Bugtopia Hornsea Zoo

Bugtopia Hornsea Zoo is an insect-focused attraction just outside Hull that takes you into the world of creepy-crawlies in a way most kids actually find fascinating rather than stomach-turning. You're walking through enclosures and displays where beetles, spiders, scorpions and all manner of six- and eight-legged creatures get proper close-up attention - the kind of experience that turns a six-year-old into an expert on stick insects for the next three months.

It's a brilliant spot if your family isn't into the traditional big-cat safari experience. There's something about insects that hooks children differently - maybe because they can actually see the whole animal, watch it move, observe its habits without binoculars. Adults who keep terrariums or have any genuine interest in entomology will find genuine value here too.

Hornsea itself sits on the Yorkshire coast, so this works well as a half-day activity sandwiched between beach time and whatever else the area offers. If you're camping or glamping at one of the nearby sites - Goxhill Meadows is barely a mile away, or Sea View Country Park if you want something slightly larger - Bugtopia slots in nicely on a rainy afternoon or as a morning activity before heading to the beach.

Check ahead for opening hours and admission prices before you go, as details can shift seasonally. Allow a couple of hours maximum, unless your children have genuinely unusual levels of insect obsession.