Babies & Kids in the City 2013 is available to buy now online! It's completely new with some fab ideas on what to do with children aged 0-11years.

Days out in Manchester - Babies & Kids in the city

LOGIN OR REGISTER NOW!

Sign up for free Forgot Password

Blackpool Zoo, Blackpool

We're all going to the zoo tomorrow, the zoo tomorrow, the zoo tomorrow.... Our household is always excited when we have a trip to the zoo planned. If you are thinking of a full day out, then Blackpool Zoo is a great choice as it has lots on offer but is just about the right size to get round in a day with little legs.   We visited on a chilly October day so the modern entrance, which contains the admission points, cafe, toilets and gift shop was ideal as it meant we could get the stressful toilet stop, paying, glove and hat applying done in the warmth. Once in, we were greeted by 'Darw...

Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire

I went with a group of mums plus kids on a typical rainy day. The queue at the entrance was long but it did move fairly quickly. On bank holidays it would be wise to book ahead and fast track the queue. Entry is free for children under 95cm, otherwise a child price is £10.50, which does seem quite steep.   It is a big aquarium, laid out over two floors with the majority being below ground. There is lift access to both floors but this is quite small, although it's meant to take four pushchairs. The centre piece to Blue Planet is the fantastic Aquatunnel - 70 metres of underwater tu...

Bowland Wild Boar Park, Chipping

It was a fantastic sunny autumn day when we visited the Forest of Bowland and the Wild Boar Park. Being surrounded by trees, the scenery was beautiful. I had to do a quick feed with the baby when we arrived so got to sample the homemade food very early on - the flapjacks in particular were great. All the food was very reasonably priced and included wild boar sausages as a speciality. Behind the café they've rigged up a massive branch with loads of bird feeders.   As well as being able to enjoy watching native birds there were peacocks vying for food. Despite the fact there were l...

Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston

Opening in Easter 2011, Brockholes is a brand new nature reserve in the Ribble Valley, close to Tickle Trout, immediately off the M6. The first thing to strike you as you drive down the lane to get to the reserve is the stunning floating visitor world;  a cluster of buildings constructed largely of wood centred on a huge lake, it resembles an ancient marshland village. To the joy of my children, access to the village is via a series of basic wooden walkways across the water.   The land around the lake (120 football pitches big!) was rescued from development by The Lancashire W...

Chester Zoo, Chester

An easy drive to Chester from Manchester and lots of parking made a good start to the day. We were visiting mid-week, during term time and over winter, so it wasn't busy. There is so much to see over such a vast area, that you could easily come back for a second visit. In the summer months it does get very busy and unlike the unlimited viewing of the orangutans that we had, it can be a slow moving walk past with no opportunity to stop and admire.   We had taken a packed lunch and happened to stumble on the Arara Picnic Lodge by the jaguar enclosure just as it started raining, which was ...

Chestnut Centre Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park, The

If you fancy a little run out, this delightful park on the Manchester edge of the Peak District is a perfect place to visit. Our two-year-old was really taken with it and has not stopped 'twit twooing' ever since! The conservation park is made up primarily of lots of otters (it houses Europe's largest collection of multi-species otters) and then also 16 types of owls along with buzzards, pine martens, polecats, foxes, Scottish wildcats and deer.   A special highlight is Manoki, the UK's only giant otter - he's around 1.5 metres long. Rather brilliantly you get a great view in to his enc...

Cobble Hey Farm

After hearing a recommendation on the radio we headed North to Cobble Hey Farm in the Trough of Bowland. This small non-commercialized farm is set high up in stunning countryside. We were fortunate to visit on a crystal clear sunny day and so could enjoy views of big blue skies meeting the sparkling waters off the North West coast interrupted only by fields and trees. Binoculars were available to rent and so the boys could enjoy spotting ships out at sea too.   On arriving we were greeted by a medley of chickens and cockerels who were cooling down with a dirt bath; the boys fanc...

Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre and Country Park, Tarporley

Cotebrook is located in the heart of Cheshire countryside - so the drive out alone is a pleasure. Winner of a best visitor attraction award in 2008, Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre is well-organised. There's plenty of parking at the front and after paying your entrance fee, signposts guide you during your visit.   Firstly you come to the farmyard, stabling some of the 30 or so magnificent stallions, mares and foals together with other animals such as black pigs, sheep and hens. You can't feed the horses, but you can stroke them. Walk- ing on further there are paddocks and then larger field...

Farmer Ted's, Ormskirk

They are always busy at Farmer Ted's, and after changes made last summer this already great farm attraction is an even better place to visit. In addition to the large animal barn with cows, pigs, llamas and ferrets (organised ferret racing sessions are held throughout the day), a new bug and reptile centre has been added which features snakes, scorpions, huge millipedes and frogs.   Whilst this is a terrific attraction for the boys, my six-year-old girl Lauren wasn't overly fussed! What is so nice at Farmer Ted's is that there are organised activities throughout the day, which keeps ev...

