England Family-Friendly Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities

recommended places to visit and things to do with children in England


Flambards

Helston

  • museum
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  • theme park
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • social history

major family-friendly attraction with walk-through historic street scenes, theme park rides and special exhibitions

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • place of worship
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  • viewpoint
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • religion
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

Island home to a medieval castle, reached by causeway, with Norman church and sub-tropical gardens.

  • archeological site
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • English Heritage
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • social history
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

largest, best-preserved of several mysterious tunnels associated with Iron Age settlements, thought to date from 5th or 4th century BC

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

magnificent late Victorian country house, with the feel of a wealthy but unpretentious family home, including a rare book collection

  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café

hailed as a quintesssentially, English garden, this 'Great Garden of the World' boasts over 2000 different roses and over 1/4 million tulips, all set beside the 12th Century Abbey Church in the centre of Malmesbury

  • farm park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

popular family attraction with animal petting and feeding, undercover play area, pony rides, goat racing and walking. Fun for all the family

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • English Heritage
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

a fine Georgian villa designed by William Kent with a rich collection of Old Master Paintings and fine furniture. Free entry to the 65 acres of Grade I listed gardens with grand vistas, architectural delights, water features and a children's play area

  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

herbaceous borders, over 80 heritage pear and apple trees, over 100 varieties of snowdrops, display of antique garden equipment, children's garden and a garden trail for younger visitors. Truly, something for everyone

  • theme park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop

attractions for all the family from the adventure playground, to go karts, with farmyard animals, a maze and character shows in the Alice Theatre

Althorp Park

Northampton

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • memorial
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • virtual tours
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  • antiques
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • royalty
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  • walking

ancestral home of the Spencer family since the sixteenth century with a fine collection of antiques. Diana, Princess of Wales was laid to rest here

  • tourist railway
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • toys & models

come & visit Lord Braybrooke's private steam & diesel railway that runs through pretty woodland for 1.5 miles. Spot the teddy bears that line the route

  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • wildlife

set around the river, the park offers a variety of fun for the whole family. Features include boating, fishing, steam trains, assault course & much more

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • food & drink
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • social history

former home of The Priors of Nostell and Mayor of York - rediscovered behind modern facade in 1980s - restored to original 15th century splendour - magnificent Great Hall

  • leisure facility
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • music
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  • nature

set between Bath and Bristol, the home of fun things to do, exciting live horse racing fixtures and high-quality hospitality events

  • battlefield
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  • place of worship
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  • viewpoint
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • English Heritage
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • history
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  • military history
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  • nature
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  • royalty
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  • walking

ruins of Norman abbey, built on the site of the 1066 Battle of Hastings, with battlefield views, visitor centre and Victorian walled garden

  • landmark
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

bringing the downland landscape & vegetation to life through a series of displays & an audio-visual show

Beale Park

Reading

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

specialising in captive breeding of rare birds and providing a relaxing environment with extensive playground areas and a miniature ride on train

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • English Heritage
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

a wealth of architectural history, with buildings dating from the 14C and a superb 30-acre garden famed for its rhododendrons and unique quarry garden

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

displaying exhibitions of contemporary and historic art in the spacious Saloon Galleries. The gardens are experiencing a renaissance with new planting schemes, enhancing the herbaceous borders

  • historic house
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  • museum
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  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • National Trust
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • social history

experience an evocative and intimate insight into living in Back to Back housing from the1840s to the 19790s

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

situated in the beautiful parkland of the Blaise Estate at Henbury, the Museum is housed in a late eighteenth century mansion. Here you can see all sorts of familiar - and not so familiar - items from homes through history

  • film/tv location
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • film
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  • history
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  • TV

part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, where all the staff dress in period costume, with a host of restored Victorian buildings including shops, factories and schools

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage
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  • jewellery

mentioned as far back as 300BC and is strongly woven into the lives of the Cornish people. This is the sole tin mine still producing tin items

  • tourist railway
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • transport
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  • trains

13 mile steam heritage railway through beautiful countryside creating the atmosphere of a 1950s Cornish branch line

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop

fascinating displays of military weapons, uniforms, medals, badges. The collections ranging from the Battle of Waterloo to the Berlin Wall

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • military history
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  • World War II
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  • Battle of Britain

piston aircraft - military jets - Vulcan bomber nose section - helicopter - engines - flight simulator - regular events

