Visited Banham Zoo this week and had the most amazing time. The animals are so well cared for with outstanding enclosures. We did The Big Cat Experience which was well worth the money as you get to spend time with and feed several big cats. Highly recommend!

Absolute brilliant place, we got there my chance, was in the area with some time to spare and discovered this brilliant diamond. As an experience, I would say it's the best Zoo I've been so far in the UK. I mean, they have a snow leopard. It's a completely brilliant place and just can't wait to go there again.

We decided to go on one of the hottest days so not many of the animals were out. It’s a very big area and caters brilliantly for the children. I love the fact you can hire buggies and mobility scooters, the train was always packed and there was plenty of staff around. I took off a star as even though it was a good day out wasn’t the best zoo we have visited and if we didn’t take our time we would have been round it in an hour! We loved the tropical area so much.

Nice enough zoo and can’t argue with the value after using the kids go free promotion for half term. The park itself is clean if not a little rundown. The selection of animals is disappointing and not anywhere near as good as Africa Alive. The food outlets are fantastic with all being spotlessly clean, excellent value and really delicious food. What a shame it’s such an utter shambles. Queue for ages to get in only to be met with a disgruntled team member who would rather do ANYTHING than speak to customers. We had prepaid the trick or treat packs and was told we could get these in the gift shop so we then had to queue up again for well over half hour for a lanyard and a a little pencil. These “packs” could have been at the main entrance. The staff on the gift shop were painfully slow and unorganised making the wait even longer and allowing multiple people to queue jump. There’s lots of work going on round the park to update and introduce enclosures which is exciting and we look forward to seeing.

Haven't been here for years and took my 7 year old granddaughter. Can't blame zoo but weather was so hot all the animals were hiding in shade so we're hard to see. Some enclosures and areas looked tatty and would have like a few more interactive things to interest children and adults around. We did love the train ride which was very popular.

I had a fantastic time at the zoo! The animals looked well taken care of, and the enclosures were spacious and clean. There was a wide variety of animals to see, from tiger to penguins and reptiles. I was amazed of the animals. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to answer questions. Definitely worth the visit. 😍

Brilliant zoo, found whilst on holiday and was pleasantly surprised! Really good selection of animals, all really well looked after, good food and a cracking day out! Would highly recommend!

A lovely castle to walk around the high wall. Also a little wander around the perimeter was nice to see it from a different angle. The cafe and museum were both good as well. Not much going on with the inside space of green grass. Also they had repair works in place which prevented us going the whole way round. Its also 100% dog friendly which was great! Even up on the wall.

This is a well maintained castle that you can walk around at your leisure, it is pretty much an access all areas place where you an walk around the walls and the various buildings within that contain static exhibits regarding the history of the castle and the area. The staff as expected are excellent. The cafe is excellent with a good selection of food and drinks, toilets are fresh and clean and there's plenty of parking.

Fascinating place to visit. Good parking (with 2 blue badge places), impressive castle, free electeonic guides with guided tours also available. Reasonably priced cafe. And a wall walk also part of the experience. Well worth a visit.

Really enjoyed our visit to Framlingham Castle today. Was great to walk the walls, read the history of the castle, walking through the local history museum, have a drink at the cafe and enjoy browsing the gift shop. Loved that there is a currently a Task Master challenge and activities going on. So from the castle walls we could hear hysterical giggles and people competed against their team mates to win the taskmaster trophy and have their photograph taken in the winners photo frame. Well worth a visit. Even better if you are already an English Heritage partron -free entry and discount in the shops.

Lovely few hours spent here walking around the castle and the grounds lovely view from the top going around. Have 2 little exhibition room. We did the guided tour which was good. Not a whole day thing but we had fun

Lovely place to visit and obviously this is the castle that Ed Sheeran has sung about "The Castle On The Hill". We didn't go into the castle, but did walk around and take some lovely pictures and then visit the Two Magpies Bakery which was really good. We had a nice couple of hours out so if you have a bit of free time, it's worth a visit for a leisurely walk and a spot of lunch.

Due to the high wind, we couldn't do the battlements walk whilst listening to the commentary so the rating is lower than it would have been. Small discount on entry fee as a result but it wasn't as good an experience without being high up. The museum inside has some interesting stuff though. Staff were very friendly & helpful.

I came here today with my little family, and we had a lovely few hours here! We loved seeing the aviary, the gardens (which are stunning!), seeing the ruins and our daughter loved the play area! Highly recommend for an afternoon out with the family.

A great place to stop for a picnic 🥪 . Some lovely ruins to explore and a beautiful flowers 💐. Be careful not to get hit by the water sprinkler. There are lots of benches all around the edges and a few tables near the gate. I loved looking at the birds. 🦜🐦🦜

The sheer history of this place is awe-inspiring and simply stunning! The combination of a beautiful cathedral, well cared-for gardens and the Abbey ruins makes it a perfect place to explore, relax and learn more about history, allowing you to imagine just how vast and powerful the abbey was in its heyday!

Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds is absolutely beautiful and such a joy to visit. The gardens are perfectly maintained, full of colour and seasonal blooms, with peaceful paths to wander and plenty of seating to take in the views. The historic Abbey ruins add a fascinating sense of history and make the setting even more special. It’s a wonderful spot for a relaxing stroll, a picnic, or simply to enjoy some quiet time in stunning surroundings. Truly one of the highlights of Bury St Edmunds

Abbey Gardens absolutely stunning flower displays. Beautiful walk around the Gardens. A great place to visit.

Beautiful to.walk amongst the history. Definitely recommend

Gardens are always well looked after. Pilgrims cafe was also excellent

We were inspired to visit by actor Tony Robinson, whose enthusiasm in the Time Team Sutton Hoo dig series is infectious. That said, our visit was not as excellent as we had hoped, and the reason was mostly how the Sutton Hoo story is told. Although there is significant East Anglian historical information online, and the National Trust web pages provide contextual information in manageable chunks, the story told onsite is not as seamless. Indeed, it’s a bit fragmented, with a bit found here, and a bit there. Moreover, we were unable to find much information during our visit about the modern excavations that create the storyline for the Time Team series. Other reviewers have mentioned that a guided tour brings many of these pieces together, but none was available when we visited. We found Tranmer House to be quite interesting because of the information available and the somewhat innovative display methods being used, but it was a bit of a challenge to follow the storyline because there is no directional advice in the rooms. The highlight of the house displays is the collection of 1939 dig photographs by amateur photographers Mercie Lack and Barbara Wagstaff. Similarly, the High Hall exhibition space near the main entrance is designed to be explored in one direction, but without any indication of where one should start, we were halfway around in the opposite direction before we sensed we were seeing things in the wrong order. The hall’s current exhibition “The Dig: A Story Unearthed,” which explores the making of the 2025 Netflix film, is excellent. As for the mounds themselves, they’re pretty unremarkable to see, but the walk to and from was nice. So, our summary: Definitely go, but read up before your visit, and arrange a guided tour if possible. Our visit was about 2.5 hours.

Well worth the visit if your holidaying in this area. Time team were there too filming a dig. Edith pretty home is lovely, and the grounds are a must to walk. The mounds are explained when u go up the tower to observe.

Such a great day out! Right from the friendly staff in the ticket office, to the very knowledgeable guides around the site, everything is well organised. The tour of the mounds is fascinating, the house is also steeped in interesting items and the "Dig" exhibition is amazing. Don't miss the lovely walk down to the river through the forest and fields of sheep. Back to the cafe for reasonably priced delicious food and drinks. The fresh cream tea was perfect. Thanks to all for making the day special.

An interesting destination and quite different from other National Trust sites. The car park is fairly small but there us an overflow car park available. The main exhibition hall and cafe and shop are next to the car park, which is really handy if anyone in your group has mobility issues. It's a short walk to the house, which has some interesting displays and activities. The burial mounds are about 10 minutes beyond the house. Overall I would say this is very family orientated, with lots of activities for children but if you aren't a member the price is quite high compared to other NT properties.

Excellent exhibition and staff very knowledgeable and helpful. Great facilities, lovely walks and views, with viewing tower of burial mounds and paths surrounding. Nice walk down to the river Deben with views over Woodbridge.

Very kind and helpful guides. They looked after us well and supplied an all-terrain wheelchair for one of our party to use. Quite a large site with several areas to discover. The burial mounds, whilst archaeologically important, are a tad underwhelming. The exhibition Hall is well laid out with both original and reproductions and the guide there was very helpful. Of course the shop and cafe are very good as I now come to expect.

We arrived about 9:50 and there were 4 cars ahead of us in the queue, and they opened the gates bang on 10am. For the first hour it was quiet and peaceful; everything set out for the kids this summer holiday was accessible and colourful, and once the exhibition hall was opened, you had an uninhibited chance to see the artefacts. Staff were friendly and we were lucky with the weather too. It was our first visit as we holidayed in the area, and when my boys are older, I think they will enjoy it a lot more.

Fantastic day, need more than one day to see everything. We mainly done hanger 1, the US area and the outside planes. These were knowledgeable and informative. We became members so we can come back a few more times. 100% recommended. All the staff we spoke to were lovely.

Great museum. It's huge. Spread over several hangars and buildings, and includes a Concorde, B52, SR71, U2 and many others. When we visited there were lots of light aircraft and classic planes like spitfires and bi-planes flying as well. There are several restaurants, a free shuttle bus, large gift shop and lots of volunteers (in red) more than happy to help. Car parking is free.

The Duxford Air Museum is an absolutely incredible place to visit! The collection is vast and beautifully displayed. The exhibitions are informative and engaging, with plenty of interactive displays and stories that bring the history of flight to life. Watching aircraft take off and land right in front of you is an unforgettable experience. There are also great facilities — plenty of parking, a nice café with good food and coffee, and lots of space for families to explore.

As a big aviation enthusiast, I was really looking forward to exploring the site and seeing some of the iconic aircraft up close. There was a short wait to buy tickets, and while the entry price did seem quite steep, I was happy enough to pay it for the chance to see the planes I’d come for. Unfortunately, the gentleman at the ticket desk (older, with white hair and a beard) was rather unfriendly and didn’t offer the warmest of welcomes — not the best start to the day. My first stop was the Concorde, which I’ve always wanted to experience. There were two staff members standing by the entrance, but they seemed too caught up in their own conversation to greet visitors or answer questions. Once onboard, there was no one available to provide information or engage with visitors, which was disappointing — especially for such a famous aircraft. After leaving Concorde, I made a beeline for the commercial airliners on display outside — the part of the visit I was most excited for. Unfortunately, when I arrived, all of them were closed for the day except the aircraft in British Airways livery. While that one was open and staffed, and the gentleman onboard was extremely knowledgeable and happy to answer my questions (thank you for that!), I couldn’t help feeling disappointed that the others were shut. Throughout my visit, I also noticed that staff presence around the site felt quite sparse. In several areas, particularly around the commercial airliners, I had a lot of questions but couldn’t find anyone to ask. I was later told that access to the aircraft varies by day, which feels like a bit of a “luck of the draw” situation — fine if communicated clearly, but frustrating when you’ve paid full price and key exhibits aren’t open. Overall, while I did enjoy parts of the visit and found the open aircraft fascinating, the lack of staff engagement, limited access to exhibits, and inconsistent communication left me feeling underwhelmed. With such an incredible collection, I had hoped for a more welcoming and interactive experience.

