Farm · 10:00–13:15 (3h15m)
Smithills Open Farm
Tractor ride, pets corner and the outdoor playground; lunch and farm ice cream on site.
An indoor and outdoor farm in Bolton.
PaidIndoors & out
- Café on site
- Toilets
- Parking
Photo: David Dixon
A gentle day built around a working dairy farm, where toddlers can feed animals, take a tractor ride and see the cows milked. After lunch, a short drive takes you to wide woodland paths for a nap-friendly buggy walk.
One dayToddlersCost ££10:00–15:452 stops
The plan
- 10:001
- 13:452
Nature & gardens · 13:45–15:45 (2h)
Haigh Woodland Park
An easy woodland stroll; refuel at the Kitchen Courtyard before home.
An outdoor nature reserve in Wigan, aimed at ages 4 and up.
FreeOutdoors- Pushchair friendly
- Baby changing
- Café on site
- Toilets
- Accessibility
- Parking
- Dog friendly
Photo: Mark Anderson
More days out in North West
North WestA wet day of free museums in Manchester
Manchester city centre
Three free museums and galleries that keep everyone dry and busy, from steam engines and science in Castlefield to dinosaurs and live animals on Oxford Road. Finish with a calm hour among the art and trees at the Whitworth.
Science and Industry Museum → The Manchester Museum → The Whitworth
One dayAll agesRainy dayFree
North WestCastle playground and a lake steamer near Penrith
Penrith / Pooley Bridge
A morning on the turrets, tunnels and slides of one of the biggest adventure playgrounds in the country, set among castle ruins and gardens. In the afternoon, step aboard a heritage boat on Ullswater for fell views from the water.
Lowther Castle & Gardens → Ullswater Steamers
One dayAges 3–7Sunny dayCost ££
North WestHeaton Park and a bus museum on a budget
North Manchester
Manchester's largest park gives you farm animals, playgrounds and a boating lake without paying for entry. After lunch, swap the outdoors for a hangar full of old buses and trams, where accompanied children get in free.
Heaton Park → Museum of Transport
One dayAll agesFree