Visitor attractions league table 2018
View the 2022 Attractions league table
With the help of an army of 'secret diner' parents, we surveyed the food offered to children and families at the UK's most popular visitor attractions.
Our Out to Lunch league table has revealed that kids' food is typically less healthy than adults'.
Click on each visitor attraction below to find out more about what food is on offer and why it's often not up to scratch...
Visitor Attraction - Score (out of 100)
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Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh - 105/160 - 3.5 stars
Compared to 2016: ⇧11
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has shot up the league table to claim first place – Bravo! Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is all about quality ingredients. The adult and child menus include veg that has been organically grown on-site in their Market Garden, while many of the other ingredients are sourced locally and from within Scotland. All their meat is farm assured and the fish on the menu is sustainable. And not only this, their meals are delicious! Our secret diners reported a fun-filled day out, learning about the many plants in the gardens before then eating the many tasty plants on offer in the restaurant.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- There is plenty of veg on offer, including veg grown organically on-site in the Market Garden.
- Children’s lunchboxes include the option of both fresh fruit and veg pots.
- All eggs are free range, meat is farm assured and Scottish, and fish is sustainable.
- Many meals are freshly prepared on site and the menu changes according to the season.
Room for improvement:
- It would be good to see the fizzy drinks removed from the children’s menu in Terrace Restaurant, in favour of healthier alternatives.
- Secret diners said that free drinking water wasn’t always easy to find around the site.
“When we asked where the meat came from, we were given a clear answer. We were told both where it had been produced and which butcher they had bought it from.”
“There were lots of healthy snack options available for children in the lunch boxes. We’d have liked to see similarly healthy snacks available for adults as well!”
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Eden Project - 100/160 - 3.5 stars
Compared to 2016: ⇩1
Another outstanding performance from the Eden Project, family-favourite in the south west. It’s easy to eat well at Eden Project – healthy food and drink are available from a number of eateries throughout the site, free drinking water is readily available, and there is an abundance of ethical, locally sourced ingredients on offer. Parents were impressed with the family friendly service at the Mediterranean Terrace, where staff were knowledgeable and happy to answer questions about ingredient sourcing, though they were disappointed that there wasn’t a little more veg included on the children’s menu.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Children’s lunch boxes include a variety of fresh fruit options and portions of veg.
- A heap of ingredients, including all the meat, is locally sourced from within Cornwall.
- Some meals use ingredients grown at the Eden plant nursery, linking the food on the plate to an opportunity to learn about where food comes from.
- Children are engaged throughout their visit to learn about the science of food growing and human interactions with the natural world.
Room for improvement:
- While the adult menu at the Mediterranean Terrace is packed with a wide variety of veg, the children’s menu is lacking and could be improved by including at least one portion of veg with every child’s meal.
- It would be great to see some higher welfare meat on the menu, alongside the free range eggs and sustainable fish.
“The pizza was hand-made in view – the kids loved watching it. The staff were really friendly and were clear about the local sourcing and where the meat came from.”
“We loved the Eden Project, but I felt that the children's offer was quite limited at the Mediterranean Terrace, compared to the main Eden Canteen.”
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Chester Zoo - 99/160 - 3.5 stars
Compared to 2016:⇩1
Chester Zoo thoroughly deserves its high ranking – it outscored every other attraction in the league table for its ingredient quality and sourcing, with Bembe restaurant offering British, local and seasonal produce, plus free-range eggs, RSPCA pork, sustainable fish and organic yoghurt, all at an affordable price. There’s plenty of veg on the menu, and parents were pleased to see a portion of fresh fruit in children’s lunchboxes. There are still areas of the zoo where less healthy food and drinks are on offer, but all-round, an impressive performance!
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Chester Zoo is living its commitment to conservation and a healthier environment, sourcing sustainable fish and using organic ingredients.
- Unlike other attractions, the zoo is doing its bit to support British farming by sourcing all meat from the UK.
- Parents were delighted with the array of healthy salad options available to them, with plenty of veg also available for kids.
- Smaller portions of adult meals can be ordered, meaning children are treated as young adults.
Room for improvement:
- Secret diners said they would prefer to see healthier drinks options available throughout the zoo, instead of the many fizzy drinks that currently dominate.
- Parents gave mixed reviews of the quality of children’s lunchboxes, with some saying they’d like to see sandwiches using brown bread and a portion of veg or salad included.
