There’s a lot to enjoy at Wookey Hole, from the ancient caves to the Enchanted Valley, Adventure Golf, a 4D cinema, dinosaurs, history, mystery and magic. So for a family day out, it takes some beating.
Our latest visit was a half term family treat with mum, dad and three young teenagers, and even though a few of the attractions are better suited for littlies, we still had a great time.
First off for us was the Adventure Golf. A canny guide had explained that while the caves are pretty busy in the mornings, by hitting the golf first and saving the underground exploring until after lunch, we could miss the queues.
So clubs in hand, we were soon negotiating the slopes, ramps and obstacles of the nine holes of trickery, employing a variety of tactics ranging from careful consideration to hit and hope. With scores per hole ranging from the occasional hole in one to somewhere beyond the total of all fingers and thumbs, it turned into a right laugh and a fun start to the day.
As we’d arrived late in the morning – after all, it takes a while to get teenagers up on a school holiday – our next stop was an early lunch in the Captain Jack’s restaurant. OK, perhaps this wasn’t exactly fine dining, but the sandwiches were fresh, the nuggets and chips devoured, and there was enough time for a ten minute phone fix.
As the restaurant started to fill with lunching families, we took our chance to explore the caves. The earlier advice proved sound and we were soon weaving our way below ground into one of the natural wonders of the South West.
These caves are just magnificent – chamber after chamber (with more yet to be discovered) of subterranean wonder dating back millions of years and full of stories and myths. As you follow the path along, you need to be look out for low rocks and slippery steps, plus as buggies aren’t allowed, you’ll have to carry your littlies.
As you explore deeper, you’ll find the Witch’s Kitchen, the Great Hall and even the Cathedral Chamber, all illuminated by coloured lights which only add to the grandeur. Guides are available in each room to answer your questions, all dressed for the Halloween season in suitably ghoulish outfits.
For more adventurous visitors, the chance exists to take part in the Wild Wookey caving experience, a great looking opportunity to crawl, climb and abseil through the underground chambers. We’ve already booked up for a future visit!
As the pathways come to an end, you exit into Wookey Hole’s Enchanted Valley, where monstrous dinosaurs and a giant King Kong style ape make the best photo opportunities. Again, the setting is stunning and wonderfully designed by the Wookey wizards, with a Scooby Doo trail also available for younger visitors.
From here it was on to the 4D cinema, cave diving and paper making exhibitions, then the penny arcades and the chance to try out old-school, pre-Xbox entertainment. What’s more, there are regular circus shows taking place throughout the day.
There is also a whole variety of upcoming special events to book in for, including Winter Wonderland, Circus of Horrors and even the Comedy Cavern comedy club.
All in all, there is so much to enjoy about a family visit to Wookey Hole. We loved it, and with Wild Wookey to look forward to, we’ll be back again soon!