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If you’re looking for ideas to fill the long, hot school summer holidays – read on. We’ve picked the best outdoor playgrounds for relaxing retreats and weekend breaks in four of our favourite British cities.

Each offers great days out for all the family when the temperatures start to sizzle.  You’ll find National car hire branches conveniently located in all UK airports and city centres.

London park life

When London town reaches boiling point, swap the sightseeing for the capital’s best outdoor fun in the sun. Kids of all ages will have a blast at ZSL London Zoo, where they can meet and learn about 750 species from insects to elephants. And the whole family will enjoy a day trip to beautiful Kew Gardens. It’s home to the world’s largest collection of living plants, including giant water lillies, and a bamboo garden, a woodland glade, and the magnificent Kew Palace. Or chill out in Regent’s Park, which offers a charming oasis for kite flyers, rollerbladers and sun worshippers. Hire a pedalo and pootle across the lake, have a game of Frisbee or rounders, and tuck into a picnic feast. It’s just one of eight Royal Parks and many other outdoor playgrounds in London. Car hire: You’ll find National branches in the city centre, surrounding boroughs and at London Gatwick and Heathrow airport. Airport Car hire deals are updated every week at www.nationalcar.co.uk.

Fresh air Cardiff

Canoeing, kayaking, dinghy sailing and windsurfing are just a few of the watersports that await you at Cardiff Bay. The city’s former docklands is now Europe’s largest waterfront development with a host of arts and entertainments, shops and restaurants. You can take a boat tour of the waterfront from Mermaid Quay, and explore the offshore scenery and wildlife. There’s also a new water taxi service that runs from the Bay to the city centre. Or enjoy a day out at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, a charming stretch of lakes, wetlands woodlands and meadows open to the public all the year round. It’s also home to Cosmeston Medieval Village, a reconstruction of a traditional village set in the year 1350. Join a tour with a costumed guide for a charming glimpse of Welsh history. Car hire: Cardiff Airport’s National branch is open seven days a week.

Manchester’s great waterways

Did you know that you can go yachting, rowing, windsurfing and even take a dip in Manchester’s Ship Canal? Simply make your way to the Salford Watersports Centre at The Quays, a modern sports venue located on the Canal banks, which offers taster sessions, kit hire and tuition. You can also soak up the sun and enjoy activities on and beside the water at Castlefield Urban Heritage Park. The Castlefield area – the heart of Manchester’s industrial heritage with its network of canals and railway

viaducts – has excellent museums and charming waterside pubs, restaurants and entertainment venues. Attractions include boat tours, narrowboat and canal festivals, and the new Outdoor Arena, which hosts musical events, exhibitions and the Carnival in August. Or pack fishing rods and a picnic and make your way to Clifton Country Park where you can explore 80-acres of woodland, nature trails and go fishing in the lake. Car hire: Manchester Airport’s National branch is located in the arrivals terminal.

Bristol’s animal attractions

Animal lovers big and small will be charmed by Noah’s Ark Zoo – a 100-acre zoo and working farm which also has a maze to run around and indoor playgrounds to duck into if it rains. The star attractions include giraffe, rhino and gibbons and the Big Cat Sanctuary for lions and tigers.  Or meet the resident gorilla family at Bristol Zoo Gardens and discover Explorers’ Creek, the newest interactive exhibit, which has water play activities, and a tropical birdhouse with a walk-through parrot feeding area. If you’ve got active teens in tow, jump in your car and make the 30-minute drive to Charterhouse Outdoor Activity Centre situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Mendip Hills. Here, you can explore the nature reserve, crags, caves and have a go at rock climbing. Car hire: Bristol airport has a National branch and you can also book a wide choice of cars from our city centre branches.