Incredible place! Honestly the best aviation museum I have ever been to and one of the best museums I have been to overall. Lots to see, lots to interact with, actually getting into some of the planes, many elevated platforms and floors to see these huge aircraft from different angles. The airfield is active with all sorts taking off and landing throughout the day. Accessibility for wheelchair users is great too.

Very extensive collection contained at an active airfield. Vintage planes taking off and landing all day was a huge perk! To see these aircraft still flying is indeed a pleasure! Everything was in good order and labeled. Well worth spending the day here; so very much to see and experience!

Visited IWM Duxford during the school summer holidays and explored at our own pace. The vast hangars packed with iconic aircraft—from Spitfires to Concordes—bring aviation history to life. Interactive exhibits, flight simulators, and outdoor displays kept everyone engaged. Super accessible with wide paths and family facilities. A brilliant day out for all ages!

Had a wonderful day out at Jimmy's wildlife park with my wife and two dogs. The only place dogs can't go is the butterfly and reptile enclosures. So much to see and a lovely environment. Ample activities for kids and buying animal feed gives you the chance to get close to a lot of different animals. We saw the bears... although sleepy as we passed and watched a couple enjoying an 'experience' and feeding the brown bears. Thoroughly recommend. 10/10 The shops are great too.

Website does not do it justice, the FARM section is pigs but the rest is a fine selection of a small scale zoo. Powerd wheelchairs available but we had our own and it copped just fine, its hard pac mostly and the off road bit was 1 little section which wont be there once they complete the other enclosure its only temporary. Amazing place, great for family and Adults, they offer wedding packages too, food and drink prices relevant to the times.

After watching the ch4 episode on the Brown 🐻, we decided to make the journey from South Yorkshire to Ipswich Suffolk. Very good visit, had around 3 hours+ on site, only animals we didn't see were the Wolf's & Coos otherwise a good place to visit. There was quite a bit of work going on so it'd be nice to visit again next year once it's all completed. Staff we came into contact with were very nice and helpful, we managed to be at the Polar Bear 🐻's when May have a talk on the P/Bears only to find 2 of them were from The Yorkshire Wildlife Park 7 miles from where we live in Doncaster...👍👍👍👍

We had our wedding at Jimmys farm this past weekend and it was without a doubt the best day of our lives. The rangers at the park were incredible happy to talk to all of our guests, our lemur experience was the best! The food was sensational all of our guests raved about it, in particular the roast beef course, and the venue was beautiful. Huge shout out to our wedding planner at Jimmys Claire, who had only been working at Jimmys for a few weeks before helping with our wedding but helped with everything and reassured us at every point. What an amazing day and venue xxx

Had an absolutely brilliant time at Jimmys yesterday. Such a beautiful and big place and you can clearly see that the animals have the best care. We fed Diego the brown bear and the experience was absolutely amazing. A huge thank you to May his keeper who went above and beyond spending time with us and chatting. Highly recommend and will definitely be going back!

Excellent park. The park is well laid out and easy to get to. It gets busy so book your spot and get in early or suffer the overflow parking (which is not far from the entrance). Good food at the restaurants and lots of places to explore. All the animals are easily viewed and petting is allowed on e of them (goats, donkeys, etc. ). No - you can’t pet wolves or polar bears :). Have fun!

Travelled from Scotland, just to visit the farm, was not disappointed. This place is totally amazing. The talks about the animals were educational & fun. Seeing the wolves was a highlight for me. Looking forward to seeing the new enclosure open, hopefully with a tiger or two? Keep up the great work. Highly recommend

Had a lovely day out here plenty of animals to see,some were hiding in their beds as it was a bit chilly but you could peep at them there. There's walk through areas to get up close. Plenty of food and drink cafes dotted through the zoo and picnic benches too. Definitely worth a visit.

Love a zoo trip!! such an enjoyable experience. Great variety of animals to see and even though it can be very busy you still see and enjoy it all. The animals all have great spacious enclosures and plenty of items in for them to enjoy. There is plenty of things to see and to do which is great. The Gift shop at the end is brilliant as well, has a great variety of things for all ages.

What an amazing zoological zoo. It's started off as wet and windy but cleared up as there was many indoor areas to visit. The meerkats took abit of coaching to get them outside but eventually came out. Feeding the giraffes was really good and exciting for the children. Well grown ups. The staff were really helpful and knew exactly where to send you when lost for the next adventure around the park. So many animals and looked in good care. Lots of schools visiting which was good to see. Well done teams.

Had a very nice day. Very nice experience during the visit. The zoo is very easy to find with plenty of parking. The staff is very nice and helpful. You can stroll around the park in a relaxing enjoyable atmosphere. The zoo is easily accesible for wheel chair users and the benches around the park come in handy for those who have issues walking longer distances. The zoo beeing situated in a field away from towns, villages is very nice and gives you a better touch with nature. The large animal section is very nice. Also note that animals might take a nap exactly when you want to film or take a photo of them...with patience you can still catch them moving around. The restaurant offers good food and you can enjoy the food outside in nice weather. Kids playground close to the restaurant. Toilets also around the park are clean. You can get a ride on a mini train. The souvenir shop is nicely organised, affordable prices. The plush animals are very nicely made. Definitely worth a day visiting. Best to buy tickets in advance. You'll find a nice biodiversity animal range. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Better buy tickets in advance or an year pass if you plan to visit more times.

Really enjoyable day and a huge variety of animals to see. It’s really well laid out and the animals all looked happy. The Africa section was impressive. The elephants and giraffes seemed happy. Every turn you took there was something new to discover. Food options were a bit hit and miss with long waits for average not even hot food. That was the only down side but went for the animals hence the 5 star review. The green anacondas were stunning as were the chimpanzees

I had an absolutely fantastic time visiting Colchester Zoo! One of the highlights of the day was the amazing train ride that took us on a scenic journey around the park, giving us a chance to see the majority of the animals from a unique and relaxing perspective. It was such a fun and convenient way to explore the zoo. Another great feature was the variety of informative talks held at different animal enclosures throughout the day. These talks gave us the chance to learn more about the animals, their behaviors, and conservation efforts, all while getting a closer look at them. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. Overall, it was a brilliant experience—perfect for families, couples, or anyone who loves animals. Highly recommend visiting Colchester Zoo for a memorable and educational day out!

A great day out. I came with my six and ten year old and they loved the day. We didn't get to see all the animals but we did see most of them. We were there from 11.30 to 6pm l. There were plenty of places to sit and eat lunch/snacks. Lots of playgrounds, exhibits and interactive places.

Lovely clean beach..big amusement centre with funfair and food shops on pier..lovely atmosphere..big ferris wheel..mini golf..excellent all inclusive wristband price which includes 5 different thing for kids including 3d encounter miningolf fun fair rides 50 free tokens and 5 arcade game rides..what more could you ask for..what a bargain value..£20 instead of £30 for a wristband when booked a day in advance online..I would suggest anyone to visit here..been here around 6 times in the past 2 years..booked caravans around here 3 times..and looking forward to coming more..also came by train with a bunch of friends..we enjoyed so much.

Great place to spend time with family and friends. Lots of entertainment, food stalls and even a pub. Or you can just walk alongside the beach and learn some history by visiting the Martello towers built during the Napoleonic wars and were part of the costal defence system

Visited Southend and Brighton Pier. Give Clacton Pier a try. Beach and pier were great, but places to eat and drink were area specific Need more small soft ice cream shops. Clean though. Recommended 👍

Beautiful clacton pier always holds avents for kids Halloween 6 weeks holidays etc… massive restaurant inside with endless fruit machine and games followed by more rides on pier outside which pushes far to the end of pier always nice to visit and walk along seafront towards Holland on sea

Absolutely fantastic. Came from Australia with my two year old and the pier kept her entertained for hours without spending any really money!

Great pier. Looks like it’s recently been renovated with loads to keep you busy.

Great value all day wristband if bought in advance unlocks pretty much everything at the pier. We spent 7 hours here and had great fun. The stuff were all so friendly and added to the fun. Thank you for a great day out.

The road to the zoo is a bit narrow and winding, and driving with the steering wheel on the opposite side made it even more unusual. This is a truly small family-oriented zoo with an interesting selection of animals. Everything was clean and well maintained, and we enjoyed the visit. I was especially excited to see capybaras and meerkats. Personally, it was also fascinating to observe the visitors — many families with two or more children. The food was decent, but because of the strong wind and too many wasps outside, the experience was mixed. Overall, it’s a great place to spend a day with family.

Visited for my daughter’s birthday and it was great all round. The entire place is very well designed and in good condition. We tried food at a few of the outlets and all were good quality tasting food - not amazing but not the typical greasy nonsense you get. It’s good that you can walk around each area multiple times and in different directions so you really feel like you get the most out of your ticket. Price wise was good, about average and like I said there is plenty to do when inside. All the animals we saw looked happy, no concerns there.

A brilliant zoo, I would say one of the best we have visited. It was busy but we didn't feel it, its nicely spread out so you never feel crowded, it was also very clean and tidy. The staff were fantastic, even when doing something they were happy to answer questions on animals, they were all happy, friendly and genuinely seemed to enjoy being there. The animals all seemed happy and healthy with a lovely variety. As with all zoos it would be nice to see them with more space. The food was of excellent quality and reasonably priced. Nice to have the mix of animals, the dino trail and parks too. It is 3.5hours away from us but worth every minute in the car. Would 100% recommend

Great zoo, loved the red panda experience, keeper was very friendly and informative in answering any questions I had. Loved getting to see the two red pandas being introduced to each other. Got good views of the animals, some of the viewing windows were quite wet with condensation which blocked views but not much to be done about that. Lots of kids so was quite noisy but think I came in the school holidays. Only negative was one of the jaguars was pacing around a lot in its enclosure, hopefully it was just waiting for food or something like that and not stressed. Got Uber easily to/from the train station. Staff were all friendly and helpful.

A really good day out. I went with my sister and my two teenagers and we all thoroughly enjoyed our day. The theming, informative signs, viewing areas/platforms and eateries were very good. Of course the wonderful animals were the highlight and I can recommend attending the bird show! At the end of the day we even had a train ride around the dinosaur area for £2 each, which ended the day nicely.

