I had the pleasure of visiting Kensington Palace with my family in the evening, and it was a truly memorable experience. Kensington Palace is one of London’s most elegant historic landmarks, blending royal history with beautifully curated exhibits. Once the childhood home of Queen Victoria and the residence of Princess Diana, the palace holds deep significance in Britain’s royal heritage. Today, it is still a working royal residence for members of the Royal Family while also open to the public. The exhibits are outstanding—ranging from the regal State Apartments to special collections of royal fashion, portraits, and artifacts. Each gallery tells a story of the monarchs who lived here, and the attention to detail makes the experience both educational and inspiring. One of the best features is the audio guide, which is included for visitors. It brings the palace to life with engaging stories, helping tourists understand the history, architecture, and personalities behind the palace walls. Combined with the lush Kensington Gardens just outside, the visit feels like stepping into living history. Overall, Kensington Palace offers the perfect balance of royal history and cultural experience—a must-visit for anyone exploring London. 👑✨

Kensington Palace was stunning. The exterior architecture and interior artworks, styling, ceiling paintings, and flooring were terrific to view. A new designer exhibit showcased a range of clothing influenced by various royal eras. The artwork in the King's Gallery was stunning, and the wallpaper in a hallway was designed with different Diana images. The exterior sculpture of Queen Victoria is excellent. There is a cafe and toilets in Kensington Palace.

Great palace to visit. The scheduled talks are absolutley amazing , i strongly recommend you take time out of your visit to listen to them. Most sections of the museum felt filled to the brim with interesting things to see. A few sections felt a bit empty but not many. Entry is slightly confusing with queues forming outside before the scheduled entry time. Great audio guide too.

Visited on my last day in London for a last little cultural detour. It was really lovely, easy to find my way around and the audio guide was perfect. It’s the perfect place to go if you want to see a little history and you don’t have much time (took me approx an hour).

Always love visiting the palace and this was for the Dress Codes exhibition. That was small but amazing to see. Loved the gift shop and bought another tea towel. The cafe was almost closing when I went but still served me. Great staff.

I’ve seen the palace and that’s amazing. Very surreal feeling knowing the history of the rooms you’re walking through. I had actually visited the cancel before but was back to attend the Dress Codes exhibition. I thought that was disappointing, I expected to see a lot more, but the palace is great.

I recently visited Kensington Palace and found it a really interesting experience. Walking through the rooms gave me a real sense of history, almost like stepping back in time. The exhibitions were well presented, and it was fascinating to learn about the lives of the royals who lived there. The palace is famous for being the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria, and in more recent history it became the official residence of Princess Diana, which makes it very special to many visitors. Today, parts of it are still used by members of the Royal Family, while other areas are open to the public, giving you a unique mix of living history and heritage. Overall, it was a memorable visit that gave me a chance to connect with the stories behind one of London’s most iconic royal homes.

We visited here for the first time ever last weekend, despite our Daughter living in London. We bought tickets online so that upon arrival they were promptly scanned, no queue whatsoever. Where do I start, the gardens are stunning and the place is so vast. We walked around the perimeter path to start, then we walked everywhere, the large glass houses and conservatories are amazing, there is so much to see. Amenities are great, lots of choices for food, we ate at a Orangery restaurant in the grounds under the grape vines (al fresco dining) the food was amazing, where a main with drinks was only £66 for 3 adults. These gardens are predominantly wheelchair accessible too. We thoroughly enjoyed the Treetop Walkway (which has a lift and stairs) so pushchair users were also able to go up, the views were fantastic. The day was warm, so there were families enjoying picnics in the relaxing grounds. Prepare to sieve a whole day, and for the entrance fee considering this is London, we found the prices to be very reasonable indeed. There is just so much for the whole family. Facilities are extremely good too, with accessible toilets, changing places toilet, baby feeding room, baby change, shop, cafe, information, and water fountains throughout the gardens, there is also a prayer/reflections room, and finally a bus stop. Visiting is a must.

It is one of the most famous and important gardens in the world. It is a historic landscape garden in southwest London, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Charles Darwin’s contributed to Kew Gardens significantly, mainly because Kew houses a large part of the plant specimens he collected during his famous voyage aboard the HMS Beagle from 1831 to 1836. Around 450 of the approximately 1,400 plant specimens Darwin gathered are preserved at Kew, with these collections still actively studied and digitized. Great experience with really a lot of different impressions: - areas with plants from all over the world - treetop walkway Kew Gardens is renowned for its extraordinary glasshouses, which house diverse plant collections from across the globe. The key glasshouses include: - The Palm House: Built between 1844 and 1848, the Palm House is one of the most iconic Victorian glasshouses. It features a tropical rainforest environment and hosts many rare and endangered tropical plants, including the oldest potted plant in the world, - Temperate House: The largest Victorian glasshouse in the world, the Temperate House houses around 10,000 plants of 1,500 species from regions including Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas. - Water Lily House: Built in 1852 and designed by the same architect and ironmaker as the Palm House, the Water Lily House shelters aquatic plants including tropical water lilies. - King George III‘s house King George III’s house in Kew Gardens is known as Kew Palace, also called the Dutch House. Originally built in 1631 as a silk merchant’s mansion, it became the smallest royal palace and served as the summer home of King George III in the 18th century. George III and his wife Queen Charlotte spent many happy summers there with their large family. The palace and its gardens provided a private, intimate retreat from public life, where the king could live more normally without the usual royal ceremony. Really a great experience and you have to plan enough time - or even several visits.

Amazing and beautiful...not enough time in one day so we will be back. We had lunch in the Brasserie and the food was delicious and service was great ...a little pricey though. Also whilst the Christmas light trail is on the Glass Houses close at 2.30 and you need to exit by 3.15 which made the trip a little shorter. Parking is also £9 for the day - which during the shorter opening times at the moment could be reduced?

A true uncut Diamond of london the best of the best. It truely beats all the other london attractions hands down.oh this jackdoor. Was very very smart he shared lunch with us very charming and clever bird. It was a wonderful day .

What can you say about what is one of the best botanical gardens in the world. Love the Marianne North Gallery. The cafes/restaurants are various and should cater to most needs. So much to see at any time of year. Just missed the best of the autumn leaves display on this visit. Took a liking to the Princess of Wales conservatory. A must for any fan of cactii. Also, lots of sculptures around at this time of year ready for the Christmas light show.

Kew Gardens is beautiful- we went on the coldest wettest day and still spent a few hours wondering through the gardens, exploring the greenhouses and stopped at THE ORANGERY for lunch. It was clean with a great selection of food, and friendly helpful staff. We ended up signing up for a year’s membership and are looking forward to going back.

(October) Some pathways and buildings were closed for the season. Large, busy gift shop at the main Victoria entrance, with plants and many souvenir/gift items. Only two cashiers on duty at a busy time meant I opted out of my intended small purchase. Signage throughout the gardens is quite good. Fall colours, Syon Outlook, Treetop Walkway, Temperate House, Great Pagoda, Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, Kew Palace.

Really great stadium, was lovely seeing England beat Wales 3-0. The crowd was great, and it was interesting watching people try to fly paper aeroplanes onto the pitch. Great view of the pitch and the fireworks were good.

Simply incredible. Very well designed stadium which is straightforward to get into and out of and one of the best atmospheres in the country. Absolute must to see an England game here.

Great stadium, loads of food choices near by and shops if you have time. Be aware that there is a no bag policy, so don't bring a bag (you can bring a v small bag, details at the Wembley website)

Excellent ground that is befitting of the venue of our national stadium. We parked in red parking which was literally next to the ground. 5 minutes walk and we were in the queue which went down very quickly. Once inside a good range of food, albeit at very London prices. Chicken tenders were top notch. Will definitely visit again. 👍🏼

We went to watch England vs Australia in the first Rugby League Ahes Test. While the Aussie's were by far the better team, we had a great day out. The travel was easy, we booked space on a Wembley resisdents driveway for £25. An 8 minute walk to the stadium. Food in the Box Park, and soaked up the atmosphere. Wembley is a great stadium.

Wembley Stadium is such an amazing place for a match or event. The light shows before the games always look incredible, and there are plenty of good seating options for decent prices. Tickets are usually quite affordable too, which is great for such a big venue. There are loads of toilets around (including accessible ones), and plenty of food and drink stands both inside and outside the stadium. You can also grab a match programme for about £5, which makes a nice souvenir, or pick up merchandise like shirts, hats, and keyrings. The stadium’s easy to get to by tube, and there’s parking on site as well. Plus, there are loads of shops, bars, and restaurants nearby, including a big outlet park. The staff are always friendly and helpful too, which makes the whole experience even better. The only downside is how busy it gets after matches. It can be a nightmare trying to leave when the station is packed, and a few times we’ve had to leave early just to beat the crowds and get home at a decent time.

First time at Wembley for Coldplay and it wasn’t just the concert that was amazing. Wembley staff were friendly, stewards were super helpful. It was a great atmosphere and super safe. Travelling by tube was easy and a short walk up to the ground just helps build the excitement. Plenty of food stands and drinks inside along with merchandise. We elected to go Experience by Wembley, so we were in VIP on Level two. Recommended for sure.

