A steep climb up the hill got us to the Castle. You don't have to walk, there's a carpark by the gate and a shuttle bus service. Buy tickets in advance and save some money. Trying this on my mobile was problematic and I never managed to get it to work. But the nice lady at the Castle sorted it out for me. The good bits, all of the buildings are impressive. The views from the terraces outside even more so. The interiors are spectacular with ornate carvings and wonderful wall decorations. See the restored kitchens and the reconstruction of the interior. It's obvious that a great deal of effort has been made to present a good visitor experience. One of the best bits was a couple of ladies roleplaying different people from history. More of this could be a great thing. Well worth a visit.

There is no way you can come to Stirling and not visit this amazing historical centerpiece. Sitting at the highest point in the area, it will be visible from anywhere in the city. There are lots of paid parking spaces (5 pounds) right at the entrance. As soon as you walk in, the ticket booth is just off to the left. After ticket purchase, I highly suggest the free tour given by their historians - very informative with a nice touch of humor. First one started at 10 am when we visited. As you walk through the grounds and on the high walls, you can take in some great scenery inside and outside the castle. There a lot of things to see and some of the parts of the castle might be missed if you are not paying attention to the map. All the main areas have employees in period dress who freely offer their period stories. Everything is in your own time - I would say a couple of hours will offer you a good visit with the tour. There is a couple of gift shops (one at the entrance and one off the main inner courtyard) and a nice canteen to buy some light snacks. So much history - enjoy.

A phenomenal castle experience! The drive up built anticipation, as Stirling Castle unveiled itself gradually. At the castle, I enjoyed the stunning view of the gorgeous Forth Valley from the ramparts. The restored Royal Palace was impeccable — vibrant colours, heraldic details, and Renaissance interiors that feel genuinely 16th century! Allow plenty of time to explore the entire grounds, the Great Hall, and especially the Palace. A truly unmissable piece of Scottish history!

Absolutely stunning castle. We'll preserve and very good historical information presented clearly. I didn't get the audio tour and I think that was a good choice. Though I'm sure they provide good information. Wasn't so crowded you couldn't see what you wanted as long as you avoided the huge bus tours. Have I mentioned it was beautiful? It truly was. Very memorable.

By far the most interactive and fascinating castle visit I have experienced across the 40 countries I’ve visited. The site is rich in history and offers truly immersive exhibits. Even rushing through, we spent almost 3 hours inside. For a full experience, I recommend reserving 4–5 hours — and trust me, it’s worth every minute. The ticket is not cheap, but it is absolutely worth the visit.

My first visit to the Royal castle. Wonderful location. Views are stunning. The castle itself is full of history, much more intimate than Edinburgh castle. We arrived late in afternoon just in time for the second last guided tour. It was so informative and the guide was outstanding. Made my day. The garden was so vibrant.

Our visit to Stirling Castle this past September was absolutely unforgettable! This magnificent fortress is one of Scotland's most impressive historic sites, and it truly brought Scottish history to life in the most captivating way. The castle itself is remarkably well-preserved and intact, with beautifully restored rooms that transport you back through centuries of Scottish history. Walking through the Great Hall, the Royal Palace, and the Chapel Royal felt like stepping into a living museum. Every room tells a story, from the grand Renaissance architecture to the intricate details in the tapestries and decorations. One of the absolute highlights of our visit was the live Renaissance musicians performing throughout the castle grounds! Their authentic period music filled the rooms and chambers, creating an incredibly immersive atmosphere. The musicians were talented and passionate, and their presence truly elevated the entire experience. We learned about Mary Queen of Scots, James VI, and the many battles fought for control of this strategic stronghold. The storytelling brought the history to life in such an engaging way. The views from the castle ramparts are absolutely breathtaking, we especially loved the gardens and the views of gardens in the valley too overlooking Stirling and the surrounding countryside. You can see why this location was so strategically important throughout Scottish history! Receiving lots of daily visitors it is wise to choose an organized tour or purchase the point-by-point earpods. Allow plenty of time to explore – there's so much to see and experience!

The Riverside Museum is a fantastic place to visit, especially as admission is free, making it accessible for everyone. Its location right by the river adds to the charm, giving visitors a chance to enjoy the scenic surroundings before or after exploring the museum itself. The building is modern and striking, and once inside, you’re greeted with an impressive collection that feels both inviting and easy to navigate. One of the highlights is the range of lovely old vehicles on display, from vintage cars and trams to classic bikes, which are fascinating to see up close. The museum is also very well thought out in terms of accessibility, with excellent disabled facilities that ensure all visitors can enjoy the experience comfortably. It’s a place that combines history, culture, and atmosphere beautifully, making it well worth a visit.

This museum is a really good day out. Tracks the history of transport from the beginning to now. A good variety of interactive displays to keep the interest. Good for kids and adults. Has a cafe to grab lunch or a quick bite to eat. Well worth a visit.

Free museum, free great knowledge to learn! 7 minutes walking from the Govan station. Took about an hour to skim through this museum. With the ship, needs about 2 hours in total! Good for kids and adults! I would love to visit here again!

Amazing place, one of the best museums we have ever been to, got there at opening time, stayed until around 3.00pm, great coffee, great soup...... The displays are very well laid out with lots of interesting info. The ship conveyer belt was so cool. Great to sit in an old underground train and watch the movie from the 1940s, also the Coronation tram, the old shops and street were so well done..... Love seeing the Caledonian Railway 123 loco, still have my Triang/Hornby one from the 1970s :) Not all about transport, plenty about Glasgow life. The Tall Ship is worth a visit too just behind the museum.

The exhibits at the museum are simply stunning particularly if you’re interested in the history of transport or want a glimpse of Glasgow from yesteryear. There are guided tours available if you want to ensure you don’t miss anything. Highly recommended.

Honestly one of the best well done museum's I have ever seen. Great for anyone of all types. Lots to learn, lots to see and if you just walk around you will still have a great time. Oh it's free or by a recommended donation. One of my favorite places I visited.

A very good place to visit with children. A good collection of old cars, bikes, and a train, and how the streets look. It feels like you have time traveled and are seeing the past with your own eyes. It will feel very nostalgic to the elderly who may remember a few things from their childhood. Free to visit.

Beautiful place, views and reminds bit of Lord of the rings to top of the tower. Need comfy shoes to get to it. Has free parking, nice place to go for a walk around too. Has some wooden sculptures on the way aswell. Bit of a steep walk but has small buss service that takes to the top, cafe near parking. Also available free toilet in the Monument. Welcoming staff.

