Wookey Hole, Somerset

We were camping in Somerset over half term and were fortunate to have nice weather for most of the week.  But we did have one very wet day - so off we trooped to Wookey Hole.

I wasn't sure quite what to expect as the tourist leaflet was very muddled and probably doesn't sell it as well as it could but I have to say that this was a great choice to stay out of the rain as it really was a full day attraction mostly undercover.

We went to the caves first - which we enjoyed (although perhaps not as spectacular as some) with clever use of lighting to add to the atmosphere.

Wookey Hole caves - courtesy of  'I Like' (Flickr)

On completing the caves tour, you come out into the valley which is really pretty if the weather allows you to enjoy it.

The path takes you through the dinosaur garden...... including King Kong (?)!

You then enter the indoor attractions which include several soft play areas, a mirror maze, old circus exhibits and old 'pier' display full of antique penny machines (this last section could cost quite a bit - but our children are used to being told that there is no more money to spend!).

The largest soft play area is supposed to be for the over 4's but my quite able 3 year old used it with no problems. There is a smaller area for younger children and a further air cannon area which seemed to fascinate the boys in particular!

 

This must be what it is like to have sextuplets!

There is also a circus show 3 times a day at the weekends and school holidays.  We weren't expecting much but it was genuinely really very good.  The show was put on by local young people who had trained 3 times a week over a couple of years to master the unicycles, juggling, acrobatics, trapeze etc.  They have obviously worked hard and it was a joy to watch them.

We took a picnic which we ate in the car - but be warned - to enter and exit the main area you are taken through the shop (these people aren't silly are they?!).  However, we have perfected the hustle the children through quickly approach and managed to get through unscathed!

It is also worth picking up a leaflet at the tourist information centre if you think you might visit during your stay in Somerset as ours contained an additional discount voucher which meant that we made a small saving on the family entrance price.

It is quite an expensive day out if you are a larger family but we arrived just after it opened at 10am and left around 4pm so that to me makes Wookey Hole a great all day wet weather attraction.