What a wonderful place this is your visit, especially if you're a history lover or architecture enthusiast! I absolutely adored the rambling Gardens with a choice of different length walks, the cafe was very relaxed with a range of food and drinks but the highlight for me was the incredible tour of the old Elizabethan building by very knowledgeable and friendly Dermot! What a pleasure it was to enjoy such an in depth and interesting talk by such an experienced gentleman. We would definitely visit again!!

Visited the gardens only. Some of the most beautifully curated public gardens in SE England. Very lucky to be able to visit the East Garden which is only open to the public on certain Wednesdays. Some nice woodland walks as well although I would have to say that these aren't fantastically signposted.

It was very lovely place to visit. Free parking and only short walk to the house and gardens. Very brilliant, smiley and pleasant people work there, it was not a problem for them to help us use the lift a few times,so thank you.! It makes the visit so much easier and nicer. It's not easy to get around everywhere if you have a buggy or especially the walker.. Very recommend this place to visit!

What a gorgeous hidden gem just north of London crammed full of history. Very knowledgeable and helpful guides in each room. Check out their website as they put on ‘festival’ type events. The grounds are well kept. Only downside for me was you have to pay extra to go into the palace (£8 I believe). The ‘marmite’ fountain at the back of the house is interesting. I loved it. I will definitely be back.

I don't even know where to start to describe this fantastic place! We spent about five hours there and loved every single minute of it. There is just so much to see! We first visited the Gardens, which are stunning. Then we spontaneously opted for a guided tour of the Old Palace, which absolutely blew us away. I must admit that when we had decided to visit Hatfield House, we weren't even aware of the Old Palace and its significant history, so it felt like an extra bonus. Our guide was not only very knowledgeable, but also extremely engaging - a pure joy to listen to and get lost in the stories from days gone by. And then the house itself, which is absolutely marvellous in every respect. The staff in each of the rooms were genuinely eager to tell their story and engage with the visitors, so we were able to have long chats, which we thoroughly enjoyed! A long walk to the Oak Tree and back completed our visit, which exceeded our expectations by far. It didn't go unnoticed that unlike most historic houses in Britain, the gift shop was mostly stocked with local produce, rather than the usual souvenirs. But although we couldn't find anything to buy, we didn't even mind that. I got the feeling that despite all its fascinating history and splendour, Hatfield House doesn't seem nearly as commercialised as many similar places (we were surprised about the small number of visitors in the middle of summer), and that would actually seem a good thing. As a result, our visit had a very intimate touch, and we felt individually valued, rather than being a part of big masses of tourists passing through. Our visit turned out to be the highlight of our 10-day holiday in the UK!

Huge gardens & park with multiple routes for avid walkers / dog walking & a fantastic set up for a lovely morning / family day out. Easy parking, we visited their shops and cafe in their entry area, headed to the loo, got ice cream and made our way around their grounds in a beautiful sunny day! Might feel expensive for a walk but a worthy day out for family / friends and a great adventure location with food, facilities, and beautiful nature! Head here for a great day out when the sun is up!

You can feel the history at Hatfield house. You have the spectacular house, built by Robert Cecil, along with the old palace, where Elizabeth 1st and Edward would have been bought up. You can almost imagine them playing in the wonderful West Gardens as you walk around. The staff are full of information and love to share their wealth of knowledge, just ask. After the house, we went for a walk through the woods, down to the picturesque river. My mother is in a wheelchair, but we had no problems getting around. Everywhere is accessible. Just be prepared for some inclines in the woodland walks.

I live in London, and visiting this city and this cathedral was one of the most beautiful experiences I had over the weekend. It was truly enjoyable. St Albans Cathedral is absolutely stunning — it feels like every wall and door has a story to tell, as if they’ve witnessed countless events over the centuries. The atmosphere is peaceful yet powerful, and walking through the cathedral felt like stepping into history. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves architecture, history, or simply beautiful places.

A magnificent architectural with loads of history and story. We visited in a weekday thus not crowded at all. You will be embraced by a deep sense of peace and afford to slow down to appreciate the view around you. Worth a visit together with the town.

The sheer scale of St Albans Cathedral, a structure of profound history and weight, provided the perfect canvas for the Poppy Fields light installation by Luxmuralis last night. It was more than an event; it was a deeply moving, sensory experience designed for quiet contemplation and remembrance. The massive, soaring architecture of the Nave, usually bathed in the soft glow of natural light or high electric lamps, was utterly transformed by darkness and vibrant digital projection.

This an absolutely stunning building dating originally from the Norman period but with additions over the centuries. The place was a pilgrimage site long before the Norman's arrived and the tomb of St Alban is still a pilgrimage site today. The cathedral possesses the longest nave of any cathedral in Britain and there are a number of medieval frescoes still visible; fascinating even if somewhat faded.

Being there you imagine that the place is nearly 1000!!!!! Years old. Some buildings were built from the Romans bricks. It is the oldest and one of the most significant church in England. This church saw everything. Besides that, town is beautiful, going there you should have enough time. It is hard to find the parking lot.

Absolutely enjoyed my visit. A stunning place that showcases its long history through a mix of architectural styles. I just loved every single detail, from the floor and columns to the ceiling.

Enjoyed our visit there. They have a free guided tour of the cathedral which runs for about an hour; I strongly recommend it. The entry is free too!

Such a beautifully presented platter of delicious cheese and crackers which we thoroughly enjoyed with our cups of tea! Unfortunately however my partner being a 6’4 when used their loo, bumped his head as they have a low ceiling. Also, my partner had ordered another cup of tea that was served in another table which made him wait longer for his extra hot drink. As we explored in the field, we smelt a wonderful fresh fragrance of Lavender! It did not look as purple anymore as I am aware they were going to be harvested soon when we went on 07.08.25 However, the Sunflower field did not disappoint us as they were in their full bloom and most yellow. Nice day out! We love The Barn! Recommended. Be careful with your head at the loos though.

Visited Hitchin Lavender for the first time yesterday to pick our pumpkins for Halloween. We had a fantastic time. Despite the big crowds the pumpkin patch itself was full of loads of large and undamaged pumpkins, perfect for carving. The decorations were fun and well thought out. There was face painting, games and a clown present for the kids. It very aimed at families and children however me and my fiancée still had a great time as a couple. Both the cafes were busy but the staff were handling the queues quickly and politely, plus the pumpkin spiced latte and Halloween luxury hot chocolate were worth the wait as they were both delicious. I will definitely visit next summer as a result of how good it was for the Halloween season.

Absolutely 💯 beautiful experience. Wonderful atmosphere. Gorgeous place and definitely worth a visit. Our second visit and it’s better than the last. The Weather was hot ☀️ and nice 😊 All staff were nice and friendly. The Lavender Fields was vibrant with colour and the smells were amazing. Food was delicious 😋 and delightful. The lavender ice cream 🍦 was amazing. Lavender lemonade was delicious and very refreshing. Overall we had a fantastic experience. Everyone should visit Hitchin Lavender. I’ve come with my family from Manchester.

Hitchin Lavender is such a beautiful place to visit. The fields are stunning, filled with rows of vibrant lavender that make the perfect setting for a peaceful walk and lovely photos. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing, and the scent of lavender everywhere is just amazing. The café is a nice touch too, offering tasty treats and drinks. It’s a wonderful day out for families, couples, or anyone who enjoys nature.

We went to their Sunflower farm, just beautiful. Highly recommended to go near sunset hours. Snack truck / ice cream van available Tea house available Shop available Toilets - available Entry £7.50 pp - we are allowed 3 free sunflowers each Parking - available and free Nearest Train station - Hitchin Station, minivan from station to lavender field.

I have visited Hitchin Lavender Field twice, and I simply love that place. The beautiful purple fields and the smell of lavender make me feel so relaxed and happy. Among all the lavender fields in England, Hitchin is my number one favorite. The peaceful atmosphere and lovely views make it a

We recently visited Hitchin Lavender Farm and had an absolutely amazing experience! The whole day felt like a perfect escape into nature — beautifully scenic, peaceful, and wonderfully pet-friendly. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the stunning sea of purple stretching across the fields. The aroma of fresh lavender in the air was soothing, and the views were breathtaking — perfect for photos and for simply taking it all in. What made the visit even more special was that we brought our pet along — and they had a blast! Hitchin Lavender is genuinely welcoming to pets, and it showed. One of the biggest highlights was the pet ice cream available on-site. Our furry friend devoured it and couldn’t get enough! It’s such a thoughtful touch for animal lovers. We also tried the lavender ice cream ourselves — and wow! It was creamy, floral, and incredibly refreshing. A truly unique treat that we still talk about. The food options in general were lovely, with plenty of choices for snacks and drinks, and the outdoor seating made it easy to relax and soak up the atmosphere. Before we left, we couldn’t resist browsing the shop. We ended up buying several lavender products — from oils and soaps to beautifully packaged dried lavender. Everything smelled divine and made perfect gifts (and keepsakes for ourselves). Whether you’re coming for a peaceful walk, a family day out, or just to spoil your pet a little, Hitchin Lavender is 100% worth the visit. We left feeling refreshed, happy, and already planning our return next summer. 🌿💜

Absolutely love this model village. We went here on the drive home to pop in as we went when we were kids (now 30) and we enjoyed it just as much. It also brought back alot of memories for my parents and my dad spent the most time walking around and taking photos out of all of us (big kid at heart). We even took a ride on the little train for 5 minutes. Definitely a place for all ages and a fun day out. It also has a cafe and a little exhibition room which was great.