This monument is certainly a must see in the Stirling area. There is a lot of convenient parking for your visit and a nice cafe and gift shop at the base of the hill beside the parking area. After parking, head up the trail that starts around the right hand side of the building - you don't need to go inside as the tickets for the monument are bought when you get to the top. There are two paths that literally run beside each other and connect around halfway up. The more natural path has some carvings to look at as you go through. Depending on your fitness level, the path to the top may be a bit strenuous - take your time and there are a few rest spots. There is also a great viewing platform and rest area outside of the main tower entrance. There is one bathroom for all patrons in the monument tower, so this can be a bit inconvenient. Use the bathroom down below before heading up hahahaha. Depending on the time and day you go, this visit will likely vary greatly. There is only the original narrow spiral stone staircase to go up and down. Although there are a lot of stairs, you can stop at the different floors with great displays - historical video, display boards, the Wallace Sword, and sculptures. Resting on each floor is also a good way to let the "traffic" pass. You can only hope you don't arrive at the same time as tour buses - ouch. Make your way to the top to get an incredible 360 of the area - including the Battle of Stirling Bridge. A great piece of history, with great relics. Thanks for the amazing visit.

Enjoyed our visit to the monument, we walked up the hill and took the free shuttle back down. A lot of very tight curved circular stairs to reach the 2 information areas and finally the top level which has great views over the battlefield area. We had a beautiful clear day , sometimes if it's misty you don't see much! There's one toilet at the monument, but plenty down at the visitor centre, where there is a souvenir shop and a café. We , my 2 boys, wife and myself enjoyed our visit. Check final times for buying your ticket to go up the monument, it finishes 45 minutes? Before closing time at 17:00, (check that online)

Really pretty! We went there to see the sunrise, but the sun rises on the other side…. Nevertheless, it was really beautiful and a really good walk in the morning. The pathway was closed due to maintenance but you can go through the road, just need to be extra careful.

I really enjoyed my visit to the national Wallace monument it was great to finally see it in person and witness what it would be like to be living in that back in the it would have even mental been in there as a defence lookout against the English and other threats so be aware going here that there are lotsss of steps to take to the top and they are very narrow so it's a tight squeeze when there's two way foot traffic my dad made it to the the top and he has a walking stick so it can be done for those maybe less able and the view from the top is breath taking and definitely worth the climb and there are 3 levels to experience on the way up too the top which can be used as a wee rest stop with some great visual holisory to take in the place is just wow and thinking about all way back in time it's crazy this is a must to take in and if you have time take in Stirling castle too on the same day

A great experience for anyone interested in the history of the Scottish independence movement. Equally worthwhile if you just want to take in the amazing views from the tower. I also really appreciated the range of family ticket options, recognising that not all families are nuclear.

Sometimes you just can't get your mind around how something is built that is so massive and in the 1800s. This monument is one of them. The grandeur can only be experienced by climbing the narrow spiral staircases to three tall showrooms (two of which contain the swords of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce), and then to the top outside "crown" 200+ feet on top of a high peak. If you don't like heights, don't bother. But it is a stunning and extremely well put together attraction. We managed it in under an hour because we were in a rush to get to Doune Castle on time. If you have the stamina, do all the flights of stairs to the top.

What an amazing museum!! It was the last stop on my list of things to experience on our trip to Scotland!! And it didn’t disappoint!!! The main thing I wanted to see/hear was the 1 o’clock pipe organ performance…. We took the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow. We had time to explore the museum then at 1 o’clock…. We got some of the best seats and were so excited to enjoy such beautiful music!! What a talented organist!!! Loved how he expressed himself!! He played 7 or so songs!! It was AMAZING!!! And actually the GRAND FINALE to our 30th wedding anniversary trip to Scotland from the USA!! Go visit the Kelvingrove Museum!!

A lovely museum set in an old building and free to enter (donations most welcome to the museum). Pay and display car parking with designated disabled bays £5 per 2hrs at time of posting this review. Wheelchair accessible push button automatic doors to get inside. Lifts to all floors and disabled WC too. Plenty of room inside for wheelchairs to maneuver. The're cafes and gifts shops too. There is Art galleries on one side then there are museum exhibits from dinosaurs to Egyptian mummies and a whole lot more.

So, we started from Edinburgh for a day trip to Glasgow, and without any specific plans, we randomly chose the Kelvingrove Museum. The building was gorgeous from the outside, and once we stepped inside, it felt like we’d been transported back to the 1950s. The exhibits were plentiful and impressive, and what stood out the most for me and my wife was the Dalí painting on display, as well as the 1 o' clock concert featuring the church organ. That was truly magical, and I’d never heard a church organ live before—it’s an experience I’ll never forget! The entrance is free for everyone, and that something i love about Scotland and their free entrance museums policy.

Well worth the visit. We had about 3 hours. We saw some highlights and those were great. The building itself is spectacular. It is free so no tickets needed. In Glasgow Scotland

Interesting museum and lots of artsy things to see! My favourite would be the artworks across the different centuries and the crowd management was well managed. ♿️ wheelchair accessible entrance and lots of space to move around inside, across different floors. There are elevators inside the museum building.

Lovely museum with a brilliant range of exhibits - not just Art. 2 gift shops, one for adults and one for children, will a lovely range of items. Is free to enter but you need to pay for parking. We paid £7.90 for three hours which was well worth it. There’s a food van in the car park for hot drinks and a bite to eat. We used the EV charger - lead got stuck in the machine and had to call the help line who wouldn’t release us until the car next to us had disconnected. Not the museums issue at all but worth noting if you’re planning on charging there.

A wonderful place to visit in Glasgow! Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is truly amazing — a perfect mix of art, history, and culture under one beautiful roof. The architecture itself is stunning, and the exhibits are very well arranged. I especially loved the variety — from ancient artifacts to modern art and natural history displays. It’s peaceful, educational, and completely free to enter. A must-visit spot for anyone in Glasgow!

If you're looking for a great shopping spot, this street is perfect, with plenty of excellent stores and charming cafes. However, be cautious when taking photos, especially if you see the Romani people sitting on the streets. They may view it as an invasion of their privacy, so it's best to avoid photographing them to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Great walk from the top of Buchanan Street down through St Enoch Square to the river. From gift shops to High end retailers this Glasgow Street has it all. If coming to Glasgow it's a must. As we found that you need more than one day in Glasgow to get around and see everything but this has to be no1 on the list. We are definitely going to return but for a few days so we can venture further out to take in more of the City.

nice place and street to explore in glasgow

Street with lot of high end shops.

Great street with something always happening such as buskers , street musicians and artists or general entertainment, also great for shopping , going for something to eat , get a coffee or generally people watching

Lovely bustling street full of shops and street performers, nice walk

It's one of the most vibrant area of Glasgow with lots of shopping stores and very close to bus and train station. See the hustle of the city here with lots of people passing by or enjoying the atmoaphere.

