Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

The petting areas here are genuinely decent - you can get proper close to alpacas, goats and various birds without the faffing about you get at some places. Noah's Ark Zoo Farm sits between Bristol and the Mendips, and it's the kind of spot where you won't spend eight hours wandering round, but two to three hours feels about right depending on the kids' patience levels.

It's animals rather than architecture that matters here. The layout encourages you to walk through enclosures, and there's enough variety that younger children stay engaged without getting overwhelmed by scale. The Ark itself is a hands-on experience rather than theatrical spectacle, which some families will prefer and others might find a bit basic.

Honestly, it works well as a half-day jaunt from Somerset Glamping - the proximity to Bristol makes it easy to slot into a broader trip without needing to plan around it like you would Colchester Zoo. On a decent day it's perfectly pleasant; in rain it's a slog because there's limited covered space. School holidays obviously get rammed.

The site doubles as a working farm, which adds a bit of authenticity you don't always find at theme-park zoos. Not a destination in itself if you're travelling far, but if you're based locally for a week? It'll do the job. Saves you having to entertain the children on day three when the novelty of the caravan's worn off.