Parents say small theme parks are best

Families prefer to spend a day - and half the money - at small parks or the seaside than on white-knuckle rides at top tourist attractions, a survey out today reveals.

A theme park in the New Forest and Blackpool beach topped parents' lists for the best days out, beating Alton Towers and Legoland.

Paulton's Park was voted the most family-friendly by readers of Mother and Baby magazine. While not as big as rivals such as Thorpe Park, Paulton's wins hands down on the budget front. A family day ticket costs £39, while a saver ticket for Alton Towers would set two adults and two children back £70.