Dean Castle Country Park is a spectacular and absolutely free day out for the whole family! Nestled right in Kilmarnock, this place is an oasis of history and nature that feels a million miles away from the town. The highlight, of course, is the magnificent 14th-century Dean Castle itself. The recent renovations have been done beautifully, and exploring its history and world-class collections of arms and armor is truly captivating. Beyond the castle, the country park is an adventure waiting to happen. We spent hours wandering the woodland paths, spotting wildlife, and just soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. The park is clearly a source of pride for the community. The facilities are excellent, and there's a lovely cafe, "The Laird's Table," for a well-deserved coffee and cake. It's a place that caters to everyone, whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or a family looking for a fun day out. Dean Castle Country Park is a treasure. I can't believe it's free to visit. It's a shining example of what a local park can be, and I highly recommend it to anyone in the area or even just passing through.

An Absolute Gem on Glasgow's Doorstep! I cannot recommend Dean Castle and Country Park highly enough. We visited on a whim, looking for a day out that offered something for everyone, and it completely surpassed all our expectations. First and foremost, the wildlife is the star of the show. Walking through the beautiful, mature parkland, we were thrilled to see fallow deer roam in their expansive enclosures. But the animal encounters don't stop there; The park is also home to a charming collection of farm animals, including friendly sheep, curious goats, and wonderfully content-looking pigs. It was an absolute delight for both children and adults alike. The woodland walks are fantastic. The trails are well-signposted and cater to all levels of fitness, offering peaceful, shaded paths that make you forget you're just a stone's throw from the city. The combination of open parkland and dense woodland is simply beautiful in any season. Speaking of location, the proximity to Glasgow is a massive plus. It's incredibly easy to get to, making it the perfect escape from the urban hustle without needing to spend hours in the car. You can be immersed in this tranquil countryside setting in just minutes. The facilities are top-notch. The visitors centre is a great starting point, with helpful staff and interesting information. A huge bonus for families and anyone on a day out: there are plenty of toilets located conveniently around the park, so you're never caught short! After our long walk, we popped into the cafe for a coffee and a bite. It was lovely, with a good selection of hot and cold food, delicious cakes, and a clean, welcoming atmosphere. It was the perfect way to refuel. And then there's the castle itself – the beautifully maintained Dean Castle. The courtyard is immaculate and feels like stepping back in time, while the gardens surrounding it are a delight, filled with colour and carefully tended plants. In summary, Dean Castle and Country Park is a flawless day out. It seamlessly blends history, nature, and modern convenience. We left feeling refreshed, educated, and already planning our next visit. An undeniable 5-star experience

From my experience, the Dean Castle is one of the best preserved castles in Scotland. We explored the fascinating instrument collection and the impressive armour displays, which made for an amazing experience. After our visit, we enjoyed a delicious coffee and pastry in the cafeteria. The surrounding park is beautiful, with a peaceful river, wildlife and stunning scenery. It was a truly memorable visit.

This place is absolutely beautiful. We went on a day when it was so sunny. Lots of autumn colours. Our dog really enjoyed the walks, some steep hills so if you have trouble I’d say take hiking sticks.

Lovely place to visit for the whole family. Very much enjoyed a walk along the pond and river, seen deers and a nice castle, also enjoyed playground and all for free. Definitely worth coming back once in the area again.

The deer are near the car park entrance, right before the castle! 🦌🦌 We went on the Farm Trail thinking we'd see the deer on the way, but turns out they're right at the start 😭 But!!!! The Farm Trail was so good too with horses, goats, ducks etc !!!

Very interesting collection of musical instruments and armour. Our granddaughter really enjoyed dressing up in period pieces. What a nice touch. So nice to be see deer up close. The cafe has really decent food too.

As a fan of palaces and castles of all kinds, I was impressed. The palace is still undergoing renovation work, but definitely a place worth visiting. Beautiful view of the lake from the top.

A beautiful location steeped in history, the castle is remarkable and the loch is simply stunning especially in early spring. Had the pleasure of being able to walk most of the way around and found the trail pleasant and the locals friendly and accommodating. Would have loved ore time here, maybe another time if I'm up this way I will as I would certainly visit again. Nice location with plenty of amenities nearby.

Went to see the housing and the experience was brilliant, loads to do and everyone was exceptional! Getting to wander around the castle was great and wish I had enough time to explore but there was far to much to do and not enough of the day to do it. Would go again 10/10

We were really looking forward to seeing the palace and we were not disappointed. What incredible architecture and a lesson in history. Staff were friendly and welcoming. We loved exploring the many spaces and levels. A must visit location in our opinion.

Great ruin that the are trying to maintain. They have alot of info regarding its past. Found it really interesting. Allowed to walk almost all halls and stairs, even allowed up on lookout point

Worth an hour, you can walk to the top of one of the towers and take in the vews and explore all the rooms. There are plaques throughout and the staff are really helpful and friendly.

Lovely place to visit in a great location next to town and a park. Lots to do although there is a bit of construction going on.

Amazing day out for all the family. Best zoo we have been too. Loads to see, food vans located around the park which is great and it's actually decently priced too and great quality. There are loads of great animals to see and definitely could spend an entire day there. We all had the best day. Would definitely come back again.

Hands down the best zoo I’ve visited. Animals were so well looked after, staff were lovely - helpful and friendly. Could not get over the amount of different animals. Loved the unusual displays - something for both older and younger family members. Soft play was also a welcome rest. And kids loved it. Would love to return for the Christmas lights and the summer rides and things. Highly recommend. Some of the reviews on here are silly 🤷‍♀️ We spent around 4 hours here but could easily have spent the whole day. Didn’t see many empty enclosures 🤷‍♀️ and the black bear has signs explaining they are monitoring the behaviour as he is still settling in. You can tell that staff are very passionate about the animals and their wellbeing. We watched several staff members interacting with them.

Fantastic enclosures and very happy and content animals. I was super impressed with the animals husbandry and it is clear they have created the best environment for each animals needs. The staff were friendly and clearly cared about the animals on their care. We had a fantastic day out and could have stayed longer. A very well deserved 5 stars.

What an absolute amazing to visit to the zoo with my family. Such a diverse range of animals and a really cosy family feel to the whole park. From the you youngest to the eldest of our party we were all kept engaged and entertained for hours. We will definitely be back.

I loved it. It is a great place to go with family. I was lucky to see the otters that I love. And one of the bears very nice.As always... there was some shy animal that we didn't see... that happens.

