Fairfield Animal Centre

The animals here range from farm types to more exotic breeds, and it's the sort of place where kids can actually get close to things rather than squinting across an enclosure. You're looking at a working animal centre near Westbury, so it has that genuine, slightly ramshackle quality you either find charming or a bit rough around the edges depending on your mood.

It's geared squarely at families with younger children - the hands-on element matters more than the spectacle. You won't see lions or elephants, but you might feed goats or watch people work with the animals, which honestly holds attention better than you'd think. How long to budget depends on the kids: an hour is probably realistic if they're not the overly chatty sort, though some families stretch it to two.

Practical information is thin on the ground - admission details aren't widely listed online, so ring ahead before driving over. The centre is barely two miles from Westbury town centre, which makes it convenient if you're staying at any of the nearby caravan parks like Widbrook Barns or Stowford Manor Farm. Brokerswood Holiday Park is also close if you're looking for a base.

It's not a destination you'd travel hours for, but if you've got a holiday booked within spitting distance and the weather's reasonable, it fills a morning sensibly. The novelty wears off faster for teenagers, but under-tens generally leave happy.