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Days Out with Dad

In the current age of equality, working mothers and divided families, men are taking a much more proactive role in caring for and entertaining the children. To help all of you doting Dads decide what to do with your offspring (of whatever size!) while they are in your care, we have put together some helpful hints for things to do in the glorious city of Bath and the surrounding area.

Traditionally known as a romantic destination for couples and a fashionable place for celebrities to be seen, Bath is less well known as a destination suited to families of all shapes and sizes. However, there is a lot to do, and lots of fun to be had!

The American Museum
This summer, the American Museum in Britain at Claverton has opened a brand new, interactive exhibition 'The American Heritage Exhibition', offering Dads the chance to help their children have fun discovering answers to puzzles, viewing films and using touch screens. Have a go at a paper rubbing of a cattle brand or show off your skills on a virtual quilt. The American Museum also regularly stages reconstructions of periods of American history in their glorious grounds - cowboys and Indians - perfect for a boys day out!

Castle Combe Race Track
The Castle Combe Race track is just a few miles away - why not go for a day's driving or watch an exciting event? With a jam packed programme of events happening throughout the year, there is sure to be something for the whole family to enjoy - fast racing cars and motorbikes, classic cars and rallies. If you really want to show your kids what you can do, let them watch out for you as you race around the track on an Action Day, when you can buy 15 minutes track time for you and your beloved car.
Farleigh Hungerford Castle
Farleigh Hungerford Castle is an impressive castle hiding a sinister past. Visit the chapel for medieval wall paintings & take a look into the crypt! Throughout the year history comes alive with an extensive programme of living history, military re-enactments, music and drama. Events at the castle this summer include 'Knights Trails for Children' and 'Medieval Life' re-enactments - great fun for a Dad's day out.

Roman Baths
In the centre of the city, the Roman Baths is the iconic attraction in Bath, with over 2,000 years of history, brought to life by audio tours - one for the children, and one for you. As you enjoy browsing the fascinating displays, learning the intriguing history of the ruins and monuments, your children will be entertained by Belator, a Celtic boy who just hates cleaning out the furnace and Apulia, a slave girl from Italy who has a gift for dressing her mistress's hair. Before your visit, why not start the visit early? Show your kids the Children's pages of the Roman Baths Website - full of games, fun and interesting facts about the Roman Empire.

Avon Valley Country Park
Avon Valley Country Park is a great day out for Dads and their children, with the main features including a large adventure play area with drop slide, bouncy castle and ball pond. A nature trail with assault course with lots of different friendly animals, boating lake, mini-quad bikes, falconry displays, large undercover soft play area, plus indoor play barn. mini-steam train rides, boat trips, cafe, picnic & BBQ area.
Avon Valley Railway
Dads will love taking their children on restored diesel engines on the Avon Valley Railway and travelling to the edge of the scenic Avon Valley. At the end of the line, you have a choice - either come back by train, or by boat along the Avon! Based at Bitton Station, which has been painstakingly restored to its former glory, the Railway also hosts a huge amount of events, from 'Days Out with Thomas' where the children can meet their favourite TV characters, to 'Santa Specials' when the children can take the train to meet the main man himself!

Longleat
Voted 'UK Family Attraction of the Year 2002' by the Good Britain Guide, Longleat is a great place to entertain the children for a whole day. Experience incredibly close encounters with the world's most magnificent animals including lions, tigers, rhino and giraffe in the UK's original Safari Park.
Get lost in the 'Longleat Hedge Maze', voyage on the Safari Boats, journey on the Longleat Railway, discover the treasures and heirlooms within Longleat House and much, much more.

The Egg Children's Theatre
Another great idea for Dads wanting to give their kids a treat is to take them to a show at the 'Egg', Bath Theatre Royal's award-winning theatre especially for children, young people and their families. Spend a couple of hours laughing, clapping and participating in shows brought to the Egg by the leading performers in this field. Complete your visit afterward, with refreshments in the family-friendly cafe on the ground floor.
Bath Boating Company
Dads, show off your strength and stamina, and let the children see what a man you are by rowing, punting or canoeing them down the river! Boats can be hired from Bath Boating Company, and with a great family friendly pub at the furthest end of the boating area (where you can get some rest and much needed refreshment!), it's a lovely day to spend on the river, in the great outdoors - you may even spot some interesting wildlife along the way.

Royal Victoria Park
For a fantastic day out in fine weather, Royal Victoria Park is the perfect place to take children. This Green Flag award winning park is home to a huge children's play park, and the ideal place for a picnic. Other features that will keep them occupied all day long, include a bird aviary, beautiful bedding displays, a boating pond, tennis courts, a bowling green, and 12 and 18 hole approach golf courses. The incredible children's play area is extremely popular, and includes thrilling and imaginative equpiment grouped roughly according to age group. There are slides, swings, elaborate climbing frames, a sand pit, tunnel slides, a large tyre swing and much more. A skateboard area satisfies the needs of any budding skating pro, and a refreshment

If these ideas are not enough, there are many more ideas for days out in Bath and the surrounding area, family friendly places to eat and even places to stay on the 'Family Friendly Bath' section of the official destination website. If you plan to stay in the area, the website provides a hassle free, easy way to book, at any time of day or night.

See www.visitbath.co.uk/family-friendly

Alternatively, helpful, friendly advice can be found at Bath Tourist Information Centre. For advice on days out contact Bath Tourist Information Line: 0906 7112000 (50p/min), or to book attraction tickets, events, and accommodation phone: 0844 847 5257 (national rate).

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Notes to Editors

Further Information
For further information please contact Lucy Weaver at Bath Tourism Plus on 01225 477441 or by email on: lucy_weaver @bathtourism.co.uk

Bath Tourism Plus
Working with the public and private sectors Bath Tourism Plus takes full responsibility for co-ordinating the work of a busy tourist information centre, the marketing of Bath and the surrounding area to leisure and business travellers, PR activity to attract the nation's top travel writers, a conference office and development of Bath's official tourism internet site www.visitbath.co.uk. Its primary objective is to optimise the value of tourism for members and partners.

Featured Tourism Businesses
Details and links to all of the featured tourism businesses can be found on the official destination website for Bath: www.visitbath.co.uk