This is such a beautiful place to visit we went with our kids and they totally loved it!! The whole tiny town is such a work of art the little details are just amazing!! Our kids were amazed and so were we! There is a little cafe where we get sandwiches and coffee etc. There is a big playarea for kids which they totally enjoy!! The best was the train ride.. so fun we had the best time here! Totally recommend it ❤️❤️❤️

The best place for little train-obsessed five year olds. We have visited the site last year and this year, our little one was constantly talking about it and we had to return. We love the place, it brings so much tranquility and soothe as it moves you in time and place of calm, order and simpler life. The scenery and each detail make you appreciate the way of life we have lost, seems so precious. Pay attention to details - like name on the shops and venues, make you giggle, the train stations and trains running everywhere (the bridge by the castle!). And the horticultural care - what a masterpiece of mini elms, pines, little rivers, cascades. There is a short train ride for families and you can have some fun with operating a boat on a pond. Plenty of koi carps, would be great if we could feed them, too! (Please sell the fish food with tickets!) We discovered new room where old type writer is, what a great fun to do some scenarios and play with props. Playground is also awesome for kids, good food selection in cafe (although I would like to see more healthier options) and plenty of seating area (you can bring your own food). Thank you for being there :)

It lovely beautiful model Village and I love the model steam train so much and it remind me of Thomas the tank engine series of my childhood and I love that show and I love that model Village bekonscot so much my favourite is model Steam Train 🚂.

Bekonscot Model Village is a fun and cute place. Everything is small and detailed little houses, trains, and people. It feels like a tiny world! It’s perfect for families, kids, and anyone with a love for history or craftsmanship. The garden is very pretty and the whole place is clean and well looked after. The staff are kind and helpful. You can also enjoy a snack or drink at the café. A great place to relax and enjoy a peaceful day.

Found this place as a suggestion on Instagram and Facebook, and really wanted to visit. What better time to visit this place is on a sunny day! I enjoyed my visit to this place. First off, I wanted to experience the mini train ride which was fun. The highlight was the miniature houses, landmarks and villages where you get to walk around it! I felt like I was in a different world and I loved it! My favourite part were the mini trains running around the mini village! It added to the beauty of the model village! The staff and the team there have all been amazing and accommodating! Thank you so much guys! One of the train engineers there (I believe his name was Joseph) gave us an inspiring insight about the model village and even mentioned the names of the mini trains which was fascinating. I highly recommend this place for inspiration, for family outing, and also an Instagram-worthy place! 😊❤️🫶🏼

Parking here is free in the church car park opposite the model village entrance. The model village is brilliant and has a gauge 1 size computer controlled model railway running all the time. There are lots of working animatronics and even a trail for the children to follow and search for various items. There is also a children's playground area and also a miniature train to ride on (small extra cost of £1-80 per person). It also has a remote control model boating lake area (small extra charge). There are full facilities of toilets, cafe, ice cream and picnic area. I personally a good day out here (4hrs.); went round it twice and saw things I missed first time round. If you like model villages, then I recommend you visit Bekonscot, it's a great visit.

Historic watermill, operating on select days. River cruise and self hire boats also available and a small beach area for river swimming.

I had such a lovely day out at Houghton Mill in Abbots and would definitely recommend it. The mill itself is a really interesting National Trust property, full of character, but what made it extra special was everything around it. You can hire boats or punts by the mill at very reasonable prices, which was so much fun and such a relaxing way to enjoy the river. On sunny days, it’s also a great spot to bring your own inflatable if you fancy drifting along at your own pace. The area is perfect for picnics too. There are plenty of tables outside if you want to sit and enjoy food from the café (which was excellent – really tasty and good value), or you can just bring a rug and set yourself up right by the water. It’s such a peaceful, pretty place to relax. If you’ve got time, it’s also worth wandering into the village. There are some really good pubs, all with a welcoming feel, plus a lovely antique and art shop that’s fun to browse. Altogether, Houghton Mill and the village make a brilliant day out with a great mix of history, nature, good food, and a lot of fun on the water!

Lovely small and spacious campsite near the river for walks and water for those who like messing about in it!! The mill was very interesting and a short walk to pubs with good beer. The facilities were great and very clean. My only small gripe was no toilet paper left in the morning.

This was a pleasant and unexpected experience with a lovely mill on a river. Some of the views seemed out of a money painting. We didn't go in the but just did the circular walk. There is a swimming and canoeing area. There's also a campdite close by and a small cafe for refreshments. Parking on grass is available. Good for families wanting to explore and be at one with nature and dogs are welcome.

Visited when en-route home from Shropshire and well worth it. Very busy to park but well organised. Interesting bit of history and couple of enthusiastic volunteers added to it. Pleasant walk along river too. Bought some of the milled flour.

Beautiful place. Did the mill tour but definitely going back to do the 5k circular walk and perhaps take out a rowing boat.

Great place for swimming, canoeing, or long walks. The mill is definitely worth visiting, check the opening hours. There are toilets and a tea shop next to the car park. You can rent boats and canoes. Car park and facilities close usually at 4 pm, but you can still drive out, so don't worry about leaving your car for longer, drive up to the gate (not too close) and it will open. Beautiful scenery, we did an 8k walk (check out the map in my pictures, red trail, with a green shortcut south of the lakes) but you have many options, including an around 20k one recommended on a map just south of the mill. There may be mud and narrow paths in tall grass, so aim at good weather. Don't miss walking around the picturesque village with many old houses, a bit like going back in time. Recommended.

I had a wonderful day at Whipsnade zoo today. Highlights of the day were the brown bear, elephants, rhino’s, giraffes and the birds of the world show. Didn’t see the lynx which was a shame. Didn’t see a lion only a lioness and some cubs. 1 star lost because the tigers enclosure seemed really small and the tiger looked sad pacing around the enclosure. I also felt sad for the chimpanzee who seemed like it was having fun and was very entertaining but again enclosure felt small. Park could also do with more signage to help navigate the way around as although map on the app is good would still be good to have more signage as the grounds are huge and easy to take a wrong path. I also went on the steam train which was £5 for adults but I wouldn’t go on it again. Very big ground with loads of viewpoints and lots of walking however lots of places to sit along the way and plenty of small shops providing snacks and some provide food like hotdogs at £8.50 a pop. I much prefer this zoo to London zoo, I feel like you have better sight of the animals in comparison. One other perk about this zoo is that you can drive around the grounds with an additional fee. There is also free parking with easy access to the zoo. There is also an app with a live moving map which helps you navigate around the park very good.

We had a wonderful day out with the family. It’s a large venue, so comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. Families with young children may find a buggy useful, as there’s plenty of ground to cover. Visitors can bring their own packed lunch or enjoy the selection of cafés and restaurants available throughout the site and near the entrance.

First time visiting, absolutely loved it, an amazing day. The enclosures were lovely and spacious, all areas lovely and clean, staff we spoke to were so helpful. We had afternoon tea at view point, which was lovely and the staff really friendly. The day was just brilliant, would highly recommend a visit.

Had a fantastic time visiting whipsnade zoo .. travelled all the way from North Wales.. Easy to find and access ♿ parking was just great for my wife. So much to see and do here for the whole family.. Loved seeing how much open area the animals had to enjoy compared with other zoos.. The zoo covers quite an area.. and it can be explored many ways..foot. train..or by car... Yes if mobility is an issue like my wife it can still be easily explored.. We seen a bus going around..sign simply said..Hail bus driver to stop..jump on a train which was around £5 .. Otherwise drive the car around and stop and explore where you want.. plenty of parking on the side of the road... please drive safely!!.. There is part of the zoo where you can only explore by car or taking the train.. Feels like your on safari.. amazing time When we visited they were giving the flamingo's a health check.. you were invited to ask anything you wanted.. Fantastic interactive experience Cafés , toilets and picnic areas are ample and dotted around the park.. Gift shop as like most places near the exit... Would love to visit again in the future as one visit is simply not enough to see and enjoy everything whipsnade has to offer...

Whipsnade Zoo is in a beautiful location of Dunstable Downs, there is a free car park off site and charge for car to enter, blue badges are free, you can drive around the whole park and there is parking spots at each area of the Zoo so you can view the animals at safe distance. It’s a favourite Zoo of mine due to care of the animals and the enclosures are well maintained. If you visit now you may find parts of the Zoo is being improved and some enclosures updated and cleaned, so some of the animals are relocated, the kangaroos are free roaming the zoo and can be approached but best respect nature. The only part of the experience that requires the most improvement is the toilets most are not regularly cleaned or look clean, the restaurants and food vendors do not offer quality food, the sandwiches were not that appetising and the hotdogs were served in baguette, I didn’t understand the combo nor did my palate. Not that they need a fast food chain there but better menu of food and quality would justify the insane prices like £2 for a bag of crisps. Overall I still recommend this as a great family day out but bring your own lunches and snacks.

