The big challenge when it comes to choosing a family day out is finding one that will keep the kids entertained and engaged without boring the pants off the grown-ups - and vice versa.
For inspiration, we've rounded up some of our favourite family attractions from around the country. From adrenaline sports to geological phenomena, railway exhibitions to virtual space travel – whatever your definition of family fun and whatever your budget, we've got it covered.
With thousands of brilliant, family-friendly hangouts to choose from, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Let us know about your own favourite hidden gems in the comment box below.
Family Days Out Everyone Will Enjoy
The National Railway Museum, North Yorkshire(01 of10)
Get up close and personal with some of the world’s most iconic trains - from the beautiful Art Deco Mallard to the high-speed Japanese 'bullet train' - and see the history of rail travel unfold before your eyes. And if clambering on trains weren’t fun enough, there is a play area and interactive storytelling sessions for the kids, too. Split across two awe-inspring sites (York and Shildon), it’s hard to believe these attractions operate a donation-only door policy.
Price: £3 recommended donation per person (including a kids’ activity book)
Find out more at www.nrm.org.uk (credit:The National Railway Museum)
Price: £3 recommended donation per person (including a kids’ activity book)
Find out more at www.nrm.org.uk (credit:The National Railway Museum)
National Space Centre, Leicestershire(02 of10)
Who hasn’t fantasised about becoming an astronaut? The National Space Centre is probably as close as you’re going to get. Journey to Jupiter's icy moon Europa as a member of the All Earth Space Agency, learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the solar system, take a tour of the 42-metre high iconic Rocket Tower and take in an amazing 360-degree space theatre show.
Price: adult £13; child (5-16) £11; child (0-5) free
Find out more at www.spacecentre.co.uk (credit:National Space Centre)
Price: adult £13; child (5-16) £11; child (0-5) free
Find out more at www.spacecentre.co.uk (credit:National Space Centre)
The Camel Trail, Cornwall(03 of10)
Get on your bikes and head to the Camel Trail to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Cornish countryside and blow away those cobwebs. A disused railway line between Wentfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow, this 18 mile, largely traffic free and virtually level trail is ideal for cyclists of all ages and abilities.
Price: Free
Find out more at www.cornwall.gov.uk/cameltrail (credit:David Hughes via Getty Images)
Price: Free
Find out more at www.cornwall.gov.uk/cameltrail (credit:David Hughes via Getty Images)
The Southbank, London(04 of10)
The rolling Thames, the iconic view of the Houses of Parliament, Sea Life London Aquarium, the London Eye, the Royal Festival Hall, the London Dungeon, the National Theatre – need we go on? Add to that an endless supply of family-friendly (and not too pricey) eateries, ice-cream sellers and street performers, plus summer and Christmas events, and you have the full effect of a top-class festival crammed into one manageable stroll.
Price: Free to wander; check the individual attraction websites for admission prices.
Find out more at www.southbankcentre.co.uk (credit:www.southbankcentre.co.uk)
Price: Free to wander; check the individual attraction websites for admission prices.
Find out more at www.southbankcentre.co.uk (credit:www.southbankcentre.co.uk)
Giant's Causeway, County Antrim(05 of10)
Follow in the footsteps of giants at Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage sites. One of the UK’s most staggering geological phenomena, Giant’s Causeway is renowned for its polygonal columns of layered basalt, which resulted from a volcanic eruption 60m years ago. Children will love spotting the curious ‘wishing chair’, ‘camel’ and ‘giant’s boot’ rock formations.
Price: Adult £9; child £2.50; family £22
Find out more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway (credit:Getty Images)
Price: Adult £9; child £2.50; family £22
Find out more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway (credit:Getty Images)
Black Country Living Museum, West Midlands(06 of10)
Step back in time into this 26-acre open-air museum where the history of the Black Country and its pioneering industrial roots are brought to life with real historic buildings and actors role-playing in authentic costume. Ride trams, watch cookery demonstrations, take a school lesson or just meander the streets, marvelling at the results of 40 years of inspiration and hard graft.
Price: Adult £16.50; child (5-16) £8.25; child (0-4) free; family tickets from £34; online discounts available
Find out more at www.bclm.co.uk (credit:bclm.co.uk)
Price: Adult £16.50; child (5-16) £8.25; child (0-4) free; family tickets from £34; online discounts available
Find out more at www.bclm.co.uk (credit:bclm.co.uk)
Bekonscot Model Village, Buckinghamshire(07 of10)
Make like Gulliver and loom over the world’s oldest model village. There’s something quaint and outmoded about the idea of model villages but as soon as you set your oversized foot in one, you can’t fail to be charmed. With over 80 years of history, a huge model railway, 1.5 acres of beautiful gardens and finely detailed model buildings, Bekonscot is sure to mesmerize guests of all sizes.
Price: Adult £9.80; child 2+ years £5.80; child under 2 free; family of 4 £28
Find out more at www.bekonscot.co.uk (credit:bekonscot.co.uk)
Price: Adult £9.80; child 2+ years £5.80; child under 2 free; family of 4 £28
Find out more at www.bekonscot.co.uk (credit:bekonscot.co.uk)
Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, Merseyside(08 of10)
For sporty types, Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre (located by a stunning 70-acre lake) offers a whole range of blood-pumping activities both on and off the water - from kayaking and dragon boating to climbing. Or, if you prefer a more sedate adventure, pop down to nearby Crosby Beach and see the spectacle that is Anthony Gormley’s Another Place -100 cast-iron, life-size figures spread out along 3km of the foreshore, stretching almost a kilometre out to sea. Breathtaking stuff.
Price: From £30 for a two-hour taster session on the lake
Find out more at www.sefton.gov.uk (credit:Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre)
Price: From £30 for a two-hour taster session on the lake
Find out more at www.sefton.gov.uk (credit:Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre)
Science Museum, London(09 of10)
A haven of interactive, educational and entertaining exhibits over seven floors, there is something for all ages at the Science Museum. From three-metre-high Spacelab telescopes to the Launch Pad gallery where children can get hands-on experience of basic scientific principles, as well as a gallery dedicated to information and communications technology for tiny techies.
Price: Free
Find out more at www.sciencemuseum.org (credit:Who Am I, Science Museum © Benjamin Ealovega)
Price: Free
Find out more at www.sciencemuseum.org (credit:Who Am I, Science Museum © Benjamin Ealovega)
Crathes Castle & Gardens, Aberdeenshire(10 of10)
An imposing 16th-century tower house surrounded by 240 acres of formal gardens, woodland trails and rolling hills, Crathes Castle, Garden and Estate has plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Kids will love the turrets, towers and winding staircases – and if formal gardens and ornate ceilings sound a little too civilised for your roudy rabble, head to the adventure playground or swing from the treetops at the site’s Go Ape.
Price: National Trust members free; adult £12.50; family from £23
Find out more at www.nts.org.uk (credit:National Trust for Scotland)
Price: National Trust members free; adult £12.50; family from £23
Find out more at www.nts.org.uk (credit:National Trust for Scotland)