1 / 6Leicestershire packs a lot into the East Midlands: great apes and Gruffalo trails, rockets and planetariums, steam trains, free-roaming deer and rainforest parrots. Whether you want an all-weather indoor adventure or a big green space to let the kids run wild, here are the family days out worth planning your weekend around.
🎟️See things to do in Leicestershire on GetYourGuide →Twycross Zoo & The Gruffalo Discovery Land
A large zoo on the Leicestershire/Warwickshire border at Twycross, famous as home to all four great ape species alongside hundreds of other animals. Kids love spotting gorillas, orangutans and meerkats, then burning off energy at the splash pad, indoor soft play, outdoor play areas and the themed Gruffalo Discovery Land trail. A paid ticket includes 12 months of free return visits, so one day out can turn into a year of them.
National Space Centre
In Leicester, the National Space Centre is the UK's largest space-themed attraction, with six interactive galleries, real rockets and lunar artefacts, a towering 42m Rocket Tower and the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium. Hands-on space exhibits, astronaut gear and an immersive planetarium show make it a huge hit with school-age kids, and entry can be upgraded free to an annual pass.
Great Central Railway
Based at Loughborough (with a station at Leicester North too), the Great Central Railway is a preserved heritage line running double-track main-line steam and diesel journeys. Real steam-train rides, engine sheds to explore and family galas thrill train-mad children, and family tickets cover two adults and children for an easy day out.
Bradgate Park
Set in Charnwood Forest near Newtown Linford, Bradgate Park is an 850-acre free-to-enter medieval deer park with roaming red and fallow deer, the Old John folly tower and the ruins of Lady Jane Grey's childhood home. Free entry, wild deer to spot, streams and rocks to scramble on and huge open space make it perfect for active families, with tearooms and a free visitor centre on site (parking is paid).
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre & Country Park
Near Market Bosworth at Sutton Cheney, this heritage centre and country park brings the 1485 Battle of Bosworth to life with an exhibition, a 2.2km battlefield trail, country walks, a cafe and events. Kids can try on replica helmets and chainmail, have a go at a longbow and follow the audio battlefield trail, and the Discovery Zone for younger children is free.
Tropical Birdland
At Desford, Tropical Birdland is a 6.5-acre bird park and parrot sanctuary home to more than 250 birds, including free-flying parrots, macaws, toucans, cockatoos and owls, plus walk-through aviaries. Free-flying parrots that land on you along the Parrot Path are the star attraction, alongside an outdoor adventure playground, chick-hatching in season and a covered picnic area; under-4s go free.
Conkers
In the National Forest at Moira, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Conkers is a 120-acre indoor-and-outdoor discovery attraction with interactive exhibits, a 4D cinema, soft play, adventure play areas, woodland walks and the Conkerchoo train. The Enchanted Forest indoor play, Billy Bonkers soft play, a splash park and an assault-course trail, plus the free train between the two centres, make it a genuine all-weather day out; under-3s go free.
Tips for a family day out
- Check for free return visits. Twycross Zoo and the National Space Centre both let you convert a day ticket into 12 months of visits, so keep your receipt.
- Pack for the weather. Bradgate Park and Bosworth are largely outdoors, while Conkers and the Space Centre have plenty of indoor cover for a rainy day.
- Budget for parking. Some sites, such as Bradgate Park, are free to enter but charge for parking, so carry a card or coins.
- Go early at weekends and holidays. Soft play, splash pads and popular animal talks fill up fastest first thing.
- Bring a picnic. Several sites have covered or outdoor picnic areas, which keeps costs down on a full day out.
FAQs
What is the best family day out in Leicestershire for a rainy day?
Conkers and the National Space Centre are the strongest all-weather choices, with large indoor exhibits, soft play and cinema experiences that keep children busy whatever the weather.
Are there any free family days out in Leicestershire?
Yes. Bradgate Park is free to enter (parking is paid), and both Bosworth Battlefield's Discovery Zone and the National Space Centre's annual-pass upgrade add free value for families.
Which Leicestershire attraction is best for animal-loving toddlers?
Twycross Zoo combines great apes, meerkats, a splash pad and the Gruffalo trail, while Tropical Birdland lets little ones meet free-flying parrots up close, with under-4s going free.
🎟️ Top things to do in Leicestershire
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