A family favourite. My son was two when we went and he loved the dinosaurs section even though I was worried he was too young, there are some bits that are slightly gruesomely but you can quickly go past them. It’s good fun and you can then go to the zoo and look at the animals. It’s very well organised and clean. Limited option for food and as with any of these venues, it’s overpriced for the quality you get.

Hertfordshire Zoo is a fantastic family-friendly destination with a great variety of animals and interactive zones. The enclosures are well maintained , highlights include the lions, camels, and alpacas, all easy to view up close. The “World of Animals” and “Tumble Jungle” soft play area add extra fun for kids, with clearly scheduled play sessions. The zoo is clean, well signposted, and offers a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. A perfect day out for families with young children!

Fantastic day out with toddlers. If you can on a weekday in term time you can go on all the rides multiple times as practically no queues! The set up is also very walkable with animals and rides and playgrounds interspersed ergonomically. They have a great variety of animals who seem happy and healthy. It's a little pricey, but it feels worth it to give money to a nice farm. I wish their food options were healthier - especially the snacks (having some fruit on offer for the kids would be helpful!)

We visited as a family with our three girls and had such a fantastic day! There was so much to do — from seeing the animals to enjoying the rides and fun activities. Everything was really well organised, and the staff were friendly and helpful. The girls especially loved the pumpkin patch and all the little details that made the day extra special. We’ll definitely be coming back again soon! 🎃🐮

Incredible place Got there at 10:30am and received an informative welcome from reception I was happily surprised that it was not very busy . I was apprehensive about how many rides my daughter who is nearly two could go on and yet out of everything available she only missed out on 5 attractions. I love how detailed the park was and that there was just so many things to keep kids entertained for hours . Cafe was really good with large portions of food that was not salty but full of flavour. Staff loved interacting with the kids ,were really polite ,enthusiastic and took pride in their jobs. Overall Very very good value for the money and 100% worth it Will be definitely visiting again hopefully with a party of family members.

This is a fantastic place to bring your child! My little one is under 2 years old, so the free admission is a big plus. Everything is well organized, and there's the convenience of being able to eat inside. As expected from places like this, the food is more on the quick side, but it's surprisingly tasty. I've visited twice already and will definitely be coming back. One of the standout attractions is the circus – it’s a wonderful source of entertainment for both kids and adults alike. I recommend this place !

A complete package of thrill, fun and exploration for the little explorers. The farm themed park has a lot to offer starting with family friendly yet thrill rides that little ones can’t simply resist. My little one enjoyed doing the happy horses, train ride and crazy barnyard ride - of of them couple of times. It has got a decent softplay area too right at the entrance, along side the cafe and icecream bars. The animated shows run throughout the day at the show barns and the adventure playgrounds are quite massive and located at the centre of the park. There’s one little explorers playground as well with lots or animal sheds nearby offering seating areas. My little daughter couldn’t only do the doggy roller coaster as the ride closed at 4pm only strictly, but for next time sure. We had an unmissable and unforgettable adventure time her in this park in Brentwood, for sure.

Returned for our annual.years Halloween visit. Bit disappointed to find the Halloween walk through bit was closed off however realised upon checking that we were a day early. Decided to make the most of it and enjoy the rides. Took some really lovely Halloween photos of my girls lots of perfect back drops and props available throughout the park Staff were lovely especially the man on the train ride. Staff on both coffee stations were friendly and my daughter's both enjoyed a delicious custom made hot chocolates in after eight and unicorn. Animals looked happy and with plenty of space to roam around. It was lovely to see the pig foraging for plants and eating on the grass. Two lovely carousels, a rollercoaster and several other rides plus the staff make this place a really fun day out for all the family We will return

Lovely day out, we visited Old McDonald Farm with the kids to experience the Halloween Festival, we have been coming here for years but not on Halloween . Brilliant day, so nice to visit a park with just an entry fee and when you enter all rides are included, shows and activities, no hidden extras. Kids had a brilliant day, even the adults too, the kids also received a free pumpkin each. Some of the children in our family were sick, the staff at Old MacDonald Farm were brilliant - even offered to move to a different day so the kids don’t miss out (for a small fee) . Well done Old MacDonald Farm, we will definitely be coming back again !!!!

I visited the pier when the remembrance poppies were there, a magnificent display. Although the walk back up the pier was long the best part of the experience was the railway museum. I do feel like the pier is missing attractions, there's a lot of seating but nothing to do.

Worth the money! It was lovely to experience the train up to the end of the pier. Lovely views from there. Plenty of seats to sit down, a restaurant that serves food and drink. There was a DJ playing by the bar area, which sounded good. The only thing negative is that it wasn't very well organised when waiting for the train and the staff were abit grumpy. Coming back our door wouldn't open but no one was there waiting for the train to arrive back so a few of the passengers had to false it open.

Very nice pier. It's over a mile long(!) We walked up and got the train back and it was £20 for a family of four. There are shops and cafes at the end but are very expensive. Great views from the pier itself.

Walked on the longest pleasure pier in the world (2.14km). Then we took the "spirited-away-like" train back to the shore. Will not forget such memory.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) Southend Pier was a good experience overall not amazing, but still enjoyable. The walk along the pier was peaceful and offered some lovely views. I took the train back, which felt like stepping into the past it has a charming 1940s-style look that gives it a unique character. What stood out most was the contrast in atmosphere. The pier has a calm, laid-back vibe, but once you head back toward the Adventure Island side, it suddenly feels like a completely different world ,busier, louder, and more energetic. It’s an interesting mix of tranquillity and fun. Worth a visit if you’re in the area!

Really nice pier. It's amazing that you got the option to walk or use the railway. It's great fun for adults and children. Offer shops , restaurants.

Beautiful display of hand knitted and crochet poppies for remembrance day. Long queues to get on the pier and train but worth the wait. Great museum too

Our kids love this place, we go every year for the day. Great price for entry and half price after 5pm. Open till late, plenty to do in the area. Carers can get a wristband for half price, up to two Carers but you need to buy tickets on the day at the park itself. Other tickets can be brought online or on the day.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Adventure Island, Southend-on-Sea What an absolutely amazing experience! 🎢 Adventure Island is truly the happiest little amusement park by the sea! The moment you enter, you can feel the excitement and energy all around. It’s beautifully maintained, super clean, and offers something for everyone — from thrilling rides for adventure lovers to gentle ones for kids and families. The staff are cheerful, helpful, and always ready to make your day better. The sea view adds a special charm to the whole experience — imagine riding a roller coaster with waves in the background! 🌊 Food stalls, games, and the overall vibe make it a perfect full-day outing. Whether you go with family or friends, you’re bound to make wonderful memories here. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Southend-on-Sea! ❤️ [ Adventure Island Southend-on-Sea, amusement park, family fun, seaside rides, thrill rides, UK travel ] #AdventureIsland #SouthendOnSea #FamilyFun #UKAdventures #SeasideVibes #ThemeParkFun

We visited on the first day of our week holiday. We went for the annual pass as the children will want to visit again and the pass also gets discounts for food, shop etc. We are now on day 3 and going again! Well worth the money! The queues are very quick, we could wait nearby and see them in the queue for the majority of the rides. I wanted to go on a couple of rides so bought some ride tickets separately (no need for a day or annual pass for me 🤣)

VISIT DATE: SAT 20/09/2025 VISIT TIME: 13:30 - 20:00 Adventure Island is a fantastic place to visit if you have children and are in the Southend area. We’re based in Hornchurch, about an hour away by car, or you can also travel quite easily via C2C from Upminster, so my ex and I have visited a number of times with our daughter, starting when she was 3 (she’s now 6). The park promotes itself as free entry, but no one is going to come just to walk through it, so the reality is that you’ll need to get a day pass to take advantage of the rides. At time of writing, it’s £35 for the day, but you can save £10 by purchasing online in advance. If you’re planning to go more than once, then it makes sense to upgrade to an annual pass. These are currently on sale at £50 and do not start until the first time you go. If your child is under 120cm tall, you won’t need your own pass, as they need someone taller (and at least 14 years old) to ride with them. As you’d expect, during the summer, or on character event days, the park is very busy, so there are queues for rides, but going off season reduces this dramatically. We were really blessed with a quiet day, so barely any queuing time, all rides open, with the exception of one, which was closed due to a mechanical issue and the park and rides were open till 8pm. It was also a warm day - being inside the park means that you are sheltered from the wind coming off the Thames Estuary, so even when it’s breezy, you don’t really feel it. There are a variety of rides, with plenty of slower ones for younger children, or those who don’t like faster stuff. Oh these, we really like Adventureville and Spooksville (which is the “scary” version, in darkness and with models of monsters and clowns, as well as appropriate sound effects), and you’ve also got stuff like little trains and boats and the best Crooked House ever, which has been an attraction on the site since 1949, surviving the great flood of 1953 and various ownership changes and developments over the years. I loved this attraction as a child and my daughter loves it too! There are also a number of rollercoasters, with more gentle ones, then building up to Rage, which has a vertical drop and loops. My daughter is looking forward to being tall enough to do that, but she’ll be going on with her Dad when that time comes, not me! There is also a water slide and an indoor area, Adventure Inside, which features a few more rides, including a traditional carousel (my personal favourite) and a decent sized soft play. Staff at the park are generally young, so they have lots of enthusiasm (if we lived nearer, I’d probably encourage my daughter to apply when she’s older, as I think it’s probably a pretty fun working environment, as well as quite hard work) and they are also friendly and helpful when you need anything. As well as the rides that are included in with your entry, there are also plenty of stalls encouraging you to spend more, like “Hook-a-Duck”, which my daughter loves. This is where having an annual pass is beneficial, as you get 20% discount on purchases, including from the food and drink stalls, of which there are also many! Personally, we recommend avoiding the restaurants inside the park as they’re not that great and there are loads of really nice local places a few minutes walk away which deserve supporting. You can also spend money on a Funtopia gamecard, to use on the many games machines in the arcade areas. You can pay to play with a debit / credit card, but the Funtopia card gives you extra credit and allows you to collect points which can be exchanged for prizes. Annual pass also gives you extra credit! Plenty of toilets in the park, including accessible and baby change. All in reasonable condition throughout the day. Overall, we really enjoy visiting and will continue to do so; it’s a great day out on its own, but when you add the other nearby attractions to the mix (Sealife Adventure, Southend Pier, spending time on the beach and in the water when it’s warm enough), this is a fabulous place to visit.

