Unite Inflatable Zone

There's a sprawling inflatable park just outside Southport where kids can bounce, slide and generally exhaust themselves for a few hours. Unite Inflatable Zone is the sort of place that works brilliantly on a rainy afternoon when cabin fever's setting in - acres of bouncy castles, obstacle courses, and slides that actually feel reasonably well-maintained.

It's frankly a godsend if you've got children aged roughly four to twelve. Teenagers will find it a bit tame, and toddlers might struggle with some of the climbing elements. The beauty of it is you can leave them to burn off energy while you grab a coffee and actually read your phone for twenty minutes without interruption.

We'd recommend checking their website for current opening hours and admission prices before you go - these details shift seasonally and they sometimes run special sessions. Depending on how mad your lot are, budget two to three hours. Arrive early in the school holidays if you can; the place gets rammed with groups and birthday parties by mid-afternoon.

For a caravan holiday in the area, it pairs well with the Southport Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, which sits barely a mile away. If you're after something with a bit more comfort, Four Seasons Glamping and Riverside Holiday Park are both within five miles and offer a decent base for exploring the coast. The zone's close enough to Southport proper to nip into town for proper meals without it becoming a major expedition.