Waterworld

Waterworld sits just outside Stoke-on-Trent and is one of those places that divides opinion sharply. It's a water park - slides, pools, wave machines, the works - and it can be a right laugh if you time it correctly, which means avoiding school holidays at all costs. The main appeal is obvious: kids get to burn energy in the water, adults get to supervise from the sidelines with a coffee, everyone leaves exhausted. On a quiet weekday in term time, it's genuinely decent. Come half-term or summer and you'll be queuing for everything.

Families with children aged five to fourteen will get the most mileage here. There are shallow areas for younger kids, proper slides and wave pools for the braver ones, and lazy rivers for anyone who just wants to float about. Teenagers might find it a bit tame unless they're genuinely into water sports.

Both Luzlow Caravan Site and Glamping at Holly Grove Farm sit within easy driving distance - neither more than five miles away - which makes it a reasonable half-day activity if you're staying locally. It's the sort of place that works well as a rainy-day backup or a morning outing before heading elsewhere.

Budget two to three hours maximum. Longer and you're just repeating the same slides. Check ahead on crowds before booking - a sunny Tuesday in September is your sweet spot. Prices vary seasonally, so it's worth checking their website for current rates and any package deals with local caravan sites.