Wonderland

Wonderland is a theme park just outside Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, built on the kind of scale that makes you wonder what you're actually in for when you arrive. It's the sort of place where families pile out of the car expecting something quite specific - rides, shows, the usual theme park fare - and then have to work out what they've actually got. The park has rides and attractions dotted around, though "theme park" might be overselling it a bit depending on what you're after.

Kids will probably spend a couple of hours here if the rides are running and weather cooperates. It's worth calling ahead since opening hours and admission aren't straightforward, and you'll want to know if entry is free or what you're paying. Given it's a family-run operation rather than a big chain, expect something more intimate and less polished than Alton Towers - which can be either brilliant or disappointing depending on your mood.

The location works well if you're camping locally. Irongorge Camping and Worfe Camping are both five-star rated sites within a few miles, and Ted's Farm is equally close by. Pair Wonderland with a proper mooch around Coalbrookdale itself - the museums and gorge are genuinely worth your time in a way the park alone might not be. Ring them before you go. Seriously.