“There were signs up around the restaurant saying where ingredients had come from, including the meat, and saying that the fish was sustainable.”
“We were really pleased to see salad was available with most meals or veg was used in preparing the dish.”
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ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - 98/160 - 3 stars
Compared to 2016: =
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo hold their ground in fourth position in a fiercely competitive league table – this is largely due to the fantastic grub being dished up at the River Cottage Kitchen, which opened earlier this year. The Kitchen’s menu is packed with veg, with two portions being offered with every child and adult meal. The provenance and quality of ingredients also align with the zoo’s ethos of conservation and environmental concern – the meat is free range, the fish is sustainable, and seasonal and organic ingredients are also used. Outside the restaurant, the food isn’t always of the same standard, with secret diners complaining of an overload of unhealthy snacks and fizzy drinks.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- River Cottage Kitchen offers two portions of veg with all adult and children’s main meals – secret diners said that meals were not only packed with veg, they were delicious!
- High quality ingredients, including free range meat and eggs, are used throughout both child and adult menus.
- There are plenty of creative and delicious meat-free options available to adults.
- Staff were friendly and knowledgeable about where meat came from and were happy to answer secret diner questions.
Room for improvement:
- Elsewhere in the zoo, ice cream trucks, sweet treats and fizzy drinks were a little too abundant – secret diners said that it was difficult to find healthier snacks such as fresh fruit.
- Some secret diners said that free fresh drinking water was not readily available throughout the zoo, even on scorching hot days.
“The children’s menu at River Cottage Kitchen was great. It was really grown up, but the kids still devoured it.”
“I would have like to have seen some healthier snacks on offer instead of just the usual ice cream and fizzy pop.”
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Science Museum - 94/160- 3 stars
Compared to 2016: NEW ENTRY
The Science Museum is the highest new entry into this year’s league table, landing directly in the top five. The Science Museum is home to the first fully vegetarian café operating at any major UK attraction – and our secret diners loved it. Children at the Gallery Café are offered creative dishes using grown-up ingredients and flavours, with meals freshly prepared and cooked on site. Higher quality ingredients are used, including local and British produce. Elsewhere in the Science Museum, kids’ lunchboxes include a portion of salad and healthier drinks. Parents and children reported a fun, healthy and harmonious day out!
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- With clever flavours and creative use of ingredients, the Gallery Café is showing that veggie cuisine can be both healthy and delicious.
- Plenty of British produce is on the menu, with seasonal veg sourced locally whenever it’s available.
- Children’s puddings are an appropriate portion size and fresh fruit is also available.
- All children’s lunchboxes include a portion of veg and a healthier drink.
Room for improvement:
- Secret diners said that outside of the restaurants, there was only one place in the museum to find free drinking water.
- The only snacks available in shops throughout the museum were chocolate and sweets; this was even the case in the shop next to the children’s zone.
- Parents said that staff in the Gallery Café were knowledgeable about where ingredients had come from, but there was no information printed on the menu, which seemed an omission.
“The children’s menu was basically a smaller version of the adult menu – very grown-up dishes and very healthy.”
“We went looking for a snack, but all the shops sold was chocolate and sweets. Even the shop right next to the children's zone! We were very disappointed.”
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Wales Millennium Centre - 90/160 - 3 stars
Compared to 2016:⇧ 2
Wales Millennium Centre is committed to local and seasonal ingredients. An abundance of Welsh produce is on offer, including cheese, meat and potatoes, and the menu changes six times a year, in sync with the turning seasons. Parents were pleased that healthier children’s pudding options were offered, including fresh fruit, and that children’s lunchboxes include healthier drinks. They were disappointed, however, that staff were unable to provide a clear answer when asked whether the meat was higher welfare.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Welsh produce at its finest – heaps of local and higher quality ingredients are on the menu, including organic ingredients.
- The menu changes regularly to incorporate seasonal ingredients.
- Children’s lunchboxes include a portion of fruit and fresh fruit is also offered as a pudding option – it would be good to see a few more vegetables on the menu and in the lunchbox, alongside the fruit.
Room for improvement:
- The meat is not higher welfare and the staff were unable to share details of this when asked.
- A good variety of non-meat options are available to adults, but these aren’t promoted as well as they could be by being positioned more prominently on the menu.
