It is no secret that traveling with kids can be challenging (we’re all thinking about those back seat tantrums!). However, with a bit of research and the right destination, it doesn’t have to be. There are countless family friendly attractions in the UK that are sure to please family members of all ages. The country’s compact size allows families to travel from one destination to another with ease, even if they’ve got tiny tots. Check out our compilation of UK attractions for families that kids will surely love.
If you are planning a trip for 7 days in London and need some travel tips, check out our guide to one week in London.
There are plenty of things to do in the UK with kids.
From Buckingham Palace to the Tower of London, the country’s rich history and bustling multi-cultural scene are just a few of the must-see places in the UK to see with your kids this year.
- Best UK Attractions For Families To Visit
- Map with all sights
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- Summary
Find the best UK attractions for kids and adults alike.
Best UK Attractions For Families To Visit
Are you in search of things to do in UK for families? Get ready for a whole bunch of fun because the United Kingdom is loaded with awesome attractions for all ages.
From cool historical spots and natural wonders to crazy-fun theme parks and hands-on museums, this guide got you covered. Whether you’re digging into history, diving into science, or just soaking in the scenery, there’s something here for everyone in the family.
So, get your stuff together and let’s roll on a journey to make some amazing family memories at these top UK spots.
1. Warner Bros Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter: A Magical Experience with Special Effects
Where: Leavesden, Herfordshire—20 miles northwest of London
Cost: Adult £47.00; Child (5-15) £38.00; Toddlers free! See website for discounted family rates.
Good news Harry Potter fans! Join Warner Bros Studio Tour and uncover the magic at The Making of Harry Potter. Step into the Great Hall, famous for the long wooden tables and floating candlelight fixtures before exploring the shops of Diagon Alley. Be careful as you wander through the creepy set of The Forbidden Forest or the famous Platform 9 ¾ at the railway station.
Your kids (and you too!) will love seeing the costumes up close and discovering how the special and visual effects teams made Harry and the other wizards fly. This magical trip will be a lifelong memory for you and your kids.
Good to know: Check our guide on where to stay in London to see how best get to the Warner Bros Studios from your accommodation.
Compare prices at: Tiqets | Get Your Guide
2. Longleat Safaris & Adventure Park
Where: Wiltshire, England
Cost: Adult £34.95; Child (3-15) £26.20; infants free
Longleat is one of the top family attractions in England and the first drive-through safari park outside Africa. Originally a home of the 7th Marquess of Bath, the estate, surrounding gardens, and grounds are now open to the public. You can even stay the night! As for animals, your family will love the giraffes, zebras, ostriches and more that are found in the East African Reserve. Other grounds include Monkey Temple, the Jungle Cruise, and Animal Adventure. Checkout their events page for the scoop on monthly activities.
Friendly reminder, we added a map below for a better overview of locations.
3. The Deep
Where: Hull, East Yorkshire, England
Cost: Adult £16.50; Children(3-15) £13.00; Children under 3 enter free
The Deep is one of the best places to visit with kids in UK.
If the animal lover in your family liked Longleat, make sure to get up close and personal with the sharks, red-bellied piranhas, and Gentoo penguins at the deepest aquarium in Europe. With a main tank more than 30-feet in depth, visitors of all ages will love the fascinating displays. Not only is The Deep one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world, but the stunning architecture of the building set alongside a beautiful natural landscape only enhance an already unforgettable experience.
Just a 1 hour west, you find the Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The family-friendly park is is a wildlife conservation and rehabilition centre. Read this in-depth review of Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
4. Giant’s Causeway
Where: Causeway Road, Bushmills Northern Ireland
Cost: Free
Another top UK attractions for families is the most famous attraction in Northern Ireland, Giant’s Causeway. Steeped in legend and natural beauty, the 40,000 thousand basalt columns that plunge into the sea date back almost 60 million years ago. Your whole family will marvel at this natural wonder. In 1986 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and in 1987 a national nature reserve. Not only will your family admire the beauty of these hexagonal columns, but the drive down Causeway Road is almost as stunning with rugged cliffs and the vast Atlantic out the window.
Compare prices at: Tiqets | Get Your Guide
5. The Roman Baths
Where: Abbey Churchyard, Bath, England
Cost: Adult £27.00; senior £46.00; child £19.50. There are discounted rates for families and children under 6 enter free. *reduced prices during the week
Thermal springs rise with natural hot water in one of the most remarkably preserved ancient sites in the world. Serving as a religious public bath to the early roman empire, visitors today can walk the original pavement and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva, built in the year 1,000-2000 AD.
At first glance, you may presume that kids could get bored at The Roman Baths.
However, older kids can enjoy a free audio guide that is scripted specifically for their age range, and all family members will enjoy the costumed characters. Using artifacts and evidence, these characters have been reconstructed based on real people who lived and worked at Aquae Sulis 2,000 years ago. Take photos with them, ask questions, and learn about the time period while never witnessing them slip out of character.
