Funfair

The funfair at Minehead is one of those seaside institutions that's been pulling families through the gates for decades. It's the sort of place where the smell of candyfloss mixes with the screech of roller coaster brakes, and kids drag their parents from ride to ride without a moment's pause.

What you get is the traditional British seaside experience - dodgems, a big wheel with decent views over the seafront, log flumes, and enough spinning rides to make your head go properly dizzy. It's not theme-park scale, which is actually part of its charm. There's a retro feel to the whole thing, which works brilliantly if you want proper old-school fairground fun rather than something slick and corporate.

Families with children between five and fourteen will get the most from it. Younger kids have gentler rides, older ones can tackle the bigger attractions. Adults often find themselves enjoying the nostalgia factor - it feels like the funfairs they visited as children. If you're after a quiet, contemplative afternoon, give it a miss.

Since it's practically on the doorstep of Butlins Minehead, you could easily combine it with a holiday park stay. The proximity makes it ideal for an evening outing when the park entertainment isn't quite enough. Even Hoburne Blue Anchor, a few miles down the coast, is close enough for a day trip. Admission and ride costs vary depending on what you go on, so budget accordingly - it's not free, but individual ride tickets aren't extortionate.