Lightwater Valley

You'll spot the wooden roller coaster from miles away - that towering skeletal structure rising above the North Yorkshire countryside near Ripon is pretty much impossible to miss. Lightwater Valley is a proper mid-sized theme park that punches well above its weight if you're looking for a day out with the family. The rides range from gentle spinning affairs for younger kids through to some genuinely thrilling coasters that'll have adrenaline junkies coming back for more. It's the kind of place where a five-year-old can have just as good a time as a teenager, which is rarer than you'd think.

The park itself is well-run and doesn't have the queuing nightmares of the massive chains - you can actually get round everything in a day without losing the will to live. The wooden coaster, Raptor, is the star of the show and genuinely brilliant. You'll want to budget a full day here, maybe six to seven hours depending on how many times you rope back in for second goes. Admission isn't free, so check their website for current prices and any package deals.

If you're staying at either Sleningford Watermill or Camp Kátur Glamping nearby, this fits nicely into a wider park holiday in the area. It's close enough for a day trip but far enough that you're not just doing theme parks for a week straight. Worth it if you've got kids aged five to fifteen, less compelling if your lot are younger or you're after something more cultural.