Let's be honest — taking kids on a day out can go one of two ways. Either you're all grinning with ice creams by lunchtime… or you're in the car at 11:17am because someone's lost a welly, a crisp has touched the wrong sandwich, and nobody quite knows why they're crying anymore.
But when it works? It really works. And Somerset's got loads of those magic memory-making moments just waiting for foster families. Whether you're new to fostering in Somerset or you've been doing it for years, here's a round-up of brilliant days out that'll get the kids talking (and hopefully sleeping) by bedtime.
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🦁 Longleat Safari Park
Location: Warminster (just over the border — but worth the drive)
Ah, Longleat. Where else can you find lions, monkeys, and a hedge maze all in the same place? The safari is proper Jurassic Park vibes (minus the raptors), and the monkey drive-through is hilarious until they start chewing your windscreen wipers.
The whole place is brilliant for different age groups, with boat rides, playgrounds, and chances to feed giraffes — though fair warning, they will snot on you. But that's half the fun, right?
🧗 Cheddar Gorge and Caves
Location: Cheddar
If the kids love a bit of climbing, exploring, and pretending to be adventurers, Cheddar Gorge is your place. You've got show caves, dramatic cliffs, and that classic moment where someone shouts "echo!" and everyone else copies them for the next 40 minutes.
It's great for building confidence, burning energy, and reminding yourself just how many snacks a child can eat while halfway up a hill.
🏰 Glastonbury Tor
Location: Glastonbury
Glastonbury's a vibe. The Tor itself is a manageable walk, even with little legs, and the view from the top is unreal — especially if you've remembered to pack the good biscuits.
The town's a mix of history, myths, and the kind of shops where you can buy a crystal, a vegan sausage roll, and a fairy costume all on the same street. Bonus points for the Abbey ruins and spotting the resident peacocks.
Glastonbury Tor on the National Trust.
🚂 West Somerset Railway
Location: Minehead to Bishops Lydeard
There's something special about steam trains — even if you're the one carrying the backpack, the snacks, the map, and at least one small child. West Somerset Railway is a proper nostalgia trip, with beautiful countryside chugging by and the occasional "I can see the sea!" squeal.
Great for kids who love trains, grown-ups who remember them from childhood, and anyone who just wants a slower-paced kind of adventure.
🚁 Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum
Location: Yeovilton
One for rainy days and plane-mad kids. You can climb aboard helicopters, check out fighter jets, and pretend you're in Top Gun (minus the dodgy volleyball scenes).
There's even a flight simulator if you fancy a go — though be warned, your stomach might not thank you after lunch. It's hands-on, educational, and surprisingly fun even for grown-ups who thought they weren't into planes.
Official Fleet Air Arm Museum Website
🌌 Space Adventurers Soft Play
Location: Taunton
Soft play. You either love it or you brace for it like it's a military operation. But Space Adventurers in Taunton is genuinely one of the good ones — clean, well-organised, and actually enjoyable to watch the kids let loose.
Perfect for under-12s, especially if the weather's doing that "British summer" thing where it forgets to be summer.
🐷 Paultons Park & Peppa Pig World
Location: Romsey, Hampshire (doable in a day from Somerset)
Alright, it's not technically in Somerset — but when you're fostering in Somerset, you've probably got a decent boot, a half-packed picnic blanket, and enough snacks to justify the drive.
Paultons Park is perfect for thrill-seekers and toddler crews alike. Peppa Pig World? Absolute chaos. But the good kind. Think little legs dashing from George's Dinosaur Adventure to Miss Rabbit's Helicopter Ride with that Peppa theme tune permanently lodged in your brain.
For older kids (and carers who still fancy themselves as rollercoaster warriors), there are plenty of bigger rides too. It's clean, brilliantly run, and one of those places where you leave skint but happy.
Top tip: bring spare socks. Trust me.
The Beauty That is Somerset
The beauty of fostering in Somerset isn't just the postcard views and the fun days out (though there are plenty). It's the way this county welcomes families — all shapes, all stories — and gives you places to laugh, bond, and build memories that really stick.
Whether you're climbing a tor, spotting tigers, or just sharing chips on a windy beach, you're helping a child feel part of something bigger. Something special.
And if you're just starting your fostering journey or thinking about it, you're not alone. There's loads of support, resources, and community help if you are considering fostering in Somerset — including how to get started and the kind of adventures you could be having together.