Cafe and playcenter I don't recommend at all. Soup wasn't great, and the chicken tika panini was lukewarm. The coffee tasted dirty or burnt, there were so many flys. Finally the bathrooms smelt horrid and there's no hooks to put your bag up while you go to the loo. The zoo The zoo area was nice and had quite a lot to see, the animal talks were great and gave you a chance to ask more. The walk in bird enclosure was surprisingly my favourite. The carasol and other rides are nice though rather odd seeing more then half of the animal pens say to be quiet, but you could hear the carasol music across half the zoo. We did have concern for one of the monkeys (a vervet) as they had bad sores on their hands and a large gash on their rear.

What a lovely day! lost of animals to see, all the animals looked well looked after, very helpful staff… The reason why I didn’t give a 5 stars is that though there could be more picnic tables as we waited for quite a while for somebody to leave. I work with animals myself and would like to share some of more of my ideas if you would like to hear! :)

Nice place to walk around with some interesting buildings and history. The scenery next to the Clyde is lovely. Thank goodness there was a courtesy bus to get back up to the car park though! Will come again when not so hot..

Fantastic day trip from Glasgow! History, soft play, a great cafe, and a short walk to the waterfall. What more do you want? There's even a hotel here if you want to stay the night. See our full video review on our experience under The Olive Tree Family on all social media platforms.

New Lanark is a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site with an industrial past dating back to the late 18th century. The mill complex was founded in 1785 and is famously linked to social pioneer Robert Owen, who transformed it into a model village for mill workers. The restored stone buildings—including the mills, workers’ housing and school—are beautifully preserved and give a real sense of history. Parking is available at the top of the hill with a short walk down to the village; limited disabled parking spaces are provided near ticket office There are plenty of picnic tables dotted around the site, making it easy to bring your own food if you prefer. The on-site café offers good quality meals and snacks, though I found the prices a little on the high side. Clean and well-maintained toilets are plentiful throughout the complex. Great walk to falls Clyde Overall, New Lanark is a wonderful day out for anyone interested in Scotland’s industrial heritage, social history, or simply enjoying a scenic riverside walk.

Simply fantastic National heritage site, with great walks, museums, a coffee shop, and photo opportunities are endless, along with a good amount of parking. I loved how professionally run the whole area was.

A beautiful place to visit to experience both Nature and cultural heritage. The walk around the gorge makes for a great day out but expect to be relatively close to the gorge edge so not suitable for young children. The Autumn colours are just stunning and I'll be returning in the spring to see what the area has to offer.

This is a place that will suit everyone. Adults will find the history and the living conditions of the mill workers interesting. Children will enjoy a short ride inside the building on gondolas with interactive characters. Everyone will be amazed by the beauty of the landscape and the waterfalls of the River Clyde.

Initially I wasn't impressed but once I explored more I realized it was fantastic. So much learn and explore both inside and out! Highlights: The mill tour is very well laid out to keep attention of adults and children. You follow the route through each floor and there are various interactive displays showing life in the co-operative. The attention to detail is fantastic. The immersive ride puts you right into the story. Challenges: The parking doesn't have great signage, from the village entrance you have to take the opposite road and drive past several lots to get to the main lot.

This is the home of one of my ancestors, so I was thrilled to be able to walk the grounds! The castle is very large. There are plenty of parking spaces, also an area to park and have lunch. Visitors were having a great time riding bikes while I was there. Dog friendly and sheep for as far as the eyes can see! Visiting the grounds was free and well worth the time as there are several trees on site that are very old and beautiful. Recommend a visit!

Beautiful castle and surrounding scenery. Booked a tour in advance- well worth doing and very interesting. There is a Rembrandt painting that can be viewed as part of the tour- a nice bonus! Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. The gardens are beautiful and well maintained. We had lunch in the Castle Cafe afterwards which was tasty with generous portions. Lovely gift shop with a great selection.

Amazing place to visit with dogs that are happier off lead. Went twice in a week we loved it that much. Great walking routes, did multiple of them. Only paid for parking @ £2.50 for the whole day which is a steal. Cafe was lovely and reasonably priced. Would highly recommend.

Drumlanrig castle and grounds are beyond anything we have been to before, the pink castle is stunning packed full of history amazing paintings and furniture. To be able to get so close to the Rembrandt was a real honour and a highlight of the tour. Gary the tour guide was brilliant really helping us understand the history easily he is very knowledgeable. The grounds are perfectly manicured it’s a real credit to all the staff who maintain the castle and grounds, the castle is still used and lived in by the duke and family he was there on our visit. Make sure to book the castle tour in advance as they fill up quickly

Beautiful grounds and an interesting looking building from the outside. Quite annoyed that the guy who took our money told us we could look round the castle as much as we liked, only to find out he meant from the outside. Seemed expensive without access to the castle.

What a fantastic day out . Loads to see and do. We did the castle tour and it was really interesting Gary the tour guide was fantastic . I would highly recommend taking a visit. The gardens are beautiful .

A full day out. Kids will love the play park and space. Adults will love the garden grounds and castle. It has something for everyone and the gardens are incredible.

The road to the castle is a disaster! The gift shop and castle are worthy the visit. Staff very friendly and welcoming. We didn't go into the castle but I did take the dog around the moat as suggested by a staff member. I took lots of pictures. Beautiful views, the only thing that was a slight inconvenience is i didn't wear the right footwear! It's was a little wet around the back of the castle and my feet got soaked. Obviously this is my fault and no fault of the castle grounds. I was wearing trainers, I'd recommend boots or Wellingtons. Beautiful place though.

Absolutely loved this place. Soo unique in design. We visit lots of castles up and down the country and this is one of the most memorable. Beautiful surroundings, loads of history and some very knowledgeable, friendly staff. We will revisit, next time we pass through. Highly recommended

Our favorite castle of the 10 we visited on our 2 week roadtrip. Loved the kind staff and how you feel like you have the place to yourself to explore. It really feels like a fairytale with a moat and original site you can walk to nearby. So pictaresque and worth the drive.

Fabulous little castle, really interesting place with loads of history. Only a short journey from Dumfries. We didn't have to book ahead of time and were able to park easily. They also have a great little shop and small cafe. Lots of places to have a picnic and the area is great for dogs, with some nice paths and walks

Great place to visit, some restoration work being carried out, at present.Good car parking area, gift shop and video area to educate you on the history of the site. You do a small walk to the original castle site. Well worth a visit. Some areas of the castle are not accessible by wheel chair, for obvious reasons.

My favorite Castle of my first 9 days in Scotland. This one has a moat, like a true castle should. The draw bridge was destroyed centuries ago, along with part of the roof, and sections of it have been exposed to the elements for some time. There are sections repaired allowing access to the multiple levels where there is a roof protection that section. The prison was in good condition too. Crazy to know the prisoners were just tossed from 2 stories into the pit. Don’t bother checking out the original castle a short walk away, as it is flattened, and the perimeter blocks are all left near foundation level. Check out my photos.

