W H Marshall

W H Marshall sits just outside Shipley in West Yorkshire, and it's one of those places that's been around so long it feels like it's always been there. The theme park has the sort of rambling, slightly worn charm that appeals to families after a proper change of scenery from the usual big commercial parks. You get the rides, the arcades, the dodgems - the standard fare - but it's all delivered with a local flavour that makes it feel less manufactured than the glossy chain attractions. Kids will burn off energy for a good couple of hours here, especially on a decent day when you can actually queue without freezing. The surrounding area is proper Yorkshire - moorland and valleys - so there's genuine walking to be had if you fancy stretching your legs between rides. If you're staying at Elland Hall Farm Caravan Park five miles down the road, you could slot this in as a half-day activity without it taking over your whole itinerary. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's a solid option if you've got children aged roughly five to twelve. The admission and opening hours aren't immediately obvious online, so ring ahead rather than turning up and finding it closed. Best visited on a weekday if you can manage it - weekends draw the school run crowds and the queues become tedious for such a modest setup.