THE BUS IS BRILLIANT! Whipsnade is an awesome zoo but the bus service elevates the experience even further! Lots of walking and make sure you dress warmly, but if you get tired legs then the bus is perfect. Can't fault it. Such a friendly driver (Gary) and they come round every 20 mins. Thank you so much

This zoo is possibly one of my favorite ones I have been to. The animals have so much space and the possibility to just hide away if that is what they want. We were there on a cloudy temperate day that made the animals more active so we got to see a lot of them. We saw the penguin talk and the bird show, both are very much recommended, but especially the bird show was super well done and very enriching. I have been about 5 times the last ten years and every time has been a great experience.

Well looked after grounds, well tended gardens and beautifully managed Manor House. The facilities are more than adequate and volunteers are helpful and knowledgeable to explain and answer questions. However, we found the lights were very dim in most of the rooms downstairs and it was difficult to see or read the information provided in the pamphlets and walls.

No queues, not a lot of people and one of the most comprehensible and easy to navigate National Trust houses in England. Absolutely fascinating to learn more about English history; Disraeli, wartime mapping, and secrecy. Knowledgeable staff who like what they are doing. We visited on a glorious sunny weekday afternoon. A light lunch to start, nothing really special, served quickly and efficiently. The house is very well presented and the gardens are a delight to walk around and sit and admire while reclining in a deck chair.

Lovely building with a fascinating story. Loved all of the information on the production of the maps during WW2, especially interesting that they are still finding out about people who were there during that time. Cafe has plenty of seating with the usual menu of quality fare. The gardens are gorgeous and extensive.

Amazing House and gardens and with a lot of history, with roots dating back to before the Domesday Book. It became known as the country home of Benjamin Disraeli, Queen Victoria's favorite Prime Minister, who purchased it in 1848. If you're a National Trust member you should definitely visit.

A beautiful place to go. Gardens are well kept with lovely colours, the staff were friendly, and happy to help. House was amazing to look around. Water bowls in the courtyard for dogs and Toilets were clean.

A place for everyone. A beautiful house, well worth a look around as there is so much history there. Beautiful gardens and lovely walks. There is also a play area for children, a second book shop and tea room.

As National Trusts site go this is very small.. Staff are friendly/ helpful and knowledgeable and everything is very well kept. Very hard to spend a whole day here and so therefore feels an expensive day out for non members. As we were

We visited Bletchley Park today and had an absolutely fantastic day exploring this incredible piece of history. From the moment we arrived, the experience was first class. We were greeted at the entrance barrier by Jake, who gave us a lovely warm welcome — full of good humour and friendly banter — the perfect start to the day. Inside, every member of staff and volunteer we met was just as friendly and engaging. Their enthusiasm for the site and its history really brought the stories of The Codebreakers to life. A particular highlight for me was the Radio Team, who were exceptional. They not only explained the radio technologies and the process behind them in fascinating detail but even offered me a chance to have a go myself! Their knowledge and passion were infectious and added so much to the visit. We took our time exploring the Mansion, the huts, and the surrounding grounds — everything was beautifully presented and full of atmosphere. The attention to historical authenticity and the care taken in preserving the story of Bletchley’s wartime legacy was evident everywhere. The Gift Shop was excellent too, well-stocked with books, souvenirs, and thoughtful keepsakes. I was thrilled to find a book I’d owned as a child (a long time ago now!) — something I never expected to see again. All in all, it was a day filled with learning, nostalgia, and wonderful interactions with passionate people. A truly memorable visit, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Five stars without hesitation.

An amazing place and well worth a visit. The guides are all volunteers who give their time and expertise completely free of charge. In my opinion this makes them even more valuable to the whole experience and definitely worth listening to if you can get on one of their guided tours. Your entry ticket will allow you to return as many times as you like with a year of your first visit, completely free of charge, and you’ll need it as there so much to see and learn.

This is an amazing Living Musuem of history. The splendid work both highly intellectual people accomplished, together with every day men and women during WW2 is shown here. Without this secret team WW2 may not have ended when it did and with the British victorious. There is so much so see we needed 3 day visits. When you purchase your ticket you get a year to return and Thank Goodness for that.

Interesting visit to learn more about the WW2 Codebreakers and see the technology they used. Informative and entertaining video presentations. Friendly staff and good interactive displays. Quite expensive at £28 pp (we won't be going back in the next year even though the ticket says you can) and disappointed that the museum of computing was another £10 each next door. The website says the cafes have gluten free options but they didn't have any gf cakes or sandwiches, only a main meal.

An amazing time in our countrys' history, remarkable work carried out by extraordinary people. We learnt a great deal more about the events that occurred there than we previously knew. Definitely worth visiting, as your entry tickets are valid for 12 months multiple visits.

We had a fantastic day out at Bletchley Park. There was so much to see. I particularly enjoyed the areas recreated to look as it did during the Second World War. Whilst I knew of the work done there and its importance, visiting left me with an even deeper sense of admiration for the people who worked there.

What ca. you say? Incredible place where some incredible people worked long hours to help shorten WW2. So very informative, plenty to see. Can easily spend a day here, and the great thing is that your ticket is valid for 12 months so you can return any time within that period. If you’re a member of English Heritage then you can get money off your ticket too.

Really enjoyable visit to this stately home although it was built as a museum to house the possessions of the Rothschild family. Fantastic collection of art works, ceramics, tapestries and furniture and grounds. Entry needs to be pre-booked via their website there is a long walk 20 to 30 minutes from the car park to the house or you can book a shuttle bus for £2.50 return, free if you’re a blue badge holder.

Easy to find with large ticket office and excellent parking capacity inc disabled with a shuttle bus to the house and stables. Property has an interesting history and easy to walk through the various rooms. Large gardens for outdoor walking. Plenty of food and drink available. House has timed tickets available online or at the ticket office on arrival. Staff friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

A good wee place to explore and walk (in the garden), learn about history, architecture and art. Perfect for couples and families as they have a nice cafe(outdoor sitting) and wine shop. Some of the areas were closed when we visited(they were doing some renovation/maintenance work). They have spacious parking. Overall a very good experience.

Lovely day out, and very beautiful architecture. Lots of walking, if you like that sort of thing, which we do! The Manor's history is also fascinating. We enjoyed it here. The gardens are particularly beautiful.

We had a great family day out here, the house is beautiful and full of amazing artifacts, and all manner of priceless treasures. I enjoyed the Solomon's temple exhibit, interesting to see how it may have looked in it's original form. The grounds looked incredible with the autumn colours, and walking around a finding little hidden details was interesting. The outdoor cafe next to the gift shop had lovely, tasty food and drinks available. The gift shop was very pleasant aswell. Every interaction we had with the people working/volunteering there was very positive. Thankyou for a great time.

Beautifully kept manor. Lovely to walk around. Kids can run free and have a look at the birds. Kids also have a nice playground to go in. The whole place is pushchair friendly. There is a steep slope down to the play area and stables bit. The shuttle bus is great if you don’t like too much walking. Car park was spacious. Great day!

I think this was my most enjoyable National Trust visit. One of many Rothschild properties in the area but must be the jewel in the crown. A very good tour round the house King Louis writing desk and so much more it was just amazing. The grounds were also extensive and very beautiful

Honestly one of the best days out I've ever had with my daughter. Gorgeous, well maintained paths everywhere. Bird hides to watch over the lakes (while she napped). A big, airy cafe with delicious coffee. Lovely museum with staff who clearly adore what they do! We had so much fun talking to the people who were making a dugout canoe with bronze age tools, and exploring the garden, especially after seeing the spinning and weaving and learning about the plants that make the dyes. My daughter adored playing in the adventure play, of course. There's running water and sand, cute little play beach huts, a mural, slides, more than enough to entertain a toddler for hours! It was really lovely and plenty of seating and shade all around. We will definitely be back with my husband for another full day and hopefully add in some cycling 😊😊 Overall, really cannot say enough about how great the site was but even more so how wonderful every staff and volunteer was everywhere we went during our visit. The kindness, patience, and passion was just beyond what you could ask and we really appreciate it!

Absolutely lovely day out with all of my family which included 19 13 13 10 & 10 year old. There was so much to do and see around the whole of the lakes. My kids especially loved the assault course as did my partner (a little to much if you ask me) 😅. The only thing that I found was missing was bins on the walk ways I understand its for safety reasons but the amount of plastic bottles that were just dropped on the floor was awful. My kids did pick up the bottles they could whilst walking round but had to keep hold of them until the bin at the playground area. Other than that we had a fantastic time. Finished of with a lovely picnic near the playground for my youngest 2.

Love visiting here! Went to a netwalking event held in their conference room with walk around small lake. Facilities were clean and food was delicious (bacon sandwich). Great provision for tea, coffee and selection of cold drinks for the event. Staff were friendly and helpful. Outside facilities are the best part, beautiful nature and well kept paths. Usually you need to pay for car park but as we were at an event, parking was free.