⭐☆☆☆☆ We visited Adventure Island last week and purchased annual passes for our family. On our return visit, I was excited to bring along four other families—18 people in total—after highly recommending the park, even convincing them to travel from Birmingham for the experience. However, our visit was completely overshadowed by the poor treatment we received as annual pass holders. Despite having email confirmation of our passes and our photos already in the system from the first visit, we mistakenly forgot our physical cards. Instead of offering a simple solution—like issuing wristbands, as we were already registered—the supervisor insisted we pay £6 for replacement cards. We offered to just get the wristbands and even showed our ID and confirmation emails, but were told we had no option except to pay, even though they clearly had our details on record. It felt like a money-grabbing tactic rather than genuine customer care, especially after I brought so many new paying customers to the park. Very disappointing and embarrassing after highly recommending the place to friends and family. If you're considering an annual pass here, beware: there is no help or flexibility if you forget your card, and you’ll be forced to pay extra fees on top of the not-insignificant cost of entry. Not the level of service or understanding I'd expect from a top family attraction.

Discounted tickets after 5pm. Got to be quick if you want to do all the rides. Rage was the best. 2cm too short for two. Height checks in que. Ferris wheel took ages. Some ride staff were brilliant. Got wet on the green water slide. Toilets at either end. Plenty of places for food and drink. A good enough park to say you've done.

For a seaside, this is one of the biggest fairgrounds I've come across. For families, it would be great value as there is a great variety of rides for old and young if using their wristbands. Alternatively, you can purchase a ticket to ride for £4 which we did just for the big wheel. Was very busy, so there was a bit of a wait to get on. Clean and family-friendly environment.

My Visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral, London My visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral was a memorable journey through London’s history and architecture. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666, this magnificent landmark has stood as a symbol of resilience and faith for over 300 years. Its stunning dome — one of the largest in the world — dominates the London skyline and offers breathtaking views from the Golden Gallery. Inside, the cathedral is beautifully decorated with mosaics, marble columns, and intricate artwork. The Whispering Gallery inside the dome was a fascinating experience — a whisper travels across its circular wall. The crypt below houses the tombs of national heroes like Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. Visitor Tips: Buy tickets online to avoid queues. Arrive early if you plan to climb the dome — it’s around 528 steps but worth it for the view. Photography isn’t allowed inside, so take your time to enjoy the interiors quietly. If possible, attend the Evensong service to experience the cathedral’s choir in full harmony. How to Reach: St. Paul’s Cathedral is located at St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD. The nearest Underground station is St. Paul’s Station (Central Line), just a 2-minute walk away. You can also reach it via Bus routes 4, 11, 15, 23, 25, and 26, or by walking from Mansion House or Blackfriars stations. A visit to St. Paul’s is a must for anyone exploring London — a perfect mix of history, art, and spirituality in one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Visited midweek with friends and absolutely blown away by this place. Entrance fee (£28/Adult) is not cheap, but for me it was worth every penny. The cathedral is breathtaking - Wren's architecture is stunning with a restrained elegance that oozes history and power. We witnessed several ceremonies taking place which was incredibly moving (no photography during services, but being there adds such depth to the experience). The structure has three levels and every corner is fascinating if you're into history. The audio guide is excellent and really detailed. The climb to the Whispering Gallery is tricky with very narrow spiral stairs, but the views from the top of the dome are spectacular - 360° panoramas across London and the Thames. We had great weather so could see for miles. One of the best vantage points in the city. The crypt houses Nelson, Wellington and has a brilliant section on Christopher Wren and the cathedral's construction. Allow at least two hours to do it justice. + Coffee shop and gift shop at the exit. Absolutely thrilled we made the time for this - a genuine must-see London landmark.

Didn't reserve a ticket online, but was lucky enough to have no wait time for a 1:30pm entry to the cathedral. For entry fee, you get an audio guide, access to the galleries, the crypt and an optional in person tour guide (at no extra cost) which runs at set intervals during the day, check with staff upon arrival on when these occur. Highly recommend joining a tour, as you get exclusive access to areas of the Cathedral otherwise inaccessible to the public. Julia (our tour guide) was amazing and truly enriched our experience and understanding of the church. If you want to join a tour and look leisurely, would recommend you spend a minimum 3 + hours. Braving the 500+ steps up to the galleries and the highest point of the dome (giving you a lovely view of London) is definitely worth the sweat and exertion. Please bear in mind it's 500+ steps up and then down too, with no lifts.

I recently visited St. Paul’s Cathedral and had a wonderful experience. The architecture is stunning, the history is truly inspiring, and the views from the top are absolutely worth the climb. The whole atmosphere felt peaceful and majestic. A must-visit landmark in London!

First, I’d like to say that it seems like a lovely group of people who are truly seeking to follow Jesus. Which, in some ways coming to a big church like this, was a surprise. But I sensed a true Jesus like heart from the leadership, from their services and their signage and literature and programs. The vespers we went to was absolutely wonderful with a college choir leading it. The setting and music, prayers and readings all truly lifted my heart. We also took in the luminous art exhibit, while we are there which shows their willingness to engage the artistic community draw people in is at whole other level, and I appreciate that.

St Paul’s Cathedral is absolutely breathtaking and a must-visit in London. The architecture is stunning — from the grand dome to the intricate details inside, every corner feels majestic. Stepping inside, the sense of history and spirituality is truly moving. The highlight for me was climbing up to the Whispering Gallery and then further to the Golden Gallery, where the panoramic views over London are spectacular. It’s a bit of a climb, but completely worth it! The cathedral also tells powerful stories of resilience, especially its survival during World War II, which makes it even more special. The staff and guides are very knowledgeable, and the way the exhibitions are presented makes the history come alive. Whether you’re interested in history, architecture, or simply want to experience a place of beauty and reflection, St Paul’s Cathedral is unforgettable.

An historical Monument of London City. A must visit Attraction. Takes approximately 2 hours to complete the Tour inside. Has 3 Galleries - Whispering, Stone & Golden to climb up the stairs with Golden being atop offering a brilliant view of London City. They offer a headphone 🎧 device with pre-loaded Tour to be guided alongwith path. Shop to purchase items available in the basement alongwith food courts & washrooms. Elechestra organised by 12:30 pm. Entry tickets can be booked in advance or can be purchased on spot. Accessible by public transport.

Amazing experience at Sky Garden! Sky Garden is absolutely beautiful — the views are breathtaking! You can see all the famous London landmarks like the London Bridge, the London Eye, and even The Shard from up here. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing, with lots of greenery and a lovely open space. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy the city from above, take great photos, and just soak in the view. Highly recommend visiting, especially around sunset! 🌇

It's certainly one of the most beautiful skyscrapers I've ever visited. Access is easy and well-organized if you book in advance. It's also free. Once you're up there, you're mesmerized by the view of the Thames, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and all of London. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming; you're surrounded by plants and you feel a sense of well-being. I recommend booking just before sunset to ensure a unique experience.

I visited Sky Garden in London recently and thought it was a cool spot, especially if you're into city views. The place sits right on top of the “Walkie-Talkie” building and gives you some amazing views of London, you can see the Thames, The Shard, Tower Bridge… all of it. Entry is totally free, but you do need to book a ticket in advance. They release tickets every Monday at 10am, and they get snapped up pretty fast especially for weekends. Weekdays are a lot easier to book and way less crowded. If you go midweek, you’ll probably have a smooth, chill experience. Weekends? Totally different story. Even with a ticket, the queues can be long. And if you don’t have a ticket, be ready to wait even longer just to try your luck on walk-in entry. So yeah, weekends = chaos. The garden itself is nice, though it’s more of a well-designed indoor space with plants than an actual “garden.” Still, the views make it worth it. There’s also a bar and a couple of restaurants if you want to grab a drink or food, but it’s a bit pricey. Pro tip: Go on a weekday if you can. Book early (set a reminder for Monday 10am), and get there a little before your time slot because there’s security and sometimes a short wait for the lift.

This place is amazing with absolutely stunning views of London. Me and wife had breakfast and paid for the advanced tickets for early excess before all the crowds. Beautiful place with an amazing feeling with beautiful gardens with ferns and exotic flowers and greenery. You can't go to London without coming here. A+++

We got there after 6 pm on the weekend, on a wet day in autumn. The security personnel were so very welcoming and jovial. They made me feel welcomed and safe. It was a bit crowded at that time but there were chairs and tables available on the 35th floor. The drink options were a bit slim and there was a decent Italian restaurant. The view was amazing, and the night lights were absolutely worth the trip. Facilities were clean and the wait was not too long for the ladies.

The Sky Garden in London is one of the city’s most beautiful and relaxing attractions, offering breathtaking panoramic views from high above the bustling streets. Located atop the Walkie Talkie building, it provides an incredible vantage point where you can see landmarks like the Shard, Tower Bridge, and the Thames all at once. The space itself feels open and airy, filled with lush greenery and soft natural light that creates a calm, comfortable atmosphere—almost like a tropical escape in the sky. What makes the Sky Garden especially appealing is how effortlessly it blends nature with modern design. The plants, pathways, and seating areas invite you to linger, enjoy a drink, or simply take in the scenery. It’s free to visit with a reservation, and even during busy times, the space feels well managed and never too crowded. The café and bars offer a nice selection of snacks and cocktails, perfect for watching the sunset over London. Whether you’re a visitor exploring the city or a local looking for a peaceful retreat, the Sky Garden is a must-see destination. It’s beautiful, comfortable, and gives you one of the best—and most memorable—views in all of London.

Great views of London! And if you book your tickets before your trip (the tickets are released every Monday morning. - to buy 3 weeks ahead),it means less waiting time! You can easily buy a cup of coffee or glass of prosecco and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and fantastic views! Perfect for the free family outing.

Wonderful experience. We travelled to Waterloo by train and hopped on boat to London Bridge for the Tower which was easy and entertaining. The Tower was fascinating, such history. The poppy installation was fantastic. A really good day.....but you need comfy walking shoes!

Great day out. Went on a weekend and not too busy outside of peak season. Crown Jewels clearly the highlight, and didn’t disappoint - displays nicely spaced out, not too much content to overload younger ones and up to date, but there’s also so much more to see. Poppy display was superb, exotic animals, Yeoman tour and White Tower also worth the time, with the latter having interactive area for children. Nice day out and good to take a picnic (though not lots of spaces to sit and eat).

Absolutely awesome place, went when the poppy display was on for the memorial. Got to see everything, crown jewels, the tower of London and other surrounding buildings. Was a brilliant day out. Highly recommended A+++

Enjoyed all the history The Ravens were alot bigger than I imagined. The crown Jewels were amazing and loads of gold pieces of various objects the punch bowl was massive. All the beefeaters were friendly and helpful.

