Pets Corner

A small zoo right on Leicester's doorstep where you can get hands-on with animals rather than just stare through glass. Pets Corner is the sort of place where kids actually remember what they've seen because they've fed a goat or stroked a rabbit, not because they've read a placard about endangered species. The collection is modest - expect domestic and farm animals alongside a few exotic residents - but that's rather the point. You're not here for a full day of wandering; two hours maximum does it justice, though younger children seem to lose track of time completely.

It works brilliantly as a half-day stop if you're camping at Bradgate Park or Cossiwild Camping nearby, both within a short drive. After an afternoon here, the kids are usually ready for dinner and bed, which is exactly what a holiday needs. The admission is reasonably priced and there's a decent tearoom if the novelty wears off faster than expected. Best time is weekday mornings when it's less rammed and the animals are actually awake. Weekends pull in school groups, and the place loses its charm under that kind of footfall. Worth the detour if you've got under-eights in tow and you're basing yourselves around Leicester for a week. Adults without children might find it a bit thin on substance, but for families wanting something low-key and accessible, it does the job.