippery, very slippery, and around 300+ stairs up and down, made out of wood and solid rocks. Beautiful views and there is a picnic area as well, enough for 100+people You can buy tickets on the spot. Just £9.90 The walk, depending of how you're moving around, it's about 2 hours, so you can enjoy the views. You can stay as long as you want, there are benches all over the place, made it off wood of course. Enjoy😊

The most stunning place. Very picturesque everywhere you look. But very slippery when it's raining. Make sure of good footwear.

The nature walk was fantastic. Feels like you're in the Ewok village. Be prepared for some mud. I would definitely visit again if I was in the area.

Gorgeous forest! I did feel let down that you have to pay to enter such a beautiful natural spot and of course I would have loved it to be bigger and to have gotten lost for considerably longer than we did. But even at the smaller scale that it is it really is quite stunning.

Great place to visit with the usual high standard from the National Trust. Cafe serves good quality food. Plenty of benches around the generous gardens and a children's playground. Very good museum all about the history of photography.

Friendly and welcoming staff and a picturesque place to visit, perfect for a photoshoot (it was lovely to see so many families taking photos and enjoying themselves) and although I didn’t have time to explore the entire area, the abbey was beautiful. Will be back soon to discover the museum and enjoy the autumnal colours. Terrain is somewhat difficult to traverse as a wheelchair user in terms of suspension and gravel, but it is possible.

Good car parking. £5.00 for non National Trust members. A beautiful Abbey with amazing grounds. There is a National Trust cafe before the property and inside the property. Enthusiastic National trust Staff with willingness to share their lnowldge. information. Part of the Harry Potter films.

A beautiful National Trust location. The surrounding village is absolutely charming, with classic English atmosphere. There are also three wonderful pubs nearby — perfect for lunch or a relaxing drink after exploring the abbey.

Lovely place to visit, stunning house & grounds. Beautiful village to walk around but we found the pub food prices quite pricey. 4 min drive up the road is Whitehall Garden centre with a lovely reasonable restaurant or tea room.

We visited Lacock without knowing anything of it's history, or indeed anything about it at all beforehand. Both the Abbey and the village are lovely. It's difficult though to get beyond the obvious and predictable 'Harry Potter' hype that the village attracts, and whilst it is is a very pretty village, the volume of cars did affect my view of the place. The Abbey though was a different kettle of fish. The place oozed centuries of history and the cloisters were beautiful. The house has seen many changes over the years; to some extent a victim of the vanity of owners through the centuries as tastes, fashions, and styles, have changed. And with each generation of change, so the house has been altered. The National Trust has obviously focussed on the work of William Henry Fox Talbot, photographic development pioneer and polymath who ived in the house for a period of time in the 19th century. But his life is just a small part of the history of the place which begins it's story in the 13th Century, 600 years before William Henry Talbot. Its a glorious place, well worth a visit with knowledgeable guides in the house and hospitable staff in the cosy café. We didn't have time to visit the gardens but this will definitely be on the itinerary for our next visit here.

It’s a pity we didn’t have more time to explore the area around the abbey — it was just a short stop for us, mainly because we were excited that Harry Potter was filmed here 🙂 We arrived right after opening and were the very first visitors to enter. The entrance ticket also includes the Photography Museum, as the very first photograph in history was created here. A wonderful place with a unique atmosphere.

Great place to visit with the usual high standard from the National Trust. Cafe serves good quality food. Plenty of benches around the generous gardens and a children's playground. Very good museum all about the history of photography.

Friendly and welcoming staff and a picturesque place to visit, perfect for a photoshoot (it was lovely to see so many families taking photos and enjoying themselves) and although I didn’t have time to explore the entire area, the abbey was beautiful. Will be back soon to discover the museum and enjoy the autumnal colours. Terrain is somewhat difficult to traverse as a wheelchair user in terms of suspension and gravel, but it is possible.

Good car parking. £5.00 for non National Trust members. A beautiful Abbey with amazing grounds. There is a National Trust cafe before the property and inside the property. Enthusiastic National trust Staff with willingness to share their lnowldge. information. Part of the Harry Potter films.

A beautiful National Trust location. The surrounding village is absolutely charming, with classic English atmosphere. There are also three wonderful pubs nearby — perfect for lunch or a relaxing drink after exploring the abbey.