Breamore House

Fordingbridge

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • history
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  • social history
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  • needlecraft
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  • walking

little changed since completion in 1583 - wide variety of paintings - tapestries - porcelain - 17th century needlework - rare James I carpet - period furniture - tea barn

  • landmark
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop

this Victorian pier contains a range of fairground attractions, arcades, bars & restaurants. Fun for all the family

  • historic house
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • history
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  • literature
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  • poetry

the home of the famous Brontë family containing the world's most comprehensive collection of Brontë manuscripts, letters, early editions of the novels and poetry

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

peaceful island with diverse wildlife, including the famous red squirrels and with spectacular views across the harbour

  • farm park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

deer park with ride on tractor and trailer rides, farm animals which can be handled by the children, picnic area and adventure playground

Cragside

Rothbury

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • natural landscape
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity crammed full of ingenious gadgets – most of them still working and with one of the largest rock gardens in Europe

  • tourist railway
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • film
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  • history
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  • transport
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  • trains
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  • TV

all aboard for a spectacular journey operating between Kingswear and Paignton along a picturesque route bordering the Dart Estuary

  • film/tv location
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  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • film
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  • TV

a 45,000 square foot indoor attraction of the National Fairground Collection of vintage exhibits, rides and engineering and artwork displays

Down At The Farm

Houghton-le-Spring

  • farm park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature

an open air attraction offering animal interaction and outdoor play in the countryside with a wide variety of animals for llamas to racoons

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

stretching across 3,000 acres of ancient woodland, steeped in history, but with delightful contrasts from the picturesque dingle to the remarkable pieces by Moore and Matisse

  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

60 acre woodland garden with carpets of named snowdrops in early spring followed by rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias and rich autumn colours finish the season. School holiday entertainment for the children

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • visitor centre
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

the Exmoor pony is the oldest native pony breed in Britain, around 350 still live free on Exmoor

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • antiques
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  • ceramics
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  • furniture
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  • history

a fine Georgian town house, exuding a welcoming feeling, with a richly decorated interior with many objects d'art and a special children's tour

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop

the edge of the lovely town of Grassington in the heart of Wharfedale, with large car park and picnic facilities

  • farm park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

showcasing best practice in care and health whilst allowing visitors to get close and interact with the animals in a fun and informal way

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • literature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

former home of Agatha Christie with a relaxed 1950s style with a large romantic wooded garden and a shop selling her novels

Heddon Valley

Barnstaple

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

dramatic West Exmoor coast, favourite landscape of the Romantic poets with spectacular coastal, moorland and woodland walks

  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • café
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • transport
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  • boats
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  • wildlife

a family run living heritage attraction with one of the last horse-drawn barges in Great Britain

Housesteads Fort

near Bardon Mill

  • archeological site
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  • fortress
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

the most remarkable Roman remains in the country, a real insight into Roman military life and discover the past behind the archaeological remains

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • craft shop
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

historic house and grade 1 Cornish gardens with the national camellia collection within 865 acre park on Rame Peninsula

  • historic house
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • antiques
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • local history

step back to the 1920s and discover how a grocer's family lived in a Midlands market town through their furnishings and household objects

  • film/tv location
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage

part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, this is a good place to start your visit which gives an interactive overview of all the World Heritage Site

Nostell

Wakefield

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • cycling
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

with a world class collection of furniture, textiles and wallpaper and priceless paintings inside and room to explore outside - including cycle trails -

Nunnington Hall

Kirkbymoorside

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop

a welcoming house on the River Rye including a collection of high quality, miniature rooms and touring art exhibitions throughout the year

Ormesby Hall

Middlesbrough

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • art
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

surrounded by 250 acres of park and farmland with year round seasonal walks and a colourful Victorian formal garden accompanying the mansion

Osborne House

East Cowes

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • English Heritage
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

Queen Victoria's palatial holiday home offering a treasured insight with a visit to the private apartments and the Swiss Cottage where the children played

  • leisure facility
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  • natural landscape
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • cycling
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

the park is packed with activities, from cycle trails to an adventure playground - fun for all ages

Sandringham

Sandringham

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • park
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • royalty
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

the much loved country retreat of HM Queen Elizabeth ll. Explore objets d'art collected by the Royal family, or browse the classic cars in the Transport Museum