Very interesting Castle/s. Parts were closed off but there was enough to have a wander around (albeit it's not particularly large for a castle. The staff in the shop/visitor centre were helpful and friendly. Worth a visit if you like castles/historic buildings.

This is a small museum with a big story to tell using interesting storyboards and exhibits. The staff are really friendly and knowledgeable, there is so much to see you really do need to take your time to absorb the whole story. There is an excellent wee cafe with hot and cold food, snacks and cakes

Had a great time, lots to see, do and read about, lots of interactive items to keep the kids interested and old war time clothing to try on and an old kitchen for them to potter about in. Really young kids(5 and under) might find it boring but it's well worth a visit, I paid £26 for a family visit, there is also a large train outside and a range of garden games to play. It also has a really nice cafe and shop and the staff were superb.

A very educational museum about the Munitions Factory built in the area during the First World War. It gives a full explanation on why and how it was built. The staff were very polite and welcoming. The prices are extremely reasonable. This place is run as a charity, so any money made goes to the museum. There is a car park on site, which is free to patrons. There are toilets, gift shop and a small cafe (food is excellent) here as well.

Fantastic museum about WW1's largest munitions factory as well as the UK's biggest railway disaster and a smaller exhibition section on WW2 and post war nuclear history. Whilst only a small building, it was crammed with interesting exhibits, old photographs and archive records and recorded memories from evacuees. Well worth the visit!

A small but very interesting museum. I was nice to see the 'war museum ' done from a different angle. Definitely worth the time & money.

The Devils Porridge is a brilliant wee museum in Eastriggs telling the story of the UK Governments plans to deal with a cordite shortage in World War 1, and it goes on to explain the part it played in World War II as a huge munitions factory. It is well laid out, makes good use of modern technology to tell the story of the people who lived and worked there, and it brings alive a factory which played a key part in the British war effort (and a place I was totally ignorant of until my visit). Nice friendly staff too.

A fascinating afternoon spent here with on site parking, a café, toilets and gift shop. The staff were very informative and inviting as soon as I entered the site. The flow of the museum is easy to follow and presented in a way that it tells a coherent story full of artefacts and information. The range of interactivity with the exhibits was impressive with use of projector videos, well lit cabinets, touchscreens, audio tracks, photo galleries, wearable costumes, televised movies, archive documents, a light up control panel and a projection of a woman which looked like a hologram at first glance. An excellent museum definitely, consisting of two floors and a stunning locomotive outside. Upstairs is accessible by stairs or lift (although upon my visit the lift was out of order) but this would normally make the museum completely wheelchair accessible. For the price, location, information, exhibits and customer service, I would definitely recommend visiting!

We loved our night at the observatory. Unfortunately it was a very cloudy night so was a bit hit and miss, catching the stars through the telescopes. Staff were amazingly entertaining and their passion rubbed off on you by the end of the visit. Complimentary hot chocolate was welcomed towards to end, getting a bit of free time to ask questions and revisit sections of the observatory. The building itself was impressive with the manually rotating roof sections where the telescopes live. We went early June and very keen to go back on a clear night in peak winter season. Thanks for an amazing experience

Wonderful experience. We attended the 9m session on a wonderfully clear July night. The initial video presentation was astounding and truly opened our eyes on the sheer scale of the night sky. The subsequent opportunity to view the sky through the Observatory telescopes in the presence of experts was astounding. This was then followed by a great opportunity to chat with the team The sessions cannot fit in many visitors so it is important to book ahead. And do follow the detailed arrival instructions - the site is by its nature remote and off the beaten track

I had a wonderful experience here. It says something that after driving for 2h into dark skies and it ending up being a cloudy night, that I still wasnt disappointed and would absolutely do it again. The talks were so informative and engaging, super interesting. We saw and used the telescopes and were able to observe a star despite the clouds.

Really good, I would say excellent. The team who were at the top to meet us stay with us for the 3 hours of our tour were brilliant. The team were very knowledgeable in there subject, they were very helpful and super friendly. Unfortunately the weather wasn't helpful it was raining for the first two hours. But the last hours the stars appeared which was fantastic. The team explained so much. I would definitely recommend to go and see the stars. Don't forget it is weather permitting.

We had clear skies - result. We have been before although it was cloudy then. However, don't be dismayed as the team put on a brilliant, educational and interesting talk / slideshow to entertain you. Our last visit was clear skies and we had the opportunity to to look through both telescopes as well as sit outside in the moon chairs to gaze at the night sky. Team there were so enthusiastic, knowledgeable and able to make the subject approachable. Photos are from my iPhone 17 Pro Max, so no match for the telescopes, but gives you an idea. Being dark sky status the area is superb for star gazing be you just interested or a seasoned professional. The track up to the observatory is about 2 miles long, a little bumpy in places and can take a while at 10mph so bear that in mind with your arrival timing.

I visited the observatory on my birthday in March for one of their aurora watch evening events. I knew there was a *chance* of seeing the aurora borealis here (because of an 11 year peak, spring equinox and dark sky conditions) but I never dared hope I would get to see them on my actual birthday! We all filtered in to the lecture room and then within a couple of minutes of the introduction starting, a fellow staff member came rushing in to say it's happening, and then we all went outside and had at least 15mins of watching it live. Phone cameras pick up more than the naked eye, so it doesn't look as pretty as what my phone says, but that doesn't mean it's still not fascinating or exciting to be able to take slow exposure shots and see the results of what you've just captured! Once the excitement was over, and it had calmed down, back inside we went for some learning and then the big telescopes. Had an absolutely fantastic time. Can't recommend this facility enough. You need to do your research and book in advance, but if you do so you will have a wonderful time.

One of the best events I've ever been to, absolutely outstanding and we will definitely be returning for future events. Can't thank Adam, Dan and Gregoire enough, their enthusiasm was electric. Amazing!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First time visit, beautiful gardens, bit past their best due to the time of year but will definitely return spring/summer next year. Cafe was a very nice and good was good. £15 per adult but we got in free with Historic Houses membership. They are currently doing some restoration work on the ruined castle but there is a demo on the history of it.

Wow what a spectacular place to visit! The castle itself is so impressive. Not far from the M6 too so we stopped on route from Scotland to the Midlands. The cafe was pleasant, lots of choice to eat. We had burger and chips which was tasty. High chairs available. Toilets near to the cafe. And at the back of the grounds is the best outdoor playarea I've ever seen suitable for all ages. It's huge, has zip wires for older kids and toddlers, sand pits, slides, swings. It's a great day out if not a better stop than the services!

