Whipsnade Zoo

You'll need a full day here - Whipsnade spreads across 600 acres of Hertfordshire countryside just outside Dunstable, and there's genuinely too much to rush. It's a proper zoo, not a theme park pretending to be one, with actual conservation work backing up the animal encounters.

The big draw is space. Unlike cramped city zoos, the animals have proper room to move, which means you'll actually see them doing something rather than pacing. The big cats are magnificent if you time it right - early morning or late afternoon when they're active. Giraffes, rhinos, zebras roaming across open grassland. There's a monorail that takes the strain off your legs, though it's an extra cost and honestly, the walking is half the point.

Families with primary-school-age kids will get the most from it. Young children might find some sections a bit far apart; teenagers may well get bored with what is ultimately just watching animals, no matter how well-kept they are.

You're looking at four to six hours minimum. Admission isn't free, so check their website for current prices before you go. Spring and autumn are your best bets - summer gets rammed with school holidays, and winter closing hours cut your day short.

If you're camping at Merlin Farm, barely a mile away, you're perfectly positioned. The site's close enough that a half-day visit works, though the zoo really deserves more. Woodlands Caravan Site is also within spitting distance, making Whipsnade a natural anchor for a Chilterns-based holiday.