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The rides are located in three areas, separated by open parkland. The Fairground has traditional rides including a pirate ship, carousel, dodgems and crazy golf, and many of the rides in this area are suitable for all ages. Rides have height restrictions, so not all will be appropriate for younger children. Little ones will make a bee line for the great free playground adjacent to the pirate ship, with central giant octopus climbing frame, complete with slides for tentacles.

Waterbabies should head for the Lakeside for plenty of opportunities to splash and get wet. Hire a canoe or rowing boat, or take a ride on the splashing seals - great for tots. The highlight is the iconic waterchute, the original ride designed by Charles Wicksteed, and built in 1926. Fins on the front of the boat create a spectacular wave as you plunge into the water, providing a fun introduction to fairground rides for little ones, and a dash of nostalgia for parents or grandparents who may have visited Wicksteed in their younger days.

Most of the park’s larger rides are located in the Arena, and this will be the main draw for older children, with the Rollercoaster, Racing Cars and the new Rocky River Falls. Ride a river log for the exhilarating 11 metre drop into Rocky River - you will get wet!

Younger children have their own mini Ladybird Coaster in the Arena, plus plenty to entertain elsewhere in the park. Ride the miniature railway which runs around the site, play in the sandpit, visit the free range peacocks, or the geese by the boating lake.

In addition to the many rides and attractions, which are open seasonally, Wicksteed offers a 2km nature trail, arboretum, fishing lake and the playground - all open 365 days a year.

Wicksteed Park is a great place to enjoy a picnic. The big grassy car park is very close to all the attractions, accessible within a few minutes walk, so spread out your picnic rug next to your car and tuck in before heading back into the park. Later you might need an ice cream or a snack and there are plenty of outlets around the site.

Nature abounds at Stanwick Lakes whether it’s the unconventional wooden tree houses with slides or the water features carved out of trees with paddle wheels where the children control the flow of the water and get very wet!. There is a wide choice of circular walks which can take a few minutes or a few hours as they pass through a wide array of natural habitats. And the great thing is that along the way there is always something to discover, whether it’s the lakeside bird hide where you can see a variety of wildlife or the adventure trail with fun rope bridge and zip wire.

The fascinating visitor centre is a real architectural triumph with an organically shaped roof (some areas with turf on) and a large glazed atrium at one end. The centre features lots of hands on activities exploring nature and the environment including a bicycle that children can pedal to power various electrical household appliances. There is also an indoor soft play area for smaller children. Visitors can choose to take a picnic at one of the many designated areas or enjoy good quality food and drinks in the light filled café with an outdoor water terrace overlooking one of the lakes.

As much of the reserve/attraction has been recently developed it is not on most parents’ radar. Billed as ‘Northamptonshire’s most imaginative outdoor activity’ it doesn’t disappoint and it really does offer something for everyone. Discover it before everyone else does!

The great thing about the Thames Clipper service is that you can hop on and off at popular destinations up and down the river with a River Rover Ticket. The specially designed speedy catamarans with glazed roof lights offer a really chilled out way of getting around prime areas of London. As well as the great views you can enjoy comfortable seats, a Costa Coffee bar, Wi-Fi, and toilets. There is a frequent service (often every 20 minutes) and you can use your Oyster Card.

At the ticket desk young visitors are given a stamper card that encourages them to collect all the stamps as it guides them around the exhibits. Before visiting make sure you download the ‘Track it down trail’ which helps families locate key exhibits and get the most from a tour of the galleries, with amusing illustrations by Guardian cartoonist Stephen Appleby.

The museum is packed with hands-on exhibits and also has two galleries purpose built for younger visitors, including the
Interchange
Gallery where children aged from 7 to 11 can explore the Museum’s collection in a really fun way. They are encouraged to discover over the last 200 years of public transport in London and they can try on replica costumes and drive an Optare bus. The
All Aboard
Gallery is where under 6’s can get rid of a little excess energy by climbing aboard large wooden models of a bus, train, Tube and taxi. There is also a wooden miniature cityscape where they can enjoy moving buses and trains around London’s most famous landmarks. It’s also a great museum for mums, dads or grandparents as the unique collection of historic posters, artifacts, models, trains and vehicles show how London’s transport has developed from 18th century horse-drawn carriages to its present day status as one of the world’s leading transport systems.

‘Children can collect their own egg for breakfast and feed the chickens daily…everything is made daily using the tasty wholesome produce from the local area’ So says Strattons web site.

Recent winner of the EDP’s Best Norfolk restaurant award. The hotel welcomes all children regardless of age.

‘Sumptuous, eclectic, hip and funky’ sounds like a Great little adventures hotel.  Can not wait for one of our adventure families to try out this award winning boutique hotel and chic restaurant.

Have you been there with your family? Tell us about your experience.

The farm at the Hall is popular all year round, but today the sun is out so there are more wellies and wooly hats than normal. Parents have gathered en masse to enjoy the chance to get close to the animals and find refuge in the teashop whilst their kids get rid of plenty of energy on the zip wires, climbing frames and pedal tractors. And despite all these great activities it’s the 5 new born lambs that are the stars of the show - stumbling around in the fields and chasing leaves blowing in the wind. Next weekend promises to be even busier when lots more young lambs are expected to be born. Look out for your local farm offering the chance to witness this spectacle - you can be assured your children will want to take a few home!

John’s new show inspires the younger members of the audience to get really excited about poetry and word sounds even those that don’t even rhyme! And for those children fortunate enough to wear glasses – John welcomes them with open arms - as they are the intelligent future of the UK. If you have wear contact lenses or have had eye surgery probably best to keep it to yourself.

The show is touring the UK and with reviews such as
‘Awesomely mundane’ The Independent,
‘Makes little sense’ Luton News
and ‘Like a good deed in a naughty world’ Herts Advertiser
– you know it going to have audiences of all ages spellbound.

The tour continues throughout the Spring see www.johnhegley.co.uk/thistour/index.htm