This page has very little to do with medicine but having three young children I am well aware how difficult it can be to keep them amused without suffering a nervous breakdown. So I have collected a list of venues and outings suitable for children. Hopefully it will be helpful for patients new to the area. I will add entries from time to time but I would be grateful if ideas could be emailed to me (Dr Masharani).

Village Farm Nurseries

My thanks goes to John who actually wrote the website for Village Farm Nurseries who tells me the rail layout which is about 70 ft by 25 ft is simply superb. I like the animated train and accompanying sound on the website railway page also. Click here

Alton towers

One of Britain's most visited  attractions takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to by car from Lutterworth. The roller coaster rides are legendary as are the queues! We occasionally get complaints from patients about waiting times in the morning surgery but at least we don't keep people waiting for 1 hour and 50 minutes  and then give them 30 seconds of attention; but going on the new ride for 2005, called Rita, may prove to  be slightly more thrilling than 15 minutes with Dr Masharani. Click here

Maize maze, Wistow

My lot rated this attraction very highly last summer.  The organisers say it is not suitable for wheelchair users and I think they are probably right. Click here for a link to its website.

Draycote water country park

With its massive path around this reservoir it is a good place to take children cycling. The sailing clubs seems quite welcoming.

Draycote water     Sailing school

Twinlakes park, Melton Mowbray

This is not one that Dr Masharani is been to but comes highly recommended by Dr Hughes. Their website is very colourful.

Cadeby Light railway and brass rubbing centre

Based at the Old Rectory, Cadeby, Leicestershire,  it was developed in his back yard by the late Reverend Teddy Boston. On event days there are steam trains that take you on short runs. In addition there is an indoor model railway. Next door is the church with an excellent collection of brasses for brass rubbing and will amuse the children for ages. There is no charge for the railway and a small charge for brass rubbing. You need to phone to find out details of open days on: 01455 290462

Location

Stanford hall 

A beautiful stately home just a quick drive from Lutterworth on the other side of Swinford. For further information click here

Bosworth Battlefield and visitor centre  

On August 21, 1485, King Richard III left Leicester to clash with  Henry Tudor's invading army  somewhere south of Market Bosworth  on the following day.  Betrayed by the Stanleys and Northumberland, King Richard was killed along with much of his Household. Although there is much debate about the exact site of the battle and what happened that day, a visit to the Bosworth Battlefield centre is worth a visit on a dry summer day. Once a year the Sealed Knot's re-enanctment of the battle is very exciting indeed.  Click here for more information

Lutterworth Museum

Not a massive museum but worth an hour or two of your time. Situated at the one stop shop off Gilmorton Road.

Mallory Park

This is a tiny little racing circuit near Hinckley. Being the second shortest circuit in Britain it does not host big races but this has its advantages: entrance fees are low, the people are very friendly and you can see most of the circuit from one vantage point. So all in all a good place to take children. Those who want "to have a go" can book track days there. Dr Masharani went on one a few years ago and good fun it was too. Its website is poor but a link is provided below.

Mallory Park (Motorsport) Ltd

Directions

Great central railway - Leicester to Loughborough

An 8 mile stretch of railway that runs steam engines. There are several stops along the way where you can get on and off. For big kids you can arrange to become an engine driver for a day. Get on a Leicester where there is a car park. There are a lot of "specials" that run through the year (e.g. Thomas the Tank Engine). If you are disabled you need at least to be able to walk a few feet and step on and off the trains I would have thought. For further information go to their web site ( click here)

Conkers

Conkers is located in Moira near Ashby de la Zouch.The creation of Conkers (previously known as the National Forest Millennium Discovery Centre) was pioneered by the Heart of the National Forest Foundation and consists of outdoor and indoor activities. The outdoor stuff is much more fun and the  assault course is particularly recommended but you probably have to be about 9 years to adult to be able to do it and dry weather helps. Good access for the disabled. For their website click here. About 45 minutes by car from Lutterworth

Leicester museums

I remember going on school trips to some of these museums. There are plenty that are good on a rainy day. Personal favourites are the Jewry Wall museum, the Abbey pumping station ( complete with flushing toilet display!), New Walk Museum ( good collection of dinosaur material).

Here is a link to a map within the Leicestershire and Rutland Museum Forum showing you were all he local museums are located. The navigation from that page is self explanatory.

Foxton locks

The series of ten locks called the Foxton staircase raises canal boats. Foxton is on the road to Market Harborough after Lubenham. A good place to go out on a nice summer day to watch the canal boats. Parking is available nearby. Not really suitable for the disabled. Click here. About 20 minutes drive from Lutterworth

Snibston discovery park

Situated in Coalville on a old colliery site it has some amazing scientific displays such as a cycling skeleton. The little playground at the back has some experiments to do. There are colliery trips for older children. The 5th November fireworks display and fair is fantastic. Good access for disabled users. The family season ticket is a bargain as it is cheap and the kids never seem to tire of the interactive displays. click here. About 1/2 hour from Lutterworth by car.

Coombe Park

One of the nearest places to feed the ducks that I know of. Good place to visit on a sunny day. The house, on the remains of a Cistercian Abbey, has been converted into a very posh hotel. The lake and garden were restored by Paul Edwards, who wrote a book on English Garden Ornament and is free to access. There is a charge for car parking. There is a visitor centre, gift shop, large bird hide( for watching herons that nest there). Children's play area  and assault course are good. Good access for disabled users. It is on the B4027 on the road to Coventry via Brinklow  Click here for more information.  About 20 minutes by car from Lutterworth.

Twycross zoo

Interesting visit even if you don't "do" zoos. Especially famous for its primate collection. The animals seem happy enough. Click here for web link. About 30 minutes drive from Lutterworth.

Drayton manor

Good rides but less queuing than Alton Towers. Some rides are downright scary for old folk like Dr M! Click here From Lutterworth is a 40 minute car journey to reach it.

Heights of Abraham