We visited Northumberland Zoo with the 3 of us on a Sunday and spent a few hours there. It is a…read morelovely small zoo that has some unique animals, though, whether it is a snow leopard or the Livingstone bats. The zoo is well maintained with friendly staff and decent catering. Well worth the visit.

Now called Northumberland Zoo. This is a family run zoo and everyone is very friendly. They still…read morehave the farm side but also snow leopards, a monkey house, raccoons, lynx, scottish wild cats, an arctic fox and more. Value for money with a cafe and soft play for the kids. Well worth a visit!

Most of the rides were closed, although those that were open were good. However, do not eat at the…read morevintage American diner. The cup had lipstick stains and the plates that the food were served on were filthy and unwashed. The salad was dry and looked unwashed also.

Flamingo Land is our local park and we always have a great time whenever we visit. The new Sik…read moreroller coaster is fantastic, a great addition to the park. We follow the Attractions Near Me Facebook Page to get notifications of the half-price family passes to help save on our tickets. https://www.attractionsnearme.co.uk/category/offers/flamingo-land-resort-offers/ The Zoo is also great with lots of animals to see and the sea lion show is always a highlight for the kids.

Came here to feed the meerkats, and we did laugh at the cheeky little scamps, but there's so much…read moremore, there's pig racing, bird displays, llamas/alpacas, donkeys, there's a cafe and even a factory outlet shop if you're into last decades fashions but it does have some bits in you might like, the park people are very friendly and knowledgable and you can tell they care about the animals, the park earns extra income from renting out hawks to places plagued by pigeons etc or you can hire a small owl for your wedding to swoop in and deliver your rings...a good day out for young and old at a reasonable price..

We had a lovely day here last year with the tot, it just so happened to be a stinker of a hot day!…read morelovely! The place is bursting with animals - as you would expect, but our favourites must've been the fluffy chicks, which we were all given an opportunity to pick up and cuddle (sweeeet) and the baby goats, who we could quite happily watch for hours as they have this daft playful puppieness about them. The farm is really hands on, you can feed the animals and pet them - my daughter loved it! There is a nice little cafe too, which serves home made cakes and sandwiches, aswell as a little gift shop that sold lots of farm yard themed toys. It's the sort of place I can see myself going back to year upon year.

this is a rare breeds farm, and a place we visited often when the kids where younger…read more it has free car parking, a little cafe/shop and you can buy bags of sheep nuts to feed the animals with! and price wise not overly expensive! a picnicing area with wooden benches and tables it offers plenty to see and do, has a hatchery, a field where you can pet the animals and depending on when you go, they also do farming demonstrations. great for taking young children for a family day out! as they will love the miniature goats, as they all try pushing in for the bags of food. the hatchery is the best, as you see the little chicks in the pens with the heating lamps, and there all use to seeing people so are quite happy to hop onto your hands! so the place has cattle, sheep, horses pigs, goats and chickens.

Getting drunk and falling over can be fun. Drinking enough coffee to stay awake for a decade can…read morealso be fun. Sometimes though I need more in my life. Unfortunately Johnny Depp doesn't see it that way so I turn to something else extremely cute instead; animals. There are plenty of places in Leeds where you can get up close and personal (not too personal mind, there is a name for people like that) with various creatures of the animal kingdom and Ponderosa serves as a great example of that. What's also immense about this place are the facilities offered to disabled and able bodied children alike. Indeed, it did start off as a place to help disabled children and has grown to open it's doors to all. You'll get to see allsorts of animals. You'll even get to see llamas and an emu. How cool is that and no Orville or that silly man who sticks his hand up puppets for a living, in sight. You'll also get a chance to see pigs, peacocks, highland cows, goats, horses, donkeys and birds of prey. It's a cracking day out Wallace and one I highly recommend. Just remember to take a kid with you or you may look a bit daft like me.

Ponderosa Farm, I was delighted when a friends took me to this little gem hidden away in…read moreHeckmondwike West Yorkshire. I couldn't believe the huge range of animals they have far better than anything similar I have visited in the past. This place is really child friendly with so much for them to see. We bought a bag of feed for 50p to feed the farm animals and it was a lovely experience seeing the animals so close. The farm animal include pigs, goats and sheep as well as rabbits. But whats great about Pondarose is all other animals they keep. There were birds of prey which included a beautiful Kestrel. Also Meerkats which were just having there feed when we saw them first which happened to be baby chicks which I found a bit gross and perhaps might have been a bit upsetting for children to see but when we went back later they were playing around and were very cute I would have loved to have taken one home. There was also a reptile house which we went to. I was slightly surprised they as we walk through part of the house in the tropical plants was what appeared to be sum kind of large lizards just wondering about which did make me feel slightly uneasy but I just stayed where it was and I am a bit of wimp. They had a snake out with a handler in one room and I was too scared to go in but its a great way to get kids interested in animals we saw them handling lots of animals so its great fun as well as they learning lots too they staff we were friendly and seem to enjoying sharing all there knowledge about the animals with everyone. Also whats great is dotted around the site are many different play area's for the children with tonnes of climbing frames and slides for them. There is a coffee shop serving cold sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, ice cream & refreshments. Disabled access. As well as plenty of picnic areas. there are toilets and a nice little gift shop. There is so much to do make sure you allow yourself enough time to see everything. I recommend going on a dry day to get the most out of Pondarose. Open from 10am - 4pm 7 days a week Monday through Sunday. We are open all year round only closing for Christmas and New Year. (Dates are confirmed nearer the time). Admission 4.00 pounds adults 3.50 children under 2's are free From Manchester: Come off the M62 at Junction 26 - turn right onto the A638 - Follow this road through Cleckheaton - Turn right at the clock tower in Heckmondwike centre. The centre is sign posted on the right. Turn down Station lane, under the railway bridge, past Al Murad tiles and we are the next left turn. From Leeds: Turn off M62 at Junction 27 (Showcase Cinema) and pick up the A62 towards Huddersfield. Through 6 sets of light and turn left into Heckmondwike centre - then turn right at the clock tower in Heckmondwike centre. The centre is sign posted on the right. Turn down Station lane, under the railway bridge, past Al Murad tiles and we are the next left turn