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • photography
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

the ancestral home of Patrick Lichfield, the fashion photographer, a glamorous estate mansion with sweeping parkland and a natural play area for children

  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

designed by Sir Roy Strong and his late wife, stretching over 4 acres, these innovative gardens reflect their interest in the arts and weaves the story of their marriage and lives into them. Picnics are welcome

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • history

world's largest collection of witchcraft-related artefacts and regalia demonstrating the historical beliefs and practices of whithces and magicians

The Swiss Garden

Biggleswade

  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

an outstanding example of the Regency fashion for creating landscapes in a picturesque alpine style. Also boasts a collection of vintage aircraft and vehicles. Craft activities and trails for children during school holidays

The Workhouse

Southwell

  • historic house
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  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • social history

built in 1842 as the last resort for the destitute, the stories of the people who lived and worked here help tell the poignant history

  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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lose yourself along the 200ft long herbaceous border, formal knot and rose garden, waterlily canal or riverside walk. Has a wide range of year round events, including arts and crafts and gardening courses

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

unique colony of nesting Mute swans which were established in the 11th century by monks to provide food for banquets and now a cage free sanctuary for free flying swans

  • park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • nature
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65 acres with a reservoir at the centre with camping and 'glamping' facilities.the Home Farm is children friendly and includes a nature trail and horticultural garden

  • film/tv location
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  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • film
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  • history
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  • TV
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

a place of enormous character, charm and interest. Visitors are frequently struck by the warm and intimate atmosphere and the feeling that Arley is a much-cherished family home with beautiful landscaped gardens

  • park
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  • seasonal opening
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  • nature
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this popular beauty spot is set within an ancient valley with numerous walking trails to the falls & through the woodland - indoor & woodland theatre - petting zoo - reptile house - events & activities - picnic area

  • museum
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  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • history
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  • social history

gain an insight into the Cornish penal life over the centuries. This includes evening ghost walks and a look into the cold, dank cells

Bowood

Calne

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • architecture
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  • nature
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  • needlecraft
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

this beautiful stately home houses a vast collection of antiquities, chapel, library, sculpture gallery, laboratory, costumes, adventure playground & beautiful woodland gardens

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • antiques
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once the home to Sir Francis Drake with contemporary furnishings and artefacts, an impressive medieval Great Barn and extensive gardens

  • archeological site
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  • viewpoint
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • English Heritage
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • social history
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  • nature
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  • walking

remains of 2,000 year-old settlement with traceable village street and houses, with an underground passage, known as a 'fogou'

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • ceramics
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage

part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, including the national collections of Caughley and Coalport china and where demonstration workshops are given

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • antiques
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  • art
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  • music
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

holiday home of the D'Oyly Carte family built in the Arts & Crafts style with a joyful atmosphere enhanced by music and a 30 acre garden

  • art gallery
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  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • park
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

set in classical parkland landscaped by Capability Brown, now with an adventure playground, this period mansion is also a world class art gallery

  • fortress
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • walking

fairytale fortress ruins are all that remain after the castle was destroyed by Parliamentarians in the 17th Century with stunning views of the coast

  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • history
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  • local history

relax & leave the car behind and take this circular route around West Cornwall - hop on, hop off - visiting the major sites

Finch Foundry

Sticklepath

  • museum
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  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • history

The doorway to Dartmoor's industrial past with the sights, sounds and smells of three thundering water wheels powering massive hammers, shears and sharpening stone

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • literature
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where Jane Austen lived and wrote some of her finest work with letters, memorabilia, illustrated books and other contemporary artefacts

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • cycling
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set in over 6000 acres of woodland, a welcoming Georgian house, holding the National Trust's largest fashion collection with interactive displays

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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the Gothic Revival house is surrounded by gardens which are a masterpiece of architectural planting, home to one of the most outstanding botanical collections in the country

  • theme park
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  • tourist railway
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • trains

living steam trains in a magical setting with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities including canoes, pedaloes, crazy golf and children's play area

  • tourist railway
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • trains

take a trip back in time on this narrow gauge steam railway running from Lynton to Barnstaple journeying through rolling countryside

  • garden
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  • seasonal opening
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  • external view only
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20th Century gardens with hidden pathways and colourful borders using Mediterranean style planting, which takes advantage of the southerly location

  • film/tv location
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage

part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, illustrating how ground breaking, Victorian technology smelt iron with coke resulting in the world's first iron bridge

