Young adventurers will love exploring caves, discovering outer space at a planetarium and going on safari. And kids of any age will love the theme parks, water parks and zoo in this area.

Discovery

Blue John Cavern
Castleton, Derbyshire
Open 9.30-17.30 daily
Age All
Cost £18 family (2+2); £6.50 adult; £3.50 child (5-15)
Other infoFirst excavated by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago, the Blue John Cavern is a magnificent series of caves, the most notable being Waterfall Cavern, which features a massive stalagmite formation.
Call 01433 620638 or 01433 620642 for further details or visit the website

East Lancashire Light Railway
Bolton Street Station, Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Open Weekdays (August only), weekends and bank holidays from 9.00
Age All
Cost £7 adult (concessions for children, those under five go free)
Other info Return to the age of steam with a trip through the Rossendale Valley.
Call 0161 764 7790 (weekends) or 0161 705 5111 (weekdays) or visit the website

Jodrell Bank Science Park, Telescope and Planetarium
Near Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 9DL
Open 10.30-17.30 daily
Age All, but there may be little of interest for very young children
Cost Prices vary, but tend to be under £5 for adults, with concessions for children. Reduced price family tickets are available, but call for details. Children under five go free, but not in the Planetarium
Call 01477 71339 or visit the website

Play

Alphabet Zoo Adventure Play Centres
Wharf Road, Sale; King Street West, Stockport; Wharf Street, Ashton-under-Lyne
Open Daily
Age Small children
Cost £3 for one and a half hour's play; £1.50 for children under 4 before 15.00
Other info Alphabet Zoo offers specialised children's play facilities at three sites in Greater Manchester.
Call to confirm prices and opening times: 0161-973 9323 (Sale); 0161-477 2225 (Stockport); 0161-339 4491 (Ashton-under-Lyne)

Theme Parks

Blackpool Pleasure Beach (the roller coaster capital of the world)
Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool, Lancashire
Open Daily, times vary. Call for details
Age All
Cost £85 family of four; £70 family of three; £26 individual ticket
Other info The entry ticket provides unlimited access to the rides and attractions in the park. Height restrictions apply on some rides.
Call 0870 444 5566 or visit the website

Camelot Theme Park
Charnock Richard, Chorley, Lancashire
Open Daily from 10.00
Age All
Cost £47 family (2+2); £14 individual; children under one metre in height go free
Other info Based on the legend of King Arthur, this theme park, which was recently voted Lancashire family attraction of the year, has a special supervised safe-play area for very young children.
Call 01257 452100 or visit the website

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Days out - Northwest England