I'm going deeper underground to find some little haven retreats out of the city centre. It has to…read morebe done as our county is so much more than city centre living. St Leonards Farm Park is one of those little beauties. It's an award winning farm in Esholt Village, the original home of the soap Emmerdale. We're talking stunning scenery here and some real fresh air in the lungs. The farm has lots of different animals, some of which you can feed. The play areas are well equipped with rather tempting swing bridges. When the weather is better they have ample areas for picnics and on certain days you'll even be able to have a ride on a tractor. Not sure I'm allowed on them though, rubbish. There are plenty of walks and nature trails and a fun barn and refreshments area too. It ticks all of the boxes and is definitely worth a visit

st leonards farm park is a fantastic day out for all ages, i grew up next to meanwood valley urban…read morefarm and unfortunaly it doesn't have a patch on this place. It has to be added to your summer holidays! for the adults there is the farm itself with all its animals & 'petting zoo' & a great cafe (with prices everyone can afford: chip butty £1.50 & drinks for about 75p) or there are picnic tables if you prefure to bring food yourself ,sheltered i think also , if you want to get out of the rain or sun. & for the kids ( & big kids among us) there is a hay barn with swings etc to play in & a 'wacky warehouse' type funbarn , a zip line, swings & 'wendy house' as well as the option to feed & pet the animals ( food for the animals is only pence) the cost is minimal for the amount you can do & see there & a good day is needed , we visited from 10am to about 3pm & we could have stayed longer & still not be at aloss for things to do. there was also a milking demonstration which you can get involved in , which my kids loved. there is also a little gift shop selling great items that wont break the bank prices as quoted on website are: FARM PARK Adults - £3.95 Children (2-16) and Seniors - £3.50 Childrens Farm Park / Fun Barn Combined Admission - £6.75 Adults Farm Park / Fun Barn Combined Admission (weekends and school holidays only) £5.95 FUN BARN Adults - FREE Children (1-16) - £3.95 'farmer james' is friendly & fantastic as are all the staff , check out their website for more info!

Northumberland wildlife Trust site.This place offers whole host of wildlife from the sea and land…read more A long 2km walk extends around the lakes with a number of hides to view the local wildlife. On completion of your tour there is a nice cafe overlooking the main lake, serving Tea/coffee & hot and cold snacks. Certainly recommend a visit, it's free and a nice day out. Binoculars are available.

I adore this place!!…read more We first happened upon, these guys at the farmers cart in Towthorpe. They had brough some of the Birds from the centre to do a display and we were absolutly thrilled. It's worth while watching the weather before you go to the centre, Birds fly better with a bit of wind behind them and they're not too keen on the rain! During the day at the centre there are schedualed talks on the birds ranging from barn owls to hawks and falcons, and if conditions are good, and the birds are willing you get to watch them fly and its awsome!

A fantastic day out! My son (3years) loves seeing the birds…read morefly and the handlers and staff are friendly and professional. Prices are reasonable and there is plenty to do. For older children and adults there are talks on the different types of birds and the gift shop has something reasonably prices for everyone. The centre is still open during the wet weather but obviously the best bet is to wait for the sun before visit as you are outside for the main and thats where the most spectacular part of the visit takes place! Well worth a trip whether you have children or not!

Funky Farm is a large softplay centre situated on the outskirts of Northallerton. Its a large…read moresoftplay with a dedicated area for babies and toddlers, a netted football / basketball area, a big (and very scary for us wimps of mothers) slide, several ball pits, soft stairs you name it - it is in there! The equipment is clean and in good repair and whether my 2.5yr old son is there or my 8 year old nephew - there is something for both of them! Peppered around the room are numerous coin slot type rides (which generally the kids play on without them moving!), some fake tattoo machines, bouncy ball machines and a teddy grabber. All extra expense but I've heard a thousand times Mums & Dads tell their little ones that it's broken Darling so most of us get away with not handing over the pennies! The food is impressive - everything from chips and chicken nuggets, veggie chilli and rice, hot panini's fish fingers - HUGE baguettes, salads, home made soups and a large choice of drinks, icecreams and sweet cakes etc. They do have some gluten free items available too. The food is somewhat on the pricey side but of a high quality and very decent portions. There are three toilets, one being a disabled / baby changing room and these are kept clean and tidy. Funky Farm also caters for themed parties and although I've never attended one I have been there when they have been on and they seem well organised and a lot of fun! Opening times are 10am - 6pm Tuesday - Sunday. There is plenty of private parking for patrons.