I recently spent a few hours at Stanwick Lakes Country Park (Northamptonshire) and had a thoroughly relaxed and memorable time. The setting is beautiful — wide open spaces, shimmering lakes, and plenty of winding paths through nature. Whether you’re walking seriously or just pottering, the place has a lovely peaceful pace. There’s also an impressive adventure playground (and zip-line/assault-course type features) that means if you’re with kids you’ll very likely hear squeals of delight from the central hub of the park. On the nature side, it’s just as good. The bird-hides, wetland spaces and trails provide a chance to slow down, sit on a bench and watch things happen quietly around you. It’s not just manic play and activity—there are corners of genuine calm and reflection. Like all UK parks do go prepared if it’s been raining: as paths can be muddy and may be dry foot wear

What a great place! So much for the kids to do and see. The water feature is great, the climbing frame is well kept and very safe. The toilets are always kept clean and there is a great choice for food and drinks. Actually they have really nice coffee which is rare. Would be good with a few more benches as there is only a few compared to how many visitors they get but bring a picnic blanket and you'll be fine

A very lovely Nature Reserve. Trails are great for riding on, there's lots to see and do. Very pretty area to visit. And the play areas for kids are fantastic too!

Spent a couple of hours here with my daughter this morning. After building a Minecraft money box, ice scream and bacon roll in the cafe, spent just over an hour trolling the outdoor play area, taking a beating from the vertical twisty slide lol.. The venue has lots to offer , walks and activities, including the previous indoor play area now used for arts and crafts.. nice little venue for the children and adults alike. Friendly polite staff and informative of upcoming events , such as trails , arts and crafts etc..

Great place for a family day out. Has a few picnic tables, coffee and ice-cream. Also a small gift shop. Free parking. Toilets.

This place is a well hidden gem. It is a bit hidden and remote but it is a well worthy day out. The ruins are beutiful. The gardens and the Roman sculptures truly take you back to the 17 century. Great English Heritage site to visit. There is free parking next to the site.

This is a lovely old building. Larger than most historic houses and although most of it is a ruin it is intact enough to give a really good impression of what it would have been like. There is a small shop but either bring a picnic (lots of outside tables) or eat at the nearby Lyvedon which has a very well run cafe with gluten free and vegan options.

Beautiful ruins. So peaceful and tranquil. Went there on a weekday and at 3:30, it was just me and my hubby in the whole property. Lovely and large grounds. A little shop where you can get tea, coffee, ice-creams but no proper tea rooms. Staff are really helpful and friendly. Lots of peacocks and peahens who are used to the visitors. One came and sat right next to me when I was having my hot chocolate. Overall a wonderful day. Definitely recommend.

Beautiful house, half in ruins now. I think they're installing a new exhibit sort of thing inside the building which will be good when finished. Overall it's an interesting house!

Very nice remains of a once glorious manor house, lots of classic architecture to see, one section of the house still stands with the roof and internals intact including a beautiful roof, there's also a nice laid out garden to look around.

Was closed due to the "windy" weather, unfortunately. However there is a public footpath next to it, so we saw the outside. It looks really big, and a nice looking building, with about a third possibly still intact. The grounds are nice and would be a good place to enjoy a picnic in the summer. Turns out the weather wasn't that bad and it was a shame no one was on site to tell us a bit about the area.

If you love beautifully planted gardens and grounds, I would recommend it. A very pretty old college. I recommend visiting between March to April for all the showy spring blooms. Though, I'm sure the ground would be full of roses and other ornamental flowers in the summer months as well.

The £10 are definitely worth it for the large facility. The college is really beautiful, with lots to discover and explore. If you’re there around lunchtime, you can also get a reasonably priced meal in the cafeteria. Just keep in mind that the main cafeteria is closed to visitors until 2 PM, as that’s when the students are eating.

Fabulous day walking around Magdalen. Did the Addison Walk. Very peaceful tranquil and pleasant. The organ was playing when we visited the Chapel. Lunched there too. You can sit by the river to eat. Thoroughly recommend.

Absolutely stunning! We visited Oxford in July and had decided on visiting Magdalan college. We paid 15 pounds for a joint ticket with the Botanic Gardens across the street. Our visit to Magdalan exceeded expectations. The grounds are absolutely stunning! The attention and care given to the flowers and gardens is unreal. Addison’s path is a beautiful place for a walk, and to view the deer in July. It was nice and quiet when we were there, which just added to the positive experience. So glad we visited.

Such a beautiful college! Loved all the greenery! If you are not a student, you need to pay an entrance fee of £10.

April 30th, 2025 | Magdalen College, Oxford 🕯️I came to Oxford seeking to be closer to where our beloved C.S. Lewis lived (at The Kilns) and taught (here at Magdalen College). Clive Staples Lewis, the celebrated author of the Chronicles of Narnia, literary scholar, and theologian, had a significant and long-lasting association with Magdalen College, Oxford * Fellow and Tutor: In 1925, Lewis was elected a Fellow and Tutor in English Language and Literature at Magdalen College. He remained in this position for 29 years, until 1954. * Rooms in New Building: Lewis's rooms were located in New Buildings, specifically the two windows directly to the right of the protruding center section, on the second floor (first floor by English reckoning), above the wisteria. * Conversion: It was in these rooms, and during walks at Magdalen, particularly Addison's Walk, that Lewis moved from atheism to theism. A significant turning point was a late-night conversation in Magdalen with his friends Hugo Dyson and J.R.R. Tolkien. As I walked along Addison’s Walk it occurred to me C. S. Lewis had cheated as a writer! The wonderland he’d described wasn’t something of his imagination, but right here in Oxford! 😄 ❤️ You must do Addison’s Walk while here - it’s a slice of heaven. And don’t forget the circular plaque commemorating Lewis along the walk with a poem he wrote. It’s over the bridge to the right side when viewing the deer. * The Inklings: Lewis's rooms in New Buildings at Magdalen served as one of the primary meeting places for the Inklings, his informal literary discussion group. This group, which included Tolkien, met on Thursday evenings to read, discuss, and critique their works in progress. * Move to Cambridge: Lewis left Magdalen College in 1954 to take up a professorship at Magdalene College, Cambridge. This move was partly due to the fact that he never made professor at Oxford, and the Chair at Cambridge was created with him in mind. Despite this, he maintained a connection with Oxford and was elected an Honorary Fellow of Magdalen College in 1955. * Many of his most famous works, including Out of the Silent Planet, The Screwtape Letters, and the Narnia series, were written during his time at Magdalen. 💳 Fee to See Magdalen College: Magdalen College does charge an admission fee for visitors. As of May 2025, the general admission prices are: * Adults: £10.00 * Over 65s, Children, Students: £9.00 * Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children aged 7 or over): £28.00 Guided Tours: During certain times, guided tours are available for £13.00 per person (including the admission fee). Check the Magdalen College website for the current schedule of guided tours. Unfortunately these tours weren’t available during my time there, but it was no trouble at all. I was more than happy to wander through this picturesque oasis in the heart of Oxford, renowned for its stunning architecture, tranquil deer (that’s right, d-e-e-r) park, and the gentle flow of the River Cherwell. I even enjoyed a simple salad in the sun at its little bistro snugly situated in a casual corner of the campus next to the river. ⛪️ Magdalen College Chapel The Chapel at Magdalen College is an integral part of the college and has a rich history. * Active Place of Worship: It remains a very active chapel within the University, hosting approximately fourteen services a week during Full Term. While I did not attend a service there, I drifted away into a joyful place whilst listening to its choir there one evening. * Welcome to All: Magdalen College explicitly states that all are welcome to attend Chapel services, regardless of whether they are members of the college or visitors. This suggests there is no fee to attend regular services. * Historical Significance: After his conversion to Christianity in 1931, C.S. Lewis was known to attend weekday services in the College Chapel. What a day! It was a wonderful walk through time bringing me closer to C. S. Lewis - may he rest in peace.

What a wonderful place to visit!!! Take your time to see the buildings and stroll around the gardens and parks: everything is so beautiful!!!!

Bicester Village is a fantastic destination for luxury and premium brand shopping. The place offers a wide selection of high-end and well-known brands, all set in a beautiful and clean environment. Both the exterior and interior designs of each store are meticulously crafted, adding to the overall pleasant shopping experience. The only downside during my visit was the lack of particularly attractive discounts, which was a bit disappointing. Nonetheless, overall, it was a great place to shop and explore.

Bicester Village is a nice designer outlet that features most of the well-known luxury brands. However, I couldn’t find many good deals, most prices were almost the same as regular market prices, and many of the items seemed to be older collections that didn’t sell well. The design of the village is beautiful, though. It’s very clean and pleasant to walk around, with charming little streets and lovely store façades. The place isn’t very large, so you can explore it in a few hours. There are only a couple of restaurants, so dining options are limited, but the big parking area is definitely convenient. Overall, it’s a peaceful and stylish place to visit for a short walk and some window shopping, but not necessarily the best destination if you’re looking for real outlet bargains

Absolutely loved it, definitely worth a visit especially if you’re into shopping. Might not be as fun if you’re not into shopping. Lots of designer and high end brands at discounts prices, *discounted* not cheap. All the shops look really nice especially during the Christmas period. Nice and easy to walk around, shops are all next door to one another kind of like on a parade.

This is a polished and enjoyable shopping destination, especially if you’re looking for luxury brands at reduced prices. The village-style layout makes it feel more relaxed than a typical outlet mall, and the pathways are clean, well-kept, and easy to navigate. The selection of designer stores is strong, and the customer service is generally excellent. It can get extremely busy—especially on weekends and holidays—which sometimes means queues both for parking and for popular boutiques. Still, if you time your visit well, it’s a great place to find quality pieces at good value while enjoying a pleasant, upscale atmosphere.