A lovely sunny autumn day spent with my history loving son. Went to see the poppies and did the audio tour guide. Spent 3 fab hours pottering around 😊

A world recognised tourist location. Amazing history connected with the Tower of London. I'd recommend visiting here, even just to walk around the history laden walkways . 😁🇬🇧👍

Absolutely a wonderful time. As a tourist from the US, I cannot believe the amount of history in one place. You could spend an entire vacation at this site alone. Seeing highlights from the coronation amd seeing them in real life was fantastic. The displays in the White Tower were worth it alone

Thoroughly enjoyed talking the self guided tour. The glass floor gives a unique view of the Thames, but can be slightly unnerving. The engine room has the two steam engines, used to power the bascules, on display. Over all, it's very good venue for money.

One of the most important attractions in this wonderful city! Especially, if you visit it at night is way more beautiful! This bridge brings its own unique touch of beauty in London! You have to visit it with no hesitation! 🌉✨

Tower Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in London and visiting it was a fantastic experience. The views from the bridge are stunning, both of the Thames and the city. Taking the Tower Bridge Exhibition tour made the visit even better, as it gave detailed insights into how the bridge was built and the fascinating mechanism behind its operation. Walking across the glass floor was a unique highlight too, giving a completely different perspective of the bridge and the river below. The site is very well maintained and the staff were friendly and helpful. The only thing to keep in mind is that you may need to wait in a queue for entry, and on a sunny day this can feel a bit frustrating. Still, it’s not just a landmark to admire from outside, but also an educational and memorable experience to explore from within. Definitely worth visiting.

Walking near Tower Bridge is honestly one of the nicest things to do in London, especially if you’re trying to escape the busy streets without leaving the city. The view is unreal – you’ve got the bridge itself, which looks straight out of a postcard, the river Thames calmly flowing, and plenty of spots to just sit and chill. There’s something peaceful about hearing the water and watching the boats go by, even when there are tourists around. At sunset, the whole area lights up in warm colours and it feels kinda magical. It’s also surprisingly clean and safe, even in the evening. Loads of nice little cafes and street food stalls around if you fancy a bite, and the walk towards the south bank or down to St Katharine Docks is worth it too. You get a mix of old-school charm and modern city vibes. Would definitely recommend it for a date, a solo unwind walk, or just to take some beautiful photos. 10/10 – calming, scenic, and very London.

The Tower Bridge is a great stop if you're in the nearby area, and provides about 30min to 1 hour diversion. Combined with the free audio tour, great views complete with partial glass floor in one section, historic awe of the building process, and gift shop at the end - I would highly recommend if you're in the area. There are lifts for the tower, but I suggest/recommend you take the stairs getting some insight, facts and touch of history on the way up and down. There are benches to rest, toilets but no Air Con for most of it, however fans throughout provide plenty of relief - 84 degrees and it never felt sweltering inside. Learn how the bridge was designed, constructed and changes over the years - in particular the engine room videos and presentation on divers were really great. And whenever you're done walk along the Thames River path near the wharf and grab a bite to eat.

Tower Bridge is indeed an iconic and highly recommended destination for anyone visiting London. You've captured its essence perfectly! Here's a summary of why it's a must-visit, echoing your points: * Iconic Landmark: It's instantly recognizable and a symbol of London. * Ideal for Shorter Visits: As you said, it's not a full-day commitment but perfect for a few hours. * Photographer's Dream: Offers incredible opportunities for stunning photographs, especially of the bridge itself, the River Thames, and the surrounding cityscapes. * Engaging Experience: Walking across the bridge allows you to appreciate its architecture up close, enjoy the (often cold!) wind, and take in the mesmerizing views of the River Thames. * Great for All: Whether with friends or family, it offers a memorable experience. For those looking to delve deeper, the Tower Bridge Exhibition (inside the bridge itself) offers a chance to learn about its history, see the Victorian engine rooms, and experience the glass walkways for unique views. Even without entering the exhibition, a walk across and around the bridge is a highly rewarding experience.

Good view from the top from a perspective you won't see otherwise. Short video of old footage of London was good. Information boards everywhere to enlighten visitors. On the London Pass so that makes it better value.

I do not like heights, so nearly never went up the Shard. But i overcome my fear and went anyway, I am glad I did. It was amazing, the lifts are quite something. The views are amazing from the top you can see for miles, as a bonus there are two chaps giving you a guide about the Shard which was very interesting and funny, so if your there go listen. You also must pay a visit to the toilets, odd thing to say, but it's worth it. I would recommend a visit here, it is amazing.

​We visited The Shard the other day, and it was the highlight of our central trip. Getting there was simple; the entrance is well-signposted near London Bridge station. ​The staff managing the access were incredibly helpful, and thanks to having a Blue Badge, we were given priority access and moved straight through to the high-speed elevators without any wait, which made the start of the visit wonderfully stress-free and smooth. This level of accessibility service was much appreciated. ​We were lucky enough to book tickets for just before sunset, and the view as the city transitioned from daylight to twilight was magical. From Level 69, we had a perfect, sheltered view of the winding Thames, Tower Bridge, and the Gherkin. Heading up to the open-air Level 72 felt like being on top of the world—it was breezy but totally worth it for the 360-degree experience. The whole space was clean, and while there were people, it never felt overly crowded.

Went to The Shard late afternoon, no queue at all and paid around £60 for two. Quick bag check and metal detector, then two smooth, fast lifts to the top. The views were absolutely incredible, and there’s even a bar up there! A bit windy but surrounded by glass. Overall, an amazing experience and well worth it.

This was amazing and afternoon tea was a birthday gift. The staff are brilliant, professional and friendly. The food fantastic. Absolutely loved it. What a wonderful experience and memory to keep. Maybe more signage saying do not lean on the lift doors, as one of our young party almost fell out, when the doors were opened. But that is such a minor issue.

Great views of London. Definitely no other place has these views, so it's a shame entrance tickets are so expensive. There's a bar with a good selection of drinks and also some bar food. There are a cart selling ice cream 🍦 🍨 and another selling strawberries 🍓. On your way out, there is a gift shop with some branded merchandise and other various London-related articles.

Had a great time visiting the view from the shard, staff were so pleasant and friendly on welcoming in you and guiding you. The experience itself was so interesting to be able to see all of London from the highest point. It was a strange perspective of all the famous landmarks. I would recommend this to anyone visiting London as a must do for the experience of seeing all of London

A visit to the Shard Tower located in London is a must for any visitor to the city. One is first transported direct to Floor 33 and then onwards direct to Floor 68. Scenic views of London can be viewed at 360 degrees. A Cafe is also located here. Then finally to Floor 72, where a Tour Guide briefs the visitors about the Tower. Views of London from here are spectacular. Tickets need to be purchased in advance with the preferred time slot. Gift Shop is located as one comes out to purchase souvenirs.

Bluewater is an amazing place, easy to find and parking, plenty of. Shop for everyone, high end or "normal". Food from loads of different countries. Places itself is just nice. Now very Christmas style so warm and cozy. What else? Just go and visit the place. Worth it😊

My nighttime visit was absolutely worth it for the photos! 🌃 The atmosphere was fantastic, and I can only imagine how lovely it would be during the day too. ✨ Highly recommend checking it out! 📸

Some of the stores closed at 8pm when online closing times are 9pm so disappointing, a lot of empty retail units, and the centre lacks visual inspiration inside lots of the features have been removed, so it's all very bland, was also very hot, if you park at John Lewis when they close you have to find alternative way out Also fire exit doors are locked a huge safety concern I have visited many times over 25 years and find it's changed but not for the better on the positive side plenty free parking, shops and food outlets, toilets worth a visit

Great place for shopping, plenty of fashion shops, eateries and entertainment, Cinema, kids climbing, Ballerz, etc. easy parking and loads of disabled spots close the entrances on each floor of the multistories.

Me and my family really enjoy day trip to Bluewater Shopping Centre it’s beautiful and find great things many stores and food halls I really recommend to visit there your day will be amazing.☺️

Great place for shopping, also has a lot of food options. Was a great opportunity to buy food from different places to try in one location as well as doing shopping. This mall is child friendly and my son loves running around! Just be careful and mindful of where you park so you don’t end up doing a full circle to go back to your car!

Bluewater is good place to shop, eat or just walk around. It has all the shops you would expect of a shopping centre and has plenty of parking. So if you’re looking for a less busy version of Westfield Stratford jump on the A2 or get one of the many buses that come here.

Dropped by Turner Contemporary during a day trip beach day to Margate and really enjoyed it. It’s free, super clean, and well looked after. I only had a quick wander before closing but it was still a really nice visit. Being right by the water is an added bonus. Worth checking out if you’re in Margate!

We spent a lovely couple of hours wandering through the galleries. All very well curated. Great for school groups. No entrance fee. Just donations requested. Small but interesting gift shop with pottery that reflects Turners key work.

I am always excited to see what's going to be on display next. The presentation is always top class with such attention to details. My daughter and I are frequent visitors.

It's free so always worth popping in if you're in Margate anyway. Quite surprised and a bit disappointed that there is literally just the one lonely Turner there. The other exhibits were a mixed bag really, two beautiful sculptures as you enter but the rest were bafflingly naive. Personal taste of course with any exhibition.

Enjoyable gallery. Airy and great light. However there is not a great deal to see. An hour and you have easily. seen everything on display. We went to see the Bridget Riley exhibition which is well layed out and displayed. Nice shop and coffee shop on site.

Always enjoy visiting the Turner no matter what the exhibition. It’s light,airy, has a great gift shop and cafe, entertainment for kids and decent toilets. We could easily spend a day here when the kids were small but now they are older it tends to be a couple of hours.

Hi all just been to the turner exhibition only one painting by him which we found unusual in the turner center lol The shell girl was good and the paintings and pictures buy the kids and teenagers of the area where good the sunken ship couldn't get my head around the chess piece where ok and the undersea world was ok .

Went on a Thursday, a week day. Large cathedral, bigger than expected. It did have some construction ongoing outside so that did affect the pictures of the building. Staff and volunteers inside were friendly and happy to tell you a lot about the history, for free. Ticket office staff also helpful explaining the differences in tickets. Very quick and easy. Cathedral probably needs two visits and definitely a tour guide to fully appreciate. There is a cafe and restaurant, and even a hotel. Toilet facilities were adequate. Good places to sit and read if you need a break also. Definitely will return.

Very impressed. More than expected. Magnificent architecture. Huge, light, airy and less dark and oppressive when compared with Westminster Abbey. Beautiful ceilings and stained glass and extensive history. Less ‘tombs’ and fortunately less busy midweek. During our visit a Chaplain addressed all visitors briefly from the pulpit, and offered a prayer, using the cathedral for it’s intended purpose as a place of worship - not a tourist attraction - as it should be. The entry fee to the Cathedral is very reasonable considering the cost of maintaining the building and overseeing visitors. We paid an additional small sum for a guided tour which was exceptional. Lucky to get a ticket. The volunteer gave us a lot of insight into the development of Christianity in the UK, the various phases of the Church during different occupations and global conflicts, the murder of Thomas Beckett in 1170 AD, the destruction of his shrine by King Henry VIII in 1538, all wrapped up with visiting the different areas of the building and outlining the many extensions and renovations over 1000 years! Wonderful learning experience.

