A fun day out for children, especially since the emphasis is on close contact with the animals. Youngsters can hold newly-hatched chicks, take a pony ride and help to feed the animals. All your familiar farmyard friends are here, and some less familiar in the form of rare breeds. There are also demonstrations of traditional crafts associated with the farm, such as wool spinning. The farm is both interesting and educational and parents should enjoy it too.

This 80-hectare (200-acre) safari park is located less than a 60-minute drive from Birmingham. It will take you about an hour to drive through the animal reserves, where you can see elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions, monkeys, wallabies and tigers. The amusement park has many different rides, and a wristband ticket that gives you access to all of them. Other attractions include a seal aquarium, reptile house and sea lion show. There are also plenty of themed places to eat and buy souvenirs.

A short drive north-east of Birmingham brings you to this well-respected zoo known as Twycross Zoo on the Warwickshire/Leicestershire border. It is home to a wide range of animals and places a strong emphasis on conservation. Its breeding programs for endangered species are helping to conserve wild species on the brink of extinction. Animals range from lions to parrots and there is a playground and picnic area as well as a gift shop. There are also feeding shows, special exhibitions and regular talks during the summer season.