Day trips are fun for the family and kind to the purse too
Give the kids a real taste of what Britain has to offer. These great day trips and short breaks are fun for the whole family and will give you something to talk about for the rest of the summer holidays. Best of all, they are staycation ideas that a family on a budget can afford and enjoy.
Top six family trips in the UK:
Yorkshire wildlife Park
Take advantage of a unique opportunity to get up close with the wonders of Animal Kingdom. A priceless collection of majestic lions, rare Amur Tigers and Leopards, African hunting dogs and playful baby lemurs will thrill visitors throughout the summer holidays at the award-winning Yorkshire Wildlife Park, set in 70 acres of countryside.
“It is a great day out for all the family and a fantastic opportunity to get face to face with some of the most endangered and beautiful animals in the world,” said YWP Director Cheryl Williams. “It is an inspiring experience for everyone.”
During the Summer holidays on July 19, 26 and August 2nd enjoy Safari Nights with discounted prices after 3.30pm. Be amazed at the special ranger talks and witness feeding time before a night’s entertainment from Doncaster Concert Band and a spectacular ‘bangless’ fireworks display.
For a more in-depth experience at the Park, visitors can book a VIP Tour with a Ranger or Shadow a Ranger. Budding zoologists can also enjoy a taste of working at Yorkshire Wildlife Park with the Junior Ranger Experience.
Opening times/Prices:
The park is open every day until November 4, 10am-6pm (Last entry at 5pm). Adult: £12.99/Senior Citizen/Student £10.99/Disabled. Child: under 3 Free, 3-15 £9.99. (www.yorkshirewildlifepark.co.uk)
Huntfun treasure hunts
Get out and explore your surroundings with www.huntfun.co.uk ‘s exciting treasure hunts situated in over 240 locations across the country.
The hunts encourage families to explore a local area, unearthing hidden historical gems they might ordinarily have walked right past. They include everything you need – directions, clues and a map. They take about two hours to complete but if you want to make a day of it, just stop off for a bite of lunch
or take a photo pit stop at local attractions en route.
“Our hunts tick four very important boxes for parents: they don’t cost much, they’re educational, they get kids active and most importantly, they’re fun for the whole family,” said Stephen Whetstone, founder of Huntfun.
For families visiting London for the Olympics, there are several hunts to explore during your time in the Capital. There are also hunts at other Olympic destinations like Weymouth, Windsor, Coventry, Newcastle and Manchester.
Prices:
The hunts start from just £4.99 plus postage for a black & white printed hunt, £6.99 plus postage for a colour printed hunt or can be downloaded from £7 depending on the number of participants. They can also be personalised to make your family day out even more special. Find more info at www.huntfun.co.uk
Go Ape
If you’re looking to organise some celebratory activities to do with the family and want to find your inner Olympian, why not embrace the outdoors at a Go Ape site near you? Altogether, there are a total of 40 Go Ape adventures UK wide including 27 Go Ape! Tree Top Adventure courses where families can; swing through the forest on zip wires, cross wooden walkways and bridges, climb tree-top ladders and fly through the air on Tarzan swings.
During the school holidays, the forest adventure company will be awarding Junior Tarzans (6-12 year-olds) with their very own limited edition Go Ape adventure award medal after completing one of the three Go Ape! Tree Top Junior courses.
Go Ape! Tree Top Junior is a fun filled experience of canopy exploring, trail blazing and obstacles and zip wires for all to enjoy. With 18 crossings and an awesome zip wire, there is something for all to enjoy whether you’re six or 60.
Tristram Mayhew, Chief Gorilla at Go Ape comments, “We are really excited about celebrating our Junior Tarzans tree-time this summer with something a little different. Whether they’re inspired by the games and want to embrace the outdoors, or are looking to unleash their inner ape, there’s an adventure to be had at Go Ape."
Prices
Under 18s: £20. Over 18s: £30. (http://goape.co.uk/)
Feather Down Farm days
Feather Down Farm Days offer families the opportunity to reconnect with the countryside staying in luxury tents on one of its 28 working farms across the 
UK. Children enjoy the freedom to run and play, making their own adventures. Families can enjoy peace and quiet, interact with the farmer and his family, feast on local produce and explore the local surroundings.
Now, Feather Down Farm has joined forces with Tractor Ted, the animated green tractor who shows young children from 2-6 years old about all aspects of farming and the countryside, such as where our food comes from, looking after animals, the changing seasons, and – of course - lots about tractors!
When booking a visit to any farm, guests will be offered the chance to pre order a special Tractor Ted goodie box before they arrive, priced £49. The box will include a Tractor Ted duvet cover and pillow case, a Tractor Ted breakfast set, book and DVD about farming.
Anna Brock at Feather Down Farms said: “My own children love Tractor Ted and we are excited to be able to introduce him to our guests when they are staying on a real farm. We are delighted to work with Tractor Ted and we know our younger guests will love the Tractor Ted goodie box.”
Prices:
A weekend stay in a Feather Down luxurious ‘tented cottage’, sleeping up to 6 people (maximum 5 adults) starts from £279. For more information visit www.featherdown.co.uk or call 01420 80804.
Wookey Hall Caves
To get away from the washout summer weather, visit the West Country for an underground experience once loved by Romans. Wookey Hole Caves under the Mendips is a land of mysteries, noted as Britain’s most spectacular caves and legendary home of the infamous Witch of Wookey. There’s everything from the stunning and aptly-named witch’s parlour cave to the dinosaur valley and even a Hyena den.
Daniel Medley, General manager at Wookey Hole Caves said: “The Romans sheltered in the caves under the Mendips from the British weather and now alongside we have the Big Wizard’s play castle and the Play Zone where kids can jump around inside for as long as they like! We also have an indoor circus show and the Old Penny Arcade – basically we are the largest indoor attraction in the region.”
Prices:
Wookey Hole has launched a Summer Holiday package to attract customers to the new 58 bedroom hotel. From just £129, plus £75 per additional night, a family of four can stay in Wookey Hole’s hotel and wake up every morning to breakfast with the Witch of Wookey herself, before spending a day in the magical caves.
Southport flower show
Aside from the fantastic gardening attractions and stunning floral arrangements, this year’s show will boast the first year of the North West Food Festival, featuring superior produce from all over the region, and cookery demonstrations from local and celebrity chefs, including the show's patron Simon Rimmer.
There's also the launch of the North West Book Festival, featuring authors from all genres, treating visitors to book signings, humorous poetry readings, football banter, entrepreneurial business advice, gardening tips and much more.
There's plenty on the bill to keep all the family entertained over the four days. For something dramatic, the main arena's headline acts include jousting medieval knights and free flying birds of prey. And the drama is balanced by the charm of dog displays, featuring dogs of all shapes and sizes, including 
rescue dogs.
The bandstand line up will bring music to anyone's ears, with the Morecambe Brass Band, the Fisherman's Friend Jazz Band, the Biddulph Male Voice Choir and performances from the Southport Youth Drama Academy, to name a few.
Prices:
General tickets prices for the show have been frozen for the third year running, with advance tickets costing just £16 per person. For more up to date information on the show, celebrity announcements and ticket bookings visit www.southportflowershow.co.uk.
Tell us if you're having a family staycation this summer and where it is you're going. Tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK
FemaleFirst
Shabana Adam @Shabana_FAM
Tagged in Travel Family Staycation Budget Family Holidays UK Holidays