With so many attractions near London, it can take time to decide which to go to! That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top 7 family-friendly attractions you can drive to with your Dollar car rental in the UK. Whether you have young kids who adore animated cartoon friends and farm animals, older kids who are fascinated by military history, or you all love exploring wildlife, woodlands, steam trains, and carnival rides together, you’re sure to find an attraction you and your whole family will love on our list.
1. The British Wildlife Centre
Have you ever seen a red squirrel? With plenty of parking, the British Wildlife Centre is the perfect place to kick off your journey with your car hire in London. Out in the wild, the British Wildlife Centre is a fantastic place for a car journey. After all, you need a car near East Grinstead to reach the British Wildlife Centre.
But it’s not just about squirrels and trees – the British Wildlife Centre offers a variety of engaging wild activities. Throughout the day, you and your family can attend talks on foxes, owls, red deer, and even Scottish wildcats and otters! Open during weekends, bank holidays, and state school holidays, you can pre-book your visit until 9 am on the same day.
2. Epping-Ongar Railway
Because…who doesn’t love trains? Though the parking is a little more sparse at this ex-tube network railway, with parking available at stations along the route, the range of child-friendly and grown-up-friendly activities available more than makes up for this.
Young “squirrels” will love the Hey Duggee visit on the 30th of June, while Paw Patrol will be bounding into Epping-Ongar on the double on the 4th of August. You can jump in muddy puddles with Peppa Pig and George, too, on the 26th of August. And later on in the year, there’s the Autumn Diesel Gala, Fright Week, and the Santa Specials.
For those a little older, an Evening Real Ale Train will be steaming around on the 15th of June and the 21st of September, as well as a Real Ale and Cider Festival on the 26-27th of July.
3. Godstone Farm
Easily reached from Sussex, Surrey and Kent, Godstone Farm has something for everyone. If you decide to visit this place, you can check out all sorts of animals on the Farm Trail, Reptile House, and during Animal Interactions. You can also get some of that energy out after the drive to the Wiglets Play Village, outdoor play areas, and the Play Barn. When you get peckish, the Play Barn serves food and drink along with the Courtyard Kitchen and Topshop. If having your car hire in London for your day trip wasn’t enough, how about you pack a tent in the boot for a Big Farm Sleepover?
The Godstone Farm is just off J6 of the M25, so it’s handy enough by car.
4. Hollycombe Steam
While we are sure you’ve been to the odd merry-go-round or fair, we bet you’ve never seen one like this! Hollycombe Steam in the Country is a large permanent fairground with a difference – all their rides are authentic, vintage steam-powered!
