The United Kingdom combines historic grandeur with modern innovation, from London's iconic landmarks to Scotland's rugged Highlands and Wales's dramatic coastlines. Experience world-class museums, royal palaces, ancient castles, vibrant cities, and charming countryside villages across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Harry Potter Studio Tour (Warner Bros.)
Walk through actual sets, costumes, and props from the Harry Potter films at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden. The Hogwarts Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and Butterbeer are unforgettable for fans of all ages. Book months in advance.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Natural History Museum, London
The blue whale skeleton and dinosaur gallery are guaranteed crowd-pleasers for children. Interactive galleries, discovery centers, and regular family events in a spectacular Victorian building. No booking required for permanent collection.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Legoland Windsor Resort
Purpose-built theme park near Windsor with rides, shows, and Lego-themed attractions. Miniland recreates world landmarks in Lego bricks. Best for ages 3-12, with over 50 rides and attractions.
Duration: Full day
Edinburgh Castle Family Tour
Scotland's most iconic fortress has excellent family appeal with dungeons, cannons including the famous One O'Clock Gun, and hands-on interpretation. The Beefeater guards and Crown Jewels fascinate all ages.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Warwick Castle
Medieval castle with jousting tournaments, trebuchet firing, archery demonstrations, and a walk-in dungeon experience. Live history shows throughout the day. One of England's most family-friendly heritage sites.
Duration: Full day
Eden Project, Cornwall
Giant geodesic biome domes containing rainforest and Mediterranean plant environments built in a former clay pit. Educational, spectacular, and captivating for all ages. Outdoor gardens, café, and events.
Duration: Full day
Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire
Internationally renowned zoo specializing in primates with gorillas, orangutans, bonobos, and chimpanzees alongside 500+ species. Conservation-focused with engaging interpretation for children.
Duration: Half to full day
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire
Scotland's legendary resort with outstanding children's programming, kids' club, adventure playground, and the whole estate to explore. Multiple pools, activities, and family suites in stunning countryside.
Family features: Courtyard Kids' Club ages 4-12, family suites, outdoor adventure activities, multiple pools
Fowlmere Country House, Hampshire
Family-friendly country house hotel with activities including archery, farm animals, and outdoor adventures in beautiful Hampshire countryside. Children made genuinely welcome with cots and kids' menus.
Family features: Farm animals, archery, family rooms, outdoor play areas, cot and highchair provision
NOVOTEL London Tower Bridge
Family-oriented Novotel near Tower Bridge with large family rooms, children eat free policy, kids' club, and indoor pool. Walking distance to Tower of London and Borough Market.
Family features: Kids eat free from children's menu, family rooms, indoor pool, corner location near Tower of London
Premier Inn (nationwide)
UK's most reliable budget hotel chain with consistent standards nationwide. Family rooms sleep 2 adults and 2 children, under-16s stay free with adults. Excellent value throughout the country.
Family features: Under-16s stay free, family rooms, breakfast included option, wheelchair accessible, nationwide coverage
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Most UK casual restaurants welcome children with high chairs and children's menus — Bill's, Pizza Express, Nando's, and Wagamama are reliably family-friendly nationwide
Many gastropubs have enclosed beer gardens where children can run around during meals — excellent for family lunches in summer
Sunday lunches at family-friendly country pubs (roast dinner with kids menu) are a quintessentially British family experience from £8-15 per child
Pizza Express runs 'Bambinos' children's cooking classes at selected restaurants — book in advance for a memorable experience
Most National Trust and English Heritage cafes offer children's meals and welcome families — good standard, reasonable prices at historical sites
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
London's free museums (Natural History Museum, Science Museum, British Museum, V&A) are world-class and completely free — prioritize these over paid attractions for budget families
Buy a London Visitor Oyster card for children aged 5-10 who travel free on all buses and at reduced rate on the Tube
Children under 5 travel free on all London transport — under-11s travel free on London buses at all times
The Harry Potter Studio Tour sells out months in advance, especially school holidays — book online the moment you confirm travel dates