Overbeck's

Sharpitor

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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with spectacular river and sea views, this Edwardian house boasts a rare collections of exotic plants. Generations of children return to hunt for Fred the ghost

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • virtual tours
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set in a picturesque location surrounded by a deer park with family heirlooms in the castle and extensive grounds to explore

Rievaulx Terrace

Kirkbymoorside

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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grand and tranquil historic house with an impressive ionic temple, a woodland play area and outdoor games for children. Picnics welcome

  • tourist railway
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • history
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  • wildlife

operating heritage trans between Seaon ,Colyford and Colyton through two nature reserves with an unrivalled view of wading bird life

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • nature
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  • sport
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

surrounded by the striking Bodmin Moor, with a wide range of activities including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and fishing. Outdoor children's playground

  • historic house
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • National Trust
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  • guided tours
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  • walking

late 17th Century house with sumptuous interiors including the Museum of Childhood. Explore childhoods of times gone by, play with toys and share stories

  • film/tv location
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  • tourist railway
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • film
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  • industrial heritage
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  • transport
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  • trains
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  • TV

Telford Steam Railway is a preserved railway operated by a small and friendly team of volunteers and includes a tram way and model railway

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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medieval Manor House which was the ancestral home of George Washington, with a tranquil garden and a 'nuttery' - a haven for wildlife

A la Ronde

Exmouth

  • historic house
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  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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unique 16-sided house dating from the late 18th century, containing many quirky objects & mementoes, including a fragile shell gallery

Adlington Hall

Macclesfield

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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the rooms all display original furniture alongside paintings and portraits that bring to life the story of the house and its occupants including an important 17th Century, played by Handel. Explore the extensive gardens and challenging maze

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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beautiful medieval house is part of the story of King Henry VIII and his divorce settlement with his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. Highlights include atmospheric furnished rooms and a Tudor garden with traditional plants

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • antiques
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intimate Regency mansion with many treasures, Victorian garden and a Carriage Museum showcasing vehicles for every occasion

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • antiques
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  • geology
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  • history
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  • local history

a local museum with exhibitions of - Dartmoor artefacts - local history & geology - posters, documents - also includes the Paul Endacott North American Indian Collection

Attingham Park

Shrewsbury

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

surrounded by a beautiful landscaped deer park, this elegant country house has had its fortunes rise and fall; this is still visible in the building today

  • viewpoint
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • visitor centre
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage
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  • wildlife

lauded as "Britain's most beautiful waterway", the canal runs through unspoilt countryside in the heart of North Hampshire. The Visitor Centre provides a history exhibition & information point

  • landmark
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  • sightseeing tour
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  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage
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  • transport
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  • boats
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

providing on site information about the canal and sightseeing trips on the historic working boat during the warmer months

Bewl Water

Tunbridge Wells

  • leisure facility
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • cycling
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  • sport
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  • walking

the South East's largest lake which offers activities all year round from water sports in summer to interactive exhibitions in winter

Birdland Park

Bourton-on-the-Water

  • park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

seven acres of woodland & waterways are home to some of the worlds most exotic birds, including flamingos & parrots. Tropical & temperate houses & a children's play area

  • leisure facility
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • music
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  • theatre

Britain’s biggest tourist attraction. The park boasts approximately 150 rides, live entertainment including ice and magic shows and offers over 30 restaurants and cafes

  • farm park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • nature

Working farm with farm animals tractor and pony rides. Other activities include lambing, shearing & brass-rubbing

  • fortress
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  • museum
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • archeology
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  • history

a romantic fairy tale castle with an intriguing past with a rare, original port culls in the gatehouse

Bradley Manor

Newton Abbot

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • antiques
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  • wildlife

medieval manor house - still a family home - set in riverside meadows & woodland - unspoilt & relaxing -

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • museum
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  • park
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • ceramics
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  • history
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  • walking

a fine Elizabethan mansion refurbished in the 17th Century with extensive collections of paintings and objets d'art

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • architecture
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  • wildlife

ancient and peaceful, this tranquil Tudor manor house is far from today's busy lifestyle and is surrounded by rare terraced gardens

  • theme park
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  • all-weather attraction
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huge range of activities for children of all ages; indoor and outdoor play equipment and farm animals to meet

