Top Ten Days Out

At Our place we’ve been researching the UK’s best days out. So whether you fancy a sumptuous afternoon tea in a stately home, a thrill ride on a rollercoaster or taking a trip back in history, we’ve got some great suggestions for you:

1. Victoria & Albert Museum
(02079 422000)
If you love the nostalgia of films check out the Hollywood Costumes display at the V&A Museum until 27 January 2013. The display explores the central role costume design plays in cinema storytelling. Bringing together over 100 of the most iconic movie costumes from across a century of film-making, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the clothes worn by unforgettable and beloved characters such as Dorothy Gale, Indiana Jones, Scarlett O’Hara, Jack Sparrow, Holly Golightly and Darth Vader
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2. Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
(08700 602080)
The 1760s landscaped parkland contains formal and pleasure gardens which are beautiful to wander through, plus miniature train, maze, butterfly house and a playground. An exhibition, Churchill’s Destiny, is displayed in the room where he was born. If you want to splash out and treat yourself why enjoy a luxury Winston Churchill Premier Tea: a Flute of Pol Roger Brut Reserve NV, Smoked salmon and cucumber blini, a selection of sandwiches, Blenheim scones with clotted cream and Estate jam, a selection of cakes and a pot of tea for £56.00 for two.*Subject to status
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3. The Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire
(01952 884391)
If you’re interested in British history, the Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire, offers a great insight into the Industrial Revolution. Whether it’s a trip out with the grandkids to Blists Hill, a lively reconstructed Victorian town with old-style shops and fairground or a walk over the famous Ironbridge itself, a day trip will give you a real insight into industrial Britain immortalised in the Olympics opening ceremony
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4. National Railway Museum, North Yorkshire
(08448 153139)
For railway enthusiasts get on track at the National Railway Museum in North Yorkshire. This is one of the best free museums in the country, where highlights include a Japanese bullet train, vast Chinese locomotive, Queen Victoria’s railway carriage and Mallard, once the fastest steam train in the world. It also has a model railway, outdoor play area and train-ride simulator together with a fairground ride. Choo, Choo!
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5. Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
(01246 565300)
Made famous in the recent TV documentary, Chatsworth House, Derbyshire offers an insight into the workings of a real stately home. This privately owned mansion with an art collection housed in sumptuous rooms, Chatsworth also boasts superb grounds containing maze, sculptures, ancient woodland, water garden and 1,000-acre park. For children, there’s a working farmyard and a large adventure playground
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6. Eden Project, Cornwall
(01726 811911)
On a chilly winter’s day, there’s no better place than the warm biomes of the Eden Project in Cornwall. One has a rainforest ecosystem, the other with Mediterranean trees and plants. Plus at the core of the attraction there’s a great education centre and wonderful gardens
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7. Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire
(01582 872171)
For animal enthusiasts, try Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire. One of Europe’s largest wildlife parks, with more than 2,500 animals, Whipsnade’s newest additions include Cheetah Rock and the Rhinos of Nepal. It’s also home to lions, lemurs and an indoor gym (chimpnasium) for acrobatic chimpanzees
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8. Brighton Palace Pier, East Sussex
(01273 609361)
For the child in you, why not take a trip down memory lane at Brighton Palace. This elegant, 19th-century pier offers adrenalin-fuelled rides such as Wild River Flume, The Crazy Mouse and Super Booster (where four passengers at a time are dropped 125 feet in three seconds, over the sea). There are also children’s rides, side stalls and a Palace of Fun arcade. Free entry, pay with tokens for individual rides. Kiss me quick hats cost extra!
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9. Discovery Point, Fife
(01382 309060)
In bonnie Scotland, we recommend Discovery Point. Follow the story of the Dundee-built RRS Discovery and Scott’s voyage to Antarctica in 1901 on a tour of the ship with the help of audio-visual shows, interactive exhibitions and original artefacts. Starting with the main deck of this three-masted sailing ship, you can get a taste of the adventurous voyages undertaken by her crew and the tough conditions in which they had to live and to work
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10. Big Pit Mining Museum, Torfaen
(01495 790311)
If you fancy going underground, the Big Pit Mining Museum is for you. Guided tours of the mine start with a 300ft descent