Paramount Travel Ltd

Paramount Travel Ltd near Holmfirth is a working zoo that keeps things refreshingly low-key and genuine. You'll find farm animals and smaller creatures here rather than big cats or exotic showpieces - think goats, rabbits, birds, and the kind of animals kids actually enjoy getting hands-on with. The place has an old-school charm that feels miles away from the polished theme park zoos you find elsewhere.

This works best for families with younger children who want a couple of hours pottering about and maybe feeding some animals. Older kids might find it a bit slight, and it's absolutely not the kind of place for the Instagram crowd chasing lions. What it does do well is let you get genuinely close to the animals without the crowds or the premium ticket prices of bigger attractions.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Elland Hall Farm or Holme Valley are both under 4 miles away and solid options - this makes a decent rainy Tuesday morning visit rather than a main event. The Peak District and moorland walks around Holmfirth are the real stars of the show round here, so treat this as a gentle warming-up activity rather than the headline act. Check ahead before you visit as opening hours and admission details aren't widely publicised online.