ZooTown

ZooTown sits within Greater London, offering the sort of animal encounter that works best if you've got young kids in tow and a couple of hours to kill. It's not on the scale of somewhere like London Zoo proper, but it delivers enough to keep primary-school-age children entertained without breaking the bank.

The setup is straightforward: you wander through enclosures, see what animals they've got on the day, and the kids point at things. Some attractions like this nail the educational angle; others feel a bit thin. What you get depends entirely on which animals are out and the mood they're in - which is fair enough, really.

If you're staying at Lovat Parks just down the road (2.9 miles away), this could slot nicely into a half-day plan, particularly if the weather's decent and you need a break from the caravan. It's the sort of place where an hour and a half covers the lot, so don't block out your whole morning expecting a major outing.

Best for younger visitors aged 4 to 10, honestly. Teenagers will find it a bit thin unless they're genuinely animal-mad. Check ahead on their website or ring them about opening hours and admission prices before you head over - details can shift seasonally. The proximity to London means it works as an easy fallback plan if you're in the area and need something low-key.