The 10 Best days out in the city

Find your inner Tarzan, get up close to the beasts of the jungle or explore some of the nation's leading museums and attractions

1. Hampton court, London

The last remaining Tudor palace was home to Henry VIII and the scene of many of the highs and lows of his reign. There are also stunning gardens designed by Capability Brown.

Adult £16.50, child £8.25 (under-fives free),

hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace

2. Cadbury World, Birmingham

It's not quite Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but you can discover the history, find out about the magic of chocolate and see how the yummy stuff is made. This summer, Sooty, Sweep and Soo will add to the entertainment.

Adult £14.95, child £10.95 (under-fours free), cadburyworld.co.uk

3. Glasgow Science Centre

Explore the three floors of the science mall, home to hundreds of interactive exhibits, a real laboratory and live science show theatre. There's also the new BodyWorks exhibition where you become the experiment and the scientist, as well as the planetarium and IMAX cinema.

Adult £9.95, child £7.95 (under-threes free), glasgowsciencecentre.org

4. Knowsley Safari Park, Liverpool

In spite of some of the understandable apprehension of lions roaming around so close to Liverpool, it's been a huge success. Also expect cheetahs, monkeys, giraffes, zebras, elephants and various antelopes, as well as rides.

Adult £16, child £12 (under-threes free), knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk

5. Go Ape, Trent Park, London

Head to north London and meet your inner Tarzan. Visitors can swing through the forest on zipwires, cross wooden walkways and bridges, tackle obstacles and leap off swings while enjoying some stunning scenery.

Adult £30, children aged 10+ £24, goape.co.uk/days-out/trent-park

6. St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff

For the past two years, this has been voted as the UK's most-loved museum by Which? Magazine and it's easy to see why. A fantastic 100-acre park on the edge of Cardiff, filled with rescued, restored and authentically furnished buildings from all over Wales.

Free, museumwales.ac.uk

7. Howletts Wild Animal Park, Canterbury

Howletts made news in the 1990s – a keeper was killed by a tiger. The big cats are thankfully not that close, and there are lots of other amazing animals.

Adult £23.95, child £19.95 (under-threes free), aspinallfoundation.org/howletts

8. Aberdeen Maritime Museum

This museum tells the fascinating story of the North Sea through fantastic exhibitions, interactive displays and multi-media presentations.

Free, aagm.co.uk/venues/aberdeenmaritimemuseum

9. Crook Hall and Gardens, Durham

This medieval manor house and its idyllic English gardens are just what the doctor ordered on a lovely sunny day. Soak up the atmosphere over a homemade cream tea in the pretty courtyard and watch your kids enjoy the maze.

Adult £6.50, child £5 (under-threes free), crookhallgardens.co.uk

10. London Sea Life Aquarium

Kids can follow a special superhero trail around the attraction this year, spotting creatures such as sharks, superfast swimming Gentoo penguins and green sea turtles who wear their skeletons on the outside.

Adult £15.53, child £11.25 (under-threes free), visitsealife.com/London