Are we nearly there?
Where kids can walk tall this Bank Holiday Weekend
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Your support makes all the difference.Mullacott Miniature Ponies & Shire Horse Centre, Ilfracombe, Devon (01271 866877) Between horse and dray rides, ferret-racing and the red deer park, kids can see around 70 of the dwarfs and giants of the horse world. For younger children, lambs are fed each day in Pets Corner, while older children can take pony rides around the 160-acre farm (age five and above). From 10am. Adults pounds 4.50, three-to-16 years pounds 3.75, under threes free, concessions pounds 3.95. Pony rides (01271 866058) 1 hour pounds 10, 30 mins pounds 6.
Gnome Reserve, Holsworthy, Devon (01409 241435) Indulge in kitsch, don your gnome hat and meet the thousand-strong pixie and gnome community living in the four-acre beech wood (with stream). While your little goblins visit the Pixie House or fish for lucky numbers, you can relax in the Circle of Meditation or enjoy the 3,000 labelled varieties of wild flowers and herbs in the Wild Flower Garden. From 10am. Adults pounds 1.75, three-to- 16 years pounds 1.25, under-threes free, concessions pounds 1.50
Legoland, Windsor, Berkshire (0990 626375) The new boy on the miniature block, Legoland stretches the Lego theme almost to breaking-point in offering more than 40 attractions. With 20 million plastic bricks, "Miniland" kindles a Europhile instinct by recreating distinctive scenes from cities and countries all over Europe. Precocious boy (and girl) racers are put behind the wheel in the driving school, and Bill Gates wannabes learn how to operate Lego models in the computer control workshops. From 10am. Adults pounds 15, three-to-15 years pounds 12, under-threes free. Call 0990 626375 for credit card bookings.
Cumberland Toy & Model Museum, Cockermouth, Cumbria (01900 827606) Winner of a 1995 National Heritage Award, the museum encourages visitors to play with an historic range of interactive toys: classic Thirties Hornby train sets, early remote-control toys, Scalextric cars. The museum also has one of the world's best micro-model collections, dispersed amongst antique prams, doll's houses and rocking horses. From 10am. Adults pounds 2, four-15 years pounds 1, under-fours free, concessions pounds 1.80, family (two adults, two kids) pounds 5.60.
Mull Railway, Craignure, Isle of Mull (01680 300389) Catch a 45-minute ferry from Oban to the Isle of Mull and climb aboard the only 101/4in gauge steam train in Scotland. On the 20-minute trip to the Victorian Torosay Castle (gardens, a tea-room, a traditional weaver and silversmith) the train chugs through wonderful Mull scenery. Covered carriages provide shelter from the worst Bank Holiday weather. Train times: 01680 300389; ferry times: Isle of Mull Tourist Board, 01680 812377. Adult ferry return pounds 5.40, child pounds 2.70. Adult train return pounds 3, child pounds 2, family return (two adults, two children) pounds 7.50.
Mike Higgins
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