What a beautiful castle and grounds. Plenty of open space to wander and have a picnic. Great grounds with a lovely cafe indoors, with plenty of outdoor seating inside the square of the castle grounds. The cafe had a super selection of fresh meals and great bakery products as well. Ice cream parlour was delicious. Parking very reasonable at £2, can be paid at the restaurant.

An interesting former stately home, with extensive gardens. A tale of what happens when these spend thrift lords throw it all away. They are still working on parts of the estate and gardens, but is well worth a visit. The cafe is decent and is a popular spot for families.

A fantastic day out for adults, children & dogs. Extensive gardens & woodlands to explore, a large adventure playground with separate areas for older children and toddlers- with the only toddler seat zip slide I've ever seen!- cafes and of course what is left of the castle. The gardens are so loved and well maintained, there were absolutely loads of mushroom varieties if that floats your boat! A small museum section which tells you the story of the house and how it came to what it is today, as well as plenty of information boards everywhere you go. Dogs are allowed every where except inside the play areas, but there are plenty of benches/seats looking over the play area for someone to sit and wait with the dog. The café next to the play areas are only open weekends and school holidays- which we didn't realise until after we got there so please bare that in mind!

Fabulous place to visit. Romantic, but very impressive ruins. Food in the cafe was lovely. We opted for a light pizza each and my whipped feta, pear and walnut was divine! Lovely to see the gardens being brought back to life. The newly planted Rock, Japanese and sweet scented gardens will be wonderful once established. We didn't have our granddaughter with us, but the children's play area is amazing, and we will definitely return with her in the future. Well worth a visit.

Magical place, viewpoints are stunning, lovely coffee shop in the woods, huge open gardens. The regenerated gardens are in their infancy in parts, definitely on the revisit list for a few years time to see how they have developed! Rose garden smells unreal!

Really great place to stay for anyone, fun for all the family. Plenty of activities, the pool is excellent and the on site shop has pretty much anything you need, albeit rather expensive. Only thing to be mindful of is where your lodge is as we ended up being right at the bottom of a huge hill and it was a bit of a trek every time we went anywhere.

I must admit, I had no idea what to expect. We arrived in the dark, and had no idea of the layout, not much helped by being partially sighted, and the lighting of the roads and paths being somewhat dark. Luckily, we were rescued by friends who were more familiar with the place. We had a lakeside studio apartment, actually pretty comfortable for the two of us, with a bathroom, kitchen, king sized bed, and a sheltered outside area. Our friends had a cottage, with sauna, en suites, a decent kitchen, and sitting area. Spotlessly clean, and well maintained. Our group were 50s-70s, and found the activities that we tried very enjoyable. We booked ahead for bowling, spa, Bollywood dancing, and the catamaran. The pool area, with the various rides was excellent. Staff were universally friendly and helpful, and any repairs needed (tv stick in the bigger house) carried out within hours. We were here in early November, weektime, so lots of families had younger children/babies. The weather was mild. Some rain at times, but I reckon it would be possible to enjoy even in bad weather. All in all, a great experience, and our group is likely to book again at a similar time.

It was good but you have to like one way systems and walking because everything is far away from the lodges. A lot of it is uphill so even if you hire a bike, which costs a lot, you will still struggle to get around. The lodge we had was like a house in size and had a pool table.

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

Fantastic holiday here again with my sister and our kids. Great pool facilities. Just wish we'd booked the acrobranch activity earlier as we missed out. Bike hire could be cheaper...

Loved the site, 4th CP I've been too, took dogs and villa was roomy and well set out, could of done with some screening out the back as dogs kept getting alerted as could see people moving passed, but can see they are upgrading at moment. Loved the segways, great way to get a review of the site, was well placed for both village centre and sports plaza, easy to walk between, found loads to do, will definitely go back to this one again

The whole place is amazing. We have stayed about 6 times now in a variety of lodges and have enjoyed them all. The vibe is lovely, nice and peaceful and scenic, close to nature, car free site so safe for the kids, just so much to like. But the pricing for the activities is extortionate. Also the food pricing is silly. You need to take as much of your own food as possible to negate this. A meal in the nice restaurant, you are looking at £17 for an OK pie and mash (the kids meals are reasonable in here though). You have to pay for everything apart from the swimming (which is great). £35 for high wire activity (regardless of age), there was something else we looked at that was £85 per person too. Just really expensive if you want anything at all.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This was our first visit to Sizergh and won't be the last! We went on the light trail which was absolutely spellbinding. Very beautifully executed with light installations and sound effects. The house was decorated for Christmas with period pieces, painstakingly done with great detail. Plenty of volunteers to answer any questions. The gardens were lovely and we were greeted by Charlie the cat! Decent sized cafe, toilets and large car park. Shop might require a second mortgage but it's to be expected. Enjoy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Absolutely brilliant! Our tour guide Sandra was very entertaining and knowledgeable. The Castle, Police Museum and cafe combined made it one of my favourite days out in a long time.

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

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

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

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

Stunning castle in the centre of Lancaster. Although no longer used as a prison, the courts are still active, and as such you cannot take photographs in certain parts of the buildings. This however does not detract from the buildings awe. Hghly recommend a tour !! This is the only way to access certain parts of the castle Prison. Our tour guide was excellent 👍🏼 great knowledge of the history and told the stories with the right mix of seriousness and humour. There are some parts accessible without a tour, and these parts you are free to take photos. Police museum is a great part, set inside what was the mens wing. Also a cafe and toilets on site ..

Great value and iconic way to see the Promenade in Blackpool! Some of the trams are open top, which is great for the illuminations but beware of bad weather! We just missed an open top tram and we were disappointed we missed it. But as luck would have it, a rain storm came out of nowhere and we were lucky we got on a tram with a roof!

I was looking forward to a ride on the tram which I experienced today. Unfortunately the tram was very busy with standing room only and despite all the information I have seen they would not accept my bus pass for payment. I was not the only person on the tram who expected their bus pass to cover the cost if the fare. The conductor was very nice about it but told me I would have to pay for the return journey so I declined and got off at the next stop and had quite a long walk back into Blackpool. I suggest they update their information.

Its been a while since i last visited the wax works. we decided to go and give it ago and for £48 for the family ticket it was not the cheapest. We enjoyed our time here seeing the different people and having phots with them. it was not too busy at the time so we did not have to wait long to get a good look at each wax work. the whole walk around was around 2hrs with a stop in the rovers pub mid way.