I recently visited Bicester Village and had a fantastic shopping experience. It's a premier luxury outlet shopping destination with a wide range of designer brands offering excellent discounts. The village is beautifully laid out and perfect for a day trip. I recommend buying your shopping ticket in advance online for a smooth entry and special services. Also, if you travel by train, note that Bicester Village station not supports contactless travel cards, but importantly there is currently no tap-in or tap-out system for contactless payments on the train journey. This means it’s best to buy a ticket in advance or check carefully to avoid any issues. The combination of great shopping, easy access, and the convenience of modern payment options makes Bicester Village a must-visit. Don’t forget to book your tickets ahead and enjoy a seamless, luxurious shopping day out!

Visited recently for a shopping day out and had a very enjoyable time overall. Bicester Village offers lots of high-end brand outlets, making it a premium destination for luxury and designer shopping. You’ll find major names like Gucci, Prada, Burberry, and many more — definitely a paradise for fashion lovers! The atmosphere is great — beautifully designed, open-air, and feels classy yet welcoming. We were so busy shopping that we completely forgot to take any photos! One thing that really stood out was how well the parking situation was managed. As we were about to reach the Village, we noticed clear signage informing us that the main parking was full and directing us to an alternate parking location. There was also a free Park & Ride bus service available, which was super convenient and very well organized. The only downside was the long queues outside some of the popular stores, which took up quite a bit of time. It would be great if they could introduce an appointment or token system to help manage the crowd and make the experience smoother. Overall, a fantastic shopping destination with a wide range of luxury brands, good facilities, and a pleasant vibe — just be ready for some waiting during busy times. We’ll definitely be visiting again!

Very busy but really nice shops. We can find a lot of deals most of the time. Really enjoyed going there. Finding parking is always a challenge but with persistence we can find a spot. Good few spot to eat. Highly recommended for designer shopping

Visited with my Historic Houses card that thankfully helps me avoid a very overpriced £30 ticket. As I left, a family of four were handing over something like £87, which I would really advise against. There are limited grounds that you are welcome to roam in, which is something I’m used to at historic houses/gardens. The house itself is impressive of course, although I would have liked better interpretation boards around. Why not provide a list of the paintings? I had to ask a member of staff for their copy as I was curious about one in particular, but was asked to only take a photo of that specific listing. Unsure why there needs to be such secrecy around it. Personally I would like to see some information on the Black presence in some of the statues and paintings dotted around the house. You can’t take photos inside, presumably because it’s still the family house (and also to help sell the guide book), but I hope there might be a way in the future to remove that restriction. The walk around the lake is pleasant enough, although there’s not much to see other than the Diana memorial. There was nothing in the shop of interest to me, and I didn’t try out the cafe. But there are plenty of benches to have your own lunch, which was nice. I also had no issue with the car park being away from the house, but it would be great if there was somewhere to park a bike.

Beautiful place, the cafe is okay. It only offers cold sandwiches and cakes, very minimal hot food - etc soup. The family home is very pretty and the staff is well knowledgeable and proactively explained everything. The oval lake is peaceful, beautiful but also you can feel the sadness around it.

This is one of the most Beautiful and Enchanting places we have visited. The House was exquisite inside, the history was amazing. All the staff inside and out were extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Outside was immaculately maintained and the Oval Lake where Diana’s resting place is was Breathtaking. Overall one of the best days we’ve had 🥰 A Huge Thank you to All the Staff and most importantly to Lord Spencer (whom we had the pleasure of speaking with) who if it was not for him allowing the public to come into his home and grounds to have a look, we would never be able to see all of this. Such a privilege and honour 🤗🥰 Would highly recommend a visit. We will definitely be returning without a doubt!!

It was such a gorgeous day so we decided to revisit Althorp. The whole place is immaculate and the lake was stunning. Great having the benches to sit on and enjoy the view. Last time I came, there were more flowers in the beds at the rear of the house, which added some amazing colour, but I appreciate there would be a cost involved in that. The trees were stunning and sheer size of the property incredible. The sign into the property could be more obvious - went all the way round to the front gates, as that was the way on last time I visited - eventually found the correct sign but it was quite small and hidden in the hedge. I was able to get some great photographs thanks!

An impressive estate. Tributes to Diana start with a line of 36 oak trees and a plaque part way along. No photos allowed in the house, which has plentiful portraits and ornate furniture. Staff very friendly and informative. Interesting to see the bedrooms already made up ready for future guests. The house is only open during July and August. From the house it is a few minutes walk to the lake where Princess Diana is buried. It is very peaceful, a good place to sit awhile. A monument to Diana stands at the head of the lake, with Charles Spencer's touching words about her engraved into a plaque.

Really enjoyed our visit to Althorp. Grounds were beautifully kept & it emotional to see Princess Diana’s final resting place. The house was very interesting with all its history. The church is very spiritual, like it very much.

Had a wonderful visit to Althorp. The weather was beautiful, so it was lovely walking around the gardens and seeing the deer in the grounds. The house is spectacular with so much history and interesting artwork and furniture. This was our second visit and we learnt new things that we hadn’t found out on the previous visit.

Visited while staying in the area. The selection and choice is vast. Can recommend the classic sausages, really tasty, firm skin and little fat when cooking. Also picked up salad, fresh rolls and fruit from here, great quality and reasonable prices. Parking is easily accessible, sat nav took us to a caravan site just down the road - stay on the main road and you'll find it!

The postcode took me 300 yards down the road. Keep going, you won't miss it there are white signs on the road. Plenty of parking. Actually one of the best farm shops I've ever been too. The cafe / restaurant is very nice with plenty of tables. You can eat in the outside area with dogs. The food that's served is fresh food from the shop itself. I can recommend the vegetarian breakfast!! The farm shop is quite large, with plenty of food and fresh counters. To note, the homeware section is very small, this place is all about the food!! There's an outside plant area, although it's not very big. It can get busy so arrive early. Definitely worth a visit, I shall return !! Toilets available in the cafe.

Beautiful farm shop with lots of different foods, excellent selection of cheeses, meats, fruit and veg. If I could give the cafe 10 stars, I would! The staff were lovely and helpful and the food was delicious and plentiful. The beer battered haddock was superb and I'm difficult to please. Will definitely return.

Brilliant shopping experience in a local independent establishment. Most things farmed on the large grounds or locally. Quality is exceptional and very friendly staff. A cafe is out the back, plenty of parking, local beers and a deli counter. Whilst prices are higher then the major supermarkets, remember there is no bulk buying power and no undercutting farmers here, the profits are put back into a real local business with food quality being much higher. Highly recommended.

Thought I would give breakfast a go again, after being disappointed the last time I tried for lunch. Sausage sandwich - three chipolatas, cut in half, where the thickness of the bread was more than the sausage. Just put more sausages in the sandwich and charge more. Service was excellent I must say, but won’t be returning after the second bad food experience.

Went for a lunch on Sunday with the family and they weren’t busy. The children were asked if they wanted ketchup or mayo with their meals, both said yes. When their food arrived the sauces never did. My salad was swimming in dressing. We order two more cokes after trying to get the attention of 2 waiter’s, only 1 bottle was brought to us. These are simple things that staff should be getting right. Then we went to purchase a couple of items from the shop. There was only one person on the till with a queue already forming. Slowest service so I left the items. Very disappointed visit.

Stopped here for a snack after a day trip. Really nice place. Superb choice of fresh produce and some marvellous hidden gems (white asparagus to name one) . The home made chips were so good we ordered again! Nothing too mich trouble, hopefully see you again

Brilliant family day out, something for everyone here. Enough rides to suit all ages and queues were fairly short. Indoor areas are great with plenty to keep children entertained, perhaps aimed at more younger children but the dark themed slides and play area is great for all along with the rapids ride. Classics like the pirate ship and log flume for all the family to enjoy. Easy to navigate around the park. Free parking available and gift shop at the end. Purchased a family photo which can be taken upon entrance. Highly recommend for families. Great value with family pass which we purchased via offer code at half price. Bargain! 🌟

We are theme park connoisseurs and this park definitely is one of our top five parks in the uk. As we have kids under ten, this park has things to cater perfectly to them. It's a perfect size to be able to cram every ride in. The queues are small and the atmosphere is very nice. There's a large, soft play and separate aerial ropes. And drop slides. There's a farm on top to. Great visiting during halloween, as there is a pick your own.

Great park but definitely more suitable for small children. Our 9 year old wasn’t as enthused and entertained as our 6 year old. Quite a long queue for some of the rides which meant the kids were getting fizzy. Water wasn’t working either whilst we were there so had to use hand gel - provided by the park - this wasn’t the parks fault though. Good choice of food at decent prices and the place itself was kept nice and clean.

Every member of staff were a delight (apart from the woman in the paying booth.... They were kind and considerate and very child friendly! The rides were great as our two are ten and haven't really been on anything like that much. Excitement overload. The indoor slides and lazy river were a godsend as it was bitterly cold. There were some animals in the barn, and we enjoyed feeding them (50p for feed from a self-issue machine). Especially as the llama and goat were trying to eat the feed out of the machine! And the Shetland pony kicking the door to get more food. There were rabbits and meerkats too. The kids enjoyed picking a pumpkin too which was free with the ticket. Who knew choosing a pumpkin would bring so much delight. Thanks Twinlakes it was a blast!

