Getting out and about with the family and doing something new and adventurous doesn’t have to be a chore. The UK is full of great day trips that are child-friendly, fun and easy to get to. Here's our pick of fun family destinations in the UK.

Days out – Central England

• Warwick Castle, Warwickshire. One of the most beautiful mediaeval castles in Britain. Age: 7+
  
  
• Cadbury World, Bournville, Birmingham. For those Willy Wonka fans, a permanent exhibition all about chocolate. Age: All
  
  
• National Space Centre. Exploration drive, Leicester. An award-winning space centre. Entrance fees include timed tickets for the space theatre.
  
  
• Tales of Robin Hood, Nottingham. The hero of Sherwood Forest has his own theme park with adventure rides, falconry and archery displays, games, workshops and storytelling about Robin and his merry men. Age: All
  
  
• Thinktank, Millenium Point, Birmingham. Fancy learning about locomotives, aircrafts or intestines. Visit thinktank, a range of ten themed galleries which cover everything from science, biology and history. Age: 3+
  
  

Days out – Northwest England

• Waterworld, Etruria, Stoke-on Trent. Visit this giant water theme park with 17 major rides and attractions. Age: All
  
  
• Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Cheshire. Chester is the UK’s largest zoo and has something for all the family. Age: All
  
  
• Heaton Park, Prestwich, Manchester. Heaton Park is the largest municipal park in Europe and has a huge range of activities including horse riding, a boating lake, donkey hire, a farm centre and a hall and gardens. Age: All
  
  
• Blue John Cavern, Castleton, Derbyshire. A fantastic series of caves which were excavated by the Romans more than 2000 years ago, Blue John Cavern is a special treat for the whole family. Its special feature includes the Waterfall Cavern which holds a massive stalagmite formation.
  
  
• East Lancashire Light Railway, Bury Lancashire. Fancy a trip back in time. Why not take a ride on this charming steam train through the Rossendale Valley. Age: All
  
  
• Camelot Theme Park, Chorley, Lancashire. A theme park based on the legend of King Arthur, this fantastic attraction has a safe-play area for very young children. Age: All


• Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, Lancashire. This legendary theme park has Been called the Roller Coaster capital of the world. An entry ticket will provide unlimited access to rides and attractions. Age: All


• Rheged, Penrith, Cumbria. A day the weather can't spoil, this Cumbrian attraction features an IMAX cinema, mountaineering exhibition and indoor play area. Age: All
  

Days out – Northeast England

• Trailways Cycle Hire, Whitby, North Yorkshire. A fantastic opportunity for the whole family to get fit whilst cycling along the scenic coastal route from Whitby to Scarborough. Cycle hire starts at £6.30 a day and Trailways has about 100 bikes for hire as well as towable buggy trailers for children too young to cycle. Age: All
  
  
• The Deep, Hull. An interactive exhibition tells the story of the world’s oceans and also has real life sharks on display. Age: All
  
  
• Jorvik Viking Centre, York, North Yorkshire. Let your children learn about the Vikings with this famous reconstruction of a Viking settlement. Using the latest technology and interactive features, this Viking Centre reproduces the sights, sounds, smells and daily life of 10th century York: Age: 7+
  

Days out – South East England

• Climbers and Creepers Play Zone, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. An educational attraction devoted to plants and ecology. Main features include supersized reproductions of a Venus Fly Trap, Grandy Flora flower and Harvest mouse nest which kids are allowed to slide down, climb into and scramble over. These come complete with sound effects. The building houses an outdoor area called Airplay which has flower windmills and “leaf” hammocks, and also a rest and observation area with a snack bar overlooking a play space. Other features include an enclosed hive where kids can watch bees work and a butterfly cage. Age: 3 to 9.
  
  
• Tangemere Military Aviation Museum Trust, Chichester, Sussex.
  
  
  
  

Days out – Wales

• Bodelwyddan Castle and Marble Church, Bodelwyddan, Denbigshire. A Victorian Castle and estate which boasts many of North Wales finest art works. Find out what daily life was like in 19th century England by using the free audio guides that are included in your entry tickets. Activities for kids include gardens, woodland walks, nature trails and a picnic site with a play area. Age: All
  
  
• Alice in Wonderland Centre, Llandudno Lewis Carrol’s book is vividly brought to life by a walk-through life-sized animated recreation of the key scenes in the book. Kids can also enjoy an Alice in Wonderland tour of the town. Age: All
  
  
• Big Pit: the National Mining Museum of Wales Enjoy a guided tour down a Welsh coalmine located 500 metres underground. Age 5 (and at least one metre tall)
  
  
• Ffestiniog Railway, Porthmadog, GwyneddEnjoy a steam engine trip through spectacular Welsh scenery on one of the world’s oldest steam railways. Age: All



• King Arthur’s Labyrinth, Machynlleth, Powys Visit this legendary cavern where King Arthur is said to be sleeping surrounded by his trusty knights until they are called upon to rise up again and defend Britain. Age: all but this visit will involve walking underground a lot and visitors will be issued with safety helmets.



• Techniquest, Cardiff One of the UK’s most popular hands-on science centres, offering 150 exhibits, a planetarium, discovery room and puzzles. Age: All

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