- Some children’s meals are still served with chips as the default option – it would be good to see healthier carbs promoted as the default option.
“It was good that children’s cutlery was available. Tables were set in quite a formal manner, with smaller ‘starter’ cutlery provided for children.”
“When I asked where the meat had come from and whether it was higher welfare the waiter wasn’t able to give a clear answer.”
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Durham Cathedral - 87/160 - 3 stars
Compared to 2016:⇩ 4
Durham Cathedral is a World Heritage Site and the most popular visitor attraction in the North East – its Undercroft Restaurant also serves great food. Meals are made with locally sourced ingredients and include higher welfare chicken and pork. Secret diners were impressed by children’s hot food options, with parents pleased that children were treated like grown-ups and are given the option of choosing smaller portions of adult meals. They were less impressed with the children’s lunchbox, which included crisps, but no salad or veg.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Chicken and pork are free range, and staff were able to tell parents that the meat was locally sourced.
- Children are treated like grown-ups and are given the option of choosing small portions of adult meals.
- Children’s cutlery, high chairs, and baby changing facilities are provided, making for a family friendly dining experience.
Room for improvement:
- Parents complained that children’s lunchboxes were uninspiring – it would be great to see a fresh veg or salad option on offer.
- Secret diners said that the mountains of cakes provided a little too much temptation for their children – healthier snacks and pudding options could be more readily available.
“It’s great to be able to order children’s dishes from the adult menu. The hot meals were much more appealing than the lunchboxes.”
“When I asked about the meat I was told both the name of the butcher and that it was locally sourced.”
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British Museum - 86/160 - 3 stars
Compared to 2016: ⇧ 10
One of the highest climbers in this year’s league table, parents gave a massive thumbs-up to a day out at the British Museum. Unlike in previous years, plenty of veg is on offer. Children’s meals at the Pizzeria are all served with choice of steamed broccoli, carrots or a mixed leaf salad, while lunchboxes also include salad crudités. Both parents and children gave high praise to the quality of their meals. Parents were also impressed that staff in the Pizzeria were equipped with a booklet with information about where ingredients came from, which they were happy to share with diners.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- The catering outfit Benugo, which runs the restaurants and cafés at the British Museum, uses higher quality ingredients, including free range eggs and sustainable fish.
- Child health is prioritised with all meals and lunchboxes including a portion of veg or salad.
- Adults also gave positive reviews of their food, saying the menu was varied and appetising.
Room for improvement:
- Elsewhere in the Museum, the food isn’t quite as healthy, with some shops selling sweets by the checkout.
- It would be great to see some higher welfare meat on the menu.
- Some parents said that portion-sizing was a bit of a problem, with their children too full to finish the meal that had been provided for them.
“My server produced a folder with their sustainability statement in, and information on their meat which is from Britain and Ireland – I was really impressed by this.”
“Water was widely available at a cost – there were bottles at every kiosk and info desk – but free water was not easy to find.”
“My daughter thought her meal looked delicious.”
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Titanic Belfast - 85/160 - 3 stars
Compared to 2016: ⇩ 4
Another solid performance from Titanic Belfast, which sails safely into the top ten in the league table. Secret diners enjoyed their meals at Bistro 401 Restaurant, which proudly dishes up locally sourced meat and poultry, sustainable fish, seasonal salads, vegetables and fruit. Parents said that the children’s lunchboxes were a little uninspiring, and were lacking in salad or veg options, but the hot meals were appetising and well presented.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Lots of locally sourced ingredients are used and details of ingredient provenance are highlighted on the menu.
- All children’s hot meals are served with a salad and fresh fruit is offered for pudding – it’s a shame there is no veg or salad included in the children’s lunchbox.
- Most meals are freshly prepared and cooked on site, and secret diners gave them glowing reviews.
Room for improvement:
- Harmful industrial trans fats are found in some of Titanic Belfast’s bought-in cakes – these shouldn’t be offered to families.
- While there is a good choice of non-meat options, these aren’t actively promoted by being positioned at the top of the menu.
“The food looked nice, but I’d have liked to see more salad or vegetables on the plate.”
“I asked about the meat before ordering. The waitress did go out back and ask the chef. When she returned she told me that the beef was British, but she didn’t say whether it was higher welfare.”
