Carisbroke Castle, Isle of Wight

English Heritage properties have a great selection of events. The Worst Days Out in History at Carisbrooke Castle on August 19-20 is delightfully disgusting. Kids can meet a 17th-century surgeon and try not to get too close to Milly Molly Manky and Nostridamus, the Singing Plague Victims. They’ll also find out who’s got the worst job in the castle – the rat catcher or the servant who empties the garderobes (medieval lavatories).

Adults £5.60, children £2.80, family ticket £14. Details: 01983 522107, www.english-heritage.org.uk.

AirSpace, Imperial War Museum Duxford

Take little plane-spotters to AirSpace, a £25 million exhibition which opens next Thursday telling the story of British aviation and displaying more than 30 aircraft, including icons such as the Vulcan, Lancaster, Swordfish, Spitfire, Sunderland, Harrier and Tornado, as well as missiles. There will also be lots of interactive exhibits including a hot-air balloon, aerofoil gloves and a flight simulator.

Adults £14.95, children under 16 free, 16-18 £8.50. Details: 01223 835000, www.airspaceduxford.co.uk.

Conkers, National Forest, near Ashby de la Zouch, Derbyshire

The Enchanted Forest is a giant interactive simulation of life in a forest. Climb through giant worm tunnels to find a vast spider’s web, enormous acorns and sycamore seed pods. There is also an adventure playground, assault course, steam train, plus special events, including arts and crafts.

Adults £6.70, children 3-15 £4.70. Details: 01283 216633, www.visitconkers.com.

Somerset House, London

The fountains in the courtyard are enough entertainment for most children on a hot day. But, having dried off, 6 to 12-year-olds can also take part in free family arts and crafts workshops on Saturdays. Details: 020-7845 4600, www.somersethouse.org.uk .

Camber Sands, East Sussex

One of the best beaches in southeast England, Camber Sands is ideal for kite and windsurfing or mucking about in the dunes. Events include Sand Dune detectives on August 3 – families can follow a detective trail and learn about coastal wildlife – and the Camber castle bug hunt on August 26. Details: 01273 481654, www.eastsussex.gov.uk.

Bowood House and Gardens, Calne, Wiltshire

Bowood’s owner, Lord Lansdowne, is worried that children spend too much time in front of computers. His antidote is a slightly scary (for parents anyway) adventure playground with a full-size pirates’ galleon, flume tubes, high-level rope walks, and Space Dive, a modern version of a Victorian slide which starts with a 19ft vertical drop. A nature trail traces its way across the park, landscaped by Capability Brown. Adults 7.70, children 5-15 £5.20. Details: 01249 812102, www.bowood.org.

Dinefwr park and Castle, Llandeilo, Camarthenshire

This 18th-century landscape park is home to more than 100 fallow deer and a small herd of cattle, but on July 29 it will play host to Paws in the Park, a sponsored walk for the Hearing Dogs charity.

Entry free for those taking part in the walk, £5pp. Otherwise £6 adults, £3 chidren. Details: 01558 823902, www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Black Isle Show, Muir of Ord, Ross Shire

The largest agricultural show in the north of Scotland includes displays of livestock, horses, goats and sheep shearing, plus more than 350 stands selling everything from food to agricultural machinery. There’s also entertainment from Joseph’s Amazing Racing Camels and Jason Smythe’s Adrenalin Tour, as well as a funfair and marquee dance.

August 1, adults £6, children £3; August 2 £10/£5. Details: 01463 870870, www.blackisleshow.info.

Drusillas Park, Alfriston, Sussex

Drusillas is a winning combination of zoo and theme park, although most children, unsurprisingly, head straight for the rides and the adventure playground. New this season is a Thomas the Tank Engine ride, big enough for adults, too, which chugs past other characters from the Island of Sodor. Children’s favourites, from SpongeBob SquarePants to the Tweenies, will making appearances every weekend.

Adults £12.95, children 2-12 £11.95, family of four £47.80. Details: 01323 874100, www.drusillas.co.uk.

Children’s Book Festival, Edinburgh

Book quickly if you want your youngsters to take part in any of the author-led workshops which take place daily during the festival from August 11-27. Jacqueline Wilson, Jeremy Strong, and the illustrator Nick Sharratt are among those entertaining the under12s; Chris Ryan and Louise Rennison for the teens.

Details: 0845 373 5888, www.edbookfest.co.uk.

Eureka! Museum for Children, Halifax

Dr Who fans can get their sonic screwdrivers out at the new TryScience exhibit. Disguised as a police call box, it brings together more than 30 interactive games and challenges from science centres worldwide. The museum is also turning its park and grounds into a beach from August 1 to September 3.

Adults £7.25, children over 3, £7.25. Details: 01422 330069, www.eureka.org.uk.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Infusion, the world’s first looping rollercoaster suspended entirely over water, is the new white-knuckle ride at the Pleasure Beach. Five loops and and a top speed of more than 50mph await children over 132cm (52in) tall.

Family tickets for the 125 rides cost £68.50 in August if booked online. Details: www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com.

Further information: Enjoy England and the National Trust have published a free child-friendly map featuring 90 of England’s top family attractions. Details: 0845 603 6956, www.enjoyengland.com/family.

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