A beautiful and peaceful place to spend the day. You can wander around the whole site taking in all of the history and story of the cathedral. There is plenty to see inside both in the crypt and the main floor. You can walk through the entire cathedral. There are places set aside for prayer and quiet contemplation. The outside areas are quiet and interesting to look at. Since the building has been cleaned on the outside you get a good feel for the surroundings and what it would have looked like when it was built. Hearing the bells on the hour was magical and seeing the places where St Thomas was murdered and the site of his tomb before it was destroyed in the reformation makes you stop and think. A fantastic day and a day of learning is never wasted. One day I will return to learn some more. Thank you.

Beautiful Cathedral inside and outside. Very well maintained. You might need two days to walk around inside and outside, lovely gardens with lots of historical information. We thought it was free to enter, but it wasn't. We brought tickets either £19 or £21.00 each (don't remember exactly) they are valid for 12 months from the day of purchase. Just as well really, we thought they opened early on Sunday mornings, but they don't they have Sunday service and they open at 12.30. We had planned to go somewhere else and couldn't wait that long. We managed to walk around inside on Saturday morning early when it was quiet. The cathedral echos when people are talking, it looses it's essence of peace and solidtude. Definitely check the opening and closing times when planning a visit, it isn't visible from the outside of the cathedral which currently has scaffolding surrounding it for maintenance work. I will definitely go back to walk around the remainder of the cathedral before our tickets expire.

Went for a short stay to see Cathedral and town. So historic and interesting. (Museum was great too...and free! ). Went to a choral evensong with the school girls choir, in the Cathedral....beautiful. Next day toured the Cathedral and amazing Crypt. Well worth the money. Walking outside to other historic sites in the Cathedral area, afterwards. We didn't book tickets,as at the beginning of November, it was not busy.

Stunning... Just walking around this magnificent building is a delight... And there's no charges. So with a beautiful cathedral and a lovely quaint town with plenty of food options you definitely cannot go wrong for a good day out..

The Cathedral is truly a jewel of medieval architecture. The town, where Charles Dickens once lived for a while, has its own magic. You can feel the atmosphere of English life, away from the hustle and bustle of London (in a certain sense, it conveyed this to me). In the winter, it comes alive with university student life, and I think the pace of daily life changes, but despite everything, it remains beautiful to visit, perhaps even better.

​I had a truly fantastic trip to Leeds Castle. This place is awesome—it genuinely feels like a jewel in a crown. ​While the entry cost is significant, it is absolutely worth the price because there is SO MUCH TO DO, making it an easy full-day trip. Even better, your ticket allows you to return for a whole year! ​The grounds are magnificent and incredibly varied, featuring beautiful hilly areas, serene lakes, and varied walled garden areas. Don't miss the maze, the epic-looking children's playground, the Birds of Prey display, and the unique and fun Dog Collar Museum (the only one, I believe!). Inside the castle is amazing, filled with great displays and information. ​What really stands out is the clear investment and the incredible staff. The whole operation is so well-organized, and there are countless staff members who were universally friendly, kind, and helpful. ​The café was especially great! The food was good, and the Lemon Drizzle Cake was absolutely sublime—a perfect break during the day. ​Plus, you can buy duck food in the gift shop—a small touch, but very fun for feeding the birds! Highly, highly recommend this incredible historical gem.

Wow, Leeds castle was stunning. Set in the countryside, the drive up to the castle you knew it was going to be spectacular and we weren't disappointed. The grounds are stunning. It just got better and better, the Maze, Falconry, castle. The food was good here and the restaurant was superb. There was a boat ride available on the lake, Go-Ape, play areas. You could easily spend a day here. The staff were polite and knowledgeable and the castle itself is steeped in history.

An absolute gem — the most beautiful castle in the UK! If you’re visiting Kent or anywhere in the UK, this is the castle you can’t miss. What makes it truly special isn’t just the castle itself, but the breathtaking landscape surrounding it — every view feels like a postcard. There’s something here for everyone: an incredible adventure play area for kids of all ages (the maze is a must!), a stunning collection of birds, and a truly entertaining eagle and owl show that keeps both adults and children mesmerized. Take your time strolling through the gardens and woodlands on your way in — and on your way back, hop on the charming little train or relax on the scenic boat ride. Both are experiences in their own right. The castle grounds have plenty of great dining options, from cozy cafés to proper restaurants, so you won’t have to worry about food. Plus, they host brilliant seasonal events throughout the year — whether it’s a medieval festival, light trail, or Christmas market, there’s always something new to enjoy. The ticket you buy gives you unlimited entry for a full year — which is perfect, because once you’ve been, you’ll definitely want to come back. Ample of free car park. I suggest booking your entry ticket online in case it's busy.

Leeds Castle is absolutely breathtaking — a true fairytale setting surrounded by beautiful gardens and a serene lake. The castle is rich in history and wonderfully preserved, offering fascinating exhibits and lovely walks around the grounds. The location is peaceful, and the atmosphere feels magical from the moment you arrive. A must-visit in Kent and one of the most beautiful castles in England!

Absolutely stunning castle afloat it's moat. Beautiful gardens as well, especially the Mediterranean area. Enjoyed seeing all the various sculptures around the gardens. Lots to see and do. Fun maze to get lost in. The castle itself is amazing and beautiful inside. Had a lovely chat with one of the volunteer guides. He informed us that sadly no black swans currently at the castle due to avian flu 🥲. You can have a boat trip on tge lake but this costs extra on top of the admission price!

We stayed in accommodation on site, marvelous location for a three night stay. Beautiful landscape and gardens, use of all facilities on site during our stay, castle is a fascinating place to visit with lovely walks in the grounds, a visit to the birds of pray is a good choice. All the staff are amazing and friendly and helpful.

Lovely historic castle with plenty of interest other than the main building, beautiful grounds and lakes, there's a small road train shuttle from near the entrance to the castle, which is about a ten minute walk from the entrance, £1.50 each way. The falconry display is a must, the staff that do this are very knowledgeable about their subject, and don't forget to duck !! 😃 All in all a great day out. Oh and dont forget the small lake ferry and maze.

We went to Chartwell on an October weekday over the autumn half term. It proved to be a popular destination and the car parks were very full. There are toilets a fairly large, modern cafe and a gift shop close to the reception area. If you wish to see the house then it is necessary to book a time slot in order to control number of visitors inside. The house has beautiful views from the windows and is fascinating, being packed with family furniture, photos and pictures. It also contains many souvenirs and gifts received over Churchill's long and distinguished life and career as well as a collection of his many uniforms. There are helpful and knowledgeable guides in each room The gardens and grounds are extensive and were lovely even on a rather dull autumn day. In summer they must be ablaze with colour. Churchill's large studio is situated a little distance from the house and the walls are lined with many of his paintings. There is an interactive guide which gives information on each of them. The gardens are reasonably accessible but may cause a problem for the less mobile as there are quite a few steps and not all have handrails. There is a shuttle bus for those who would find the steepish journey from reception to the house too much or are tired after walking the grounds.

Excellent. The warm and convivial atmosphere of the house is palpable. This was a home, and that sense has been beautifully kept. And what a home! The walled garden is stunning in the summer months. The large estate and woods are perfect for exploring or just admiring the views. Absolutely worth repeated visits. Do book in advance, especially in the summer. It gets busy and entrance to the house is timed.

This was a very special, since Sir Churchill was someone I have been admitted and studied about. If anyone likes a history, appreciate a true beauty of British culture and their heritage as myself I would truly recommend this place. There is so much to see. The house itself has lots of room, then you got a big landscaping and trails around to hike, besides the main House there is art house - where all Sir Churchill painting are placed, cafe shop, local shop. However, my day made people who works there. Each room have a person who are very happy to answer any questions you have, full of passion and knowledge while telling the story. I was very fascinated and felt part of it. Each person was amazing, I didn't catch all names but I would love to Thank you all, especially Paul "Sir Churchill work room', two gents in art room (where I was amazed and like hypnotised listing) - indeed, everyone who I had a pleasure to meet - Thank you for your time. Highly recommend. Besides, I have met very helpful and kind people in town. Thank You - you restored my hope for kindness. For anyone who use public transport, please ensure about the bus who runs only 3x a day.

As Churchill used to say, “A day without Chartwell is a day wasted.” I understood what he meant after visiting this historical place for the first time. The estate is vast and beautifully organized. The rooms are fascinating, filled with countless items from Churchill’s life. There are also many paintings - not only by Churchill himself, but also works by artists like Claude Monet and Townsend. The house has retained its old charm; walking through it feels like stepping into a time capsule. You’ll find numerous artefacts from the Second World War - Churchill’s uniforms, documents, photographs, and gifts he received from world leaders. My favorites were his cigar boxes, Napoleon’s tea set, and the glittering gifts from Josef Stalin - silver, glass, and gem-studded fruit bowls among them. There are many other treasures from the most prominent figures of his era like General de Gaulle, King Abdul Aziz or Franklin D. Roosevelt to name few. The grounds are beautifully maintained, with scenic paths, gardens, and ponds all around. If the weather is good, don’t miss a stroll through the woods beyond the ponds - the tree house there is a highlight, and yes, even adults can fit inside! ;) There’s also plenty of practical convenience: a large car park, a spacious National Trust café, and well-run facilities. I’ve been visiting Chartwell for many years, and it always has something new to offer. Their current Halloween-themed activities are great fun for children. I’ll definitely be back - a truly inspiring place, steeped in history and nature.

What a history and what a well looked after home of great politician Winston Churchill. In fact, this looks like a very well presented exhibition how the great man lived and did. The grounds and gardens are equally beautiful. The facilities provided, like parking, cafeteria, restaurant etc are more than adequate. However, considering all the above the entry fee still seems a bit steep as compared to other similar properties of National Trust.

Visited Chartwell House on the 5th Nov. Sadly the house was closed for decorating for Christmas. However the gardens were stunning and well worth a visit in of themselves. The views were stunning and serene. A nice place to decompress. It would have been nice to see Winston Churchills home. But give me an excuse to visit again. Also sampled their spicy bean soup and had to have some apple crumble cake, made from apples from the grounds, delicious.

Absolutely fascinating glimpse into Churchill's private home life. The house is beautifully maintained, staffed by informative volunteers. The grounds are stunning. There's a great café too. Plenty of parking. Highly recommend as a day out.

I visited the White Cliffs of Dover for about an hour and hiked all the way to the lighthouse — it’s a wonderful place for walking and even having a picnic, with amazing views along the way, though the smell from the ships and boats near the pier was a bit unpleasant.