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • history
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  • literature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

the ‘Great House’ referred to in Jane Austen’s letters, now sensitively restored and find inspiration in the lives and works of our women writers

Chedworth Roman Villa

Stow-on-the-Wold

  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • history

in a wooded Cotswold setting with beautiful mosaics and two bath houses with audio guides and Roman themed, children's activities

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • nature

a surviving example of a family home built in the 13th century and then modernised in 1618 including period enactments throughout the year

Cotehele Mill

St Dominick

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • architecture
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  • industrial heritage

19th century working watermill surrounded by outbuildings, now used as estate and craft workshops, short walk from Cotehele Quay

  • farm park
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • nature

farm visit with animals, pony rides, promoting a better understanding of farming; large indoor play area and an adventure playground

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • nature

modernised in the 19th Century to become a lavish country house with Mediterranean planting in the garden and a working water mill

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage
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  • technology

two great beam engines, preserved in towering engine houses with industrial heritage discovery centre

  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • nature
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  • transport
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  • boats

relax & leave the car behind and take this sightseeing passenger ferry sailing between Truro and Falmouth with hop on, hop off

Glendurgan Garden

Mawnan Smith

  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • external view only
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

described as a "small piece of heaven on earth" by their founders, these gardens cover three valleys leading to the Helford River

  • historic house
  • -
  • garden
  • -
  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
  • -
  • guided tours
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  • shop
  • -
  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
  • -
  • nature
  • -
  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

dating back to the fourteenth century with a recent up date in the twentieth, this majestic castle is surrounded by lovely gardens

  • leisure facility
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
  • -
  • surfing

located on one of the top 5 family beaches in the UK - secure storage, changing facilities & surf hire - ASI accredited surfing school -

  • museum
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  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
  • -
  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • local history
  • -
  • social history

dating back to the sixteenth century, a unique collection of historic artefacts relating to the ancient school and its pupils

Holkham

Holkham

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • park
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
  • -
  • art
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  • cycling
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

an elegant Palladian stately home, with a magnificent walled garden, extensive parkland with cycle routes and children's play areas

  • theme park
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop

a great fun day out for all the family with pay-as-you-ride system including blaster boats FI karts, pitch and putt, trampolines and thunder racing

  • historic house
  • -
  • garden
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • National Trust
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • art
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  • cycling
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • walking

the Italianate rotunda houses paintings by Gainsborough and Velasquez with a fine collection of silver surrounded by rolling parkland

  • leisure facility
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • architecture
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  • Art Deco

recently restored 1930s art deco lido, the largest natural seawater bathing pool in the UK. A fabulous venue for swimming or sunbathing

  • sightseeing tour
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

hop-on board to see the spectacular coastline for one hour cruise with toilets onboard and indoor and outdoor viewing areas

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

moated, Tudor manor with fine furniture and paintings, surrounded by period gardens and offering a variety of hands on Education Days for children

  • archeological site
  • -
  • natural landscape
  • -
  • something different!
  • -
  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
  • -
  • archeology
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • nature
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  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

discover surprisingly cosy homes carved into the rock. Walk across Kinver Edge, buzzing with wildlife. Quirky tea room inside a rock house

  • tourist railway
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • transport
  • -
  • trains

running through the Kensey Valley, this 5 mile round trip uses Victorian steam locomotives with a small museum at Launceston Station

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • history
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  • toys & models

a private collection with over 2000 exhibits dating back to 2000BC including a bisque doll presented to Queen Victoria

  • sightseeing tour
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

view the stunning Cornish coastline whilst watching out for sea wildlife with knowledgeable and experienced guides for 1.5 and 3 hour trips

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • architecture
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • social history

restored 15th century stone cottage suggested as the home of Mary Newman, the first wife of Sir Francis Drake - atmospheric

  • sightseeing tour
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening

fun for all the family, professional family run business sailing out of the historic port with 2 or 4 hour fishing trips

  • historic house
  • -
  • garden
  • -
  • something different!
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • virtual tours
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

this stately home spans the centuries with a colourful history and reputed ghost. There is also a Hawk & Owl Centre with a wide range of birds

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • guided tours
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • visitor centre
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • food & drink
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  • history
  • -
  • politics

depicting life in the 17th Century, with Civil War exhibits, Cromwell's study, haunted bedroom and learn about contemporary cooking and taste the recipes in the kitchen

