Hall Hill Farm

Hall Hill Farm sits just outside Consett in County Durham, a proper working farm that's opened its gates to families wanting something a bit different. It's not your typical theme park with roller coasters and screaming queues. Instead, you're getting hands-on farm activities - tractors, animals, the usual farm experience stuff that keeps kids engaged for a few hours without breaking the bank.

The appeal here is straightforward: children who enjoy animals and outdoor activity will get the most from it. There's something satisfying about a place where you can actually touch things and do things rather than just queue and watch. Parents after a quieter day out - away from the chaos of massive theme parks - tend to find it refreshing.

It works well as part of a broader County Durham break, especially if you're basing yourself at one of the nearby caravan parks like Manor Park or Haystax, both just a couple of miles away. If you're staying at Allensford or Bradley Burn, it's a short drive as well. You're unlikely to spend a full day here, but as a half-day activity sandwiched between other attractions in the area, it's worth a look.

Best call ahead though - opening hours and admission details aren't always crystal clear online, and you'll want to know what activities are on the day you visit. Rainy weather might limit what you can actually do, so pick a decent day.