It's a good value for money with ONE big but, as long as your child is over 90cm. Otherwise there's virtually no rides they can be allowed on. They would not let you hold them on your lap and go down the water slides in the splash zone either. Animal wise it's quite poor in terms of variety. Nice picnic areas. Decent cafe and indoor playground. Car park is decent size but on the rainy day it's a bit of disaster especially if you have to go through it with a buggy.

Went on a Sunday for pre-birthday fun with our daughter, well laid out park with plenty of things to do, small wait for some rides but nothing extreme. Longest wait for for the food as one poor guy was manning the BBQ shack by himself during the lunch rush, He did an amazing job tho! I saw at least 2 people litter picking, surly one would have been better supporting the cooking?

Nice little park suitable for smaller kids. I would say probably 6-10 year olds will have the most fun but might be a bit boring for older ones. You can see some (mostly) farm animals there as well. Most rides are looked after by teenage looking staff which wasn't the most comforting thing although they seemed to check everything properly. If you don't expect any thrills for yourself and just want to offer your young child some good times i would recommend.

I've been to plenty of breweries and their tours before. And they tend to get very samey. But not Hook Norton, while yes it covered the main talking points, this is an incredibly unique and interesting Brewery from an engineering and structural standpoint. Also never been to a brewery with so many drinks at the end (5 cask, 4 keg). Peter our guide was phenomenal and made the tour engaging and interesting.

What a lovely day out! Our tour guide Monty was very knowledgeable and welcoming. History, beer and food - brilliant experience across all fronts and came away feeling very enriched. The cafe’s version of a Ploughman’s was top notch and the beer went down a treat. Will be recommending to friends and family!

Great spot. Two of us had a couple of pints and sandwich and side of chips. Good simple pub menu. Gluten free menu. Friendly. Glorious to sit in sun having a beer, outside tables had parasols. Not easy to get to, we cycled from Kings Sutton, but worth it. The shop has the full range of beers and some nice gifts.

This is a must visit as i always pop in every few months and the restaurant is outstanding. We turned up and was leaving and meet with loads of steam powered vehicles which was awesome.

Very clean and tidy. Staff with very, very attentive. They checked that everything was ok three times! Food was fresh and good sized portions. Peri-peri sauce with the chicken has a good kick to it.

Great cafe and bar with well stocked shop. I recently returned to do the brewery tour. It was a very informative tour for the history of the Hook Norton Brewery and how it grew from 1849 and was then extended to the Victorian 3 stage gravity fed brewery of 1899. The tour is 90 minutes long and involves going up and down over 100 steps. It really has a fascinating history which was state of the art when it was built and largley unchanged except a few modern additions added in the 20th & 21st century for effeciency and electrification. Well worth the money and with a great host too called Sally who knew her history. After the tour you get sample the beers and discuss tasting notes. It would be great to do a more indepth day when they are brewing with the brewers to see it all in action and to have a lesson on brewing and the science behind it.

Such an authentic tour. Chris was an absolute pleasure as a tour guide and provided us with so many interesting facts and anecdotes. The cellar bar is a fitting end too 🍺

A very well thought through visitor centre , with very helpful, staff. Some of the exhibits are amazing, especially the 'interactive exhibits". It explained the 'science of the DNA testing' as well as the archaeology part. The history and circumstances of Richard III that led to him being at Bosworth Field, and the very sad outcome. The shop & cafe are excellent, and the outside courtyard- with beautifully planted flowers and trees are all excellent; with plenty of seating under shading trees. Altogether, the layout of the experience was very good, well thought out. The fact it had air con, all around the tour was also excellent. The tour is on two levels ground floor , and upper floor - which can be reached by a lift , so no problem for wheel chair users. It was a very moving moment to see where they actually found him in the car park; it has been preserved, for posterity, exactly where they found him, this is outside in a very beautiful 'sanctum' covered over with toughened glass. The visitor shop is also excellent, with many interesting gifts and books, on medieval topics, including the Yorks & Tudors.. The entrance "doubles" also as the exit. I am so glad I came, to see this exhibit - finally..!!

A really awesome and well executed piece of history. The museum is amazing and the display which shows the location of Richard’s burial is incredible. There was an amazing volunteer named Julie who explained the full story behind the discovery of Richard. The centre has done an excellent job. It is a must visit for any historian.

This is a fairly new exhibition with good information. It’s not extensive but there’s lots of information upstairs about the discovery of Richard III body. Staff were very helpful and friendly.

Very informative and enjoyable visit. Staff were knowledgeable and provided a real insight into the burial of Richard lll and how they found him. We also then walked across the road to visit the cathedral to see his new resting place which complemented the visit to the visitor centre. Had lunch in the cafe which was great. Highly recommend a visit to both.

Loved visiting here. Very well put together and great displays to tell the story of Richard and the project to find him. Special thanks to Jan for her wonderful talk at the grave location about the dig and about the two Princes. A fantastic addition to Leicester

The staff are friendly and helpful the story is interesting but I was kind of left with the feeling that some of the exhibitions were almost unnecessary and making a lot out of nothing really such as a pair of wellies worn but the lady who helped find King Richards grave and even a mask and coverall used to prevent DNA passing from the person who removed the bones to the skeleton of Richard ...hardly anything of note regards historical artifacts asides part of the greyfriars abbey walls and floor tiles under a glass floor ! Whilst informative in places not the best museum I've visited .

Brilliant, but not for kids. There is more to read than to see. However, it is certainly not boring for someone interested in history or for a person who is curious and keen to discover new things. And once done, you are right by the cathedral and the pedestrian streets full of interesting shops, restaurants, and major brands outlets.

Came here to watch Pink Floyd Dark side of the Moon in the planetarium. The show was one of the best I've ever seen. Amazing atmosphere in the planetarium. The visuals and sounds were perfect. We also had a good look around the space centre itself. Properly cool place with absolutely loads for kids and adults to do and see. Very educational and we will be bringing our kids to have a look. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and will definitely do it again

The NSC is an amazingly well curated museum with interactive elements and immersive shows in the Patrick Moore Planetarium inside, shows last 25mins. They even have a real rocket! and you can take a lift to see it from above. It's well suited to kids and adults (we never grow up really) and you can touch space objects and interact with some scientific tools and even play some games to test your astronaut potential! I spent 2ish hours there and there's still more that I didn't get a chance to experience. Tickets were £20 & that gets you an annual pass. The cafe they have is great too, they do hot food and good coffee and even an awesome giftshop! You gotta go :]

The National Space Centre is a fascinating place for both children and adults. It’s especially engaging for Generation Y and millennials, showcasing the Cold War era, the development of technology, and the first steps in space exploration in an immersive way. You can step inside a Mercury capsule, see how astronauts eat and live, and even sit in a period-style room to feel the thrill of watching a rocket launch to the Moon on a vintage glass screen. The planetarium, presented as an animated journey, is truly impressive – even for adults. It’s a wonderful centre for both learning and fun, and the best part is that with just one ticket you can return all year round. Highly recommended! 🚀✨

Where do I start. The place was amazing. The staff and the exhibits were exceptional. So much great information to digest and lots of things for little ones and bigger little ones to do. There were a lot of people in, but it never felt packed. The cinema show was brilliant and way more immersing than we thought it would be. The gift shop had a great collection of toys as well as interesting gifts specific to the Space center. A great day out and it would've recieved 5 stars if it wasn't for the poor cafe that was let down by a lack of choice and the cleaning of the eating/utensil areas which was really poor. The staff serving were great super friendly on all departments but the eating areas were disappointing. Still won't stop another visit to this wondrous place.

Located north of Leicester city centre, the National Space Centre is an amazing day out for kids and adults of all ages. Filled with interactive and educational activities, award winning shows on immersive 360 degree screen, and lots more to see and do. Super helpful and attentive staff, great gift shop, lots of space to sit. Buy ticket online for free annual pass upgrade without hassle. Kids could spend the whole day in here to learn and play. Bring your own lunch to avoid weekend and peak time queues.

This visit has been a long time coming, after trudging the M1 for three decades and seeing the brown sign for the National Space Centre I finally found time to visit, and it was no disappointment in the slightest. Many facts and exhibits tie into loads of classic films, articles and milestones from over the years and lots for the kids to learn about along the way. A great day out and at the moment (summer 2025) the artists elephants are all around Leicester. The planetarium is incredible! Please go and enjoy one of the midlands great attractions that you might have missed.

I been there for first time, lovely place with many different views. I can see there is a plenty space for car parking. Amazing location with foods, and gifts. I was so happy and excited to be there and to be part of this. I will share few videos and photos from this amazing place. Highly recommend.

Bradgate Park is truly a gem, an incredible place to unwind, take a long walk, and just breathe. It's the kind of spot where nature does all the talking. The landscape is vast and beautiful, with open spaces, ancient trees, and a peaceful atmosphere that helps you disconnect from everyday life. It used to be quieter, and while it's more popular now and can get busy, there are still those rare, quieter days when you can enjoy the serenity and really take it all in. If you're lucky enough to visit on one of those days, the peacefulness is something special. Perfect for a picnic, a long stroll, or even just some time to sit and think. Just a tip bring everything you might need, because you might find yourself staying longer than planned. It’s that kind of place.

