Santa's Magical Steaming…read more Every year, at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre they do a magical train journey on Thomas The Tank Engine, where Father Christmas rides along with you and gives a present to the kids. From the website it looks like a great day out, unfortunately in reality it's not quite so. Don't get me wrong, the kids (mostly) enjoyed the experience but the weather and the route that the train takes means if you've travelled a long way to get there you may feel a little cheated. On arrival, I'll give the centre it's due credit, Thomas is sitting on the platform (and he really is a great Thomas steam train), steaming away, with Christmas lights strung along above him. When the kids see him they do go nuts which is lovely to see. You have allocated seating on the train, and as we went with another couple and their kids we had a compartment all to ourself. The weather was cold, raining and windy. This meant the windows were not only all steamed up but rain covered too. You might not think this is a big deal but the route the train takes is forwards and backwards. Several times. No corners, no inclines, no speed. Outside there are opportunities to see other carriages and engines, and James also puffs along pulling a sleigh full of presents. The kids seemed to enjoy it all though, and when Father Christmas arrives to give them their presents they light up! When you get off you are treated to a complimentary mince pie and mulled wine, and after being outside in that kind of weather they are most welcome! There is also hot food like Chips available, plus tea, coffee and juice etc., all relatively cheap. Inside the 'station' there is a set of carriages made up to look just as they would have been in the 20's which does at least hold some interest for the adults. There are also shows to attend; the day we went there was a magic show by a man who looked and sounded exactly like Rod Hull. I say magic, but use it loosely. I say show, I use that loosely too. Even the kids were completely bored so we walked out halfway through. There is a miniature railway too although with the weather being what it was, and the fact that there seemed to be no other way to reach it than over a stepped bridge across the tracks (not easy with two pushchairs) we decided against it. Then we began the long trip home, and almost wished we hadn't bothered. I'd only recommend this if you are completely selfless or live nearby. It may be more enjoyable with nicer weather but as you're going to be there in November or December anyway I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

The old Oxford Railway Station was taken down from its original site and rebuilt at Quainton and…read moreused as part of the museum buildings. This means you have have tea in the old station café and see Churchill's train standing at the platform under the graceful Victorian metal and glass building. There are plenty of trains to see and lots of restoration work being done. They also have steam days. Check the website for details. Quainton is a very cute oldie English village. It even has a windmill. So it is worth having a wander round while you are in the neighbourhood.

We absolutely loved the drive thru safari. The animals look calm and happy as they stroll around,…read moreextremely close to your car. Excellent experience. The after you park your car exhibits were mostly enjoyable, sweet animals but please someone needs to clean the animals sleep areas, inside boxes and such. The Otter sleep area was disgraceful and there were babies. Looks like it hadn't been cleaned out in a month. No way AZA has been there in a while. Otherwise a very nice day.

It is great. You need to book the ticket online before your trip, it is very smooth to get in the…read morepark. Not very big but a lot to see. we stayed about 2 hour. It is a special experience to see the wildlife.

The first point is that the museum is free so value for money can only be considered excellent! It…read moreis a small and unusual museum with some nicely designed displays and a few locomotives, all from the industrial narrow gauge railways of the region. The opening hours are limited. Very traditional exhibits but well worth a visit.

The new steaming season has now commenced and we anticipate having an engine in steam on the last…read moreSunday of the month and on Bank Holidays. However, if you are travelling any distance please check to ensure that you will not be disappointed. Situated in Irchester Country Park, Northamptonshire, the Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum is home to a collection of working steam and diesel locomotives

Kirtlington Park Polo Club has some very famous teams and some of the sport's top professionals…read morehave started their careers at Kirtlington. Take a blanket and a picnic and enjoy the spectacle of an international polo match - one of our Bicester team's top 5 family days out.