Lovely place to visit, stunning house & grounds. Beautiful village to walk around but we found the pub food prices quite pricey. 4 min drive up the road is Whitehall Garden centre with a lovely reasonable restaurant or tea room.

We visited Lacock without knowing anything of it's history, or indeed anything about it at all beforehand. Both the Abbey and the village are lovely. It's difficult though to get beyond the obvious and predictable 'Harry Potter' hype that the village attracts, and whilst it is is a very pretty village, the volume of cars did affect my view of the place. The Abbey though was a different kettle of fish. The place oozed centuries of history and the cloisters were beautiful. The house has seen many changes over the years; to some extent a victim of the vanity of owners through the centuries as tastes, fashions, and styles, have changed. And with each generation of change, so the house has been altered. The National Trust has obviously focussed on the work of William Henry Fox Talbot, photographic development pioneer and polymath who ived in the house for a period of time in the 19th century. But his life is just a small part of the history of the place which begins it's story in the 13th Century, 600 years before William Henry Talbot. Its a glorious place, well worth a visit with knowledgeable guides in the house and hospitable staff in the cosy café. We didn't have time to visit the gardens but this will definitely be on the itinerary for our next visit here.

It’s a pity we didn’t have more time to explore the area around the abbey — it was just a short stop for us, mainly because we were excited that Harry Potter was filmed here 🙂 We arrived right after opening and were the very first visitors to enter. The entrance ticket also includes the Photography Museum, as the very first photograph in history was created here. A wonderful place with a unique atmosphere.

I had some time to kill and a dog to walk. Great location, lots to see, good information, generally friendly dog walkers, hikers and canal users. There's a lack of dog poo bins given the popularity of this space with dogs, I asked and was directed to one near the café. Lots of birds, nice views.

Stunning series of locks. We arrived just after the last boat had been allowed to come up, so we're fortunate enough to see it going through a lock. Also the proudest kingfisher I have ever seen 🤩

If you like canals then this is the perfect place for you. The flight of locks and narrow boats. The little cafe serves a variety of hot and cold food. Walking boots recommend up and down the lock path or into the forest. Parking £3 all day.

Beautiful walk or cycle within easy reach of Devizes (which is also nice for a wander). If boats are travelling along this stretch of canal it's great to see the technology in action enabling them to travel up/down hill. Great day out with a nice cafe at the top of the hill, enjoyed by the whole family, the kids even managed to get in on the action helping boaters through the locks.

Great place to visit and walk, I came here with family and it was just lovely way to spend an afternoon. The view is beautiful and the locks are very intriguing. There’s a nice cafe (with toilet- always useful) too for a welcome drink.

It is peaceful and beautiful great place to visit.

Spectacular! Popular with the narrow boats, despite really being hard work. A scenic spot to visit, and the cafe near the top serves a welcome cup of your favourite hot beverage. Perfect when the weather isn't great.

This is my second time at the Tintern Abbey, the Abbey sits on the border between England and Wales but on the Welsh side. I loved it here both times, this time they also had a trail for children to follow and uncover facts. Highly recommend a visit to Tintern Abbey if you are nearby or even passing through to Wales. With rich history, and amazing views, don't miss out.

I’ve driven past Tintern Abbey countless times over the years, always admiring its setting but never quite stopping - maybe because from the outside, it just looked like a quiet ruin with not much going on inside. But I finally made the visit, and I’m so glad I did. The moment I stepped into the church nave, everything shifted. The soaring arches and the magnificent west front with its seven-light window are breathtaking. It’s hard to believe this place was stripped bare after the dissolution in 1536, left to decay for centuries before being rediscovered by artists and poets like Wordsworth and Turner in the 18th century. You can see why they were drawn to it - the ruins are hauntingly beautiful. For just £9, it’s a deeply worthwhile visit. The abbey’s location in the lush Wye Valley adds to the magic, and there’s a convenient pay-and-display car park plus a pub nearby if you want to make a day of it. If you’ve ever passed it thinking “just another ruin,” I’d say don’t wait as long as I did. It’s far more than that.

A very nice side trip. I'm not sure it is worth travelling a long distance for. There are some nice places to see in the small town. Parking is refunded if you enter the abbey. Tickets were £18 for 2 adults.