The Roman Baths are one of the most famous landmarks in the country. Find a complete guide on all landmarks in the UK here.
Compare prices at: Tiqets | Get Your Guide
6. BeWILDerwood – Adventure Park and Play Areas
Where: Norfolk, England
Cost: Adults £ 19.50; Kids £17.50; young children free.
There are plenty of parks to visit with family in the UK and BeWILDerwood is a good place to start. You won’t run out of places to go with kids in UK. Venture through forests in this 50-acre park with storybook treehouses and lots of whimsy. While not your ideal location for most teens, kids under 12 will love the zip-line adventures, interactive story events, puppet shows, and challenging puzzles! Make sure to see what daily events there are to choose from on the events page.
You won’t want to miss the lantern parades or the craft making activities!
7. Paultons Park – Fun Rides, Peppa Pig World, Alton Towers, and Ice Cream Parlour
Where: Ower, Romsey, England. An hour and a half southwest from London, close to the New Forest.
Cost: £45.50 for all individuals over 1 meter tall. Children under 1m enter free!
Looking for a friendly theme parks that kids will surely love? Our next stop is the best places to visit with toddlers.
Paultons Park is the #1 theme park and a fantastic place in the UK to see with your kids. If they’re young, chances are they are big fans of Peppa the Pig. Paultons is home to the only Peppa theme park where you’ll have the chance to meet Peppa, George, and all their friends. In addition to Peppa Pig World, there are over 70 rides for every age. Adults and teens will love the major roller coasters and go-carts. Kids Kingdom has climbing apparatuses and slides while younger children can run around in Tiny Tots Town.
Compare prices at: Tiqets | Get Your Guide
8. Edinburgh Castle
Where: Located on Castlehill in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city
Cost: Adults £17.50, elderly £14.00, children (5-15) £10.50
Edinburgh Castle is one of the top places in the UK to see with your kids. Make your way up cobblestone streets past bagpipers and artisans toward the 13th century fortress on a hill (well, technically an inactive volcano). Your kids will be awestruck as they cross the fairytale-like drawbridge and walk under the medieval iron portcullis. Imaginations will run wild as your kids step onto the embattlements to stand next to cannons while enjoying the city view below.
Explore the remainder of the castle with a tour guide or assisted by an audio recording. If you plan to self-guide, there are plaques scattered about to give you the historical context of each attraction. In addition to exploring the various palace rooms, other popular attractions in the castle are St. Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in the castle (1130 AD), the prison, and Crown Square. At Crown Square you can see authentic swords, suits of armor and spears at the Great Hall, the Scottish National War Memorial, and the oldest crown in Europe at the Crown Jewels (you won’t believe how big the crown is!)
*While the Edinburgh Castle is beautiful and unique, there are also a number of famous and noteworthy castles in the rest of the UK as well.
Compare prices at: Tiqets | Get Your Guide
9. Llechwedd Deep
Where: Wales
Cost: Up to 4 people £60.00; up to 6 people £80.00
Voted the 2019-2020 Attraction of the Year, Llechwedd Deep is unlike any other experience you’ve had. Take a historical journey 500 feet under the mountains of Snowdonia into the Llechwedd Deep Mine. Follow the individual stories of miners as you travel through the dark tunnels and chambers. Your kids will love wearing their hard hats but be mindful that any young ones who are afraid of the dark will likely not enjoy the tour. Make sure to check out the other excursion such as the Quarry Explorer because there is a ton to do in the area!
10. Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo
Where: Begelly, Wales
Cost: Adult £19.95; Child (3-15 years) £17.95; Toddler £12.95; Under 2 is free!
Also in Wales is the ever-popular Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo. Choose from four different attractions to ensure a fun filled day! The Barn experience is a petting zoo for all ages, even your young ones! Kids will enjoy hands on activities with every live animal you can think of—even llamas. At the vintage fairground, all of the kids, young and old, can enjoy rides and the big wheel. There is also a playground and a zoo with over 100 different species! Rhinos, lions, and even red pandas make the zoo a must-see spot.
11. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
Cost: Adults £16.20; Senior £14.40; Children over 5 £12.60; Under 5 free.
One of the best UK attractions for families is the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. With five floors and over 100 interactive exhibits, there is fun for the whole family. Lose yourself on the second floor mirror maze which seemingly stretches for miles as the tunnel twists, turns, and tilts. On the third floor you’ll find thermal cameras, singing cats, Victorian bendy mirrors, and a display of old Edinburgh photos from the 1850s.
Light fantastic is another interactive experience that is full of illusions, tricks, and bright visual effects following a wild journey through a Kaleido Tunnel. Don’t leave without visiting the Magic Gallery Plasma Tubes and the less chaotic rooftop terrace offering panorama views of Edinburgh.
