Hobbledown Adventure Farm Park and Zoo

You're driving through Chessington and spot the signs for Hobbledown - it's part petting farm, part zoo, and wholly aimed at families with younger kids who haven't quite graduated to the big attractions. The setup is straightforward: animals in enclosures, some you can touch and feed, plus the usual farm activities - tractor rides, play areas, that sort of thing. The zoo element is modest, nothing like you'd find at London Zoo or Colchester, but for under-eights it's more than enough to keep them entertained for a solid afternoon.

The real draw here is the interactive bit. Kids get hands-on with rabbits, guinea pigs, and goats - the tactile stuff that makes them remember the visit. There's also llama walking if you fancy it, which tends to be the highlight. The grounds are compact enough that you won't spend half your day trudging between enclosures, but spacious enough it doesn't feel cramped on busy days.

If you're camped nearby - Chessington World of Adventures Resort is just down the road at 1.4 miles, or the Walton on Thames Camping and Caravanning Club Site is a short drive away - Hobbledown makes a decent half-day filler. It's not a replacement for the theme park, more of a complementary stop when you want something lower-key. Preschoolers will get the most from it; older children might find it a bit basic. Allow two to three hours maximum. The site can get busy during school holidays, so aim for weekday mornings if you can.