* The South West Trains Summer Ticket is permitted on off-peak services from Sat Jul 26 until Fri Aug 22. Travel is valid between any two South West Trains served stations. Exceptions apply to stations west of Salisbury (Tisbury to Exeter St Davids or Warminster to Bristol Temple Meads inclusive). The ticket price excludes cross-Solent travel to/from the Isle of Wight. See the South West Trains website for full terms and conditions.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Portsmouth Harbour has been a vital strategic port for the British navy for centuries and is home to Nelson’s HMS Victory, the submarine HMS Alliance and the Mary Rose Museum, among many other naval vessels and galleries. Visit individual attractions or buy a day ticket and see the lot, including the lively interactive museum Action Stations.
TRAIN TO Portsmouth Harbour
Legoland
This vast theme park is packed full of activities for children of all ages. There’s the Duplo rides and Miniland model village for babies and toddlers, while plucky under-10s can drive their own Lego car or be a hero in the Fire Academy. For pre-teen invaders there’s a chance to brave the Viking Splash and the Dragon rollercoaster.
Plan your route around the park with rest stops in time to catch the puppet shows, Lego animations and stunning live stunt performances to make the most of your day.
TRAIN TO Windsor & Eton Riverside then shuttle bus
Box Hill
For centuries, this spot on Surrey’s North Downs has been praised for its breathtaking views and celebrated in literature, and played a starring role in the 2012 Olympics cycling road races.
It’s managed by the National Trust and there are nature trails to explore, walks on the slopes and along the River Mole, and a lovely breeze perfect for flying a kite. If you forget yours, you can borrow a kite from the shepherd’s hut.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill
TRAIN TO Box Hill
Photo: James Brittain Hampton Court Palace
The palace offers three different days out in one: a stroll in the beautiful formal gardens and a chase around the famous maze, a journey through the elegant apartments of history’s great kings and queens, or simply a chance to let the kids borrow a gown from the dressing-up store at the entrance and stomp around the palace pretending to be Henry VIII.
www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace
TRAIN TO Hampton Court
Oceanarium
Bournemouth’s aquarium is a bright and fascinating place to visit. Come face to fin with sea life from all over the world, say hello to the turtles and take a walk through the Great Barrier Reef tunnel to get close to some of the most beautiful fish from the world’s seas and rivers.
TRAIN TO Bournemouth
Dinosaur Museum
Dorchester is the gateway to the World Heritage Jurassic Coast – the southern edge of Dorset where it’s still possible to go on a fossil hunt and make stunning finds.
The Dinosaur Museum is an ideal starting point for getting into the prehistoric mood, with fossils and skeleton finds, life-size reconstructions of dinosaurs and lots of hands-on activities to try. Unlike other similar attractions, here little hands are very welcome to touch as well as look!
http://www.thedinosaurmuseum.com
TRAIN TO Dorchester South
Corfe Castle
The rugged remains of this old fortress stand dramatically on the Isle of Purbeck, where visitors of all ages can still get a sense of what the castle would have been like in all its glory in the 11th to 13th centuries.You can spend the day imagining as you walk along its ruined walls and clamber over the stones. There are often activities to join, and in the town below there’s a lovely model village replicating the area in miniature form.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle
TRAIN TO Wareham then bus
Family days out for £15 return with South West Trains
With a wealth of great attractions within easy reach of London by train, getting there is half the fun for the kids
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Whether you want a simple bucket-and-spade day trip or something that will keep little minds buzzing through the school holidays, the South West Trains Summer Ticket* lets you plan a special day without busting your budget.
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