Paddocks4Paws

You'll find Paddocks4Paws just outside Gloucester, a proper hands-on animal attraction where kids can actually interact with the residents rather than just gawk through fences. It's the kind of place where children get to feed and pet everything from goats to alpacas - the sort of activity that keeps them entertained for a solid couple of hours without requiring a second mortgage.

The paddocks themselves are well-kept, and the animals seem genuinely unbothered by visitors, which is refreshing. There's a real farm-yard feel to it all, none of that over-sanitised theme park atmosphere. Families with young children will get the most mileage out of a visit here. Older kids might find it a bit tame unless they're genuinely into animals, but primary school age tends to be the sweet spot.

You're looking at a couple of hours max to do the rounds, longer if you're the type to sit and chat with the staff about alpaca breeding or whatever else takes your fancy. Admission details aren't immediately clear from online sources, so ring ahead before you visit - saves a wasted journey.

It sits nicely alongside a Gloucestershire holiday, particularly if you're camping at The Riverside Caravan Park at The George Inn three and a half miles away. That combination of a quiet day with animals followed by a caravan evening works well for families after something low-key rather than theme park chaos.