Nearly nine centuries old and the home of one of the country’s most beautiful Elizabethan walled gardens, Haddon Hall brims with well-preserved 14th–16th century interiors. Step back in time here as you explore England’s oldest medieval kitchens, marvel over the notable tapestry collection, and stroll through the Long Gallery.
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.
Get up close to sharks, scorpions, and more at Skegness Aquarium, where pirate-themed exhibits, hands-on activities, and underwater experiences offer family-friendly fun and immersive insight into coastal biodiversity. Plus, the aquarium’s prime spot on the Skegness seafront makes it easy to visit several top attractions in one day.
At the base of Blackpool’s landmark tower, the Blackpool Tower Circus has provided spectacular entertainment since opening in 1894, making it Blackpool’s longest-running show. Book a ticket and the clowns, acrobats, and musicians will be sure to keep you amused with their antics and stunts.
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.
Dino-loving kids and adults alike will appreciate the robust collection of fossils, bones, and crystals housed at Fossils Galore, a museum and workshop situated just 30 minutes outside of Peterborough. Highlights include a Woolly Rhinoceros skull and an Iguanadon dinosaur, as well as regular talks about fossil hunting, the chance to watch behind-the-scenes bone cleanings, and interactive exhibits.
Coventry's Herbert Art Gallery & Museum is an expansive art and history museum that features a mix of permanent and temporary exhibits, interactive workshops, and educational talks. It's a fantastic place to learn about the history of Coventry from the Middle Ages to the modern day.
The National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool gives visitors the chance to learn about sailors, life at sea, and the reality of war. Through immersive reenactments and exhibits, you can discover the history of HMS Trincomalee, the oldest warship still afloat in the UK, and witness live shooting demonstrations.
For a day of outdoor fun, head over to Crocky Trail adventure park. Tackle the rough-and-tumble trail itself—complete with rope bridges, stepping stones, sandpits, and swings—or stick to the playground rides before enjoying a picnic or snack from the on-site shop.
Discover the home of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase on a trip to Liverpool’s Aintree Racecourse. Dating back to 1829, the main site offers the opportunity to see traditional horse racing on scheduled race days, while its Equestrian Centre, Motor Racing Circuit, and Golf Centre provide alternatives for off-season visits.
Hull’s award-winning aquarium, The Deep, combines fun with learning through audiovisual presentations and interactive exhibits. You can marvel at tropical fish in the Lagoon of Light; watch sharks, turtles, and rays swim around the Endless Ocean; observe penguins in the Kingdom of Ice; and see jellyfish in the Cool Seas.
Part of a well-known chain of British seaside resorts founded in the 1930s, Butlin’s Minehead offers all-inclusive family vacations and easy access to both the beach and to Exmoor National Park. The resort also provides an assortment of entertainment offerings—from a traditional fairground to live shows—and has ample dining facilities.
Tackle all things rugby in the town where the sport began, at the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Via state-of-the-art interactive exhibits featuring memorabilia and more, listen to tales of rugby legends, and learn about the history of this humble international game.
A must-see for fans of Jane Austen, this elegant public park—known as a “pleasure garden”—opened back in 1795 and encapsulates the Georgian style for which Bath is known. With tranquil paths and elegant views overlooking the Kennet and Avon Canal, it is easy to imagine Austen heroines like Anne Elliot or Catherine Morland having a stroll here.
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.
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.
Largely regarded as the world's oldest dedicated sports museum, the MCC Museum is a must for cricket fans. Located at Lord's Cricket Ground, which is known as the “Home of Cricket” and is owned by the legendary Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), it can be accessed by fans on tours or by attending matches. The collection spans cricket equipment, memorabilia, and photographs. It's worth a peek just to see its most prized artifact: the Ashes urn.
Active Reality is a futuristic virtual reality gaming world in Bath that works well as a rainy-day activity. Here, visitors can use advanced technology to participate in multi-player games in the virtual world. As a player, you can run, walk, and jump while immersed in a world where you battle zombies and robots—a fun option for groups visiting Bath.
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.
Originally built for a Welsh prince in the 13th century, Powis Castle is now one of Britain’s finest stately homes. Behind the red sandstone façade, which is surrounded by spectacular Baroque gardens and a deer park, visitors can explore elaborately decorated 17th century dining halls and state rooms, before admiring the collection of Indian artefacts in the Clive Museum.
Nestled just north of the English border in Scotland, the Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop is known for hosting the marriages of couples who had fled England’s restrictive marriage laws during the 1700s and 1800s. The quaint shop remains a wedding venue and draws visitors with its marriage rooms, museum, shop, and restaurant.
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.
One of Birmingham’s most popular markets—and a must if you’re a shopper who loves hunting for bargains—is the Birmingham Rag Market, right in the city center. Also known as the Bull Ring Rag Market or St. Martin’s Rag Market, the vast indoor space houses some 350 vendors, and specializes in clothing, fabrics, homewares, and other items.
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.
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.
Located on one of the oldest industrial sites in Sheffield, the Kelham Island Museum tells the story of the city’s history of making, from centuries-old craft legacies to the rise of the Industrial Revolution. Spanning more than 300 years, its collection includes Sheffield Simplex cars, restored craft workshops, and the most powerful working steam engine in Europe.
St. Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham is famed for being one of the first Catholic cathedrals to be erected in the UK, dating all the way back to 1841. Visitors flock here to see its impressive neo-Gothic architecture, in particular its beautiful ceiling and stained glass windows.
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.
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.
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.