Great day, parking is not far. 50% when buying tickets to Madame Tussauds. From 11am - 9pm £7. There is sitting area to have food if you brought your own. Vending machines for snacks. Hot and cold Drinks available in Rovers retrun Coronation street sections.

Had such a fun visit here, was fun for all of us. It was very clean, including the toilets. Appears very accessible too with lots of lifts (not that we needed to use them. But worth mentioning for those who do). Staff very nice and helpful, always smiling. The wax figures were so good, I had to look up close to so many of them because you couldn't tell that they were wax. Now history doesn't usually interest me, but I loved reading the history behind Madame Tussaud. So many different areas inside and a place to sit, drink and eat. The marvel area was incredible, and our favourite by far! Lots of photo opportunities, including paid ones to purchase if you'd like to. The gift shop at the end had a little bit of everything in there. It was very clean and well kept. Would be nice to see a few more people added in there like Luke Littler and Luke Combs.

Better than expected, and the waxworks were actually really good. Definitely worth a walk around with more celebrities than I realised there were. Not too costly, and especially great if the weather is rubbish outside 😂👌👍

Well worth a visit. It has been many years since I visited the wax works! All the exhibits are fabulous. I really liked the rovers return exhibit as "Deirdre" was sitting at a table. It was unexpected. The mirror maze was hilarious!

First time attending and was really fun. Free photos by the staff on the way around and some really cool picture spots to take for yourself. The wax hand bit was also cool with the staff being very patient and friendly.

We had a really good time here. The tower was closed due to strong winds so we came here as an alternative. Lots of photo opportunities and some great waxworks. It's much bigger inside than you might expect. A lot of fun

10/10 brilliant day out. We spent about 4 hours here. Loads to see, lots of animals. We even saw the baby elephant too. Food was handsome bit quite pricey, we bought online lunch tickets so turned out a bit cheaper. Take your walking shoes though.

Great zoo, lots of animals to see, and enclosures are well designed to allow outdoor and indoor viewing. It was quite cold and wet when we went, but we were still able to see all of the animals even if they were sheltering inside. We were told that a baby elephant had been born very recently and were really lucky to be able to see her in the afternoon when it was quieter. Lots of maps and well signposted so you can easily see where each animal habit is located. Quite a bit of expansion and improvement work on some of the enclosures (giraffes, wolves) so some areas were closed off, but still plenty of places to see those animals. Only seemed to be one main food area on the site, which got very busy because of the weather. Lots of picnic benches but very few under cover. I think there are a few other little food and coffee booths but they were closed when we went past them. Halloween theme for Half Term, lots of skeletons and spider webs added to the trees and walkways, clearly a lot of effort made to create the atmosphere, was a lot of fun trying to spot the little things that had been hidden away. Wizard themed event trail for the kids to follow. We had paid for tickets through a promotion at our hotel, but there was only a separate queue for members, everyone else waited in the same line so no apparent advantage for pre-booking online.

Really fantastic zoo, went in with lower expectations as have enjoyed some of the larger zoos in the UK, however this one packs souch in while remaining fairly small to walk around (which is a huge plus, especially with kids!). Good range of different animals, the gorillas and the baby orangutan especially were great to see. Big plus that the restaurant has decent options plus a Subway inside so you're well served for a quick lunch too.

Hand down my favourite zoo! Clean, fantastic range of species and great layout. Absolutely amazing and a great day out. Only just managed to see it all in a day but had to rush near the end end. Will definitely be going back!

A great place to visit, just the right size, so you can spend quality time with each exhibit. Loved seeing the baby elephant, amazing. Each enclosure looks well looked after & new things going on. The only thing which I would like to see is somewhere enclosed for people who brought packed lunches, it was raining at lunchtime when we went & not any dry places to sit & eat. The zoo is good value & great if you have Tesco points to swap. Would recommend a visit to this lovely zoo.

This is a smaller zoo that is making big improvements to the animal enclosures. Membership is reasonable and visited October during wizarding and Halloween activities. The staff are friendly except staff member on train who was making it clear he wasn't happy with the train not working correctly. The tigers are beautiful and recent baby elephant is worth the trip alone!!

Brilliant zoo. The elephant house currently has reduced opening hours to support the wellbeing of the new baby. Loved the Halloween pop up shop and quest. Can get busy but there is ample parking and once inside there is enough space to not feel busy. Beware of seagulls trying to steal your bucket of chips!

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

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

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

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

This walk is beautiful and follows a river full of waterfalls around a circular route stating in Ingleton. It is ideal for families with children who can walk 4 miles. The walk has been on private land for many years and costs adults £11 (in 2025) including parking. The walk has a nice cafe stop halfway round. I took a detour up Ingleborough adding another 6 miles, but it was worth the views. Ingleton is a lovely village with decent pubs, cafes and outdoor sports store. A great day out.

Been wanting to visit here for a while. It didn't disappoint. Yes there is a charge, but it is also kept very well. Paths are good and there are a few fun scramble parts( I visited in the dry, might be different in the wet) Waterfalls galore and plenty of swimming spots. Great area at Thornton force for a picnic. All in all a full fun day out.

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

It's the only show cave I've visited and actually felt like I was in a natural cave. The fact that most of the cave is pretty much j as nature created it, with scaffolding platforms to walk on (rather than a dug out and concrete filled floor) gives it this feeling. Plus the end of the cave is still being explored. Really worthwhile visiting. The tour guides are great at what they do, and you're given plenty of opportunities at the end to make your own way out of the cave at your own pace to take photos.

White Scar Cave is a fascinating underground wonder! The guided tour takes you through impressive limestone formations, waterfalls, and unique chambers filled with natural beauty. The staff are knowledgeable and make the experience engaging. A bit of walking and ducking in places, but absolutely worth it for the breathtaking sights inside. Highly recommend for anyone visiting the area

Great cave experience, Mike our guide was fantastic. Informative and interesting to listen to. Great for adults and kids. You do need to have quite good mobility, there is a few sections that require you to walk stooped over and to be manoeuvring around rocks, lots of stairs too.

Second visit to this outstanding set of showcaves and still every bit as magical as the first. Even the view from the car park is awe inspiring in a way that few other attractions can match, and things only get better from there as you make your way underground. The guides are very knowledgeable and help you to make sense of what you are seeing as you go. Some superb flowstone formations, and I found the ice age mud deposits in the battlefield cavern utterly fascinating. Take advantage of the toilet facilities before you enter the caves. It's a long walk around with a lot of running water. Definitely worth half a day of your time spent on a visit here.