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Stirling Castle - 79/160 - 2.5 stars
Compared to 2016: ⇧ 6
For freshly prepared meals made from local and higher-quality ingredients, visit Stirling Castle! All the eggs served up at this historic attraction are free range and the fish is sustainable. Children’s lunchboxes include the option of both veg and fruit and there is plenty of veg on offer to adults as well. Secret diners said that staff looked rushed and over-worked but were very helpful when you could get their attention. They also said that the children’s menu could be a little more varied and interesting.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Children’s lunchboxes include the option of both veg and fruit
- There are lots of Scottish ingredients used on the menu – secret diners were pleased to know they were supporting local farmers.
- Eggs are free range and fish is sustainable.
Room for improvement:
- Parents complained of the lack of variety on the children’s menu and said that the lunchbox was a bit bland.
- Meat is farm assured – as a next step it would be great to see some higher welfare meat on the menu.
“Although it said on the website that children’s portions of adult meals were available, this wasn’t the case when we visited – we asked and were told that adult meals only came in adult sizes.”
“The food was tasty, but my son was uninterested in his sandwich.”
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Natural History Museum - 78/160 - 2.5 stars
Compared to 2016:⇧ 9
Another big climber in this year’s league table, the Natural History Museum has rocketed up an amazing nine places! There is now more veg on the menu, with the T-rex Grill dishing up children’s meals with a portion of salad and veg crudités. The menu includes information about ingredient provenance and sustainability, reassuring diners that fish is sustainable and meat is British. Most secret diners enjoyed their meals, but children left the restaurant on a sugar-high, having been served an overly sugary pudding.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Natural History Museum is one of the only attractions where a portion of salad is offered in all lunchboxes and with all children’s meals.
- The majority of drinks on the children’s menu are healthy, with no added sugar or sweeteners and there are no fizzy drinks on the menu.
- The adult menu includes lots of veg-packed non-meat options with a good variety of protein, including pulses and quinoa.
- Fish is sustainable, eggs are free range, and meat is British.
Room for improvement:
- The Ice Cream Sundae on the children’s menu contains a whopping 63g of sugar, around three times the recommended daily intake for a child.
- Some secret diners said that on the day they visited the restaurant had run out of salad and fruit, so their children couldn’t have any – the server provided them with extra chips and ice cream instead, not the healthiest alternative!
“Overall we had a lovely time at the T Rex Grill and everyone enjoyed their food.”
“I asked if we could order a child’s portion of dishes on the adult menu and they said no. I would love it if restaurants did do this. It’s such a shame as I would love the kids to experiment a bit more or have something that isn't entirely chips based!”
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Kew Gardens - 78/160 - 2.5 stars
Compared to 2016:⇩ 6
Secret diners gave mixed reviews of their experience at Kew Gardens. They were pleased to discover that children could choose smaller portions of adult meals, and that healthier options were available in the children’s lunchbox. But they reported an excess of cakes and sweet treats, with one parent saying that on the day they visited, which was a particularly hot day, they encountered more ice-cream dispensers than water! If Kew Gardens focusses on making the healthy choice the easy choice, it will score more highly next time around.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Parents were pleased to find that children’s portions of adult meals were available.
- All the meat on offer is British and eggs are free range, the fish is also sustainable.
- Most meals are freshly prepared on site – and parents and children alike agreed that they were appetising.
- Healthier items, including veg and fruit pots, are available for the children’s lunchbox.
Room for improvement:
- There are no locally sourced ingredients used.
- Secret diners said that it was easier to locate ice cream than free drinking water on a hot day.
- It would be great to see some higher welfare meat on the menu.
“There was way too much cake on offer. Unlike main meals, cakes come in one size, which is too big for children. So, if children chose cake as a dessert that will come in an adult size.”
“It was a very hot day and we saw more ice-cream dispensers than water!”
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National Museum Wales - 78/160 - 2.5 stars
compared to 2016:⇧ 1
At National Museum Wales in Cardiff, families are dished up with British meat, free range eggs and organic ingredients, but the children’s menu is best described as ‘uninspired’. Secret diners gave mixed reviews. They said the staff were able to answer some questions about the provenance of the meat, but they incorrectly suggested that the meat’s Red Tractor certification meant it was also free range. They said the veg and fruit options included in children’s lunchboxes were great, even if there were less healthy options offered alongside.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Secret diner parents said there were good facilities, including high chairs and baby changing facilities.
