Theme parks and funfairs

Details: Prices over the Easter period start at £17 for four to 11-year-olds and £21 for everyone else. Advance booking allows for fasttrack entry and saves money. Call 0870 444 7777 or visit www.chessington.com for details. Trains from Waterloo or Clapham Junction (the park is a 10-minute walk from Chessington South). Chessington is on the A243 (12 miles from London) - take the A3 or M25 (junction 9 or 10).

The latest attraction at Thorpe Park is the world's first 10-looping coaster, Colossus. It joins three other white-knuckle experiences - Detonator, Vortex and Zodiac, which are back for their second seasons. There are also whitewater thrills and Tidal Wave, the water-drop ride that plunges riders 85ft through water.

Details: Premium prices apply until 7 April with tickets costing £23, four to 11-year-olds £18, with under four's free. The online ticket office at www.thorpepark.com has savings on advance bookings or call 0870 444 4466. Trains go from Waterloo to Staines and a shuttle bus runs to the park every half hour. By road, from the M25 take junction 11 or 13 and follow the signs to Thorpe Park (access from junction 12 is not possible).

New attractions at Legoland Windsor include: the Lego Hall of Fame, which includes models of the rich and famous; an interactive racing circuit based on the Le Mans track and a new Harbourside action stunt show. With more than 50 interactive rides, live shows, building workshops, driving schools and attractions it is aimed at two to 12-year-olds. Until 7 April there is an Easter racing event with music, competitions and giveaways.

Details: Tickets can be booked on 08705 04 04 04 or via www.legoland.co.uk. Discounts are given for tickets booked in advance. Legoland Windsor is two miles from Windsor town centre on the B3022. It can be reached via the M25, M3 (junction 3) and M4 (junction 6).

Making the most of Easter