A beautiful place to visit with some very interesting history and some significant preservation challenges. It was a weekday afternoon with very few people around which made sitting, in what was the original church hall and the surrounding grounds, and incredibly peaceful experience. There was a lot of scaffolding up and areas cordened off as they fight to save the crumbling building but it is still well worth a visit. A local pub make parking and grabbing a drink afterwards easy

What a wonderful abbey. Well worth a visit and a nice short walk through the village and over the bridge. How on earth did they build such structures so long ago! Must be the power of religion 🤔🤔

It is a fantastic place. Very imposing in a peaceful area. I realise renovation works are crucial, but over the building is closed off. Not sure the entrance price reflects that.

Magnificent ruins, quite well interpreted. In a setting that's beautiful even in mid November. The staff are very friendly in the ticket office/shop and also in the tea room. I was glad to congratulate the baker of the cakes in person.

This beautiful castle has insane aura. The moment you pull up in the car park its presence is something that leaves you in awe. Me and my partner came here for the first time and we spent a few hours here just taking it all in, imagining what it would’ve been like to be here in the medieval times. There are information boards located throughout to give you a run of the history which is fascinating. We loved it and highly recommend it.

Definitely worth going if you're into castles. Good price compared to others and a lot of area to roam around. The story is good and building is great to show kids what and who built it. Still standing in some form over 900 years. You can climb the spiral steps to get great views over the river and town. Car park was under £3 for quite a while. Town is busy but interesting. Would go again.

Gorgeous large remains with lots of history to explore. Accessible and free for disabled visitors and carers. There will be parts that are obviously inaccessible. Lovely views too.

An absolutely gorgeous castle experience. Fascinating history of expansion and development. Love how the core original parts still show and were grown around. The old wooden door is remarkable! The view from the riverside balcony above the cellar is something I'll remember. Absolutely recommended. Ample (paid) parking by the entrance but also other parking nearby. Some parts being repaired or renovated early October 2025 but nothing stopping enjoying the majority of this fantastic castle

Chepstow Castle was amazing to visit. First of all, the castle is huge! You don’t realize how big it is when you first enter, but you keep going from section to section and it feels like it is never going to end. One of the very cool things is it is built on a cliff on the river. When you go over to that side of the castle and look out the windows, you can see that you were looking straight down onto the water of the river. When you go to the far end of the castle, you can look back and see that some of the sections actually overhang the cliff top. This is an amazing work that they did in building this castle. The great Hall is amazing as well, it is huge. It is hard to imagine what it was like when it was complete and finished, but it must’ve been very amazing and well done and it’s day. I would definitely recommend visiting Chepstow Castle if you were in the area or nearby. It is a must see for sure. I would give a couple of hours to amble around this one. There wasn’t any presentations or talks while we were there, but we definitely spent over two hours checking everything out. You could probably do it in under an hour, but you might be missing some of the key things by rushing it.

Chepstow Castle is a fantastic spot to explore. The ruins are well-preserved, with plenty of towers and walls to wander through. We loved the views overlooking the River Wye—it adds a really dramatic touch to the whole experience. There’s lots of history packed into the site, and it never felt too crowded, which made it easy to soak everything in. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area!

The people of Chepstow wanted a way to attract tourists but were not overly keen on building yet another theme park. They decided to build a castle. The foundations for Chepstow Castle were laid in 1978 and the building was completed by 1985. The castle was constructed using prefabricated blocks manufactured in Germany, they were shipped to Wales and locked together giving the appearance of age by utilising sandblasting to accelerate the process. Unfortunately in the early ninties faults appeared causing some of the prefabricated panels to fail and fall from the structure. The castle owners blamed the German manufacturers however they refused to accept any blame and pointed 👉 the finger at shoddy construction practices by the contractor who assembled their panels. The matter is still being dragged through the courts, no decision has been made as to who is liable. Meanwhile the crumbling debris has been removed and the castle has remained in its dilapidated state for many years. I paid nine quid, the crinkley rate, to enter Chepstow Castle 🏰. Do yourself a favour and walk around the outside for nothing. It looks very much the same from either side of the walls. You get to see crumbliness and save yourself nearly a tenner.