There’s indoor and outdoor fun to be had at Trotters. See over 100 rare breeds/exotic wildlife, meet the meerkats, hear the keepers talk about the animals, visit the heated play area, watch the bird of prey display, do some craft activities, cuddle pets or encounter reptiles. There is something for everyone.

Terms and conditions apply. See website for details.

Come face to face with warriors from the time of the legendary King Arthur and see the skills and horsemanship of a fast paced duo of cavalry soldiers from this epic period of history at Birdoswald Roman Fort, Cumbria.

The age of Roman rule came to an end in 410AD so 2010 is the 1600th anniversary of the end of Roman rule. The end of the protection of Rome gave rise to the start of the Dark Ages – an age of invasion and conflict – and it was King Arthur’s soldiers who protected the Britons from the new invaders.

Not only can kids enjoy meeting the warriors but they can also have a go at dark-age pottery.

Visit the website for more details

Museums will be unrolling an imaginative array of activities across the country. From candle-lit readings, paranormal investigations, sleepovers, night-time tours, musical events and much, much more.

This year’s programme sees the return of firm favourites, like Cabinet War Rooms sleepover and the Old Operating Theatre at St Thomas Church, plus exciting new additions such as the; Helicopter Museum’s ‘Back to the Blitz’ experience, follow a night shift at Cornwall’s Geevor Tin Mine and the chance to see a ‘Light in the Night’ at Cromer’s Lifeboat Museum.

You can find up to date listings at the Culture 24 Website

Here are a few suggestions:

Scotland

Go down to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh and find out about fruits. Do you ever argue with your family about fruits? Ever called a cucumber a vegetable? Find out about the myths surrounding fruits and categorise things in their true, botanical sense with the Garden Rangers.

North East

Mother Shipton’s Cave and Petrifying Well are apparently the oldest tourist attractions in Britain! There is plenty for all the family to do with a museum, playground and 12 acres of riverside grounds besides the main attractions.

North West

If you have a “Wild Child” visit Fellfoot park in Cumbria. Here the kids can run free without fear of being told off! They can build a den, construct a dam, climb trees or splash in the lake. Fell Foot Country Park offers a unique experience for our younger visitors. Tracker packs are available and a hoot for Mum & Dad to join in! From rowing boats on the lake to crashing through the undergrowth, this is an event for an energetic family.

Midlands

Why not visit the Amazing Hedge Puzzlein Herefordshire and have fun finding your way to the centre, trying to avoid the dead ends along the way. At the museum you can also test your own theories on their computers, and contemplate mystic myths about mazes from all the world’s great religions.

East Anglia

Visit Bure Valley Railway in Norfolk for a great train day out for all the family! See all the engines and coaches in action, take a trip on a steam train and children can enter a competition which has a free prize for every correct entry. Also, under 5′s travel free.

South East

In London, there is a May Day family fun fair at Alexandra Palace with dodgems, rides, stalls with prizes, kiddies rides and refreshments.

South West

The Brixham Pirate and Shanty Festival 2010 will be held from 30th April to the 3rd May in South Devon. There you can enjoy a bank Holiday weekend of swashbuckling fun, music and piratical antics to suit all ages with the Brixham Buccaneers at their second annual festival.

Wales

The Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza offers a great opportunity to experience a huge selection of exhibits such as steam engines, early vehicles, traditional organs and much more.
Each day throughout the weekend there is a Grand Parade led by Chitty Chitty Bang Bang followed by marching bands, Victorian Costume walkers, Steam engines and vintage vehicles. There is also a fairground complete with ghost train.

Maybe you have your own suggestions? If so, please share them

A NEW DAY OUT Bewilderwood, Norfolk
ADRENALINE RUSH Dalby Forest biking trails, Yorkshire
ALFRESCO BATH The Samling, Cumbria
ANIMAL ENCOUNTER Monkey Forest, Staffordshire
BANDSTAND Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham
BEACH CAFE East Beach Café, Littlehampton, Sussex
BEACH FOR KIDS Crantock, Cornwall

BOATING The Thames at Richmond, Surrey
BREEZY HILLTOP Great Hetha, Northumberland
CAMP SITE Budemeadows Holiday Park, Cornwall
CLIFFTOP COTTAGE Whitby lighthouse, Yorkshire
COASTAL WALK Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim, Ireland
CREAM TEA Southern Cross tearoom, Devon

DEGUSTATION Valley Farm Vineyards, Suffolk
DONKEY RIDE Maggie’s beach donkeys, Weymouth, Dorset
DRIFT DOWNSTREAM River Wye, Wales
FAMILY CYCLE Loch Katrine, Trossachs, Scotland
FAMILY HOTEL Fowey Hall, Cornwall
FISH AND CHIPS Ben Ledi Cafe, Callander, Stirling, Scotland
FLYING International Kite Festival, Portsmouth, Hampshire
ICE CREAM Morelli’s, Broadstairs, Kent
LAKESIDE PICNIC Buttermere, Cumbria

MOONLIT WALK Seven Sisters, East Sussex
PICNIC CONCERT Battle Abbey, East Sussex
PUNCH AND JUDY MAN Codman’s, Llandudno, Wales
RIVERSIDE PUB The King’s Head, Northamptonshire
ROCKPOOLING Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset
SAFARI Cairngorms, Highlands, Scotland
SEA BREEZE Yachting on the Solent, Isle of Wight
SEAKAYAKING Beara Peninsula, Co Cork, Ireland

SEAL BOAT TRIP Searles, Hunstanton, Norfolk
SEASIDE PIER Southwold Pier, Suffolk
SEA-VIEW ROOM Mullion Cove Hotel, Cornwall
SECRET GARDEN Hawkstone Park Follies, Shropshire
SOLAR-POWERED STAY Mesmear, Cornwall

SOLITUDE Sandwood Bay, Sutherland, Scotland
STRIP Morfa Dyffryn Beach, Snowdonia, Wales
TOPLESS DRIVE A686, Penrith to Haydon Bridge, Cumbria
VILLAGE CRICKET Hambledon, Hampshire
WOODIE Oakwood Theme Park, Pembrokeshire, Wales
WILD SWIM Angle Tarn, Cumbria

Youth Hostels that are particularly family friendly include:

1) Bellever, Devon – a former farm near the Bellever forest and Dart River. Miniature pony centre nearby.

2) Oxford – a centrally based Youth Hostel, ideal for exploring this beautiful city of dreaming spires.

3) Sandown, Isle of Wight – walking distance from the beach and lots of family attractions nearby

4) Derwentwater, Cumbria – mansion situated next to Derwentwater with stunning views. Large outdoor area for kids to play in

5) Golant, Cornwall – this youth hostel overlooks the Fowey estuary and is close to the Eden Project and Bodmin Moor

6) Bristol – another city youth hostel based on the quayside. You can walk to most attractions from here.

7) Lee Valley, Hertfordshire – believe it or not they have waterside log cabins here. Lots of watersports on offer.

Arundel, West Sussex – another youth hostel that is close to the beach. Attractions such as an outdoor swimming pool and castle nearby.

9) Poppit Sands, Pembrokeshire – close to beach with lots of activities on offer nearby such as horse riding, fishing and cycling.

10) Danywenalt, Powys – a former farmhouse with lovely views. Some great walks and pony trekking close by.

Thanks to Families South West for pointing these out.