The White Cliffs of Dover are absolutely breathtaking! The views are stunning, and walking along the cliffs is both peaceful and invigorating. The trails are well-maintained, and there are plenty of spots to stop and take photos. A perfect place for nature lovers, history enthusiasts. Highly recommend going early for the best views and to avoid crowds.

Lovely 30-40 min walk to get to the lighthouse. Cute cafeteria as well for a nice lunch. Lovely tourist attraction. Great if you have a national trust membership. Highly recommend.

The White Cliffs left me with an unforgettable impression. 🌅 The sunset painted the sky and cliffs in golden hues, and the sunlight seemed to bring their whiteness to life — it was pure magic. I listened to the melodic songs of birds and was delighted to spot a family of wild hares hiding among the grass. The autumn scenery around was breathtaking, and I can only imagine how even more vibrant and warm it must be in summer. My walk was filled with joy and tranquility, and I will definitely return. This place is truly iconic in England — it’s something everyone should see with their own eyes. The roads are excellent, the area is well-kept, and the cozy café with delicious cream tea and attentive staff makes the visit even more enjoyable. The White Cliffs are not just a natural landmark; they are a feeling of harmony, beauty, and a true blessing. 🏔️💖💖💖

Great coastal path from the National Trust white cliffs car park, free for members,(otherwise there's an expensive charge) you don't see a lot of the white cliffs walking this way, unless you walk down to the beaches, and they don't look as white, I think the views from a far look a lot better, but it's still a lovely walk, and you get 3 National Trust sites on your walk, Fan bay deep shelter, wanstone Gun battery and the lighthouse, so a great day 😊.

Its amazing Dover cliffs i got a few pictures the picture was taken the second time when I went Dover but the second time when I went Dover I didn't walk in the clifs I was on a ferry but the cliffs are cool its perfect for pictures

A must-see! We took the train from London, walked to the waterfront through the town — lovely architecture and friendly residents, but surprisingly, a somewhat depressed area. We made our way to the top of the cliffs via the foot path, but you may drive or take a taxi to the top, which has a visitor center and cafe. The late-afternoon August sunlight beautifully highlighted the cliffs and hills. On a clear day, you can see the cliffs of France. One visit is not enough!

Truly exceptional. A perfect blend of captivating history, magnificent gardens, and engaging activities for all ages. You can easily spend a full, delightful day here. ​Hever Castle is not just a building; it’s an immersive experience that lives up to its 'fairy-tale' reputation. As a visitor, what truly stands out is how well the estate caters to diverse interests, from the most dedicated Tudor enthusiast to a family looking for a fun day out. The 125 acres of gardens are stunning and a massive part of the attraction. They are meticulously maintained and offer something different in every season. Picnic is a good idea: While there are on-site cafes and restaurants, they can be a bit pricey. The grounds offer numerous scenic spots for a picnic. ​Wear comfortable shoes: The gardens and lake walk cover a significant amount of ground. ​Time it right: If you are a history fanatic, plan for half a day in the castle/formal gardens. If you have children, plan for the whole day to enjoy the mazes and playgrounds.

Such a beautiful place to visit and plenty of history... looking around the castle it self is very interesting, I would recommend taking the audio guide when offered to you as has plenty of information, as if it busy its hard to get to the information signs which are dotted about. The gardens are well looked after and beautiful to wander around on a sunny day. They have cafes and shops to look around to. The grounds are fine for wheel chairs and a buggy but the castle isn't suitable

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hever Castle is such a beautiful place — full of history, stunning gardens, and peaceful nature all around. It’s a wonderful spot to visit any time of year. In November, they also have a great membership promotion, which makes it an even better time to join and come back again. A perfect mix of heritage and natural beauty.

Beautiful castle and grounds with a lot of history. Be prepared to spend quite a few hours here. The water maze was fun, and not just for children, be warned, you may get wet, but not if you are careful 😉. Autumn was a great time to visit for the leaf colour but I would imagine it is stunning anytime of year. Definitely recommended.

My wife and and I only got to see castle and gardens because we over 6 hours of time to kill before our flight from Gatwick Airport.It was was one of the best decisions we have ever made, we were lucky with the weather, it was a lovely sunny and warm day and the castle and gardens looked superb, but the garden were outstanding, ! The castle itself is worth seeing being the home of Anne Boleyn and her family, but we found the gardens magnificent and well worth coming to visit alone.

Definitely recommend to visit. Please allow between 4 hours min to visit the castle and enjoy the gardens if you love Nature. Perfect for solo, family days out. Preferably try to avoid to visit on rainy days. Otherwise a lovely experience 👌

We visit a lot of NT, English Heritage and other Historical properties and I have to say that this place is at the top of the pile. Superb gardens and lake, fantastically maintained. Beautiful house steeped in Tudor history (Anne Boleyn). Also Falconry displays, Pedalo hire and more. Excellent value for money. Highly recommended.

Absolutely a fantastic place to visit oozing with history. The site is large so allow plenty of time. It's also hilly and within the castle there is a lot of stairs. The tunnels under the castle were fascinating especially if you have an interest in WWII. Though they date back to the late 1700s. Tours are run at regular intervals and the staff are extremely knowledgeable. All staff were helpful and nice. We were able to park on site but I imagine school holidays could cause an issue sometimes. There's is a carpack for disabled drivers much closer and on a flatter level near the castle itself. Plenty of toilets dotted around the grounds and a cafe and ice cream van as well as one serving hot drinks and snacks. Small p.ay area with climbing equipment for children. Great views over Dover and the port. Also visit the Saxon Church that is within the grounds.

Was a wonderful visit,went there with a friend of mine and we explored everything the castle had to offer. Under the castle there are some interesting tunnels with a lot of interesting stories. You will learn a bit about the war and the importance of the castle in the past. It's worth the money.

You could easily spend a whole day here visiting the various sections of the large site. Of special interest to us were the Secret War Tunnels. It is a 30-minute tour with an informed and entertaining guide. (Unfortunately no photos allowed.) There is no extra fee for the tour. It is included with your entrance fee. There is also a tour of the hospital tunnels which we didn’t have time to take but would have been interested to see. We also enjoyed seeing the castle which is furnished in replicas from the period which we didn’t expect. Again, the attendants were friendly and informed. On a nice day there are lovely picnic area to enjoy.

Travelled from Folkestone to visit the Castle on my way home to London and could have kicked myself as id left my bank card at the hotel so didn't manage to get inside the castle which was a disappointment. The grounds are stunning and the views over the harbour are exceptional.

There is so much to see here - definitely plan enough time! I would recommend buying tickets online, if you can. If not, you can drive up and park, then walk inside and purchase tickets in the gift shop in the main castle area at the top of the hill. The grounds are really well maintained and the staff is so friendly and helpful! The various tours close early, so be sure to hit them first, then tour the rest at your leisure. We started at the top, toured the tunnels, then went and did the two tours at the bottom before making the trek back up. (I would recommend this route) There is a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes! The views are incredible and there is so much to see. The only thing we weren’t a big fan of was the gaudy colors of the decorations in the main castle - they reminded us of a children’s play set - but that’s just our opinion. It definitely didn’t dampen the experience! There are ample restroom facilities located all around the property. It seemed like the kind of place that might be difficult to maneuver in a manual wheelchair, but we don’t use a wheelchair so there might be accommodations we didn’t see. Overall, it was a wonderful experience!

Brilliant place to visit. Be prepared to spend all day. Lots to see and do.Great tower, keep,old church and ancient lighthouse, ramparts, secret defence tunnels, wartime tunnels,various exhibitions, battlements, glorious views across Dover and the Channel. Definitely a English Heritage jewel.

Absolutely worth the visit. We were scheduled to board the ferry and had a few hours to ourselves. We visited the castle and were absolutely amazed at how much there is to see. The local guides were friendly and very informative - their knowledge, not only of the castle but general English history, is very impressive. This castle is well worth the visit.

I recently stayed overnight at Pinewood Lodge with my two kids (ages 5 and 8) and had such a great time! The lodge was cozy, the beds were nice and snuggly, and it was perfectly located for exploring the park. The kids absolutely loved the primate trail and the Dinosaur Forest, and the safari ride was a big highlight — spotting rhinos, giraffes, bison and more felt like a real adventure. They also had so much fun roasting marshmallows by the fire in the evening and next morning, which made the whole experience even more special. We really enjoyed our meal at Babydoll’s Restaurant too — great food and a lovely atmosphere to end the day. Everything was well organised, the staff were friendly and helpful, and we’ll definitely be back. A brilliant mix of wildlife, learning and fun for families!

My husband and I had a fantastic time at Port Lympne. We stayed at the hotel for 2 nights in the Sir Phillip Sassoon executive suite and it was beautiful. We had an evening meal at the Baby Doll restaurant on our first night and on our second night we had an evening meal at Bear Lodge restaurant, and breakfast was also served in Bear Lodge. The food in both restaurants was delicious. On our first day we did the Gorilla Encounter, we got to feed the gorillas from the roof top and then see them inside, following that we had a safari and on our 2nd day we did the Giraffe Encounter and got to feed the giraffes. The staff on both encounters and the guide on our safari were fantastic, very informative, very welcoming and we had the best time even the rain on our first day didn’t stop us. Having the use of a golf buggy during our stay was also a bonus. Every member of staff made us feel so welcome and nothing seemed to much trouble, we will definitely be returning in the very near future

A fantastic day out with our 16 months old. What we absolutely loved about this park was the fact that the animals had SO much room. We've never been to a zoo before where animals have been so fortunate to be placed there. When we compare it to Howletts it's night and day the animal welfare. You guys have done a brilliant job here, animals come first. Yes, you don't always see the animals, but that in my eyes is a brilliant thing, cause it means they have a more realistic habitat. The Sunday roast in the Garden room was just brilliant, couldn't reccomend this enough. The service was also fantastic. We wouldn't hesitate coming back. It's great to support a park that actually care about the animals and use the money to better not only captive animals lives, but also animals in the wild. So refreshing to see a company doing the right thing for once. One thing to note, it is VERY hilly, so having a push chair was a work out for us with steep hills etc. we were pretty shattered at the end of the day, but little one loved it!

5 stars all round, without a doubt. We stayed in Mansion House, and the room was one of the best we’ve ever experienced — waking up each morning to the sounds of tigers, lions, lemurs, and more was unbelievable. We also did the Ranger Safari with Will, who was excellent: friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what he does. The food throughout our stay was incredible, and the whole experience felt like a once-in-a-lifetime getaway. Truly unlike anything I’ve ever done before. Highly recommend.