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • history
  • -
  • local history

chronicling the history of the Port of Padstow over the past two centuries - interesting collection of artefacts with plenty to interest the children

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • industrial heritage
  • -
  • maritime heritage
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  • social history

local museum covering local history with collections covering all aspects of local life including a replica Cornish kitchen

  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

well-established owl sanctuary, with owls from all over the world, plus other animals, petting area, falconry and play area

  • theme park
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop

aimed at the younger members of the family, the family run park includes dodgems, ghost train, slippery slide

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • maritime heritage

UK's largest exhibition of its kind offering an insight into the history of Charlestown and shipwrecks with treasure recovered from the deep and walk through an underground tunnel

  • farm park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop

pony centre with farm animals and extensive children's activities with a giant indoor play barn, go-karts and outdoor Astra Wave Slide, trampolines, rowing boats

  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • National Trust
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • photography
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  • transport
  • -
  • boats
  • leisure facility
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • cycling
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  • nature
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  • sport
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  • walking

unrivalled water sports facilities as well as cycle trails and lakeside walks with pirate themed children's play area

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

a great family day out with British and Asian Short Clawed Otters and wallabies. Muntjac and Fallow deer roam the 21 acre grounds and enjoy a woodland walk with conservation activities

  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • history
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  • social history
  • -
  • nature

home to over 1000 gnomes and pixies, wildflowers, herbs, grasses and ferns with a family picnic area

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • history
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  • maritime heritage
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  • transport
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  • boats

telling the story of Sir Francis Drake and his famous ship where visitors can experience life aboard a Tudor sailing ship

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • virtual tours
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  • shop
  • -
  • history

tells the story of Reading's two rivers - the Kennet and the Thames with a beautiful gypsy caravan and preserved turbine machinery

  • sightseeing tour
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • wildlife

sea ferry journey from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly, with terrific views and wildlife and providing sea tours of the coast with informative commentary

  • theme park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop

endless opportunities for fun & games with indoor play area and large outdoor park including crazy golf. Picnics welcome. Pony rides, bottle feed lambs, hand milk cows and stroke the animals

  • farm park
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

Whitehouse Farm is a 40 acre farm centre that has been entertaining and educating people of all ages since 1997

Wray Castle

Low Wray

  • historic house
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  • park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
  • -
  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • walking

turreted Gothic revival mansion with church-like interiors and panoramic Lake District views with large, informal gardens

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • needlecraft

set in Honiton's oldest building with one of the most comprehensive collections of Honiton Lace in the world with examples from 16th 20th Century

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

beautiful landscaped area surrounding an impressive collection of 66 owls from around the world. Visit the creepy crawlies & flying displays

  • leisure facility
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  • something different!
  • -
  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • food & drink
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  • sport

try to 'catch your own' trout at this working trout farm, where all the stages of development of the fish can be seen. Also a chance to buy a variety of plants

  • sightseeing tour
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • nature
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  • sport
  • -
  • wildlife

fishing & angling trips from Newquay Harbour - MCA licensed & insured up to 60 miles offshore - half-day, full day & evening trips

  • leisure facility
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
  • -
  • surfing

set in the beautiful cove in Sennen, near Lands's End, learn to ride the waves with private, family or group lessons with single day to 5 day courses and ample changing facilities

The Arthurian Centre

Slaughterbridge

  • landmark
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

discover 1,500 years of legend with an exhibition room recalling the legends and history of King Arthur. Brass rubbing, nature trail and children's quiz

  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • wildlife

set in beautiful woodland, taking care of four different species of monkeys. Visitors receive an intimate insight into a working sanctuary with informative talks by keepers. Children's activity room and frequent workshops

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
  • -
  • furniture
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • needlecraft

dating from the 14th Century, the name dates from the Victorian period when it briefly held a licence to be the letter receiving station for the district with postal exhibits and samplers and furniture dating back to the 16th Century

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • walking

Jacobean country house with many fine artefacts including rare clocks, set in fine formal and informal gardens including a working watermill

  • historic house
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  • garden
  • -
  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • free admission
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • English Heritage
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  • architecture
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

11 acres if gardens landscaped by Capability Brown. The history of the ruined 18th Century house is depicted in the Gate House Museum

  • museum
  • -
  • ruin
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • archeology
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • art
  • -
  • history

with excavated remains and stunning reconstructions of original buildings and roman artefacts combine to give a unique insight the Romans in Britain during the second to fifth Century

Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle

Ashby-de-la-Zouch

  • fortress
  • -
  • ruin
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • English Heritage
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • local history

Ruins of 15C castle, formerly a Norman manor house. Fields nearby were the setting for the tournament in Sir Walter Scott's 'Ivanhoe'

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • all-weather attraction
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • antiques
  • -
  • archeology
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • local history
  • -
  • military history
  • -
  • toys & models
  • -
  • transport
  • -
  • trains

Ashford Borough Museum, housed in a 17th-century building, presents Ashford's rich history through engaging exhibits spanning from the Roman era to modern times.

