Petting zoo in the sticks
Worcestershire’s award-winning Little Owl Farm Park is usually only fully booked a few days in advance. There are meerkat enclosures, a reptile house, rescue foxes, pigs, chicks and rabbits to pet – and sheep races on the farm.
Municipal Wildlife Center
Ouseburn Farm is spread across fields and meadows a mile from Newcastle city center. There are petting and feeding courses as well as courses in drawing animals. The community-run farm is in abundance this July.
Squirrel spotting on Brownsea Island
Booking at Brownsea Island near Poole in Dorset is recommended but not required. You can check availability on the National Trust website before you set off. Visitors take the foot ferry from Poole to the wildlife sanctuary, famous for its red squirrels.
Avon Heath Country Park
There is much more to Dorset than just its coastline. Avon Heath Country Park is 236 acres of heathland 10 miles north of Bournemouth with sand lizards, moth pens and walking trails.
Child-friendly pubs
The Hadley Bowling Green, Worcestershire
The beer garden at Bowling Green at Hadley Heath cannot be booked. Picnic tables line the fenced playground with climbing frames. Stop by during opening hours to get a table for lunch with a view over the lavender fields.
The good fellow, Brighton
A welcome message flashes on its website: “Please note that we do not accept bookings, only walk-ins.” The pub has two large beer gardens and a children’s menu, which is available on the website.