- Plenty of locally sourced ingredients are on offer, including free range, RSPCA-assured eggs.
- Great to see organic pasta and tofu on the menu.
- Fresh fruit and veg are available as options in children’s lunchboxes.
Room for improvement:
- More effort could be put into an uninspired children’s menu.
- It would be good to see a portion of veg served with every child’s meal.
- Staff provided misleading information when asked about the welfare of the meat.
“There were some problems with the meat, but staff were friendly, welcoming and helpful. I'd recommend the museum and restaurant to other families.”
“The meals were a good size and the right temperature, but it would be nice to see some more vegetables.”
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Brighton Pier - 76/160 - 2.5 stars
Compared to 2016:⇧ 5
There is much to be impressed with when it comes to eating out at Brighton Pier. All children’s meals in Palm Court Restaurant include at least one portion of veg – some of them include two. Salads and garnishes are made using British salad products, and the children’s fruit salad is made using seasonally available British fruit. There is even a British fruit stall selling a variety of fruit and berries in the forecourt. It’s just a shame there’s so much junk food available alongside these healthier options.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Fish is sustainable, and several ingredients are British and locally sourced.
- Children’s meals are served with at least one portion of veg – some meals include two portions.
- Parents are nudged to choose healthier options – the children’s menu suggests that the children’s fish can be baked instead of fried on request.
Room for improvement:
- Secret diners complained that meals didn’t look very appealing.
- Free drinking water was hard to find – parents said they had to buy a meal in the restaurant in order to get a free glass of water.
- It’s great that fresh fruit is for sale on the Pier, but it would be good to see fewer unhealthy snacks and meals promoted alongside them.
“The menu was OK but it seems that children are a bit of an afterthought.”
“It was difficult to find healthy choices on the Pier.”
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ZSL London Zoo - 69/160 - 2.5 stars
Compared to 2016:⇩ 4
The usual suspects dominate the children’s menu at London Zoo – chicken and chips, fish fingers and chips, sausage and mash.The children’s lunchbox offers both veg and fruit options, but healthy eating throughout the zoo can be difficult. Secret diners said they struggled to find healthier snacks amidst the mountains of candyfloss, sweet popcorn, doughnuts, ice cream, and slush puppies. They said they thought the zoo should make it easier for families to enjoy a healthy day out. Let’s hope they feed the animals better than they feed the kids!
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Veg crudités and fruit pots are options for children’s lunchboxes.
- All the meat is British and London Zoo is one of the few attractions where both poultry and pork are higher welfare, both being RSPCA-assured.
- Free water was available to secret diners upon their arrival at the restaurant.
Room for improvement:
- Secret diners said that healthier snacks were nowhere to be seen, but unhealthy snacks were flogged at every turn.
- Some parents thought that more effort could be put into the children’s menu, instead of kids being offered the usual suspects.
- Children said the meals didn’t look very appealing, with some arriving dry and overcooked.
“We were REALLY puzzled by the jelly being a non-optional part of the kids' lunchbox – this is ridiculous and needs to change!”
“There was no evidence of healthier snacks across site, but there were loads of unhealthy ones! The most visible snacks were candyfloss, sweet popcorn, doughnuts, icecream, slush puppies.”
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Millennium Gallery, Sheffield - 68/160 - 2 stars
Compared to 2016:⇩ 9
Millennium Gallery Sheffield has lost ground in a competitive league table, dropping nine places into sixteenth position. There’s much to applaud about the food on offer at the Gallery Café, including the use of British and local ingredients and free-range eggs, and the provision of a portion of veg with every child’s meal. Secret diners said the staff were friendly, but the children’s food – comprised of nuggets, beans, chips and the like – did not look overly appealing.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- All hot children’s meals are served with a portion of veg – as a next step it would be good to see a portion of veg or salad offered with every child’s lunchbox.
- Lots of ingredients are locally sourced and prepared, including locally roasted coffee.
- Secret diners gave glowing reviews of the staff who were friendly and helpful.
Room for improvement:
- A chocolate bar is the default option in the children’s lunchbox, with parents having to ask to swap for fruit – all lunchboxes should include a portion of fruit as the default option.
- Parents said they would also like to see healthier drinks like water or milk included in the lunchbox.
“When I asked about the meat in the sausage rolls, I was told that it was locally-sourced and that the chef prepares and cooks the sausage rolls in the café kitchen. (The sausage rolls were very good!)”
