Fun For All The Family!

THEME PARKS

Legoland, Windsor

Children aged between two and 12 can enjoy more than 50 rides, live shows, models, workshops and driving schools, set in 150 acres of beautiful parkland. For opening times and admission prices, call 08705 04 04 04 or visit the website: www.legoland.co.uk

Drayton Manor Park, Tamworth Staffordshire

This family-run theme park now the has Thomas Land, the home of Thomas The Tank Engine and his friends, which has 12 rides and an indoor play area.

Set in more than 280 acres of grounds, the park also has more than 100 other rides and attractions. For opening times and admission prices, call 08708 725252, or visit the website: www.draytonmanor.co.uk

Alton Towers, Staffordshire

Step aboard a galleon in Mutiny Bay, enjoy the Caribbean-themed water park, play extraordinary' golf and stay at Splash Landings at this theme park resort which is home to many top white-knuckle rides and family attractions. For more information, call 0871222 9901, or visit the website: www.altontowers.com

Thorpe Park, Surrey

This world-class theme park is home to Stealth - a white-knuckle experience which lifts riders 205ft into the air and then and accelerates from 0-80mph in less than two seconds. Other top rides are the Nemesis Inferno rollercoaster and the Detonator, where passengers are winched 100ft in the air before being fired back to earth at 75km per hour, and experiencing a G-force of 5.5 - the most the body can withstand. For more details, opening times and prices, call 0870 444 44 66 or visit the website: www.thorpepark.com

Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey

All the family will love a day out at this theme park and zoo, which has more than 27 rides suitable for small children to daring teenage adventurers such as the Vampire. The theme park also has a new Sealife Centre. Youngsters will enjoy visiting Beanoland, Pirates' Cove, Land of the Dragons and Toytown. For opening times and admission prices call 0870 999 0045 or visit the website: www.chessington.com

Woburn Safari Park, Bedfordshire

A great day out for all the family who will enjoy a drive through reserves to see lions, tigers, rhinos, monkeys and black bears. There is also a foot safari around the Wild World. Call 01525 290407 or visit the website: www.woburnsafari.co.uk

Marwell Zoological Park, near Winchester

The zoo is home to more than 200 species of animal, from ants to giraffes.Within the 100 acres of parkland, you can come face-to-face with golden lion tamarins or mix with some of Australasia's most popular animals in the recently-opened bush walk section. For children with a sense of adventure, there is the animal encounter barn, where they can get up close to reptiles and amphibians. Marwell is open daily from 10am. For information, call 01962 777407 or visit the website: www.marwell.org.uk

Monkey Forest, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire

Unique in the UK, Trentham Monkey Forest, is the home to more than 140 Barbary macaques which roam freely in 60 acres of forest. For admission prices and opening times, call 01782 659 845 or visit the website: www.monkey-forest.com

WILDLIFE PARKS

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, Burford

Set in 160 acres of parkland, Cotswold Wildlife Park is home to a varied collection of animals, from ants to zebras. The park is open daily throughout the year, except Christmas Day, from 10am. For admission prices, call 01993 823006 or visit the website: www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk

Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water

Home to 130 species of birds and the only group of king penguins in England, Birdland is marking its 50th anniversary this year with a special weekend of events on June 30 and July 1. Children and adults can enjoy the tropical, desert and toucan houses and watch feeding time at the penguin pool. For admission times and prices, call 01242 820480 or visit the website: www.birdland.co.uk

West Midland Safari Park, Bewdley, Worcestershire

A drive-through safari and theme park where you can view some of the rarest animals in the world, including white rhinos, lions, elephants, Cape buffalo and leopards. New this year is the world of the cheetahs. For opening times and admission prices, call 01299 402114 or visit the website: www.wmsp.co.uk

Stratford Butterfly Farm, Warwickshire

The UK's largest tropical butterfly paradise, makes a truly spectacular day out for all the family. Discover many of the world's most beautiful butterflies in an exotic environment, such as the silver morpho from El Salvador in central America, which is the farm's largest example, measuring about seven inches across.

