Worcester Woods Kids Fun Park

A couple of miles outside Worcester, this place is basically an outdoor playground for kids who've got too much energy and nowhere to burn it. You've got climbing frames, slides, swings, and the sort of equipment that makes parents either relax with a coffee or nervously hover nearby depending on their child's recklessness.

The main appeal is straightforward: it's a free or cheap way to let children run around properly without concrete and traffic. There's grass, there are things to climb on, and for about an hour or so kids will be thoroughly occupied. Don't expect elaborate theming or queues or any of that theme park nonsense - this is honest, no-frills fun. Toddlers will manage fine on the smaller bits, while older kids might find it less gripping once they've had a go on everything.

If you're camped at Ketch Caravan Park or Worcester Glamping - both just a few miles away - it's a decent way to break up a rainy afternoon or burn off steam before bedtime. The walk from those sites is manageable. Bowbrook Lodges, further out at five miles, might be worth the drive if you're staying there.

Worth knowing: bring a picnic or grab something in Worcester first, as I'd be surprised if there's much in the way of facilities on-site. Late afternoon tends to be quieter than weekends, which matters if you value a bit of peace. It's the sort of place that does exactly what it says - nothing more, nothing less.