Read more: We have a detailed guide to Where to Stay in Edinburgh for first time travelers.
12. Chester Zoo
Where: Cheshire, England
Cost: Adult £22.72
Not only is Chester Zoo the #1 Zoo in England, it is also a dedicated conservation charity with that is committed to preventing extinction. With over 20,000 beautiful animals and 128 acres of zoological gardens, your family is guaranteed a day of fun. Make your day even more memorable by exploring a play trail, or getting up close and personal with some of the animals on an Experience Day. This is one of the best family attractions UK has to offer!
13. The Iron Bridge
Where: Shropshire, England
Cost: Visit the website to see the breakdown of individual museum passes and day passes to each.
This world-famous industrial monument is a very popular attraction for families. Spanning the River Severn, industries gathered around the bridge in the late 18th century and now call the bridge the “Birthplace of Industry.” The Iron Bridge Gorge went on to became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to ten award-winning museums. At the Blists Hill Victorian Town Museum, immerse yourselves in a recreated Victorian Town, complete with authentic shops, unique goods, and ‘Victorian’ people. At Enginuity, kids can explore with interactive, table-top experiments at this science and engineering center.
In addition to Blists Hill and Enginuity, visitors can delve into history at the Jackfield Tile Museum, Coalport China Museum, the Museum of the Gorge, the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, Broseley Pipeworks, and the Iron Bridge and Tollhouse. Visiting the Darby Houses and the tour of the tar tunnel are also favorites!
14. Stonehenge
Where: Located near Amesbury in Wiltshire England
Cost: Adult £ 19.50; Children £11.70; Family £50.70
Take a look at one of the must-see London attractions. You’ve probably heard of this iconic attraction as it is the oldest and most famous place in the UK. Stonehenge is one of the best-preserved remnants of the Neolithic era and a World Heritage Site. Tours of the exhibition allow you to uncover how the Stonehenge builders worked and experience how the people lived. Pack a picnic for the family and enjoy the beauty and history of the area.
Good to know: The day tours from London are one of the most popular day trips from London! You can go there as well with your own car. As a family looking for activities near London and UK, this might be an even better option.
Compare prices at: Tiqets | Get Your Guide
15. National Museums Liverpool
Where: Liverpool
Cost: Enjoy free entry!
Will you agree if we say that the best family places to visit in UK are museums? You may be weary of bringing young kids to a museum but the Liverpool National History Museum is packed with interesting attractions. You and your kids alike will find the Egyptian mummies fascinating and the real casts of dinosaur skeletons amazing. Studying the sky always produces a sense of awe and the planetarium will do the same.
The National Museum has such a wide variety of artifacts, history, science, and more that you the family will be able to spend the whole day there.
16. Natural History Museum
Where: London, England
Cost: Free admission (some special exhibitions may have tickets)
The Natural History Museum in London is a must-visit destination for families. With its stunning architecture and a vast collection of natural wonders, it offers an educational and entertaining experience for visitors of all ages. Explore the dinosaur exhibits, see the life-sized blue whale model, and get hands-on in the interactive science and discovery zones.
The museum regularly hosts special exhibitions and events, so be sure to check its website for the latest updates.
17. Warwick Castle
Where: Warwick, England
Cost: Starts at £26 per person
Warwick Castle is a historic gem that offers a fantastic family day out. Explore the medieval architecture, witness thrilling reenactments, and immerse yourself in the rich history of the castle. Your kids will love the interactive exhibits, including the Horrible Histories Maze and the chance to experience medieval life up close.
Be sure to check the official website for information on special events and shows happening during your visit.
Maps with all UK Things to see for Families with Kids
Below we added all UK Attractions for Families on a map. This way it is much easier for you to plan your family vacation.
(You can open the map in a new tab here.)
FAQs
What is the most visited place in the UK?
London is the most visited city in the UK. Don't forget to visit Warner Bros Studio Tour and Paultons Park when you are in the area.
What is the most visited wildlife attraction in the UK?
Chester Zoo is the most visited wildlife attraction in the UK. Make your day even more memorable by exploring a play trail, or getting up close and personal with some of the animals on an Experience Day.
Where can I take my kids in the UK?
There are plenty of places you can take kids in the UK like Longleat Safaris & Adventure Park, The Deep, BeWILDerwood, and more!
Summary
Do you love family travel? You can’t say no to that, especially during the holidays. It is one of the things that keeps the family adventure on fire! We have compiled the best attractions in UK for families and we trust that if you get the chance you’ll visit most of these attractions in the United Kingdom. This guide is perfect if you are looking for UK attractions for family.
Planning a variety of engaging family days out in the UK can turn a vacation into a memorable adventure for visitors of all ages. Regardless of which UK family attractions you choose, book a trip and make memories. You won’t regret the time spent exploring some of the most beautiful and historically significant sites on earth with the people that matter most to you.
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