Treak Cliff Cavern is credited with being one of the most beautiful caves in the UK, thanks to its large deposits of Blue John stone. This rare semi-precious mineral has been mined here since the mid-18th century, and travelers can take self-guided cavern tours and visit the museum to learn more about the beautiful rock and the caves.
More than 250 birds of prey—representing about 75 different species—can be found at this long-standing bird of prey center, which has been in operation since 1967. Walk through the center’s gardens, peer into aviaries, and observe flying demonstrations during which staff educate visitors on the behaviors and habits of raptors.
Family fun comes thick and fast at the Lightwater Valley Family Adventure near Ripon in Yorkshire. Home to more than 40 rides and attractions, this landscaped park is ideal for younger children—while still great for families with older kids—and serves up everything from coasters and carousels to live shows, a boating lake, and more.
Experience life in wartime Britain at Eden Camp, a family-friendly museum which combines award-winning interactive elements with dozens of informative exhibits in a former World War II prisoner-of-war camp. Marvel over real tanks, military aircraft, and more, as the sounds and smells of Eden Camp recreate the feel of WWII life.
With a wide range of animals, amusements, and activities designed to entertain families, Old MacDonald’s Farm can be a fun-filled day out whatever the weather. Meet more than 30 different species of animals including meerkats and wallabies, jump on amusing rides, and enjoy the soft play areas at this folksy park that’s scaled for young kids.
In the heart of Centenary Square, the Hall of Memory is a stately war memorial devoted to the thousands of Birmingham residents who died in World War I. This Portland stone structure is notable for its art deco architecture and features four bronze statues by celebrated artist Albert Toft.
First making a name for itself as a wool trading and shipbuilding center in the 13th century, the historic village of Tenterden is today best known as the starting point of the Kent & East Sussex Railway. Here, visitors can take a ride on one of England’s best preserved steam heritage railways—but not before exploring Tenterden’s shops, wood-beamed cottages, and Victorian townhouses.
Follow the stories of Cheshire’s soldiers from Roman times to the current day at the Cheshire Military Museum. The exhibits offer a walk through time, showcasing the different conflicts around the world that have involved the Cheshire regiment. Must-see displays include a medal collection and a replica World War I trench with a periscope for a peek at “no man’s land.”
Furness Abbey is a former monastery dating back to 1123 and is today one of the finest Medieval ruins in Britain. Throughout the Middle Ages, it was a stronghold of the wealthy, influential Cistercian order and today the ruins offer a fascinating insight into the past.
For an immersive day out certain to delight the whole family, head to South Lakes Safari Zoo. Tour the park on foot to catch a glimpse of rhinos, jaguars, and other animals; hand-feed giraffes, penguins, or tigers; or learn more at one of the many educational talks.
Birmingham’s West Midlands Police Museum provides an educational and entertaining insight into local policing history through interactive exhibits. Dress up in police uniforms, enter a forensics lab, and see what life was like for inmates in the Victorian-era cell block, operational until 2016. Fans of Peaky Blinders will especially enjoy seeing where the characters may have ended up.
Sandwiched between some of Birmingham’s most impressive buildings, including the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the Birmingham Town Hall, Chamberlain Square is among the city's main public plazas. It's a good place to linger and people-watch, though many people just zip through quickly, stopping only to take a photo of the Gothic-style Chamberlain Memorial.
Docked in Southampton, the SS Shieldhall is the one of largest working steamboats in all of the United Kingdom, and stands as a tribute to British maritime history. Here, visitors can view the unique inner workings of classic steamship machinery frozen in time, both above and below deck, learn about how most ocean-going ships worked in the 19th and 20th centuries, and take to the sea.
Sandwiched between Weston Woods and the headland at Sand Point, Sand Bay in Somerset is a sweeping sand and shingle beach backed by unspoiled dunes. A favorite for hiking, horseback riding, dog walking, and seaside strolling—as well as birdwatching at Sand Point—Sand Bay also offers vistas of the River Severn and its two suspension bridges on a clear day.
Inspire young minds and have a fun, as well as educational, day out at the Look Out Discovery Centre. Hands-on science and nature exhibits and shows teach kids all about the way the world works. Children can learn from more than 90 activities, from launching a hydrogen rocket to playing with boats or building a house.