For more information, visit the website: www.butterflyfarm.co.uk

RAILWAY CENTRES

Didcot Railway Centre

Step back in time and see the steam trains from the golden age of the Great Western Railway. At Didcot you can view a typical branch line, complete with station, signal box and a level crossing.

For details of events and opening times, call 01235 817200 or visit the website: www.dicotrailwaycentre.org.uk

Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway

Take a seven-mile round trip on the Icknield line (pictured below), which passes along the foot of the picturesque Chiltern Hills. Steam and diesel locomotives are in action during many weekends in the main tourist season. For more details, visit the website: www.cprra.co.uk

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton, near Aylesbury

Home to one of the largest collections of locomotives and railway memorabilia in the UK. For opening times, call 01296 655720 or visit the website: www.bucksrailcentre.org

Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway

Take a nostalgic train ride on the scenic line in the Cotswolds. A 20-mile round trip from Toddington to Cheltenham racecourse brings back memories of the great days of steam. For train times and prices, call 01242 621405 or visit the website: www.gwsr.com

Steam Museum, Swindon

Housed in a restored building in the former railway works, the museum tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway. The story is brought to life with films, interactive displays, famous locomotives and memorabilia. For opening times and admission prices, call 01793 466646 or visit the website: www.www.steam-museum.org.uk

STATELY HOMES & CASTLES

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock

Named as a World Heritage site in 1987, the palace is home to the 11th Duke of Marlborough and was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Blenheim is set in parkland which was landscaped by Capability Brown in the 1760s. For more information, call 08700 602080 or visit the website: www.blenheimpalace.com

Buscot Park, Faringdon

A neo-classical mansion with fine art and furniture collection, set in landscaped grounds where you can explore the Italianate water garden and walled garden. For opening times and admission prices, call 01367 240786 or visit the website: www.nationaltrust.org

Upton House and Gardens, near Banbury

A National Trust property, this 17th-century mansion contains an outstanding collection of English and continental Old Master paintings and porcelain.

It has terraced flower borders, water gardens and the national collection of asters. For opening times and admission prices call 0295 670266 or visit the website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Broughton Castle, Banbury

Owned by the same family for more than 600 years, this is the home of Lord and Lady Saye and Sele.The moated castle has a medieval great hall, vaulted passages, splendid plaster ceilings and panelling. For opening times and admission prices, call 01295 276 070 or visit the website: www.broughtoncastle.com

Chastleton House, near Chipping Norton

One of England's finest and most complete Jacobean houses, this is a unique 400-year-old time capsule, containing rare tapestries and portraits. It has an Elizabethan topiary garden and a lawn where the rules of modern croquet were set. Entrance by timed ticket. Call 01608 674355 or visit the website: www.nationaltrust.org

Sulgrave Manor, near Banbury

A fine example of a modest manor house built in Shakespeare's time and which was home to the ancestors of George Washington. Guided tours include the great hall, kitchen and bedchamber, which have furniture and artifacts from the period. Call 01295 760205 or visit the website: www.sulgravemanor.org

Warwick Castle

One of England's finest medieval castles is home to the new £1m battle experience, which opened at Easter.

The Dream of Battle is set within the ancient castle walls - where you can also visit the dungeon and climb the mighty towers. For more details, call 0870 442 2000 or visit the website: www.warwick-castle.co.uk

Waddesdon, near Aylesbury

A truly grand house with grounds in the style of a 16th-century French chateau, built for the Rothschild family in the late 19th century. For details of opening times and admission prices, call 01296 653226 or visit the website: www.waddesdon.org

Coughton Court Gardens, Warwickshire

These are recognised as one of the best in England. Alongside the walled garden is a formal garden, a bog garden, a replanted orchard and river.

Call 01789 762435 or visit the website: www.coughtoncourt.co.uk

Clivenden, Buckinghamshire

Once the glittering hub of high society, this National Trust Italianate mansion has magnificent formal gardens overlooking the Thames. It houses an outstanding collection of sculpture and statues, both ancient and modern. Call 01628 605069 or visit the website: www.nationaltrust.org.

