Penguins- Whipsnade Zoo

The penguin enclosure at Whipsnade Zoo, just outside Dunstable, is genuinely one of the better reasons to spend a day at the place. You get a proper close-up view of them waddling about - mostly King and Gentoo penguins if memory serves - and they're far more entertaining than you'd expect, especially if you time it right for feeding time when they actually move at speed.

It's the sort of thing that holds kids' attention for a solid hour without complaints, though adults might find themselves lingering longer than anticipated. The birds have decent space to swim and loaf about on rocks, and the zoo's set-up means you're not craning your neck at odd angles to see them properly. On quieter days you can actually watch their behaviour without being jostled by school groups.

The penguin section works well as part of a broader zoo visit - you wouldn't drive all the way out here just for the penguins, but they're a highlight worth building your route around. The wider zoo has enough to fill most of a day, especially with younger children. Whipsnade's sprawling Hertfordshire setting means you can combine it with time at one of the nearby campsites like Merlin Farm or Woodlands, both within a couple of miles, making it a proper base for exploring the Chiltern Hills without feeling tied to one spot.

Visit when the gates open, not on school holidays if you can help it. The crowds make the whole experience less pleasant.