This summer has been one of the hottest on record! Starting all the way back in April, we’ve seen cloudless skies, bright sunny days and only a few light showers. Although, finding the time to get outdoors and spend quality time with the family in this wonderful weather can sometimes be tricky, due the pressures of work, school and the monthly budget.
But, worry no more! we at Snizl have decided to put this list together of 10 brilliant things you can do with the family over the stretch of the summer holidays that’s flexible around you – and your wallet!
10 great days out in the East Midlands this summer:
01. Wild Park
Middle Wild Park Farm,
Derby
Derbyshire
DE6 3BN
This summer, come and experience the most epic day out for you and your family, Wild Park Derbyshire is the Midlands’ premier paintball, laser tag and quad bike trekking centre.
“Our goal is to exceed your expectations and to give you an awesome experience you will want to repeat again and again. Whether you are a first timer or a frequent visitor you will find all your needs fulfilled in a professional, courteous and above all safe environment.” Whatever the occasion, be it a birthday, team building exercise or just a group of your school mates, the Wild Park Derbyshire staff have the experience and skill to make sure your day runs perfectly and to make sure that everyone has a day to truly remember!
02. Conkers
Rawdon Road (B586), Moira,
Derby
Derbyshire
DE12 6GA
There is all kinds of fun to be had at Conkers these school holidays! Bring your family on a day out filled with fun, excitement and adventure that your kids will always remember and for under £36.00 this Summer!
A fantastic mix of indoor and outdoor fun means even the weather isn’t an excuse not to explore! There’s 120 acres of woodland, an 18 stage activity trail plus over 100 interactive exhibits. For the daredevils there are also rope courses, a zip wire and climbing wall!
03. Go Ape Sherwood
Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Sherwood Pines, Edwinstowe,
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG21 9JH
Go Ape Sherwood is an entire playground above the floor! You can swing from tree to tree like real monkeys, and have fun bouncing on the trampolines in the sky.
Welcome to Nets Kingdom at Go Ape. It’s a refreshing alternative to stuffy indoor play centres, where the whole family can enjoy an endless supply of fresh air in the great British outdoors. Adventure never smelled so good! All of the nets are completely enclosed – the jumbo hammock-like netting will keep you all as safe as treehouses and absolutely no specialist equipment is required and perfect for the younger ones!
04. Twycross Zoo
East Midland Zoological Society, Burton Rd
Atherstone
Warwickshire
CV9 3PX
Set off on a jungle adventure like no other at Twycross Zoo! You’ll be amazed when you arrive at over 150 different species including the four great apes. You’ll be swinging from the trees in no time!
Asian elephants, cheeky meerkats and Humboldt penguins are all waiting to meet you, so you’d better get busy! Creep below the treetop exhibit to visit the UK’s only group of Bonobos or see if you can spot your favourite colour fluttering by in the Butterfly Forest, all before trekking off for a spot of lunch overlooking the snow leopard enclosure. Phew!
Theres a fantastic wet’n’wild play area where you can cool off in this sun, whilst having some epic splashing fun.
05. Sundown Adventureland
Treswell Rd, Rampton,
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
DN22 0HX
This adventure park is fantastic for the really tiny tots of the family – under 10’s. Sometimes taking younger kids to the bigger theme parks can feel like a waste of time and money, as you walk past yet another thrill ride they aren’t quite tall enough for. That’s what makes Sundown Adventureland so special.
Their events include Teddy Bears Picnics, Paw Patrol meet and greets and Monkey Mayhem Driving Schools! It’s so much fun and perfect for the school summer holidays. Prices are low and there is so much to be done. As far as outdoor play areas go, one that’s themed Angry Birds is going to be hugely popular and make sure you save energy and time for Crash Landings, the four story indoor play area! For a quieter time, take little ones to the storybook village or practice your pipes at the sing-along show!
06. Tropical Birdland
Lindridge Ln, Desford
Leicester
Leicestershire
LE9 9GN
See over 200 free-flying birds from all over the world! The colorful birds will be soaring right above your head whilst you explore through 6.5 acres of English countryside at Tropical Birdland.
See some feathered friends showing off their incredible colours in The Parrot Path. You can even get up close and interact with them, but watch out because some of the naughty birds love to steal jewellery! If you’re lucky, you may even experience a chick being born through the large window that peers into the chick room, where all the eggs are kept warm and safe until they’re ready to hatch.
Venture off road with the Woodland Walk, which takes you through the beautiful natural woodland where you will see all kinds of wildlife, or have some fun in the play area, a big hit with children and adults!
07. Wollaton Hall and Deer Park
Wollaton Rd
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG8 2AE
Wolloton Hall and Deer Park offer so many fantastic and educational activities. Since opening in 1926, Wollaton Hall has been home to the city’s Natural History Museum. With a collection of 750,000 objects, ranging from fossils, minerals, plants and eggs as well as ‘spirit’ preserved animals and rare specimens from across the globe, Wollaton Hall is the largest dedicated Natural History museum in the county!
You can come as a family and venture round the halls museum or have a look at the botanical gardens and deer roaming on the grounds. Enjoy an ice cream, tea or coffee in the cafe then set out again for a walk around the lake. It’s absolutely free and perfect for summer, where there will be bouncy castles, some fair ground rides and more.
08. Twinlakes
Melton Spinney Rd
Melton Mowbray
Leicestershire
LE14 4SB
Twinlakes is the perfect place for plenty of outdoor and indoor fun! With fantastic reasonable prices, flexible opening times and fun for the whole family you wont want to leave this theme park, water park and animal farm!
The park has over 100 acres of family rides and attractions across 7 different zones including the Labyrinth Venture Zone where you can scale the thrilling heights of Gladiators Galleon or The Icarus Sky Flyer! Smaller ones will love the Mercury Mini Coaster or enter the Labyrinth itself for a host of twisty, turny family fun. And of course, for the perfect day in the sun, have a splash at Dragon water park!
From July until September, you couldn’t pick a better time to visit!
09. National Space Centre
Exploration Dr,
Leicester
Leicestershire
LE4 5NS
If any member of your family has ever dreamt of becoming an astronaut then they’re going to love the National Space Centre and for only £11.00 per child!
Get ready for lift off as you pull on your helmet to board the iconic 42m high rocket tower, before touring the six interactive galleries that take you on a journey through the spacesuits of the past as you piece together man’s amazing voyage into the unknown. Young children will love Sir Patrick Moore’s Planetarium, which illuminates the wonders of the skies before your eyes and find out all about what’s orbiting Earth.
The Unique 3D SIM ride will put all your space skills to the test before you’re called in to chart planets and see what you can discover as you peer through the telescope. Become a trainee astronaut at the Tranquility Base, ensuring that you’re well equipped to explore the universe!
10. RedKangaroo
2 Dabell Avenue
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG6 8WA
At RedKangaroo they firmly believe that everyone is born to bounce! That’s why their sessions and facilities are made for all ages and abilities, you won’t find a friendlier place to get active.
The park is huge, with connected trampolines from wall to wall! But that’s not all, it also features an awesome parkour area for you to try out new tricks and even a dodge-ball court for the family to get together as a team for just £8.00! Then get set for a real challenge on the ninja warrior course, who will finish in the fastest time?