The Pirate Park

The Pirate Park sits in Bracknell Forest, just a short drive from Windsor, and it's exactly what it sounds like - a play space with a proper pirate theme. Kids get to clamber over wooden ship structures, navigate rope courses, and hunt through themed play areas designed to look like a working dock or ship's hull. It's the sort of place where a five-year-old will lose track of time for a couple of hours, though teenagers might find it a bit young for them.

The whole thing is free to access, which is a decent surprise. You can wander in, let the kids burn off energy on the apparatus, and head out whenever you fancy. Allow a solid two hours if you've got little ones who like to properly explore rather than rush through. Peak times can get busy with school groups, so aim for quieter weekday mornings if possible.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Queens Acre or Cranbourne Hall are closest at just over two miles away - this makes an easy morning activity before heading off somewhere else. It won't fill your whole day, but as a free warm-up to a larger outing towards Windsor or deeper into the forest, it works well. The pirate theming is carried through properly without being overwrought, and the equipment looks genuinely well-maintained. Families with younger children will get the most from it; solo parents will appreciate the low cost and contained space.