The adventure zone is a soft play area centre based on the Somers rd industrial estate in Rugby…read morejust off the main rd into the cement works. It opened a couple of years ago and to be honest although it was not brilliant to begin with it really has gone from strength to strength and is now a place that myself, my friends and family visit quite often. Upon arriving at the play centre, to be honest you will not be that impressed as it's based in an industrial area, and from the outside although it provides great parking facilities, it just looks like a small warehouse. Although upon walking in you a pleasantly surprised, you will always be welcomed by their front of house staff, which will take down your children's names, what time they arrived, whom will be looking after them etc. they will then take your admission fee and let you in through the gates. Admission is as follows 2 Adults Free Additional Adults £1.00 0 - 11 months £1.00 (Free with Paying Sibling) 1 up to 23 months £1.75 2 up to 4 yrs £3.50 5 up to 12 yrs £4.00 The play centre is very large (approx 9000 square feet) you have the food counter selling a variety of meals, drinks and snacks, lots of seating areas including table and chairs and even sofa areas. The play areas are separated into three areas really; there is a toddler area, a 3 tiered play system and then a football/basketball area also. The toddler area** The toddler area is really nice, very bright colours and a variety of things for the little ones to play with, such as, A wind blowing machine A ball pit Lots of big shapes for them to dive on or make into things, such as boats and cars etc A slide A Rope bridge Spinning seats It really is a nice area, and my little girl loves it, its also nice that the older ones are separate to this, as then the little ones can play nicely without feeling intimidated by the bigger children and also the bigger apparatus. The Main play system (recommended for over 5's) *** The main system is a three tiered system and is very large, the children love it and you have over fifty kids on it easily and it would still not be that crowded. This system consists of the following; A four lane gastro bumpy slide Rollers Climbing wall Helta skelter type slide Net ropes/bridges Dizzy discs Ball pit Monkey bars My son whom is six and a half loves it, he will run about for hours if I let him and defiantly burns a lot of energy whilst playing on this system, and it's also a nice variety of activities for all ages and physical capabilities. The games area** Once my son has burnt off a suitable amount of energy on the play system he normally spends the rest of his time playing on their little indoor football/basketball area, he loves football and he loves playing penalty shoot outs on this area. They have toilets and baby changing facilities, which although nicely decorated etc and well equipped I sometimes find the hygiene a little to be desired, although again is getting better and the last couple of times we have been there they have been spotless so I'm in hope that they have took on feedback from customers feedback sheets etc and they will now keep them in better conditions. The food is really nice and they sell a variety of meals and snacks from items such as toasted sandwiches and Panini's and burger and chips or hotdogs or jacket potatoes etc. There are loads of drinks on offer from lattes and cappuccinos to soft drinks and milkshakes, they also do a jug of squash for 1.00 which I think is great as the kids get a few classes of squash I think each jug gets about 8-10 glasses dependant on how full you do the cups. They also have a variety of cakes, chocolate, biscuits etc. There homemade cakes are really nice and that is normally my preference along with a yummy latte. The prices of the food are not very expensive and I think the most expensive thing is about 4.00 for a burger and chips type meal. The centre is open everyday, opening hours as follows; Monday 0930-1800 Tuesday 0930-1800 Wednesday 0930-1800 Thursday 0930-1800 Friday 0930-1800 Saturday 0930-1800 Sunday 0930-1800 Overall it's a lovely place and is great if you just want some peace, sometimes I go there with a couple of magazines or a book, and chill out while the kids run off all their energy, takes them a while but at least once their finished I feel rested alsoha-ha!!! The things we do for peace!!! My friend also sometimes goes down with her laptop, they have wifi connection and it's a good way for her to catch up on some work while her kids run ragged. They also provide birthday party packages, which they have a separate party rooms for, which I must say if really lovely and I have attended parties there a few times. They also have special offers on from time to time with play and eat deals for about a fiver etc. All in all a great place for the kids to get hyper and for you to chill.

I'm done with this place now after being a regular weekend visitor with my 2 children for last 2…read moreyears. The number of private party bookings resulting in early closing on weekends and holidays has left me and my kids very disappointed. The final straw is the almost complete closure over Easter 2015. Bye bye...we're off to Tigers in Daventry!

This former Northampton to Market Harborough Railway is now a car free 'linear' park surrounded by…read morebeautiful scenery and rich in natural and historical heritage. The Northampton and Lamport Railway Society also operate train rides along a short section of line at the former Pitsford and Brampton The Brampton Valley Way can be accessed on mountain bike from Brixworth Country Park via the Merry Tom Bridleway.

This track runs along the former Northampton to Market Harborough Railway line. It is a fabulous…read morecar free straight, wide path accessible at many points along the way. If you are lucky to live in only of the villages that access it - Maidwell, Hanging Houghton, Spratton, Brixworth - you can ride straight on to it. If not each point where it crosses the road has a few car parking spaces where you can leave the car for free. These also serve as picnic stops. As it is in the valley floor don't expect great views but there are many points of interest along the way. And for kids its fabulous. They will be able to cycle it without any difficulty. If you want to tie it in with a pub lunch what about the Brampton Halt. Also ride the tunnels around Arthingworth - a great way to spook the kids out!!

The Old Dairy Farm is a family favourite with us. From the Gallery to the Barn Restaurant and the…read morelingerie shop, this is a great little centre to visit and well worth a drive over if you've never been before. Parking is plentiful and you are well advised to make the time to chat to the shopkeepers and see what they have and what they know that they are not putting on the shelves. We love this place so much, we had our wedding reception here and it was a mega success - no frills, no fuss, just simple good food for a dozen of us. Absolutely the best of British!

Came here alot as a Kid and recently took my kids. Lots of things to do and see, little shops, the…read morefarm and a cafe! Surrounded by lovely countryside.

Adjoining the Gardens and forming a large part of the 550 acres estate is the area known as the…read moreMiddle Park extending to Delapre Woods. For many years this pleasant meadowland was used for grazing cattle. However, in 1976 this was opened as The Delapre Golf Complex, comprising an 18-hole course and a 9-hole Pitch and Putt course, a 9-hole par 3 course and a 25-bay driving range. There is also an attractive 'Clubhouse' open to the public. Indeed, the whole philosophy of the Complex is to make golf available to anyone on a 'pay as you play basis. Still more recently, Delapre Park has become home to the Northampton Horse Trials - an increasingly popular sport made up of dressage, show jumping and cross-country. Fittingly the Northampton Pony Club also use Delapre as the base for their own activities. At the southern end of the Delapre estate lie Delapre Woods. These were originally cleared and planted when the gardens were laid out. Some fine oak, sweet chestnut and beech remain from this planting. Further clearances and planting of beech, oak and conifers have produced a mixed wood with many beautiful walks, together with fine views of the Abbey and town centre