Bicton Lodge - Fun Days Out

Stokesay is a moated, walled manor house near Craven Arms. Though it looks like a castle, it was really a lightly defended mansion, with work completed by 1291. The stone hall and solar block sit behind two stone towers, and the hall keeps its 13th-century wooden-beamed ceiling. The timber and plaster gatehouse at the entrance dates from the 17th century.

You can explore the Great Hall, climb the North Tower, look inside the Solar and take the walled garden and moat walk. There is an audio tour, and families can follow a puzzle quest inspired by local giants. The playground is themed on the castle's towers and gatehouse. The dog-friendly cottage tearoom outside the castle has a log burner and outdoor seating with views of the Shropshire Hills.

Tip: Book advance tickets online through English Heritage, and finish with a break in the tearoom, which is open to all and welcomes dogs.

Ludlow Castle is a partly ruined medieval fortress in the Shropshire market town of Ludlow, standing on a high promontory above the River Teme. Probably founded around 1075, it was one of the first stone castles built in England and later became the seat of the Council of Wales and the Marches.

You can walk through the castle grounds and explore the ruined lodgings of kings, queens, princes, judges and nobility, a glimpse into medieval and Tudor life. Highlights include the Great Tower, the Great Hall and a rare circular chapel modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The views over the Shropshire countryside are superb. The castle covers almost five acres, and a guide book is available if you want the full story. There is a cafe and a gift shop on site.

Tip: There is no parking at the castle itself, so plan to park in the town and walk in.

West Midlands Safari Park, near Bewdley in Worcestershire, combines a drive-through safari with walk-through animal areas and an adventure theme park. The four-mile Safari Drive takes you past lions, giraffes, rhinos, tigers and more, including white lions and cheetahs, with the cheetah reserve billed as the UK's largest drive-by one.

On foot, you can visit walk-through areas with penguins, hippos, lemurs, sea lions, lorikeets and meerkats. The African Walking Trail gets you close to elephants, giraffes and rhinos, while Tiger Tropics and Lion Ridge are for big cat fans. Land of the Living Dinosaurs adds animatronic dinosaurs and fossils, and there are daily feeds and talks. Rides in the theme park can be added to your ticket, and the Discovery Trail has mostly indoor exhibits, which helps if the weather turns.

Croft Castle is a castellated 17th-century manor house that has been the home of the Croft family for many centuries. Inside, you can look round the castle rooms, while outside there are colourful herbaceous borders, a secret garden and a walled garden with a small working vineyard, historic apple trees and a glasshouse. The church of St Michael and All Angels stands opposite, and parts of it date back to the 12th century.

The real draw for many is the 1,500 acres of historic parkland, with woodland, farmland, the picturesque Fishpool Valley, an Iron Age hillfort and ancient trees. Families can head for the castle play area or the natural play area with rope swings and balance beams. Walkers have plenty of routes to choose from, and the tea-room serves snacks, sandwiches, cakes, pasties and ice creams.

Tip: Dogs on leads are welcome in the garden and parkland but not in the house. Satnav users should enter HR6 0BL, as the National Trust recommends.

Pitchford Hall is a Grade I listed Tudor country house about six miles from Shrewsbury, built around 1560. Its timber-framed, black-and-white look is striking, and the estate has an orangery and walled garden. Queen Victoria stayed here as a young princess, and during the Second World War the house was chosen as a possible retreat for the royal family.

The star of the grounds is the treehouse, set in a large lime tree and first mentioned in 1692. It is arguably the oldest in the world, with gothic windows on all sides and a carved ceiling inside. A tour covers the hall, the grounds and the treehouse, led by a knowledgeable guide. It suits history lovers, families curious about the treehouse, and anyone happy to wander through Shropshire countryside.

Tip: Tours of the hall, grounds and treehouse need to be booked in advance through Invitation to View.

Shrewsbury Castle is a Grade I listed red sandstone castle standing on a hill in the neck of the River Severn's meander. Ordered by William I around 1067, it was extended as a base for operations into Wales. Parts of the original medieval structure remain, including the inner bailey.

Inside, the museum tells the story of the county's regimental past, from the King's Shropshire Light Infantry to the 53rd and 85th regiments. Collections include a lock of Napoleon Bonaparte's hair, Karl Dönitz's Grand Admiral's Baton and several Victoria Crosses. Laura's Tower overlooks the townscape and countryside. History fans and anyone curious about military heritage will enjoy it, and the grounds make a pleasant stop in the middle of town.

Tip: Access to the castle grounds is free, so you can look around them even if you don't go into the museum.

Blists Hill is an open-air museum on a former industrial site in Madeley, Telford, recreating the sights, sounds and smells of a working-class Victorian town. It is set in the year 1900 and opened in 1973. You can wander through shops and cottages, including a bank, bakery, chemist, printer, post office and fish and chip shop, with costumed demonstrators showing the skills of each trade.

Beyond the high street, the site has three districts. The industrial area has the conserved remains of the Madeley Wood Company blast furnaces, beam engines and a wrought iron works. The countryside area includes a squatter's cottage and a tin tabernacle church. On select days, a replica of Richard Trevithick's 1802 steam locomotive runs on a short stretch of narrow gauge track. The site has also appeared in Doctor Who and Blue Peter.

Tip: Check the National Trust Ironbridge Gorge website before you go, as visits to Blists Hill may need to be booked in advance.

Wenlock Priory is a ruined monastery on the edge of Much Wenlock, in Shropshire, cared for by English Heritage. An Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded here around AD 680, and it was later refounded as a Cluniac priory. The layout of the church and monastic buildings is still clearly visible, and parts of the great 13th-century church stand high.

The highlight is the chapter house, with its interlocking round arches on carved columns. You can also look at the medieval tiles and wander the cloister garden. The topiary-filled gardens were created in Edwardian times by the priory's owners and are still a distinctive feature, and the gardens are listed Grade II. There is also a World Builder trail where you can build your own city. The town itself is a network of narrow streets lined with timber-framed black and white buildings.

Tip: Advance tickets can be booked online through English Heritage.