“We really liked the staff.”
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Alton Towers - 65/160 - 2 stars
Compared to 2016: =
Alton Towers has made notable improvements to the food offered to families in the past two years. It introduced a salad bar as part of every meal for children and adults at Little Explorers Lunchbox restaurant, with healthier drinks also on offer, and its sourcing more British meat and sustainable fish. But there is still room for improvement. Refillable fizzy drinks continue to be offered throughout the site, and unhealthy snacks are far easier to find than healthier ones. Secret diners complained that although there was veg served with their meals, the portions were small, and the meals looked unappetising.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Alton Towers is now sourcing some British meat and all fresh fish is sustainable.
- Children’s meals at Woodcutter Restaurant are served with a fruit bag and there is lots of veg on offer.
- At Little Explorers Lunchbox, all children’s meal include access to a salad bar and there is information about ingredient provenance on display.
Room for improvement:
- Sweets and unhealthy snacks are sold at checkouts, including in Cbeebies Land, and unhealthy options are promoted throughout the site.
- Refillable fizzy drinks set an unhealthy behavioural precedent.
- A number of meals aren’t freshly prepared, with some ingredients being pre-cooked abroad and others simply deep-fried in the restaurant.
“The veg portion for both child and adult did not constitute 1 of 5 a day, it was way too small.”
“The coleslaw that came with the burger was tiny! We were very disappointed.”
“There is junk food everywhere.”
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macBirmingham - 63/160 - 2 stars
Compared to 2016:⇩ 9
Despite gaining a few extra points since the last league table, mac Birmingham has dropped nine positions in the rankings, with other attractions making bolder changes to their menus to clamber above them. They gain top marks for offering a good variety of interesting veggie choices for adults, but there is still work to be done on the children’s menu and lunchbox. None of the meat on offer is farm assured and secret diners reported that staff were unable say where the meat had come from.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Secret diners reported that children lunchboxes included a fresh fruit option – it would be good if the lunchbox included at least one portion of veg or salad as well.
- There are plenty of non-meat options on both the kids’ and adult menus – great for veggies and for those wanting to reduce their meat consumption.
- A breastfeeding welcome policy is stated on the website and mums said they felt welcome.
Room for improvement:
- None of the meat used on the menu is farm assured or higher welfare.
- The restaurant was unable to say whether any of their dishes contain undesirable additives, preservatives or colourings and they didn’t know whether their meals contained harmful industrial trans fats.
“Great veggie options!”
“All-in-all, a very enjoyable lunch – food was freshly prepared and looked good and tasted nice.”
“The waitress couldn’t tell us where the meat had come from. She asked in the kitchen, but she still couldn’t tell us.”
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The National Gallery - 63/160 - 2 stars
Compared to 2016:⇩ 4
The National Gallery is guilty of neglecting their children’s menu. While the adult menu at the National Café is bursting with veg, including several creative vegetarian choices, and delicious and healthy fish and meat dishes, it is a different story for kids. The children’s menu looks like an afterthought in comparison. Most children’s meals aren’t served with any veg, even though there are more than a dozen types of vegetable used on the adult menu. A bit more effort is required to keep families contented and well-fed.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?Top marks:
- The National Gallery is supporting British farmers by sourcing heaps of British ingredients.
- Seasonal ingredients are incorporated into adult and child menus.
- Secret diners said that adult menu was brilliant – it’s just a shame the same can’t be said for the children’s menu!
Room for improvement:
- More veg please! The National Gallery should ensure there is a portion of veg served with every child’s meal, plus a portion of veg or salad in the lunchbox.
- It would be good to see some higher welfare meat on the menu.
- Secret diners struggled to get a straight answer when they asked where the meat was from.
- It would be good to see children’s cutlery offered to those that need it.
“In the centre of the room is a big table with around 15 different types of cakes/biscuits on and two vases half-full of oranges and bananas. My kids loved pointing out the values given to puddings vs fruit!”
“It was very clear that children are an afterthought at the National Gallery. They have obviously tried to make some effort with the 'children's lunch' however the meals aren’t particularly interesting.”
