Safari Park

The drive-through safari at Longleat is the sort of thing that sounds gimmicky until you're actually doing it - then it becomes rather brilliant, especially if you've got restless kids in the tow. You wind slowly through the Wiltshire countryside in your own car while zebras amble past your window and monkeys eyeball your roof rack with concerning interest. It's Africa without the 14-hour flight, though admittedly with rather more English drizzle.

What you get is a proper encounter with animals that would normally demand a pair of binoculars and a lot of patience. Giraffes, rhinos, lions - they're close enough that you understand why the car doors stay locked. The whole circuit takes a couple of hours if you're not rushing, and there's a walking section at the end where you can actually get out and stretch your legs among the smaller creatures.

Families will find it absorbs an afternoon without question. Teenagers might find it a bit slow unless they're genuinely animal-mad, but younger kids tend to be transfixed. The proximity to Center Parcs Longleat Forest and the Caravan Club site means you can easily tuck it into a longer holiday - Warminster itself is the nearest town for supplies and a decent meal afterwards.

Timing matters. Go early in the day when the animals are most active, and avoid weekends in summer if you can. The whole experience sits alongside the main Longleat House attractions, so you could pack both into a single visit if you're thorough.