Paws n Klaws

You'll find Paws n Klaws just outside Glastonbury, a proper animal encounter spot that breaks up a Somerset holiday nicely. It's the sort of place where kids can actually touch and feed animals rather than just stare through fencing - alpacas, goats, rabbits, and various other creatures depending on what's on the day. The setup is fairly straightforward: you pay to enter and wander around meeting the animals, with staff on hand to explain things and help younger children with handling.

It works best if you've got children under ten who still get excited about close-up animal interaction. Adults without kids might find an hour enough; families usually stay two to three hours if they're taking it slowly. The walking's easy and flat, so no concerns there. Timing-wise, late morning is best - you'll avoid both the gates opening rush and the school groups that tend to pile in midday.

If you're basing yourself at Long Hazel Park or Thorney Lakes just down the road, Paws n Klaws makes a decent half-day activity when the weather's decent. It's casual enough that you don't need to book ahead, though it's worth checking their opening hours beforehand as they do close on certain days. Combine it with a walk around Glastonbury Tor afterwards and you've got a proper morning sorted.