Family days out in UK during school holidays
Finally, the school holidays have arrived – a time for families to relax, explore and spend quality time together. And what better way to do all three than with a family day out? The UK is full of exciting locations where you and your family can venture out and enjoy the much needed time away from work and school.
Ready to pick the ideal spot for your family day out? Continue reading to find out the best places for families to visit during the school holidays.
Chester Zoo, Cheshire
Starting off with a classic family favourite, a trip to the zoo is sure to excite every member of your brood. But Chester Zoo isn’t just any ordinary zoo, this reserve is home to over 27,000 endangered species and fascinating animals such as bears, lions, elephants, giraffes and flamingos. As well as the captivating critters, Chester Zoo also has 128 acres of award-winning gardens for you to explore. It’s no wonder why this zoo is England’s most visited tourist attraction outside of London!
Stop off for a bite to eat at any of the onsite restaurants, cafes and kiosks. There’s even a contemporary British pub, The Oakfield, which serves up a range of freshly prepared, locally sourced dishes.
Chester Zoo is located on the outskirts of Chester, not far from the M56 or Chester city centre by car. The site is fully accessible, so family members with wheelchairs, mobility scooters or limited mobility can easily get around – there are even wheelchairs available to hire.
Go Ape, locations across the UK
Looking for thrill and adventure in your next family day out? You can’t go wrong with a trip to Go Ape. With multiple locations located across the UK, you can plan a family day out to any of the sites in London, the Midlands, North England, Wales, Scotland and many more.
Each location has fun-filled activities for all age groups – from the bouncy nets adventure full of inflatables perfect for little ones, to the more challenging ‘Tree Challenge Xpress’. There’s even zip-lines, segways and axe throwing for you and the kids to have a go at.
Scottish Football Museum, Glasgow
The perfect day out for a family of football fans, the Scottish Football Museum in Glasgow tells the true tale of Scotland’s football history. Located in the heart of Hampton Park, you only have to drive five minutes from Junction 1A of the M74 to get to this exciting attraction.
Explore the site and enjoy some of the sporting objects and exhibits, including the Scottish Football Hall of Fame. Plus, you and the family can enjoy the fascinating Hampden Stadium Tour, try your luck at scoring a goal at the warm up area and head to the dressing rooms get a real feel of the team spirit.
The museum is completely wheelchair friendly.
Roman Baths, Bath
Located in the centre of Bath, the Roman Baths is the ideal family day out for fun, relaxation – and also a bit of education too. The site was constructed in around 70AD and is recogised as one of the world’s best-preserved Roman structures – featuring 1,170,000 litres of steaming spring water.
Visit here to explore ruins, an interactive museum, historical chambers and much more. Explore the site’s main features - the Sacred Spring, Roman Temple and the Roman Bath House. Plus, you and your crew can taste the famous spa water, known for its curative properties as it contains 43 minerals.
For those with accessibility needs, lifts are available throughout the attraction and most of the site is accessible for wheelchair use. Because the Roman Baths are six metres below street level, there are unfortunately a number of steps throughout the site.
Finish your family day out with true relaxation by taking a trip to the Thermae Bath Spa, located just two minutes away from the Baths.
London Transport Museum, London
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If you’re looking for family days out in London, don’t miss out on visiting the London Transport Museum. This popular attraction shows off some of the UK’s most iconic forms of transport – from the famous red London bus to the first map design of the London Underground.
An exciting trip for all members of the family, you and your loved ones can explore the evolution of vehicles and set your sights on he world's first underground steam train. You can also take a close look at the padded cell train carriage which dates back to the 1890s.
Don’t forget to visit the Design for Travel gallery, where you’ll find a variety of posters and artwork. Plus, be sure to head to the interative galleries to get a chance to go on a tube driving simulator, as well as hop on real-life busses and trains.
The site is accessible for wheelchair users and you’ll find level access at the Ticket Desk, as well as lifts to all floors and ramps in some areas. The museum is located in London’s city centre.
H2: Alton Towers, Stoke-on-Trent
Offering one of the best family days out in the UK, Alton Towers is a sure to be a hit with your entire family. This popular theme park is jam-packed with adrenalin-fuelling, fun-filled activities for all ages. With over 40 rides and attractions, including a splash-tastic waterpark and record-breaking rollercoatsers, this will definitely be a trip to remember.
Travelling with little ones? Make their day by heading over to CBeebies Land where they can meet some of their favourite characters and enjoy a range of rides and attraictions. The theme park, waterpark and onsite hotels are all designed to be as accessible as possible for all guests. There are also ride access passes for those who require it.
Find the resort between the M1 and the M6, between Stoke-on-Trent and Nottingham. If you’ve got a long drive, you can always stay at the park’s hotels.
H2: LEGOLAND, Windsor
If you have LEGO lovers in your family, the school holidays wouldn’t be complete without a trip to LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort. This famous attraction offers a day of fun to all. Take a drive in a LEGO car, head over to the Dragon Knights' castle and play Laser Raiders with your team.
There’s also a range of rides available for you to conquer, including the 4D interactive experience, NINJAGO The Ride.
The site’s themepark, resort and attractions are all designed to be easily accessible to all guests. They even offer ride access passes. To get to LEGOLAND by car, you’ll need to travel around 25 miles from central London.
H2: National Space Museum, Leicester
Last but certainly not least, Leicester’s National Space Museum offers both a fun and educational family day out. Featuring the UK's Largest Planetarium, you and your loved ones can get stuck in with a range of interative galleries and discover the past, present and future of space.
Check out the many rockets, meteroties and satellites, and feast your eyes on the 42-metre Rocket Tower. Be sure to take a look at some of the world-famous spacesuits, including the one donned by actor Matt Damon in hit film The Martian.
All of the site’s galleries are accessible to wheelchair users. They even run yearly accessible afternoons. To get there, you only need to drive two miles north of Leicester city centre.
Planning another trip? Find out more amazing places to visit on our blog. Plus, make getting around with your family easy with a Hertz UK car hire.