Taking your kids on vacation is always a gamble, will you be able to find enough fun, engaging activities to keep them satisfied and tired out at the end of the day? While on the surface, England may seem like it’s more stuffy museums and ‘please don’t touch signs’ than anything else but that’s simply not true. For fun and educational experiences, these 10 family-friendly destinations are sure to be the highlight of any vacation to England, and will create life-long memories for your children. Here are 10 English attractions every kid should get to experience:
8. Legoland, Windsor
Located just over 3 miles away from the famous Windsor Castle in Southeast England is the magical Legoland Windsor. This theme park and hotel offers creative fun for the whole family in a bright and cheerful setting. Operating since 1996, Legoland Windsor offers many of the highlights seen at other Legoland parks including Lego-themed rides, building workshops and mini-models. Best of all, book a Legoland vacation for select dates in 2016 and the kids will get in for free!
7. Longleat Safari, Wiltshire
If you can’t take the whole family to Africa, give your kids the next best experience! Longleat Safari and Adventure Park will surprise and delight everyone as you get up-close and personal with all the wild animals of Africa. Operating since 1966, Longleat was the very first drive-through Safari experience outside of Africa. Drive your own vehicle through the park and watch the kids squeal with delight as you encounter lions, tigers, elephants and more. Just watch out for those meddling monkeys who’ll jump right onto your car!
6. Natural History Museum, London
Families looking for an educational experience for their kids (and one that’s easy on your wallet) should head to the Natural History Museum in London. This admission-free museum offers constantly changing exhibits showcasing our natural world and interactive fun that the kids will love. After exploring the exhibits, refuel the family at the museum’s on-site, full service restaurant or one of 3 different cafe’s located through the facility. After your vists, stop by the Dino Store and pick up a cuddly version of the prehistoric giants to make it an experience the kids will never forget.
5. Seven Stories, Newcastle
What child doesn’t love a bedtime story? Or a story any time of day for that matter. At Seven Stories in the Northeastern city of Newcastle, children of all ages (yes, that includes babies) will be wrapped up in stories and transported to a place where the imagination can run wild. There are literally seven stories of galleries, exhibits, activities, cafes and scheduled readings for you and the kids to explore. Head to this award-winning tourism attraction and prepare for a day the kids will be talking about for days.
4. Dairyland Farm World, Cornwall
If you’ve got some little animal lovers in your family, a trip to Dairyland Farm World in Cornwall is a must. Enjoy tractor rides, pony rides, milking cows, feeding the animals and exploring the nature trail. There are also many indoor and outdoor playgrounds, slides and other adventure activities. After all the playful activities the kids are sure to have worked up an appetite so treat them to a snack and an ice cream in Clarabelle’s Kitchen Cafe. Here you’ll also find lots of great Dairyland Farm World products to take home with you.
3. At Bristol Science Centre, Bristol
So many kids love making ‘potions’ and other crazy science experiments so give them a day they’ll never forget as they experience the real thing with the At Bristol Science Centre. This family-friendly facility caters to kids of all ages as they learn and explore the world of science, even offering special days dedicated to toddlers. The permanent hands-on exhibits would be enough of a draw on their own but couple that with special events and exhibits including an outdoor winter skating rink and you just know the kids are going to have a ball.
2. Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
This top-rated tourist attraction in northeast England will delight both adults and children. Fans of the TV series ‘Downton Abby’ will enjoy the exhibition where you can go behind the scenes of Alnwick Castle, the real life location where the show is filmed. Children can have a real life Knights experience as they dress up in traditional attire, meet other characters of the castle and join in the hustle and bustle of real castle life. Create some medieval crafts, dress up as a noble knight or honorable princess and if they kids are brave enough, head out on an epic dragon quest.
1. BeWILDerwood, Norfolk
Treat your kids by taking them somewhere they can run WILD. BeWILDerwood is an imaginative adventure park where everything has a little magic and nothing is ordinary. The outdoor forest full of fun features treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges, storytelling, boat rides, marsh walks and much more. The kids will love meeting Mildred the Crocklebog and Vera the Hippopotamuddle and hearing exciting tales of their adventures. After working up an appetite running through the enchanting forest, refuel at the Snack Shack or the Munch Bar. However you spend your time at BeWILDerwood, it’s sure to be a day to remember.