While there’s not a great deal left of it to see, Minerva’s Shrine in Edgar’s Park remains an important piece of Chester’s Roman history. The remains of the rock-carved shrine to the pagan Roman goddess date back to the second century, when Chester was occupied by the Romans and known to its people as the city of Deva.
Whisky production is more often associated with Scotland than England, but there are a growing number of distilleries south of the border—including the award-winning trailblazer, St George’s Distillery. The first single malt whisky distillery to open in England in over a century, this distillery offers guided tours at its Norfolk base.
Perched on a hillside overlooking the lakes and parklands of Wardour Park, the rugged silhouette of Old Wardour Castle makes for a dramatic sight, and the atmospheric ruins have long been a favorite backdrop of photographers and filmmakers. Make a stop to snap photos of your own and bring a picnic to enjoy on its sweeping lawns.
Built in 1879, this 34-room hotel served as a vacation rental for the family of Beatrix Potter, the author and illustrator responsible for Peter Rabbit. Potter fell for Lindeth Howe and eventually went on to purchase the property. Inside, you can admire references to the hotel’s literary heritage, including a book wall and animal-inspired details.
Situated within the Walled Garden of Burn Hall Hotel, the York Bird of Prey Centre is home to more than 80 birds of prey, including owls, falcons, hawks, and eagles. Watch flight demonstrations and take the opportunity to both feed and handle these magnificent creatures at indoor and outdoor exhibits.
Perched on the banks of the River Dee, just outside of Chester city center, Sandy Lane Aqua Park features a playground alongside a variety of fun water features, including jet sprays, sprinklers, geysers, and tipping buckets. This family-friendly destination boasts views of the lush Chester countryside and a grassy picnic area.
High-quality, palm oil–free Belgian chocolate meets Yorkshire innovation and craftsmanship at The Little Chocolate Shop in North Yorkshire, which runs daily chocolate-making workshops for all ages and abilities. Browse for a pick-and-mix selection of locally made chocolate at the store, grab a decadent hot chocolate in the on-site café, or simply watch the chocolatiers at work at this delicious destination.
Birmingham’s Gun Quarter was once a global hub for gun manufacturing, producing sporting and military firearms as far back as the early 17th century. Though its industrial roots have now faded, the area still attracts history enthusiasts who come to learn about its gun-making origins. A handful of gun-related shops are also still open—mostly producing air guns—such as Westley Richards.
With its stately Jacobean-style façade, magnificent oak furniture, and rolling parklands, Stokesay Court is a striking example of a late-Victorian English country estate. Best known as the setting of the 2007 film, Atonement, the estate is open to visitors who can admire locations such as the library, gardens, and outdoor fountain.
Spread out over 63 acres (25 hectares), Handsworth Park is a popular place for Birmingham residents and visitors looking to get out in nature without having to leave town. Along with its grassy expanses, flower beds, and trees, the park has a network of walking paths and two play areas for kids.
The former base of the Panacea Society, a 20th-century religious community, the Panacea Museum offers a glimpse into this remarkable—and almost exclusively female—society. Spread between two homes, the museum highlights the life of the society’s founder Mabel Barltrop in one building, and examines the community’s beliefs in the other.
Located at the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, St. Paul’s Square is famed for being one of the city’s very last remaining Georgian squares. Taking its name from the small church that sits as its center, visitors come here to relax on its benches, check out the architecture, or visit nearby restaurants and cafés.
One of London’s most popular seasonal events, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has delighted the capital’s residents and visitors since 2007. The biggest festival of its kind in the city, Winter Wonderland comprises a huge range of attractions, including an open-air ice rink, a soaring ferris wheel, ice bars, carnival games, Christmas markets, Santa meet-and-greets, and more.
Lightroom is one of London’s most modern and boundary-pushing art destinations. Located in Coal Drops Yard near King’s Cross Station, the exhibition space specializes in multimedia, artist-led exhibitions. Thanks to its larger-than-life scale and immersive audio and video capabilities, Lightroom invites visitors to step right inside the art, and has partnered with luminaries including David Hockney and Tom Hanks.
An 18th-century Palladian villa surrounded by 66 acres (26 hectares) of riverside parkland, Marble Hill House is the epitome of elegance. You can spend hours exploring the woodlands and gardens around the pristine white mansion, while the house’s Georgian-style interior transports you back to the 1700s with its lavishly decorated rooms.