Rhino lodge. Where to start? Staff were great checking in, we were chauffeured to our lodge by a very knowledgeable young man who was extremely chatty. The lodge was clean, everything had been thought of, like toiletries, some snacks and drinks. There were even robes and slippers for us all to use. To our children's delight there were Rhinos by the fence in the paddock so they were straight out to see them. Next stop was the safari, the guide knew everything there was to know and shared so much information. Dinner at Babydolls was excellent. We had a fire pit in the garden and marshmallows had been lift in the lodge with sticks for us. This was a lovely touch! Breakfast in the garden room was beyond expectations, the food was incredible. The highlight of our stay for the kids was our golf buggy and being able to go round the zoo after closing time and early in the morning with no crowds. Not a cheap 24 hours, but one we'll never forget!

Booked a night at the Hog Deer Creek accommodation for my partner’s birthday. Absolutely amazing experience all round. The park itself is excellent, the animals are clearly well cared for with plenty of space. The staff on site be it in the reception, concierge, facilities team, rangers or restaurants are friendly, organised and highly professional. The food was fantastic and the Giraffe Experience is definitely worth doing. The accommodation itself was immaculate. Cosy, well equipped and it was extremely fun driving around such a large well kept site in the golf buggy. 5* all round, will 100% be returning again.

This was a truly magical stay & experience, with my daughter and grandsons, aged 12 & nearly 10 both wondered why we would stay two nights surely we can do the zoo in one day !! Ummm they soon changed their minds having the best time ever and loved every minute. Breakfast at the bear lodge was delicious, BabyDolls restaurant was a favourite a more relaxed vibe for children than the Garden room restaurant which we ate at the second night, food at both was very good and wouldn’t expect anything less. I would highly recommend this stay and would definitely go back. We made memories together that we will never forget.

Beautiful castle with nice gardens you can walk around. Lots of seating areas outside along with benches to sit on as you walk around. There are public toilets a book shop a souvenir shop and ice cream stall along with lots of parking and knowledgeable staff members in different rooms of the house to answer any questions.

Amost interesting place, so much to see...and lovely walks around estate. Walled garden in car park full of colour and some pumpkins. Hexagonal in shape and easy to walk around. Inside house reflective of being lived in and each room had costumes on display as worn by previous owners which reflects alot of achieved acquisitions not normally seen. Walk to ruin castle steep but rewarded by good views. Dont miss boat house if you are sandman fans as thus part of estate was cain and ables home! 40 min lake walk good path and easy 2 mile walk. Quarry quirky where stone for building house came from. Dont miss cat on fountain at back of house.... We thought grounds better than sissinghurst. Oh yes no toilets at bottom of hill by ruin. So make sure you go at top!! The painting in dining room of dwarves Hunting worth a muse and comment as so unusual in any old property . Volunteers most tolerant of me telling them about sandman as not many knew much about it!! Last tip house/ castle/ grounds all shut at different times so check if going for pist lunch visit.

​Scotney Castle is simply one of the most beautiful and unique National Trust properties in Kent, offering far more than a typical castle experience. It is a true triumph of landscape design, centered around two distinct periods of history. ​The absolute highlight is the romantic, 14th-century moated ruin of the Old Castle, which sits dramatically in the valley bottom. The views as you descend through the sloping gardens towards the moat, especially in autumn and spring, are breathtaking and perfectly exemplify the "Picturesque" style. It’s fascinating to learn that the ruin was deliberately created in the 1830s to serve as the ultimate centrepiece for the landscape. ​Overlooking the valley is the Victorian mansion (the "New Castle"), a warm and engaging family home filled with eclectic collections. Taking a tour gives you a real sense of the Hussey family's life, from their collection of objects to fun details like the secret door in the library. Beyond the buildings, the 780-acre estate offers wonderful woodland walks, a productive walled kitchen garden, and a fascinating Quarry Garden.

We love visiting Scotney Castle with its beautiful house and dramatic looking castle in the valley down below! First stop though of course is always the cafe for a lovely breakfast snack and drink. Upon entering the property, all staff members were excellent at telling us anything there was to know about each room with their vast knowledge. We then took a walk around the grounds enjoying the scenery and views of the castle. We would always return and recommend anyone to visit! It may be recommended to book parking, as we found out upon arrival that without prior arrangement you have to park in the additional parking section.

This a beautiful Victorian mansion house with views over an even more beautiful estate that leads down to a ruined medieval castle. There was a real bounty of flowers at this time of year and the flowers in the walled garden were spectacular. Nice cafe, shop and second hand bookstore. Well worth a visit.

Beautiful and incredibly well maintained gardens. We were lucky that we had free passes from the paper otherwise it would be very pricey. We used public transport and the bus service is hugely patchy, the access guide will say there are footpaths but there are several quite scary bits of 50mph country road. It is possible to do it via public transport but you must time everything around the bus. After 1pm the next one was at 5:15pm

A really excellent place to visit. The gardens are extensive and somehow very relaxing. We visited over the summer when there was a Summer of Play area for the kids. Perfect for play, picnics and chilling. The house was almost something out of an Agatha Christie novel. It actually had a very gentle, warm vibe. It was nice to see the drinks selection in the library! You felt it must’ve been a fun house once upon a time. Some of the rooms - particularly the bedrooms - almost felt too personal for comfort. I felt almost like I was snooping round some elderly relative’s house at times. Nonetheless, a very interesting place to visit.

Gorgeous day at the Tulip Fest in April. Got there very early whilst it was quiet and we were shocked by how massive it was and how much there was to do! The tulips were gorgeous and so impressive. Great food and information everywhere, friendly staff and lots to do and see!

Amazing Autumn Atmosphere! This pumpkin farm offers an absolutely amazing experience that goes far beyond simple pumpkin picking. The overall environment is welcoming, festive, and truly captures the spirit of the season. What truly elevates this spot is the phenomenal attention to detail in the spooky decoration. It's clear a huge effort was made to create a fun, slightly eerie atmosphere, providing fantastic photo opportunities at every turn. From hay bales to haunted props, the decor makes this the ultimate autumnal destination. The selection of gourds was plentiful, and the staff were wonderful. Highly recommended for a memorable, festive, and wonderfully creepy fall It was amazing 👏 I like the environment and spooky decoration!

I went pumpkin picking, and it turned out to be the perfect autumn activity. The atmosphere was festive and full of Halloween spirit, making it a wonderful place to visit during the season. It was such a fun and memorable experience!

Pleasant few hours spent picking pumpkins and toasting marshmallows with the kids. Most of the 'growing' pumpkins had already gone, but plenty more had been shipped in and were dotted around the field to select from. Lots of different varieties also available from the stores if you don't fancy pushing a wheelbarrow around the field! Didn't fancy the Ferris wheel, but probably provides great views if you don't mind heights.

Decided to relive my teenage nostalgia and return to Shocktober for the first time in seven years. Previously it was the place to go and made for a tremendous experience. This time round, it's sadly lost its touch. Massively oversold and overcrowded, it's clear profit is put before experience whereas it once was the other way round. Thankfully I’d purchased some fast track in advance as queue times were obscene. Even still, I had to queue for 10/15 mins in fast track lanes at times. Pros -Purgatory was quality and my favourite of all time. "Free Roaming" actors like the Skinfluencers were very funny and entertaining. Set design was absolutely fantastic as always. Cons - Far too many people allowed into haunts at a time/with too little time between groups. You'd either be caught up by the group behind or catchup the one infront. This KILLED the immersion and enjoyment massively. The flouting of their own rules was not enforced? There are clear rules that say no smoking/vaping, no face masks etc yet I saw people lighting up in the queues and a fair few road men in their finest bin bag attire (to impress their underage girlfriend) walking round ballied up like they've just robbed a bank. I know it's close proximity to Crawley but come on now... Better still was “security” where only those with a bag would be searched. If you hadn’t a bag, you were free to walk in with whatever you fancied! Knife? Acid in a lucozade bottle? Drugs? Must be part of your costume eh lad. Maybe that’s a critique due to my line of work but it did feel a bit pointless. All in all a shadow of its former self. I still had fun however and glad I returned, but think this'll be the last trip full stop. Kudos to the actors and event staff, they all work hard and probably for minimum wage. Sadly I don’t think the experience will be salvageable unless they actually cap ticket numbers drastically.

We had such a fantastic afternoon at Tulleys Farm. From the beautiful fall decor, the very large pumpkin patch, the roaming singers and cast in costume to the marshmellow roast stations (or smores station as they sell a kit too), pumpkin spice latte and ferris wheel we could only have a great time. We got to pick our own pumpkins straight from the patch and carry them in a wheelbarrow made available by the team who was nothing but welcoming. Can't carry big pumpkins home ? Fear not their collection of pumpkin plush toys will definitely call your name. If coming from London, you can either take the bus or more easily take a taxi as there are some available there just waiting to get you home safe. We will definitely make it a yearly tradition !

Shocktoberfest was excellent. Live bands, loads of scary things to do. The sacare mazes were great. Loads of different food stands and bars. The ste is absolutely huge, with a great atmosphere. We will definitely be going again.

Great little train and trip. Railway staff were brilliant. Not particularly cheap, but value for money. We managed to get our own carriage both ways, think that it would have been a little less special if we had had to share with other passengers. Scenery outstanding.

We planned to visit Bodiam Castle and couldn’t think of a better way to travel there than on the steam train from Tenterden. What an excellent decision, we had a lovely day out, enjoyed looking out for wildlife on the train journey and loved the atmosphere. I would highly recommend this to everyone!

The Kent and Sussex Railway is really worth a visit for a fantastic day out. Nice big free car park and lovely friendly staff and volunteers everywhere making sure you have a wonderful day. The atmosphere is great as steam loco's move about while you wait to board for a journey to Scotney castle and back. Barrie and I did the trip a couple of times on different loco's and enjoyed sausage and mash for lunch at Tenterden Station. The museum is well worth a visit near the car park. We had a really exciting day, thank you.

Nice little place, lovely friendly staff working in the railway station. I paid for a guest class cream afternoon tea with the steam train. I did not get the first class photo advertised on the publicity and I did not get the tide on a steam train. They gave me a complementary voucher not valid in many special occasions with a free ginger biscuit. I was dissatisfied since I did not pay for that. The museum is small but worth it.

Fantastic railway. Served up a great diesel gala, might have been a good idea to hold the 1015 from Tenterden to Bodiam for the shuttle bus from Ashford seeing as there were so many passengers on it.

If you want the steam train experience then this is the place. The whole experience is like going back in time. The volunteers who run this are amazing. The train ride takes about 50min with 4 stops, old level crossings, whistles, and flags. Original carriages and dinners.

It's a great day out! Train goes from Tenterden to Bodiam. There is a Norman castle (national trust) there and a nice pub. The train ride goes through the Kent/ east Sussex countryside with some great views. The steM train we took was of 1950s as were the coaches. A real throwback in time. Staff are helpful. There is a free museum at Tenterden.