Holmes Chapel, Cheshire
Just Kidding is the soft play on Holmes Chapel Business Park, a few minutes off the M6 and a sensible stop on the way back from Jodrell Bank. The junior frame, for up to 12s, is multi-level with a four-lane slide, a double sky glide, tunnels, monkey bars and a separate sports area. Toddlers get their own frame with a big ball pool and ball shower, and babies have a soft area of shapes, rockers and puzzles.
In term time it opens 9.15am to 5.30pm with no session breaks, so you can stay as long as you like, though a two-hour limit can come in when it is busy. Weekends, school holidays, bank holidays and inset days switch to four booked sessions, starting 9am, 11.15am, 1.30pm and 3.45pm. Term-time entry is £9.70 for anyone from 18 months to 12 with one adult free; peak is £12.20, or £15.70 with a meal.
What it costs: Off-peak (term-time weekdays): 0 to 3 months free, 4 to 17 months £5, 18 months to 12 years £9.70 play only, one free adult per booking, additional adults £2.50. Peak (weekends, school and bank holidays): 4 to 17 months £5.50, 18 months to 12 years £12.20 play only or £15.70 with a meal (a second, lower meal and play figure of £13.50 also appears on the page), adults £3. A JK Play Pass gives one adult and one child unlimited visits for 30 days for £40. Over 12s pay the adult rate.
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The Lovell Telescope is one of the largest steerable radio telescopes on Earth and it silences children on arrival. The First Light Pavilion and the new Curious Titans exhibition do the rest; the arboretum does the running about.
One email a week: what is on this weekend within a sensible drive, and the places worth booking before they go.