Family days out from Warrington, rain or shine

Warrington is a handy base for a few days away with children. Two of the easiest family days out are about 10 minutes from the town centre, and some of the North West’s bigger attractions are within about 40 minutes by car. Here is what’s close, what’s worth the drive and what to do when it rains, with rough drive times from the town centre outside the rush hour.

Close to home

Gulliver’s World (about 10 minutes). A theme park designed for children aged 2 to 13, with rides sized for younger thrill-seekers across themed areas such as Western World and Safari Kingdom. It isn’t open every day, so check the park’s opening calendar before you go. For its seasonal events, the park suggests booking early.

Walton Hall and Gardens (about 10 minutes). South of town, the Walton Hall estate makes an easy half day. The children’s zoo has alpacas, rescue donkeys, goats, pigs, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs, red squirrels and birds including peacocks, and it stays open in all weathers. Around it are an accessible playground, adventure golf, pitch and putt, woodland walks, a café and plenty of lawn for a picnic.

Parks and walks. For a run-around, Sankey Valley Park on the west side of town has flat paths along the old Sankey Canal. Lymm Dam, about 15 minutes away, has a path right round the lake, and Risley Moss near Birchwood has woodland trails, bird hides and picnic benches. Our weekend plan for Warrington has more on each of them.

Worth the drive

Chester Zoo (about 40 minutes). One of the UK’s biggest zoos, so plan a full day. There are several play areas, a boat ride and a number of indoor habitats, including a large tropical biodome, which helps if the weather turns. The zoo recommends booking in advance through its website.

Knowsley Safari (about 25 minutes). Near Prescot, just off the M57. You drive your own car round the Safari Drive, then park up for the Foot Safari, a walk-round area with animal talks and displays.

Blue Planet Aquarium (about 30 minutes). At Cheshire Oaks near Ellesmere Port, next to the Designer Outlet. It’s known for its sharks, and because it’s indoors and open all year, it works in any weather.

Tatton Park (about 25 minutes). Near Knutsford, Tatton has a farm with rare breed animals, a woodland play area, den building and children’s trails, alongside the mansion, gardens and parkland. You can book farm tickets online before you go.

Dunham Massey (about 25 minutes). A National Trust estate near Altrincham, with a large deer park where fallow deer roam, gardens to explore in every season and a house that opens in the warmer months. The Trust asks visitors not to feed the deer and to keep picnics to the garden.

Delamere Forest (about 30 minutes). Forestry England’s forest near Northwich has waymarked walking and cycling trails, a lake, an accessible play area, a family trail, cycle hire, Go Ape high ropes and a café. Go Ape sessions are booked separately with Go Ape.

Ideas for a rainy day

• Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, in the town centre. Entry is free, and alongside the natural history and art galleries it runs free craft activities for children.
• Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes, about 20 minutes away. A hands-on science centre beside the River Mersey, where children can film in a TV studio, make an animation or build a ball run. There are science shows too, and a glass-walled rooftop gallery looking out over the river and the Mersey Gateway Bridge. Workshops are for ages 8 and up. Details are on Catalyst’s website.
• LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester, at Trafford Palazzo by the Trafford Centre, about 30 minutes away. Indoor LEGO play, rides, a 4D cinema and a DUPLO area for little ones. Adults can only go in with a child, and the centre recommends booking online in advance to guarantee entry.
• Blue Planet Aquarium and the indoor habitats at Chester Zoo, both above.
• In town, Time Square has a Cineworld cinema and Gravity, a trampoline park, and Parr Hall puts on family shows through the year.

Making a few nights away easier

Days out are only half of a family trip. A few simple things make the evenings and mornings run more smoothly.

• Cook some meals in. Small children often need their tea earlier than suits a restaurant. A kitchen means easy breakfasts, packed lunches for the zoo and an early dinner back at the apartment before bath and bed.
• Separate bedrooms. With the children in their own room, the adults can stay up, talk and watch TV without whispering.
• Space to spread out. A living room and a dining table give everyone somewhere to play, draw or watch a film on a wet afternoon.
• Mix big days and easy days. Pair a long day at Chester Zoo or Knowsley with a gentler one at Walton Hall or Lymm Dam.
• Use arrival and departure days. With check-in from 15:00, arrival day suits something short close to town. With check-out by 11:00, you can fit Catalyst or Lymm Dam in on the way home.
• Check before you set off. Many attractions open on fewer days outside the school holidays, so look at each official website before you leave.

Staying with us

Children are welcome in both of our apartments in central Warrington, and both have two bedrooms. The Modern 2-Bed Flat with Flexible Beds sleeps up to 6. Each bedroom can be made up as a double or a twin, so the children can share a twin room, and two bathrooms make bath time and the morning rush easier. Its kitchen has a hob, oven, microwave and toaster.

The Stylish Central Warrington Stay sleeps 5. It has free parking for the days out, an open-plan living and dining room, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom with a bath as well as a shower.

To see live availability for your dates, use the booking form. For more ideas, see the families section of our Warrington guide, or our post on day trips from Warrington.