Drusillas Park

The animals here are genuinely well looked after - you can tell the moment you walk through the gates. Drusillas Park, just outside Hailsham in Sussex, is a proper zoo with everything from big cats to penguins, plus a decent tropical house and some interactive bits where kids can get close to smaller creatures. It's not enormous, which is actually its strength - you can cover it in three or four hours without the soul-destroying walk that comes with the sprawling wildlife parks.

Families with young children will get the most from it. The layout's logical enough that you won't spend half the day retracing your steps, and there are usually keeper talks on throughout the day if you time it right. Older kids might find it a touch small, but the reptile section tends to hold their attention. Adults without children? You'll enjoy it more than you'd expect, though it's not the kind of place you'll be lingering for six hours.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Warren Wood Country Park is particularly well-rated - this makes a solid half-day trip. Golden Cross and Three Ponds are both close enough for an easy morning or afternoon visit. Admission isn't free, but it's reasonable rather than extortionate. Go during the week if you can; weekends get busy with school groups. The weather matters here - rain turns the walkways slippery, and in high summer the big cats mostly sleep in their enclosures. Spring and autumn are your best bets. Hailsham itself is only a few miles away if you need supplies or a decent cup of tea afterwards.