Hampton Court Palace is one of my favourite places to visit.  The palace itself is a fascinating mix of architectural styles and the grounds and fun costumed shows make it an all around fun time- the coffee stalls selling baked treats (delicious cupcakes!) don't hurt either!

I love attractions where I can get involved- touch, interact or puzzle something out.  Hampton Court Maze is a deceptively tricky set of paths that was planted in the late 1600s- it looked quite small from the outside, but it took us ages to get to the centre (and perhaps a little bit of arguing about who had the better sense of direction...).  It's definitely a family friendly day out, and combines a good bit of relaxation and outdoor scenery with a history lesson that's way more fun than any I had in school- it really brings it alive to literally walk in King Henry VIII's footsteps!