Windsor Castle

This is the largest working castle (pictured) in the world and has been a royal home and fortress for more than 900 years.Visitors can view the state apartments, and see treasures including paintings by Holbein, Rubens and Van Dyck, fine tapestries and porcelain, sculptures and armour. St George's Chapel is the burial place of ten sovereigns and the setting of many royal weddings. Call 020 7766 7304 or visit the website: www.hrp.org

Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire

With a history spanning 1,000 years, the castle at Winchcombe has played host to many kings and queens of England. Today it is the home of Lord and Lady Ashcombe, Henry and Mollie Dent-Brocklehurst. The gardens, which were restored and redesigned in the 19th century by Emma Dent and in the 20th century by Lady Ashcombe, bring to life the magic of the places where Katherine Parr and the tragic Lady Jane Grey would have strolled. For admission prices and opening times, call 01242 604357 or visit the website: www.sudeleycastle.co.uk

Bowood House, Wiltshire

Purchased by the 1st Earl of Shelburne in the mid-18th century, this grand property, near Chippenham, will keep the most adventurous youngsters amused as it boasts an adrenaline-pumping adventure playground and soft play area.

For details of admission prices and opening times, call 01249 812102.

Claydon House, near Buckingham

Famous for its 18th-century rococo interiors, this Georgian country house also celebrates Boer War nurse Florence Nightingale, who was once a regular visitor there. For opening times, call 01296 730349 or visit the website: www.nationaltrust.org.

MUSEUMS

Project Timescape, Wittenham Clumps

Oxfordshire's newest education/visitor centre, run by the Northmoor Trust, lets you explore the landscape, past and present. Handle skeletons and meet the creatures that once roamed the countryside. Call 01865 409402 or visit the website: www.projecttimescape.co.uk

Pendon Museum, Little Wittenham

Pendon aims to recapture in detailed miniature scenes the beauty of the Oxfordshire countryside as it used to be around 1930. For opening times and prices, call 01865 407365 or visit: the website: www.pendonmuseum.com

Heritage Motor Centre, Warwickshire

This museum unravels the story of the British motor industry with fun and interactive exhibitions. Call 01926 641188 or visit the website: www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles

Explore 30 historic buildings, saved from demolition and moved piece by piece to this countryside setting.

Step back in time and get a feel of the 1940s in the fully-furnished prefab or experience 50AD at the Iron Age house. For more details, call 01494 871117 or visit the website: www.coam.org.uk

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden

A phizz-whizzing venue for six to 12-year-olds exploring the world of Roald Dahl. It has interactive galleries, a story centre and a replica of Dahl's writing hut. For opening times, call 01494 892192 or visit the website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Oxford Bus Museum, Long Hanborough

Home to a historic display of buses, the museum also has the Morris Motors Museum, telling the story of how cars and commercial vehicles were produced at the Cowley works. For opening times and prices, call 01993 883617 or visit: www.oxfordbusmuseum.com

National Motor Museum, Beaulieu

Home of the National Motor Museum, which has more than 250 exhibits ranging from Formula One racing cars to land speed recordbreakers. Children will love the monorail and go-karts. Open daily, call 01590 614603 or visit the website: www.beaulieu.co.uk

GARDENS

Stowe Landscape Gardens

One of the first great English landscape gardens, this National Trust property has more than 40 monuments, temples and secret corners, along with ornamental lakes, wooded valleys and spectacular views. For more information, call 01494 755568 or visit: www.nationaltrust.org.

Mill Dene Garden, Blockley, Gloucestershire

One of the more intimate gardens in the Cotswolds, Mill Dene boasts a millpond with trout, a stream with kingfishers, a grotto and a cricket lawn with a tiny pavilion. For opening times, call 01386 700457 or visit the website: www.milldene.co.uk

Hidcote Manor Gardens, near Chipping Camden

This National Trust garden was created in the Arts and Crafts style by Major Lawrence Johnston as a series of outdoor rooms, separated by hedges and walls. The garden is known for its rare trees and unusual plants from around the world.

Call 01684 855370 or visit the website: www.nationaltrust.org

Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury

One of the most spectacular tree gardens in the world, Westonbirt has a collection of more than 3,000 different trees and shrub species, many of which are rare or endangered in their native lands. For more details, call 01666 880220, or visit the website: www.forestry.gov.uk