Auckland Castle

Bishop Auckland

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
  • -
  • antiques
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  • art
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  • furniture
  • -
  • religion

the official residence of the Bishop of Durham and the country residence of the Bishops since Norman times. The chapel is thought to be the largest private chapel in Europe

  • tourist railway
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • transport
  • -
  • trains

built in 1926 and offering breathtaking scenery of the surrounded cliffs and beaches

  • leisure facility
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • surfing

family run with BSA qualified instructors and carry surf life saving or beach lifeguard awards. Classes suitable for all ages. Also sand boarding, paddle boarding and surf board hire

Barnard Castle

Barnard Castle

  • fortress
  • -
  • ruin
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • English Heritage
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • royalty

overlooking the River Tees and dating back to the 14th Century and lived in by Richard lll

  • farm park
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • nature
  • -
  • wildlife

set on a Roman site this farm has many rare breeds that visitors can feed. See sheep shearing, foot trimming, calving & lambing in season

  • museum
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • antiques
  • -
  • archeology
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • local history
  • -
  • photography

local museum in converted church with displays covering local family histories, trades and schools

  • museum
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • local history

displays on printing, Waveney, agricultural costumes & a model of the town as it was in 1841. There are also discovery boxes for children to use

  • natural landscape
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • guided tours
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • industrial heritage

provided stone for 24 cathedrals and thus over the centuries a vast man-made complex of underground caverns have been created

  • fortress
  • -
  • museum
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • English Heritage
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • architecture
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  • history
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  • military history
  • -
  • walking

crowning a rocky crag and boasting spectacular views. On a clear day you can see all the way from the Pennines to the Welsh mountains. With a 4,000 year history, a replica Bronze Age roundhouse and a 40-acre woodland park

  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • virtual tours
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • maritime heritage

consisting of an inshore lifeboat in a boathouse, a fully operational offshore lifeboat at the end of a 250-yard pier, & a shop. Visits are subject to operational requirements

  • landmark
  • -
  • museum
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • National Trust
  • -
  • guided tours
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • industrial heritage
  • -
  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

containing much of the original machinery from the 1700s', this is the only remaining windmill on the Island. Spectacular views to be had from the cap

  • historic house
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • café
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  • shop
  • -
  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
  • -
  • walking

built in 1153, this castle's dungeon is the scene of Edward II's murder. Now the home of the Berkeley family, it has various treasures, including paintings, silver, furniture, and an Elizabethan garden

  • fortress
  • -
  • ruin
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • free admission
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • walking

these extensive remains were once an 11C motte-&-bailey castle built by William of Normandy's half brother

  • sightseeing tour
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • nature
  • -
  • wildlife

take a trip to the Farne Islands & observe the grey seal colonies. All-day bird watching is available during the breeding season

Binchester Roman Fort

Bishop Auckland

  • fortress
  • -
  • ruin
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • archeology
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • military history
  • -
  • walking

the largest Roman fort in County Durham. A small part has been excavated and is open to visit. Explore the remains of a Roman bath house with its amazing under floor heating system

  • nature reserve
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • nature
  • -
  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

introducing the birdlife of Northumberland and the North East. Tours with friendly guides who share their knowledge of local birds with infectious enthusiasm

  • ruin
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • café
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  • shop
  • -
  • architecture
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  • history
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  • religion
  • -
  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

with over 80 miles of riverside, woodland and moorland paths, medieval buildings, picnic areas, tearooms and restaurants, gift shops and fabulous scenery there is something for everyone

  • museum
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
  • -
  • toys & models

delightful miniature village with railways, lakes and a wonderful marina

Borde Hill Garden

Haywards Heath

  • garden
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
  • -
  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

botanical heritage and stunning landscapes make Borde Hill the perfect day out for horticultural enthusiasts, country lovers and families alike

