Aqua Park Alton

Getting wet at Aqua Park Alton beats queuing at theme parks any day. It's an inflatable water park - think giant bouncy castles, slides and obstacle courses all floating on the water - about three miles east of Ipswich, making it a proper laugh for families who want to burn off energy without the crowds. The setup changes seasonally, so you get different challenges depending when you visit. Kids aged five to fifteen will get the most out of it, though toddlers have their own softer zone if you're bringing the whole crew. Bring a change of clothes, a towel you don't mind getting mangled, and arrive early because spaces fill up fast on summer weekends. It's not free - you'll pay per session - but it's cheaper than most attraction days and you can easily spend two to three hours messing about. The real beauty is that it works brilliantly as a half-day activity between visiting the nearby holiday parks. Strangers Holiday Park and Priory Park are both within three miles, so you could do the water park in the morning, lunch back at your caravan, then explore Ipswich's town centre or countryside walks in the afternoon. Weather dependent, obviously - you won't fancy it if rain's hammering down - but on a warm day it's one of those simple, knackering-kids-out activities that actually works. Check their website for current prices and booking before you head over, as opening times are seasonal.