Five fun days out with the kids

Great ideas for picturesque places to visit with the family, perfect for those looking to entertain the young ones while secretly indulging a love of ice cream or the occasional glass of beer.

Falmouth

A creative and cultural hub in Cornwall, Falmouth makes for a lively day away with the family. Kick-start your trip by hiring a boat for an hour with Falmouth Boat Hire and explore the creeks and waterways of the River Fal at your leisure.

Take in the sights of the historic castles overlooking the bay and sail past the tempting waterside pubs before returning to the harbour for a scrumptious lunch.

Rick Stein’s Fish offers affordable and mouth-watering seafood set lunches, curries and classic fish and chip dishes, as well as a great children’s menu. For some afternoon tranquillity, the National Trust’s Glendurgan Gardens are nearby. Enjoy the spectacular maze and gardens, pause for a rest on one of the many benches, then head down to the beach and the picturesque village of Durgan.

Marlow

A little over one hour from London Paddington, Marlow is breathtaking on a sunny day. This vibrant Georgian market town has so much to offer in the way of boutique shops, historic streets, cafés and bistros.

First things first – grab a bite in The Botanist, a rustic restaurant that feels luxurious without breaking the bank. If you need to let off some steam following a feed, take the family to Higginson Park. Located on the high street it still retains a countryside feel, with views of the river and a large children’s playground open all year to keep the kids entertained.

Finally, unwind on an afternoon river cruise to Henley with Salter’s Steamers, passing beautiful villages, stately homes and the Henley Royal Regatta course.

Guildford

Guildford town centre is famous for its clock, but every Saturday you can also pass the time at the small farmers market on North Street, offering locally grown fruit and veg, freshly baked bread, meat, cheeses and more.

If that’s enough to make your tummy rumble, head for a bite to eat at The Weyside Pub. It has a riverside decking area outside with gorgeous views of the Wey.

For keen swimmers, Guildford Lido is the perfect place to drop in, while budding acrobats will love the AirHop Trampoline Park or Wild Wood Adventure.

If after all that you could do with unwinding a little, the Kitchen Café at Hatchlands Park country house can help with tea and cake.

Windsor

Home to the Queen, polo matches and Legoland, Windsor has got it all. Less than an hour’s train journey from London, arriving at Windsor and Eton railway station from the capital is like stepping back into medieval England. It’s worth the train ride just to hear the family gasp as Windsor Castle looms into view.

With so much to see, a good way to take in the sights is a trip with Windsor Duck Tours. Their amphibious vehicle drives from the road straight into the water, and is great fun. The tour guides are funny and informative, and you’ll spy some fantastic views of the castle from the Thames.

Feeling peckish? Make your way to Creams Café for a big scoop of ice cream before heading home.

Bath

There’s so much to see and do in beautiful Bath that your best bet upon arriving is to fuel the family for the day ahead. The Egg Café is situated within The Egg Theatre on Monmouth Street. Although it’s closed on Sundays, the rest of the week you can enjoy a menu of sandwiches, jacket potatoes, paninis and more.

So, you’re full and there’s a lot to see. But where to start? The City Sightseeing bus tour is a relaxing and fun way to discover Bath’s iconic attractions. The whole tour takes approximately 50 minutes and you can hop on and off the bus as many times as you wish with your ticket.

You’ll see the Roman Baths, the Circus, the Royal Crescent and so much more. For an afternoon treat, why not relax with a cuppa and bun at Sally Lunn’s, one of Bath’s oldest houses. Alternatively, take a trip to the cute and quirky Little Theatre Cinema, which shows both mainstream and arthouse films.