Days out with the kids in Bamber Bridge

Bamber Bridge gives you two very different afternoons. Withy Grove Park is the town's biggest green space and the one most families will use: one of South Ribble's flagship playgrounds, split into three age zones so toddlers are not flattened by ten-year-olds, and lit into the evening, which earns its keep once the clocks go back. Woodland, wildflower meadows and ponds fill out the rest, and parking is free.

The catch is that the cafe and toilets are not built yet, so plan the toilet stop before you arrive. For older children, TeamSport at Walton Summit runs indoor electric karting on two tracks: a main circuit over three floors and a starter track for families and first-timers. Drivers must be 8, spectators watch for free and parking is free. The price only appears once you start booking, so check that before you promise anyone a race.

Places in Bamber Bridge

Withy Grove Park

Bamber Bridge~50 min

★★★★★4.6(1,316)

Bamber Bridge's biggest green space, with one of South Ribble's flagship playgrounds in three age zones, lit into the evening, plus woodland, wildflower meadows and ponds. Free parking. The cafe and toilets are not built yet.

Free entry, free parkingAges 1-14

TeamSport Go Karting Preston

Bamber Bridge~50 min

★★★★★4.7(2,242)

Indoor electric karting at Walton Summit with two tracks: a main circuit over three floors and a starter track aimed at families and first-timers. Drivers must be 8, spectators watch free and parking is free.

Price not listed until you bookIndoorsAges 8-16

What’s on in Bamber Bridge

10 dated events coming up.

Also worth the drive

Not in Bamber Bridge, but close enough for a day out.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Blackpool~1 hr

★★★★☆4.3(35,528)

The big one. Nickelodeon Land covers the primary ages properly while the Big One and the wooden coasters wait for brave older kids. August queues are real; go in expecting them and it is a great day.

Wristbands - cheaper onlineAges 4-11

Blackpool Tower

Blackpool~1 hr

★★★★★4.5(18,434)

Tower Top's glass floor 380 feet up, a proper circus that still knows how to play to kids, and the famous ballroom below for a fancy ice cream. Buy the attractions you want rather than the bundle you will not use.

Per-attraction ticketsIndoorsAges 4-11

Sandcastle Waterpark

Blackpool~1 hr

★★★★☆4.3(8,767)

The UK's biggest indoor waterpark, kept at tropical temperature: proper toddler pools and mini slides at one end, big flumes at the other. Rainy-day Blackpool solved.

Book online - cheaperIndoorsAges 4-11

Blackpool Zoo

Blackpool~1 hr

★★★★★4.6(17,786)

Elephants, gorillas, giraffes and sea lions in 37 acres that are actually walkable with primary-age legs - big enough to feel like a full day, small enough that nobody ends up carried.

Book online - cheaperAges 4-11

Sea Life Blackpool

Blackpool~1 hr

★★★★☆4.4(11,062)

A solid seafront aquarium with an ocean tunnel and rockpool sessions - the reliable wet-weather hour when the beach plan falls apart.

Book online - cheaperIndoorsAges 4-9

Stanley Park

Blackpool~1 hr

★★★★★4.6(6,085)

Blackpool's grand free option: Italian gardens, a big boating lake, one of the best playgrounds on the coast and model boats on the lake. The antidote to a wristband day.

FreeAges 4-11

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

Burscough~40 min

★★★★★4.7(3,181)

Otters at feeding time, flamingos, pond dipping and a canoe safari through the reeds in season. One of those places that quietly turns a nature-indifferent child into a nature child.

Day ticket - WWT members freeAges 4-11

Windmill Animal Farm

Burscough~40 min

★★★★★4.7(1,883)

A friendly hands-on farm whose star turn is the miniature railway running out across the fields. Animal handling sessions, indoor play for wet spells, and it never feels too big.

Day ticketIndoorsAges 4-8