Thoroughly enjoyed the tour . The guide was extremely knowledgeable and very personable. If your tall be prepared for quite long passages where your crouched right down . The tour takes around 80 minutes to complete. Our group comprised ages from 10yrs old to about 70 ish and we all enjoyed it. Well worth a visit Esp on a rainy day

We were on our way back home from Lake District and decided to check it out as a stop. Great experience. Our guide was Christopher. Not only did he show the key areas but thrown in some fascinating facts on how the cave formed and how old it is. The discovery of the cave was also an inspiring story. See for yourselves. Truly recommend. Shame we missed the kitchen opening times at the cafe. Stunning views inside and outside. :)

Found this place quite by accident, while eating lunch and managed to get on the next tour. Booked my ticket online but tickets can also be bought at the cave. There were so many people that they spilt us into two groups with a guide each. Our guide, Adele was knowledgeable, fun and delivered a great tour. Truly an amazing experience.

Loved the Cheese Experience which was fun and informative. The shop and cheese room is full of delights to buy. However the restaurant really let it down. Overpriced for the quality received, tables available but told full initially and there seemed to be chaos amongst younger staff working out table spaces at front of restaurant yet ignoring those waiting to be seated or to find out if there is space. Restaurant was really completely disappointing.

I just love cheese of any description, and with my own history of working in the dairy industry a visit here was a bit of a no brainer really. The cheese making demonstration followed by tasting was an absolute highlight. Nice to see they had put out some Wensleydale and fruit cake samples to try. The two together just work so well. Regrettably there was no actual cheese production to watch from the viewing gallery during my visit, but I can hardly fault them on account of their production schedule. The cheese shop is also a must visit, more so than the equally well stocked gift shop in my opinion. Well laid out and with samples of each flavour available to try before you buy. I did a lot of trying, and then of course a little buying. Be prepared for the cold in here though, presumably to help keep the cheese fresh.

Wensleydale creamery visitors centre and Calverts Restaurant is in Hawes, in literally the heart/ middle of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. The staff had spot on customer service/ hospitality. In shop, cheese shop and the restaurant. They have a small visiter car park,but the is a large car park 150 yds down the road, which is a pay car park. The Wensleydale creamery experience you need to buy tickets for online. In Calverts restaurant, we were lucky to get a table, many people turned away and had to book. For 2 meal,a side & 2 drinks cost £36. The meal was delicious 😋. I will post pictures. The cheese shop was very busyand wasnice to taste other cheeses. 🧀 😋 Will show also in pictures as well as the gift shop. The gift shop was like going in a candy shop as there was loads of items to buy and gifts. Some items was expensive but others not so bad. Ice-cream cost £3.50 each. I totally recommend. Wheelchair friendly and has blue badge parking.

It certainly looked like fun when reading about it online. But when we visited on Sept 27, the place was absolutely packed. There was no parking in the visitor lot, so we needed to use the Pay & Display lot located down the street. I had hoped for a lovely cheese type tea in the restaurant, but had not realized that booking was necessary. I would have had to wait an hour, and I wasn't willing to do that with so many people crowding around. We opted to go to the "fast food" counter and order cheese scones, each of which came with a walloping amount of butter. I ordered the cappuccino to go with it. I felt a bit like splurging. The scones were OK. I wouldn't say they were outstanding. So, overall, I'd say my experience was disappointing, and I'm one who usually gets excited by simple things!

Took the tour last year, was amazing. This year, was back for more cheese (after free samples in the tasting room!) Both times had a lovely meal in their Calvert's resturant. Totally recommend.

What a great place. Much bigger than I was expecting, they've certainly made the most out of their association with Wallis and Gromit. There's a large gift shop selling a wide range of goods including; Pottery, gin, beer, biscuits, smelly stuff as well as cheese, of course. We paid to watch a demonstration on how they make cheese, around £5.50 for adults. They run demonstrations at certain times throughout the day. We enjoyed it as well as looking at all the old equipment and hearing about how it all started.

Came a bit late in the day, so didn’t have lots of time to visit the different areas. We sampled some cheeses and ended up buying some to take home. Then we stopped at the cafe for a cuppa, and cheese scone! We had a decaf tea and would have liked a Yorkshire decaf! The cheese scone came with a slice of Wensleydale, butter and chutney, which was delicious . There’s plenty of seats outside which was fab, with the afternoon sun on my back!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We visited Smithy Open Farm last month as a family, and it was a truly wonderful experience. The farm is well-kept and full of charm, and the animals are all very gentle and friendly — perfect for children to interact with. From calves and lambs to many other farm animals, you can really enjoy close-up encounters and even watch the process of milk production, which was fascinating to see. There are plenty of activities for children and families, and feeding the animals is made easy with affordable feed available on-site. It’s both fun and educational, giving kids the chance to experience farm life in an authentic and enjoyable way. One of the highlights for us was trying the farm’s own freshly made yogurt — it was absolutely delicious and highly recommended! Overall, it’s a fantastic place for a family day out, especially with young children. Warm atmosphere, well-cared-for animals, and plenty to see and do — we’ll definitely be coming back again.

We visited Smithills Open Farm during the school holidays with the kids, and it was such a fantastic day out! The highlight was seeing the full process of how cows are milked and how the milk is stored — really fascinating and educational. The children loved getting hands-on, feeding the cows and other farm animals, and learning more about farm life. There are so many activities for kids, and it’s a great balance of fun and education. The staff were friendly and made the experience engaging for both children and adults. Overall, a brilliant day out for families — highly recommend!

Really enjoyable family day out. Lots available for small children, from donkey and tractor rides to feeding the cows and other farm animals. Also being able to interact and hold baby lambs, baby goats, Emu's, Rabbits and chicks in pets corner. The specific animal based talks were really informative and the kids had chance to get a photo which was great. There are also a selection of parks for the children to enjoy and multiple shops were you can grab a coffee and locally produced ice cream which was delicious.

Love this place, but if something for all of us. Getting so close to the cows isn't something kids from the city get to do that often and it's great. Staff seem to love their jobs and It does make it extra enjoyable. Some of the other local farms are good for an hour or two but we regularly spend 4-5 hours here

Every single member of staff we encountered made this day super special! They were so warm and welcoming, all made an effort to educate us on the animals and help us to get as much from the experience as possible. We loved it! P.s we’re still dreaming about the ice cream!

We brought our 9 month old granddaughter for her first visit to a farm and we all absolutely loved it. Even for a baby there is so much to do. She was obsessed with the mini horses and the donkeys ❤️ She was fighting sleep at the end so we couldn't go to meet the animals but we certainly will be doing on our next visit. The tractor ride to the donkeys made her day 🥰 Thank you all for making our first Grandparent day the best ever ❤️

It was an amazing trip. Kids enjoying the encounter with different animals though the emus are a bit terrifying. A pity was that the cafe only provided tea/ coffee and cake. No hot food provided.