Golden Oak Treehouse at Forest of Dean - Fun Days Out

Puzzlewood is an ancient woodland site near Coleford in the Forest of Dean, covering 14 acres. Over a mile of pathways, laid down in the early 19th century, wind through strange rock formations, secret caves and ancient trees. The paths make a confusing maze, so expect to take a few wrong turns.

The rock features are known as scowles. They began as natural cave systems in the Carboniferous Limestone and were later mined for iron ore, from Iron Age settlers through to Roman times. In 1848, workers found more than 3,000 Roman-era coins here.

Film and TV fans may spot familiar scenery, as the wood has been a filming location for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Merlin and The Secret Garden, among others. J. K. Rowling has visited, and the forest is believed to have inspired Tolkien.

Goodrich Castle is a ruined medieval fortress on a rocky sandstone outcrop above the River Wye, near Ross-on-Wye. Begun after the Norman Conquest, it grew into a stone castle with a square keep, big corner towers and a gatehouse with a barbican. William Wordsworth called it the "noblest ruin in Herefordshire".

You can descend into the pitch-dark dungeon or climb the steep stairway to the top of the keep for views over the castle and countryside. Families can pick up the family game from the ticket office, and there is a walk around the dry moat, which is a good spot for a picnic. A tearoom is there for a break afterwards. It suits history fans, families and anyone who likes a castle with a few adventurous corners.

Tip: Book advance tickets online through English Heritage, and pick up the family game from the ticket office when you arrive.

Clearwell Caves is a natural cave system on the edge of the Royal Forest of Dean, mined for iron ore and ochre for thousands of years. Ten well-lit chambers are open to visitors, with displays throughout and a small museum. You can still meet Freeminers here, and the caves still produce ochre for artists' paints.

The caves have appeared in Doctor Who, Merlin and Willow, so screen fans may spot some familiar places. Above ground you'll find the Lamproom Café, a gift shop selling ochres and minerals, and walks over Clearwell Meend, the common around the mine. The route underground is steep and uneven, so it isn't suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

Tip: Book online and check the booking calendar first, as the caves only open on the dates shown. Parking is free.

Chepstow Castle stretches along a limestone cliff above the River Wye. Building began in 1067 under William fitz Osbern, a close friend of William the Conqueror, and it is the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain. Over the centuries it passed to powerful figures such as William Marshal and Roger Bigod, each of whom left their mark.

You can explore the Great Tower, the gatehouse, Marten's Tower, the Tudor apartments and the four baileys that show how the castle grew and changed. It is a good fit for history fans and anyone curious about how castles evolved to cope with new weapons. An audio guide and guidebook are available, and the castle has a gift shop. Dogs on short leads are welcome on the ground floor levels.

Tip: Book online to save 5%. The main path is a steep slope and the steps can be uneven or slippery when wet, so wear sturdy shoes.

Raglan Castle sits just north of the village of Raglan in Monmouthshire, south east Wales. Built and rebuilt between the 15th and early 17th centuries by the Herbert and Somerset families, it was once a luxurious, fortified home, and its large hexagonal keep is known as the Great Tower or the Yellow Tower of Gwent.

Today it is a romantic ruin, and a good place to picture how grand it once was. The castle was surrounded by parkland, water gardens and terraces, and was considered the equal of any other in England or Wales. Its story includes a Civil War siege, when Parliamentarian forces took it in 1646 and deliberately damaged its walls. It's a rewarding stop for anyone who enjoys castles and wants to explore a piece of Welsh history.

Gloucester Cathedral is one of Britain's greatest buildings, with a history stretching back to around 679. Inside you can see the giant pillars of the Norman Nave, intricate fan vaulting (a style invented here in the 1300s) and the grand tomb of Edward II. The medieval Great East Window was the largest in the world when it was built, and there's a stained glass window the size of a tennis court.

The fan-vaulted Cloister is famous for appearing as Hogwarts in three of the Harry Potter films. You can also see the monks' communal washing area and enjoy the peaceful garden, with views of the Tower. Guided tours and family activities run through the year.

It suits history fans, Harry Potter fans, families and anyone who enjoys beautiful architecture and stained glass, and the Cathedral describes itself as a good day out whatever the weather.

Tip: Well-behaved dogs are welcome Monday to Saturday, but only assistance dogs are allowed on Sundays, in the Lady Chapel and on guided tours.

Bristol Zoo Project is a wildlife conservation park in South Gloucestershire, run by Bristol Zoological Society. It covers a large site, and its areas are designed to link ecosystems and conservation programmes around the world. Current areas include Bear Wood, Benoué National Park and Discover Madagascar.

The animals include reticulated giraffes, Southeast African cheetahs, Grant's zebra, Western lowland gorillas, European brown bears, Eurasian wolves and wolverines. There are also several kinds of lemur, as well as meerkats, red pandas and gelada. Bear Wood is an environment designed to mimic England in 8,000 BC. The site also grows a third of the food for the animals, so there is a working side to the place as well as the animal areas.

SS Great Britain is a museum ship on Bristol's harbourside, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. When launched in 1843 she was the largest passenger ship in the world, and one of the first iron, propeller-driven ocean liners. She sits on a glass 'sea', and the visit also takes in the Being Brunel Museum, the historic dockyard with its cranes and masts, and the Brunel Institute's maritime archive.

In Being Brunel you can explore the engineer's life and ideas, climb into a broad-gauge carriage and try to draw a perfect circle on a 'moving' train. The Dock Office lets you head back to 1850 and experience the Great Western Steamship Company's Grade-II listed headquarters. It suits families, history fans and anyone after a solid day out in Bristol, and the site is described as one of the city's largest indoor heritage attractions, built for all weather.

Tip: Parking is available at the Maritime Heritage Centre car park next to the site, and you pay at the ticket desks. The Long Ashton Park & Ride is an alternative Monday to Saturday.}