Animals. Action. Adventure.
Animals. Action. Adventure.
13 April 2026
Six weeks. Forty-two days. An eye-watering number of hours to fill, snacks to provide and “I’m bored” declarations to deflect. The summer holidays are wonderful and, if we’re honest, absolutely exhausting for parents trying to keep everyone entertained without spending over the odds.
The good news is that Warwickshire is genuinely brilliant for family days out. Whether you’re after a big adventure, gentle countryside, culture, history or just somewhere the kids can run wild for a few hours, there’s far more on your doorstep than you might think.
Here’s our roundup of the best things to do in the summer holidays with kids in Warwickshire from free days out to full-blown family adventures.
Summer is made for being outside, and Warwickshire has no shortage of beautiful green space to explore. Packing a picnic and heading out for a walk costs nothing and on the right day, with the right snacks can be genuinely memorable.
The county is criss-crossed with well-maintained footpaths and trails suited to families, ranging from gentle riverside strolls to longer countryside walks with plenty to spot along the way. Download a route before you go, pack more snacks than you think you need, and let the kids lead the way for a section – it’s amazing how much more engaged they become when they feel like they’re in charge.
Nature reserves and country parks are another great option for families who want the outdoors without committing to a full hike. Pond dipping, bug hunting, wildlife spotting – it’s the kind of low-cost, high-reward activity that works brilliantly for primary school age children especially.
Adventure, fresh air and great food – all in one place. At Hatton, you can explore Hatton Country World, take a scenic walk along Hatton Locks and finish the day with a proper meal at the Hatton Arms. Everything connected, everything on your doorstep. Prefer to bring your own? Pack a picnic and make a day of it at your own pace.
Warwickshire has a rich history and plenty of ways to explore it as a family. Local museums are often free or very low cost, and the good ones do a brilliant job of bringing history to life in ways that genuinely capture children’s imaginations – interactive exhibits, dressing up, hands-on activities and summer holiday trails that give kids something to focus on as they explore.
Heritage sites – castles, ruins, grand houses and their grounds are scattered across the county and offer something for every age. Younger children love the freedom to roam and explore wide open spaces, while older ones tend to get more from the history and storytelling side of things. Many run special events and activities during the summer holidays specifically designed for families, so it’s always worth checking what’s on before you visit.
Keep an eye on local council and tourism websites throughout the summer. There are often free or discounted family events, outdoor theatre performances and community activities that don’t get widely advertised but are brilliant when you stumble across them.
Sometimes the best summer holiday days are the simplest ones. A well-equipped local park, a bag of bread for the ducks and an ice cream on the way home can be every bit as satisfying, especially for younger children who really don’t need much to have a brilliant time.
Warwickshire’s towns and villages are well served with parks, many of which have been significantly upgraded in recent years with modern play equipment, splash pads and open grass for impromptu games. They’re free, they’re local and they’re reliably good for burning off energy on a sunny afternoon.
For a longer outdoor day, riverside walks are a lovely option – calm, scenic and easy to pace around the needs of the group. Older children can cycle alongside while younger ones travel in a trailer or buggy, making them accessible for mixed-age families.
Let’s be realistic! This is a British summer. There will be rainy days, and having a plan for them is half the battle.
Soft play centres are the obvious go-to for younger children and earn their place in every Warwickshire parent’s contacts list. For older kids, indoor climbing walls, bowling alleys, escape rooms and laser combat venues are all solid wet weather options that don’t feel like a consolation prize.
Libraries are criminally underused as a summer holiday resource. Many run free summer reading challenges and activity sessions throughout the holidays – brilliant for keeping reluctant readers engaged and completely free. Arts and crafts sessions, coding clubs and drama workshops also pop up at leisure centres and community venues across the county throughout summer.
At Hatton, we offer a rainy day guarantee, because a few clouds shouldn’t stand between your family and a great day out. Alongside all our outdoor adventures, we have a packed lineup of indoor activities to keep every age entertained. Toddlers and young children will love our soft play, with refreshments nearby to keep energy levels up. Settle in for one of our family theatre shows for laughs and entertainment the whole family can enjoy together. And for older kids and teens, escape rooms (part of Hatton Country World) and laser combat deliver the kind of excitement that makes a rainy day feel like a bonus rather than a disappointment.
Pick-your-own is one of those summer holiday activities that sounds simple and turns out to be genuinely brilliant. Getting children out into the fields, teaching them where food actually comes from and letting them fill their own punnet with freshly picked fruit is engaging in a way that’s hard to manufacture.
Strawberry picking is the real highlight of the summer season, typically running from late May through to August, with June usually being peak season when the berries are at their sweetest and most abundant.
Beyond the picking itself, many farm parks such as Hatton Adventure World combine the experience with a full day of family activities making it far more than just a trip to the fields. It’s worth looking for somewhere that offers broader entertainment alongside the picking, especially if you’re travelling with a range of ages.
Explore more on strawberry picking
When you want a proper, structured day out that caters for everyone from toddlers to teenagers, an adventure farm park is one of the best options going. The beauty of a good farm park is that it doesn’t ask your whole family to agree on a single activity. Instead, the day shapes itself: younger children head to the farmyard and soft play, older ones take on laser combat or an escape room (part of Hatton Country World), and everyone reconvenes for animal handling, a family theatre show or a spin on the fun fair rides.
It’s also brilliant value when you factor in everything that’s included. Rather than paying separately for multiple activities across the day, a single entry covers a full programme – meaning you’re not watching the clock.
We’re proud to offer one of Warwickshire’s most complete family days out right here at Hatton Adventure World. Alongside strawberry picking in season, you’ll find a farmyard, soft play, animal handling, family theatre, fun fair rides, laser combat and escape rooms (part of Hatton Country World) – all in one place, all included in your entry. Whether you’re looking for a gentle morning with little ones or a full day of high-energy adventure for older kids, there’s something here for every family.
Before you head out, a few things worth bearing in mind:
Mix it up. A week of big days out followed by a week of simple local adventures tends to work better than trying to plan something special every single day. Save the bigger trips for when energy and budget allows.
Book ahead for popular attractions. Summer is peak season across Warwickshire and the most popular days out fill up quickly, especially at weekends. Booking online in advance almost always saves money and guarantees your spot.
Get out early. Wherever you’re going, earlier is almost always better. Cooler temperatures, shorter queues and a more relaxed atmosphere make for a far more enjoyable experience and you’re home in time for an early tea, or round off the day the right way with a meal and drinks at the Hatton Arms.
Have a rainy day list ready. Check the forecast the night before and have a backup plan. It takes the sting out of a grey morning when you already know where you’re heading or ensure you go somewhere that offers you a rainy day guarantee, such as Hatton.
Lower the bar sometimes. Not every day needs to be an occasion. A garden paddling pool, a baking afternoon or a film and a duvet fort on the sofa can be just as cherished as the expensive days out. Children have a wonderful way of remembering the small things just as vividly as the big ones.
The summer holidays don’t have to be a logistical marathon. With a little planning and a good list of ideas in your back pocket, Warwickshire has everything you need for six weeks of genuinely brilliant family time.
And when you’re ready for a proper adventure day out, you know where we are.
Book your visit to Hatton Adventure World online and check strawberry picking availability while you’re there. Peak season goes fast.