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Stonehenge - 61/160 - 2 stars
Compared to 2016:⇩ 10
English Heritage spent £27 million redeveloping the Stonehenge visitor centre in 2013 – it’s a shame that they neglected to build a kitchen! Parents would prefer freshly prepared meals, not pre-prepared snacks packed in plastic. Stonehenge Café does its best with limited facilities, ensuring that all sandwiches and salads are made locally, and include farm assured meat and free range eggs, and there are a number of organic ingredients on the menu, but secret diners said that the lack of fresh meal options meant their lunch simply wasn’t up to scratch.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?Top marks:
- Sandwiches and salads are locally prepared and use sustainable fish, farm assured meat and free range eggs.
- Organic milk, drinks and ice-cream are offered – great to see higher quality ingredients on the menu.
- Fruit is included as an option in children’s lunchboxes
Room for improvement:
- Children’s lunchboxes don’t include any vegetable or salad options – parents would welcome a little more effort invested in supporting children to eat well.
- Build a kitchen. Parents would prefer freshly prepared meals, not pre-prepared snacks packed in plastic.
“I think they should offer healthier options in the kids’ lunchboxes and not crisps by default – our 2 year old and 5 year old should not eat an adult bag of crisps. A portion of veg (carrot sticks/tomatoes) as an option instead would be welcome. I liked the inclusion of "juice and water" mix rather than 100% juice.”
“The sandwich was too small for my child (more appropriate for toddler) and the crisps were too large - I personally don't think kids need a 25g bag of crisps.”
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Legoland - 45/160 - 1.5 stars
Compared to 2016: NEW ENTRY
Legoland, which scored in joint last position, are a new entry into this year’s league table. Parents were disappointed by the lack of veg on offer in children’s lunchboxes and on children’s menus, particularly those covered by the ‘all inclusive’ entrance ticket. They were also critical of the over-availability of fizzy drinks and unhealthy snacks. Change is afoot, however. When Legoland reopens for the 2019 season, children’s meals in every restaurant will include a vegetable or salad option. We look forward to seeing healthier children’s options on offer next year.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Fruit is included in the children’s lunchbox at Hill Top Café.
- Some of the meat on offer is British and farm assured.
- Plans are in place to introduce more veg and salad options across all restaurants in 2019.
Room for improvement:
- There is currently no veg or salad included in children’s lunchboxes or at the restaurants covered by the ‘all inclusive’ entrance ticket.
- Parents were critical of the over-abundance of unhealthy snacks and drinks promoted throughout the site – it’s good that free drinking water is available at various points.
- It would be great to see some local and seasonal ingredients used on both adult and child menus.
“An all day refillable container was actively promoted at £8.50 for fizzy drinks, with numerous refilling stations and high amount of coca cola advertising. There were also coco cola advertisements on attractions such as Miniland lego models.”
“When purchasing tickets online, the usual ticket was £37 or a meal deal ticket with all day refillable fizzy drinks was actively promoted. With a picture of a family of 4 with their coca cola drinks and a heavily fried meal.”
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Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - 45/160 - 1.5 stars
Compared to 2016:⇩ 9
It’s disappointing to see Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum score in joint last position. Secret diners were underwhelmed by the children’s menu. Kelvingrove also failed to provide us with full details of where they sourced their ingredients, responding only with non-specific reassurance that ‘some’ of the eggs are free range and ‘some’ of the meat is farm assured. Secret diners would welcome greater transparency and a children’s menu with a bit more pizzazz.
Do they serve fresh food you can trust?
Do they offer a healthy choice?
How family-friendly is it?
Top marks:
- Fruit is offered in the children’s lunchbox – a shame there is not veg or salad in there as well.
- Activities and cutlery are provided for children.
- There are some locally sourced ingredients used – though Kelvingrove did not supply any details.
Room for improvement:
- Secret diners said the children’s menu was boring and lacking in veg.
- Kelvingrove declined to answer many of the questions we posed about ingredient provenance and sustainability, leaving us all guessing as to what their meals are made from.
“Disappointing.”
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Methodology
See the scoring criteria and survey methodology
We're calling on attractions to take 5 simple steps to improve the food and experience they offer to children and families:
- Ensure that all children’s lunchboxes and main meals include a least one portion of veg
- Ditch unimaginative ultra-processed foods and focus more on fresh ingredients
- Protect parents from an over-abundance of sweet treats, which make it harder to enjoy a healthy and happy day out
- Make free fresh drinking water available to families throughout their visit
- Support British farmers by buying the best of British produce, including organic