Lost Kingdom

Lost Kingdom is a modest theme park on the outskirts of Salisbury, Wiltshire, that trades on dinosaur-themed attractions and family rides rather than white-knuckle thrills. It's the sort of place that works best for younger children - think ages four to ten - who'll happily spend an afternoon hunting plastic dinosaurs and whooshing down slides without needing the intensity of somewhere like Alton Towers.

The park centres around a prehistoric adventure concept with rides, play areas, and the inevitable gift shop. You're looking at a couple of hours here maximum before the novelty wears thin, though if you've got toddlers in tow, they might happily loop back on the same attractions. The dinosaur theming is enthusiastic if not exactly cutting-edge.

Timing-wise, weekday visits in shoulder seasons tend to be quieter and frankly more pleasant than school holidays when it gets rammed with screaming kids. The park itself is free to enter, though individual rides operate on a token or ticket system - so budget accordingly if you're planning a full afternoon.

For a park holiday near Salisbury, Lost Kingdom works as a half-day diversion rather than a destination in itself. Green Hill Farm Holiday Village sits just 3 miles away, making it a reasonable option for families wanting easy access. Pair it with walks around Stonehenge or rambles in the New Forest nearby, and you've got a decent long weekend. On its own, though, it's bit limited for anyone over ten or looking for serious thrills.