The award-winning Devil’s Porridge Museum pays homage to HM Factory Gretna, also known as the Greatest Munitions Factory on Earth. Experience the work of this important wartime site with interactive exhibits and virtual reality headsets, and learn about the history of this area of Scotland.
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.
The family-owned Bridlington Birds of Prey and Animal Park brings together endangered animals across different habitat zones. You can find everything from alpacas and raccoons to owls and meerkats, as well as many birds of prey; exhibits sit alongside educational exhibits and hands-on experiences.
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.
Set on parkland, this 16th-century tower house offers stunning views of the Firth of Forth estuary. The property’s elegant frozen-in-time interiors showcase the life and style of an upper-middle-class family in Edwardian-era Scotland, with collections of antique furniture, artwork, and decorative objects, from porcelain to Oriental rugs.
On the banks of the River Thames, Maidenhead is an affluent city which is home to an 18th-century bridge built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, as well as the country’s oldest soccer stadium. An ideal day-trip destination in and of itself, Maidenhead is also a jumping-off point for exploring charming villages such as Bray, Cookham, and Littlewick Green.
Built in the late 16th century by Robert Smythson, Doddington Hall & Gardens is a Grade-I-listed Elizabethan mansion, complete with five acres (two hectares) of walled gardens. It also remains a beloved family home. Explore the hall and grounds at your leisure before stopping by the farm shop or grabbing lunch at the on-site café.
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.
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.
Opened in 1900 as the first light railway in England, the historic Kent and East Sussex Railway now operates a 10.5 miles (17 kilometer) route between Tenterden and Bodiam. Riding aboard one of the 20th-century steam or heritage diesel trains is one of the most traditional ways to appreciate the English countryside, including the Rother Valley and Wittersham.
Since 1964, Somerset’s Fleet Air Arm Museum has immersed guests in the history of British naval aviation. Four main exhibition spaces showcase a range of historic aircraft, while interactive displays provide plenty for visitors of all ages to see and do—including an award-winning aircraft carrier experience and an outdoor play area.
Edinburgh Castle sits 430 feet (130 meters) above sea level on the summit of Castle Rock, a volcanic plug in the center of Edinburgh. Easy to spot from almost anywhere in town, the castle and rock are an arresting sight, and the top of the rock affords sweeping city views.
Belfast locals have been socializing in this National Trust-owned pub since 1826. Built by skilled Italian craftsmen who were brought over to help construct Catholic churches, the bar retains its sumptuous original interior, with stained glass windows, carved wood, patterned tiles, decorative panels, and mosaics all over.
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.”
Henrietta Park, a charming nature spot near the center of Bath, was opened to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Spanning 7 acres (3 hectares), it offers a serene escape with its scented roses, winding paths, and garden that honors King George V. This picturesque park is ideal for a peaceful stroll and a tranquil escape from a day of exploring.
Roughly translated as “shapely mountain,” Moel Siabod offers some of the finest views in Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park. The mountain is lesser-known than its Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) neighbor—and this is no bad thing—meaning it entices walkers instead with solitude and sweeping views over the surrounding Moelwynion massif peaks.
Conwy Mountain (Mynydd y Dref), located to the west of Conwy in North Wales, sits in the foothills of the Carneddau range of mountains, overlooking Conwy Bay. The mountain is home to wild Carneddau ponies and roaming sheep, adding to the splendor of this part of the Welsh countryside. With its natural beauty, the area serves as a popular spot for hiking, running, and walking.
One look at the grand facade of Newhailes House makes it easy to see why the 17th-century villa is hailed as one of Scotland’s most impressive National Trust properties. Along with boasting an eclectic mix of architectural styles and materials—including Chinese decor, Italian marble, and rococo interiors—the house is surrounded by 84 acres (34 hectares) of gardens and woodlands.
Perched on the banks of the Clyde River, Geilston Garden is a 200-year-old walled garden surrounded by woodlands and wildflowers. The small country estate looks as if it’s been taken from the pages of a Scottish fairy tale. It's most famous for the huge Wellingtonia tree that stands in its center and its exquisitely kept gardens.
While much of Coventry was destroyed by Nazi bombings in World War II, historic Spon Street remains as a reminder of the city’s centuries of history. Here you’ll find a concentration of timber-framed medieval and Tudor buildings that house a variety of independent shops, restaurants, pubs, historic workshops, and niche museums.
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.
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.
A tranquil community forest located at the western edge of Cairngorms National Park, Strathmashie Forest offers Scottish Highlands scenery on an accessible scale. It’s home to several walking trails that range in difficulty, plus pine and Sitka forests, rich wildlife, waterfalls, ruins, and views overlooking the nearby hills and lakes.
Perched on the southern tip of Iona—part of the Inner Hebrides islands off Scotland’s west coast—St. Columba’s Bay is said to be where St. Columba and his fellow monks entered Iona in the 6th century. The remote bay is the ideal place to escape to, and is also a breeding site for Atlantic seals. With some luck, you might spot a seal pup basking on the beach.
Set at Linen Mill Studios, where some of Game of Thrones was filmed, Game of Thrones Studio Tour offers insights into the craft, sets, makeup, costumes, prosthetics, and special effects that shaped the iconic TV series. The 110,000-square-foot (10,200-square-meter) attraction boasts a wealth of photo ops, including one atop the Iron Throne.
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.
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.
One of the Isle of Wight’s top resort towns, seaside Shanklin offers both natural and cultural attractions. Its sandy beach, offset against dramatic cliffs, is the town’s undisputed highlight, though Shanklin Chine (a coastal ravine, the Shanklin Theater (founded in the 1870s, and the quaint Old Village are all top draws.
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.