  • farm park
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  • film/tv location
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • nature
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  • TV
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  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

home of Channel Five’s ‘Mist sheepdog tales’ this 400 acre working farm is home to a flock of 700 breeding ewes, plus their lambs, holds sheepdog & Falconry displays throughout the summer - April lambing open days

  • farm park
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • guided tours
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • nature

visitors can milk goats, sheep or cows on this small family-run farm. There are many other animals, goat & donkey cart rides, a picnic & play area

Bradford-on-Avon Museum

Bradford-on-Avon

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
  • -
  • all-weather attraction
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • local history

housing a re-creation of the Christopher Pharmacy which was open from 1863-1986. Also the museum explores the natural & social history of Bradford-on-Avon

  • museum
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • antiques
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • local history

replica village shops - steam-powered farm machinery - tractors - barn machinery - agricultural tools - maze - adventure playground - shop - tea barn

  • nature reserve
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
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  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • nature
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  • wildlife

collection of unusual birds from all over the world. The centre also has a hospital room where sick or injured birds can be treated

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage
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  • transport
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  • trains

experience the power of steam in all its forms, from working locomotives to stationary engines, steam roundabout, traction engines & Royal Coach all in a garden setting.

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • toys & models

museum of Bridport's local history with events and interactive displays suitable for all ages.

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • history
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  • maritime heritage

exciting and ambitious exhibitions depicting the story of the town’s links with the sea and River Colne, including its unique role as a Limb of the Cinque Ports, the only one north of the Thames

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

over 40 different species, from tiny field mice to magnificent red deer including badgers and hedgehogs. All the natural wild life to be found in Britain, with informative displays and a conservation project to visit

  • leisure facility
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • surfing

great fun for all with personalised surf teaching. All ages and abilities welcome offering various lessons from 1/2 day to week long courses

  • farm park
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

set in the beautiful rolling hills of County Durham, a mixed farm of 290 hectares - a great day out for children who can see and touch animals at close quarters

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • literature

made famous by the write Daphne du Maurier. There is a room full of her memorabilia. Theatre shows recount the inn's myths and legends

Lawrence House

Launceston

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening

fascinating look into the local rich heritage and the town's association with Australia

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • ceramics
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  • history
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  • maritime heritage

occupying part of a former boat building yard - a broad collection of artefacts tell the history of Mevagissey and its residents -

Outdoor Adventures

Widemouth Bay

  • leisure facility
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • sport
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  • surfing

offering a large range of fun and exciting activities all in spectacular locations., including school residential trips, family activity holidays

  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

informative displays about bees with educational talks & videos on beekeeping and beeswax candle making - beehives are kept behind glass

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • walking

set in a beautiful and diverse garden, this Elizabethan castle is still a family home displaying portraits, alongside contemporary photographs

  • fortress
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  • viewpoint
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • English Heritage
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • military history

well-preserved and elaborately decorated coastal artillery fortress designed to mount heavy 'ship sinking' guns with audio tour available and picnic area

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • history
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  • local history

a fascinating look at the history of St Ives including fishing and mining, with children friendly activities

  • leisure facility
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
  • -
  • cycling
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

two lakes offering water sports, angling, walking, cycling and relaxation. Picnic area. Equipment hire and children's play area

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
  • -
  • nature
  • -
  • wildlife

three flying displays each day with different birds in each - hawks, owls, falcons, vultures & eagles - other birds & animals - playground - picnic area

  • film/tv location
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  • landmark
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • architecture
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  • film
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage
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  • TV

the iconic bridge is one of Shropshire's most famous landmark and the world's first iron bridge, recently undergone a conservation project

Tolgus Tin

Perranporth

  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage
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  • jewellery

taking visitors through the process of tin streaming and explaining how tin ore recovered from the stream running through the site is smelted on-site to create exquisite Cornish jewellery

Townend

Troutbeck

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • literature

a fine example of vernacular architecture with the personal touch of the family who lived there including their well used library

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • ceramics
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  • history
  • -
  • local history

privately owned museum in a building that was originally used for making coaches & wagons and covering many aspects of North Cornish life

  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • toys & models

this miniature kingdom is set in 2½ acres of landscaped gardens and is situated on the edge of Blackpool’s Stanley Park

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