Family days out in North Somerset

Beaches

A trip to the beach is a must on a day out in Weston. Weston beach’s golden sands are perfect for building sandcastles and enjoying donkey rides.

Stroll along the prom, with stunning views across the channel, before tucking in to fish and chips, ice creams and seaside snacks from the many cafés and kiosks along the seafront.

The resort is also home to Weston’s Grand Pier, a plethora of amusement arcades, Funland at the Tropicana, the Weston Wheel and crazy golf courses.

Weston's Grand Pier (Image: Weston Grand Pier)

Animals

There are a host of zoos, animal parks and country farms to satisfy animal lovers in North Somerset. Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, in Wraxall, is home to more than 100 species of animals - from elephants, lions, and giraffes, to monkeys, meerkats and camels – as well as indoor and outdoor play areas.

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is home to more than 100 species of animal. (Image: Noah's Ark Zoo Farm)

Puxton Park, in Hewish, is the perfect place to visit with children. The adventure park is home to a variety of animals including rabbits, reindeer, goats, reptiles and small monkeys. It also features a high ropes course, a miniature railway, indoor and outdoor play areas and bumper boats.

Eddie The Eagle Edwards with children on the high ropes course at Puxton Park. (Image: (C)2016 Jeremy Long / JCLPhotography, all rights reserved)

Families can also get up close to some four-legged friends at Animal Farm Adventure Park, in Berrow, enjoy a day out at Court Farm Country Park, in Banwell, and learn more about birds at the North Somerset Birds of Prey Centre, in Congresbury.

Woodland walks and nature trails

Families can enjoy a woodland walk and sculpture trail at Tower House Woods in Wraxall. The Ty Sculpture Trail features stone carvings of native animals, birds and footprints, which have been carved out of limestone. Children can enjoy spotting the sculptures along the route, which can be accessed via Jacklands Fishing Lake, in Clevedon Road.

Woodland adventure day and Ty Sculpture Trail in Towerhouse Woods. Wraxall. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

Explore the beautiful and diverse woodland above the famous Avon Gorge at Leigh Woods Nature Reserve. The site, just outside Bristol, is the ideal location for mountain biking, woodland walks, nature trails and picnics.

Sports

Thrill-seekers can try their hand at a variety of sports at Mendip Activity Centre, in Churchill. The activity centre, in Lyncombe Drive, runs sessions in floodlit skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, rock climbing, archery, axe throwing, caving, canoeing, kayaking, bushcraft, frisbee golf and rifle shooting.

Mendip Activity Centre runs a plethora of outdoor activities including canoeing. (Image: Mendip Activity Centre)

Clip ‘n Climb, in Weston’s Dolphin Square, is the perfect place to burn off some steam. The indoor climbing centre features climbing walls for enthusiasts to scale, as well as the Leap of Faith and Vertical Drop Slide.

Clip N Climb staff at the Weston venue. (Image: Archant)

Escape Rooms

Lock & Code, in West Wick, has three games on site for puzzle-lovers to choose from. The National Elf Service room is suitable for competitors of all ages. Participants are tasked with helping Santa finding his missing magical hat so he can finish delivering presents on Christmas Eve. The site, in Wolvershill Road, features two more games for clue-hunters – The Alchemy Enigma and Music Box.

Gorges and caves

Cheddar is home to Britain’s biggest gorge and is a must-see for visitors. The world-famous site is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and home to some of Somerset’s rarest and most celebrated wildlife including Soay sheep, horseshoe bats, feral goats and birds of prey.

Cheddar Gorge. (Image: Archant)

Wookey Hole is also a great place to explore, boasting England’s largest show caves and attractions including pirate golf, a mystic fairy garden, animatronic dinosaurs and woodland walks.