Bradgate Park itself is beautiful – really enjoyed walking around and especially loved seeing the deer roaming freely, which made the visit feel quite special. The scenery is lovely and it’s a great place to spend time outdoors. That said, the parking felt quite extortionate, which does take away from the experience a bit, and the men’s toilets could definitely be improved in terms of cleanliness. Overall, worth visiting for the park and wildlife, but a couple of practical things could be better managed.

Bradgate Road leads to the stunning Bradgate Park, a truly beautiful and expansive place that’s perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors. The park is filled with wildlife — from grazing deer to a variety of birds — and its natural scenery makes it ideal for both relaxation and exploration. Whether you’re after a quiet stroll, a scenic jog, or a full day out with family, the area offers something for everyone. There are designated BBQ spots, picnic areas, and clean toilet facilities that make visiting convenient and enjoyable. The walking and running tracks are well-maintained, offering routes for all fitness levels and interests. Overall, Bradgate Road and its surroundings provide a peaceful escape from the city, combining nature, history, and recreation in one truly lovely destination.

The park is beautiful. What I didn't like was the amount of dogs off leads near the deers. This included a pit bull. Owners need to be wary at all times as deer are loose everywhere. Great for photographers. I parked in the south woods carpark as it is £2 all day.

A beautiful park and a great place for hiking, walking, and simply relaxing. It’s always thrilling to see wildlife up close here. Toilet facilities and cafés are available both at the entrance and in the middle of the park, which makes it very convenient. You can easily spend the whole day enjoying a picnic and connecting with nature and wildlife. There’s plenty of parking available — £5 on weekdays and £6 on weekends for the full day. It’s also good to see that bins are placed throughout the park, helping to keep it clean.

What and incredible place! Visit the ruins and the gardens. Take a walk alongside the stream. Or hike up the rocky hills to take in the panoramic views and pay your respects at the war memorial. Deer and Peacocks wonder freely around the grounds. This really is a stunning part of the midlands. When you need to rest your legs you can pop into the cafe to refresh, grab a bite to eat and take bathroom break. There's something for everyone to enjoy regardless of your physical abilities. I came via public transport from Nottingham. The number 9 Kinchbus took me from West Bridgford (Notts) to Loughborough (Auberry Gap stop), and then I got the 154 Centrebus from the Auberry Gap stop to the reservoir at the Bradgate Park. The stop which takes to back to Loughborough is also right next to the reservoir wall. I believe the last bus back to Loughborough is at around 18:30, and then there are multiple late buses back to Nottingham from there

Fantastic parkland with a large expanse of green space, some striking landmarks and remarkable prehistoric rock formations. Bradgate Park dates back around 800 years, when it began life as a deer park, a role it still fulfills today with a large herd of Fallow and Red deer. It's also home to the impressive ruins of Bradgate House, one of England's oldest brick built houses, and amazing ancient oak trees, many of which date back over 500 years. The park is maintained to a very high standard and has a number of entrances, each with their own parking area (charged daily at a reasonable rate) and public toilet facilities. Tearooms are located near the reservoir and the Newtown Linford entrance. The path is crossed by a network of well maintained and clearly signposted paths, ideal for dog walks and popular with families. The Newtown Linford entrance is best for short, easy walks past the stream to the house, while the Hunts Hill entrance in the upper part of the park is best for more challenging walks to Old John Tower and the Leicestershire Yeomanry War Memorial. These high points offer expansive views over the surrounding countryside and the Leicester skyline, with rugged rocks in the foreground. We stopped here on the way to the Peak District thinking the park would be a more interesting way to break the journey than a motorway service station, and were very happy to have done so. A real suprise that exceeded all expectations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Unbelievable place. Absolute MUST VISIT for any motoring fan. It's got an unbelievable amount on display, from vintage to absolutely cutting edge motoring technology. Wheelchair accessible throughout, lots to keep kids/families engaged as well as anyone just looking to learn about the history of motoring or Motorsport or car design. Staff were outstanding, particularly Den who was a wealth of knowledge and, more importantly, passion for the museum and local area. This is a place not to be missed. Could send a half day here easily. Extremely highly recommended.

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

Rip off car park charges.

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

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

Good zoo and always looking at new areas for animals.

Amazing zoo. Great place to spend the day

All good.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great day out for my daughters 10th birthday. Bonus as May was buy one get one free so really good value! As the girls were 10 I didn't have to go in the pool or on the snow play sliding with them (extra bonus 😂) but easy to watch and manage. Snow play staff were lovely. Life guards a bit moody to be honest.

I recently visited Tamworth Snowdome and have mixed feelings based on two very different lesson experiences. If, like me, you’re someone who learns best through clear instruction and explanation (and not just being told to “give it another go”), I really recommend thinking carefully about which lessons you book. My first session was a 9am Saturday Fast Track lesson, and honestly, it wasn’t great. There was very little actual teaching - we were mostly just sent down the slope repeatedly with minimal feedback. We were merged with another group and had to do more standing around and waiting rather than actual skiing. I was the slowest in the group and unfortunately the instructor didn’t handle that very kindly. When I asked genuine questions - like how to walk at the top of the slope without slipping - she (Rhea) just smiled and didn’t give an answer. It felt dismissive and unhelpful. I was also moved into a line with a longer wait time because I was struggling, which made me feel singled out. I do want to highlight Max, who was assisting that day - I learned more from his quick tips than from the main instructor. But overall, I left that lesson frustrated, embarrassed, and feeling like I’d wasted my money. That said, my Level 2 lesson the same afternoon was the complete opposite experience. Adam and Joe were brilliant - patient, clear, happy instead of grumpy, and genuinely helpful. They told me exactly what I was doing wrong and how to correct it. Within three more runs I was skiing with control, and by the end I was confidently linking turns. They turned a discouraging morning into a huge win, where my partner noted I was smiling constantly and more relaxed. I honestly can’t thank them enough. My advice: If you’re someone who needs proper explanation rather than just trial-and-error mixed with standing around, book Level 1, 2, and 3 separately instead of Fast Track. You’ll get more focused teaching and less pressure to keep up with the quickest learners. Also, go with an instructor who actually instructs. I also found (in my personal experience) that the male instructors were warmer and more helpful than the female instructors - as there was a older lady instructing a group we were later merged with, who wasn’t very warm, but that may vary and isn’t meant as a blanket statement. In the end, I’d still recommend Tamworth Snowdome - just be mindful of which lesson format you choose. With the right instructor, it’s absolutely worth it.

What a fantastic day. All 3 of my boys went to Clip and Clmb and had their first lessons snowboarding. Every member of staff were so polite and professional. The food in Aspen was great and pizzas delivered on a mini snowboard was great. A big shout out to Imogen and Ethan the boys instructors who were amazing from start to finish, their smiles and constant tips to push them on had them from wobbly newbies to being independent and in control. Thanks for such a memorable day!

We bought a group of 6 kids to SnowDome for a snowboard lesson! Special thanks to Coach Leo who was absolutely amazing and made the session so much fun for them . We did ski with lift pass the next day and the staffs there were all really lovely and helpful. Great experience all round! We will definitely book again.

I recently completed the beginners’ Ski course and it was absolutely fantastic! I can’t praise my instructor, Ben P, highly enough. He was incredibly attentive and patient with everyone in the group, giving each of us the confidence we needed to get out on the slopes. Ben spent plenty of one-on-one time with those who needed extra help and made everyone feel completely at ease. If all the instructors are anything like Ben, I’m certain anyone who joins this course will have an amazing experience and make great progress. Highly recommended!

I attended a Fast Track 1 lesson, but the group was far too large and the instructor was quite abrupt. Several children became upset during the session. With so many participants, there wasn’t enough time for proper attention to each learner, so class sizes should definitely be smaller. It also didn’t feel like a safe or suitable environment for beginners, as there is no dedicated training area. While waiting on the slope for my turn, I was knocked over by a free-skiing skier, and snowboarders from the top slope were repeatedly coming through the group as well. There is only one entrance and exit, meaning everyone — beginners included — is funnelled into the same crowded space. If I were a more confident skier coming from the top, I’d be concerned about finding a safe gap to get through with such large groups blocking the run. Given the venue’s limited space, they really need better crowd control — smaller groups and/or set training hours would make a huge difference. Clearly this isn’t a priority though, as it seems the focus is on maximising money rather than safety or learning experience. To highlight that point: the pass was £120 per person. So with around 10 in the group, that’s roughly £1,200 for a 3-hour session — yet the experience felt overcrowded and poorly managed. Finally, the instructor we had should reconsider their approach. Shouting at people that they are “not doing it right” only creates a stressful environment and doesn’t help anyone improve.

I recently took my first group ski lessons for beginners at Snowdome Tamworth, where three instructors were looking after our group. During the session, one of the instructors — Adam K. — really stood out. His passion, friendly attitude, and clear guidance helped me take my very first steps on the slope with confidence. I felt truly supported throughout the lesson. Because of this great experience, I decided to book a few private lessons with Adam K. as well. I never thought someone as clumsy as me could actually learn to ski, but thanks to his patience and excellent teaching, I did! I highly recommend Adam K. for ski lessons — he is an outstanding instructor!