The UK's Weirdest Outdoor Family Days Out

With the six weeks’ holidays for the kids in full swing, are you wondering what on earth you can do next to keep them entertained?

Well, luckily for you, the team here at Millets has put together some of the weird and wonderful outdoor attractions, activities, and whistle-stops you can find in Britain that your kids are sure to remember for summers to come. From enchanting forests straight out of a fairy tale, strange Italian villages dropped into Northern Wales, and archaeological Ice Age sites where woolly mammoths used to roam, there are plenty of wacky places to keep the kids entertained, if you know where to look.

Puzzlewood Forest

Photo by Carl Newton via Unsplash 

Location: Puzzlewood, Perrygrove Road, Coleford GL16 8QB

This ancient woodland is an iconic location of blockbuster movies and series such as Star Wars, Doctor Who, Merlin and more. This forest's twisted trees, interwoven branches, geological rock formations and rickety bridges give it an enchanted feel that has mesmerised people and animals alike for over 4,000 years. It officially opened to the public in the early 1900s. There’s plenty to do with regular events, including animal feedings every morning. A ticket is less than £10 per person, making it a good value day out for the family. For those who want accommodation, Puzzlewood Forest offers a variety of cottages, ideal for a family getaway. A pair of walking boots is advisable to keep the kids from troddy muddy trainers into the car.

Portmeirion

Photo by Shelia C via Unsplash

Alright, let’s go a little bit weirder then. How does an Italian-style village in the North of Wales sound? Strange? Good, because it’s weird and wonderful.

How did this come about? In 1925, Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis acquired the site and set about showing that the ideal village could be used without spoiling the surrounding area but rather enhancing the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

There’s the village, gardens, the sandy beaches of the estuary and the Amis Reunis, the famous "Stone Boat" of Portmeirion. Explore the shops, restaurants, and all that this idyllic beach has to offer. Tickets for the day are £20 for adults, £14 for children aged 5-15 and free for those under five. Why spend the money flying to Italy when you can get a slice of the Mediterranean in Wales? (Don’t say weather; have you seen this summer's heatwaves)

Cresswell Crags 

Location: Creswell Crags Museum & Heritage Centre, Crags Road, Welbeck, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK S80 3LH

Step back in time and uncover the secrets of the Ice Age. This is one I visited with my parents when I was young. It features a museum that’s free for under-18s; you’ll be able to discover animal bones that are over 100,000 years old. (I was a Horrible Histories kid, so I loved this stuff). The site also offers tours around the caves and gorges, which dive deeper into the history and folklore, including the aptly named Robin Hood Cave, which was rumoured to have hidden the famous outlaw from Nottinghamshire law.

Three beautiful local trails can be accessed starting at the museum: Crags Birdleway Loop, Holbeck Walk, and Elmton Walk. Keep a waterproof handy in case the weather turns. 

The site also includes a café and a gift shop, making it perfect for an all-day or half-day trip. When I was digging around with my stuff the other week, I found a bookmark from Creswell Crag from my visit when I was young. I’m now 26, so that bookmark must have survived for almost two decades.

The Kelpies

Photo by Kris Fraser via Unsplash

Location: Visitor Centre, The Helix, Falkirk, FK2 7ZT

Two massive horse heads, one amazing day out. Set in the stunning surroundings of The Helix, take in the incredible sculpture from both the outside and from within. The Kelpies walking tour takes you inside the structures, lasting around 25 minutes. There’s a visitor centre with exhibitions, a shop and café. For the kids, there’s an Adventure Zone and Splash play that will keep them entertained for hours.

The Kelpies look particularly awesome at night; at dusk, the external lights offer a vibrant display contrasting beautifully with the darkness of the sky.

The Forbidden Corner

Location: Tupgill Park Estate, Middleham, Leyburn, North Yorkshire. DL8 4TJ

Dubbed ‘the strangest place in the world’, the bizarre attraction is a labyrinth of tunnels, chambers and surprises set inside a four-acre garden.

Without spoiling much, you enter through the mouth and pass the tonsils of a castle turret. No, I’m not making that up. There are strange encounters throughout, sure to make it a memorable experience for you and your kids.

Take advantage of summer pricing for tickets, which takes the price of an adult ticket down to £16.99 and children to £14.99. There’s also extended opening hours over summer so you can stay later or book for a little later in the day without missing out on any of the weirdness.

Luds Church

Photo by Ian Cylkowski via Unsplash

Location: Gradbach Mill Lane, Buxton, SK17 0SU, United Kingdom

A must-do if you’re hiking around the Peak District, this mysterious deep, moss-covered chasm is full of history, myths and dark green mystery. It was formed by a giant landslip, which over time was covered by its iconic moss coating. Throughout the fifteenth century, it was believed to be the site of worship for people who would otherwise have been prosecuted; this group came to be known as the Lollards. Other folklore suggests that Robin Hood sheltered here on the run from authorities. Another myth is that the devil’s fingernail made the chasm as he scraped back parts of the earth. I probably wouldn’t tell the kids that last one.

Avebury Stone Circle

Photo by Marc Pell via Unsplash

Location: Avebury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1RF

If there's something children love, it's just massive stuff. That's exactly what the Avebury Stone Circle provides: a prehistoric marvel that is the largest stone circle in Britain. Stonehenge is a 45-minute drive away and is, in fact, part of the same World Heritage Site, so if you fancy taking a trip to its much quieter brother, it's a fantastic opportunity to get the kids out into a world of prehistoric mystery. 

Other top attractions

So, I hope this demonstrates that there are so many wacky, wonderful and unusual places the whole family can get out to over the summer, or at least a way to keep the kids entertained for a small portion of the summer holidays. I'll end with a list of some of the other incredible attractions that you can experience this summer - 

• The Shell Grotto (Margate)
• Wistman's Wood (Dartmoor)
• Dungeness (Kent)
• Thor's Cave (Peak District)
• The Singing Ringing Tree (Lancashire)
• Malham Cove (Yorkshire)
• Rievaulx Terrace & Temples (North York Moors)
• St Nectan's Glen (Cornwall)
• The Devil's Pulpit (near Loch Lomond)
• Kinver Edge Rock Houses (Staffordshire)
• Symonds Yat Rock (Forest of Dean)
• Aysgarth Falls (Yorkshire)
• Giant's Causeway (Northern Ireland)

Get your outdoor adventurer ready for a day out with clothing and footwear for boys and girls.