Home Farm at Tatton Park, Knutsford

Home Farm at Tatton Park With a neo-classical mansion and acres of stunning landscaped parkland as its backdrop, this pretty farm probably wins the award for best setting! There's a car park within Tatton Park grounds (charge for car entry to Tatton £4.50) and from here, the farm's about a five-minute walk.   During most weekends and school holidays there's a Land Train running between the two. At the working farm children can feed the goats and hens, meet the pigs, cows, horses and donkeys, and take a peek inside a 1930s' cottage. It's not huge but very sweet and food is availabl...

Knowsley Safari Park, Merseyside

The safari park driving route snakes for five miles through various open animal enclosures. If it's a quiet day, you can do this at your own pace, and spend time observing the animals. On our trip, we actually drove round the route twice at my children's insistence.   However, a friend who ventured there on a Bank Holiday said that her tour of the park was one long traffic jam in the heat and her brood got very restless. So it is probably best to choose your day to visit carefully if you have young children who may need a toilet break. Once you are in your car and on the route, you can'...

Manchester United Museum & Tour

If you’re a Manchester United fan, then this is an absolute must of course. If you’re a football fan but the Reds aren’t your team, then this is still a great tour. My boys, who are Chelsea and City fans, were a bit sceptical but they were soon won over by Alan, our fantastic guide who clearly loves his job and is passionate about Man Utd. First off is the museum; you’re advised to arrive an hour and a half before your tour so you can really do it justice. It is split over three floors and covers every detail of the club’s history, from the Busby Babes to David B...

Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough

Martin Mere is a wildfowl and wetlands reserve allowing visitors' access to animals in a natural and tranquil environment. I went with my 22-month-old son in November and later learnt that this is one of the more exciting times of year in the bird watching calendar as it is when migratory birds depart and arrive for winter.   The distance between the M61 exit and the centre was a little longer than I had anticipated but it was a scenic drive, and very well signposted. Entry was via a visitor centre which also houses a restaurant, gift shop and toilets. We had a quick tea and juice stop ...

Paradise Wildlife Park, Hertfordshire

About 25mins up the A10 from London, is a place to escape the city for a full day out.  Paradise has plenty of free parking and loads on offer for children of all ages.  Unless you are local and pay for annual membership, it isn't cheap, but after having spent a full day there it felt like reasonable value for money.  I had three boys under 7 in tow, and first stop was the crazy golf, which unfortunately was not included in the entry price. They had good fun for about 45 mins but then their attention span waned and we headed to see the animals. The amount to see from wolves to r...

Reddish Vale Farm, Stockport

From the outside Reddish Vale Farm looks quite small, but this is why I liked it. For the nought to five age group it is the perfect farm. Because of its size it feels very safe - nobody can wander off and get lost.   There are plenty of farmyard animals, ducks, pigs, horses, sheep, donkeys and goats plus a lovely petting area with guinea pigs and rabbits. All the animals are easy to see and they even have low windows in the pigsty. Buckets of carrots to feed the animals are 50p. For a final workout there is a bouncy castle and a bouncy slide, also 50p. Plus there is a selection of free...

Sea Life, Blackpool

Worth a visit is the Sea Life centre on Blackpool's Golden Mile. We went out of season which made for a relaxing trip with no fighting for a glimpse of the fishies. It's not massive and it takes about an hour to potter round. First up is the touch pool - an open rock pool filled with various sea creatures. We thought the staff here were excellent.   A young woman completely engaged with Will and Sam as she helped them hold a starfish. From there it's on to the aquarium itself. The 50-odd tanks are all at a good height for little ones. Our boys were soon counting sharks, rays, seahorses ...

Smithills Open Farm, Bolton

The main attraction at Smithills Farm is the big barn - inside the noise is incredible and the smell is pretty overwhelming too! You can buy bags of animal feed for 50p, which is a must as literally every type of farm animal is available for you to stroke, feed and pet.   We saw cows, calves, pigs, sheep, chickens, plus some overzealous goats that managed to grab the food bag and eat the whole lot! Thankfully, in the same barn and perfect for a quick distraction, there's a seated pets corner, probably our children's favourite bit. They loved holding baby rabbits, guinea pigs and even ti...

Stockley Farm

A visit to Stockley Farm starts from the moment you park your car. A tractor and trailer are waiting in the car park to transport you down to the farm. The drivers are happy to help you with a pushchair, and your little ones clamber up to sit on bales of hay. First off we hit the sheds to see the cows and calves, pigs, goats and lambs.   We then moved on to the pets corner, where the boys enjoyed stroking baby rabbits, guinea pigs and chicks - I was amazed at how gentle they were. There is a brilliant sand pit with at least half a dozen mechanical diggers and loads of toys. There's also...

Windmill Animal Farm, Burscough

A group of us took a trip to Windmill Animal Farm near Burscough during the spring half-term. Driving in convoy, we found it fairly easily, located very near Martin Mere Wetlands. It is a great place to take six giddy children.   The outdoor play area is enormous, with a huge wooden climbing frame, along with a zip wire and a big basket swing. Even in wet weather Windmill Farm is good - its indoor soft play area is the largest I've seen on a farm. Here you'll also find the café serving the usual selection of hot and cold food. Children's meals are £2.99 for sandwiches, cris...

Copyright Babies in the City 2012

Websites Manchester - e3creative