With the school summer holidays fast approaching if you’re anything like me, you’ll have a spreadsheet prepared for things to do, places to visit, people to see – all designed to fill those six weeks that stretch like infinity in front of you!
Yes, that’s right, I produce a spreadsheet because it’s the only way I can keep track of what we’re doing, what I’ve planned and who we can fit it.
Otherwise it would be chaos. Or even more chaos than usual.
So, I thought it would be helpful to not only list some great places to visit as a family, but show what actual parents thought of them.
From the horse’s mouth so to speak. With all the inside knowledge you need to know.
So, here you go. 10 of the UK’s top family friendly days out in England, in no particular order. As well as a few other days out thrown in.
1. Legoland, Windsor
I’ve visited here a couple of times with my kids and they utterly adore it.
But what are the pros and cons? What should you watch out for? And what should you avoid?
Pink Oddy took her two young boys during October, so experienced the park in the not so warm!
Franglaise Mummy offers up some top tips for visiting the park.
The Mum Blog talks ticket prices and visits with slightly older children.
Sticky Fingers (that’s me!) reviews the Legoland hotel and a day in the park.
My Gorgeous Boys offers practical tips for visiting with younger ones.
A Strong Coffee offers tips on visiting during peak season.
Romanian Mum visits with a four-year old.
2. Cadbury World
A world of Chocolate in the heart of Birmingham, the visitor attraction is on the site of the former factory.
Sticky Fingers visits with three school-age children
Me and My Shadow gives a guided walk through.
Baby Budgeting visits at Christmas time.
Not Supermum visits with teenagers.
3. Harry Potter Studios
This requires no introduction really! Set at the Leavesden studios where the films were made over 10 years, it’s a celebration of film making showing how the movies were made.
English Mum offers her top 10 tips on visiting the studios.
Sticky Fingers (woo hoo, me again) visits with a HUGE Harry Potter fan and posts a photo-heavy review.
Really Missing Sleep visits with two boys.
Chelsea Mamma gives a step by step tour of the attraction
Mellow Mummy takes her four-year old to visit.
Joanne Mallon compares Harry Potter Studios to Chessington World of Adventure.
Mum of 3 World visits with her family of Harry Potter fans.
4. Drayton Manor theme park
Based in Tamworth, Stafforshire, this park is set in 280 acres and features a mix of thrill rides, a zoo and Thomas Land for younger visitors.
Sticky Fingers visits the park with school aged children and tries out the hotel.
Olivers Madhouse reviews the park’s Thomas Land.
Monsters Fun House visits with very little ones.
A Mother’s Ramblings tries out the Ben 10 roller coaster for size.
Single Parent Dad offers 10 tips for visiting the park.
5. Alton Towers theme park
Famed for its gardens as well as it’s thrill rides, this theme park in the heart of England also boasts a water park and hotel complex.
A Day in This Dad’s Life visits with 3 young children.
Sticky Fingers photographs the bits of Alton Towers you don’t normally see photographed.
Mellow Mummy and ET Speaks from Home both take a look at Cbeebies land.
92three30 reviews the Splash Landings Hotel and water park.
6. Sealife Centre, Birmingham
Set in the heart of Birmingham’s canal district, this aquarium is perfectly placed for a family day out. It’s also close to the stunning new Birmingham Library – a day out in itself!
A New Addition met the new penguins there.
Mutterings of a Fool visited with littlies.
Parenthood Highs and Lows shares her visit to the centre.
7. Thorpe Park
Based in Surrey and aimed at the teenage audience, the park is home to many high-octane thrill rides.
Mummy Barrow offers some top tips (and a couple of whines)
Franglaise Mummy asks whether it’s any good for younger children.
Chelsea Mamma visits with teenagers and little ones.
Mamma Owl spends Father’s Day at the park with her big kid (and 5 smaller kids!).
8. London
With so much to see and do in the capital, where do you head first? Here are some ideas.
The Syders go sightseeing in the capital, including the Tower of London and a Thames cruise. While Mummy to Boyz headed for the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. There’s another Science Museum review from NixdMinx along with lots of tips and information.
Mummy Barrow gets the fright of her life when she visits the London Dungeons.
Kidding Herself offers lots of information on visiting the Royal Academy of Arts.
9. Blackpool Tower & Pleasure Beach
Theme park based on the west coast of England, in Lancashire along with the tower which was inspired by the Eiffel Tower.
Typecast visits the relaunch of the tower and offers lots of tips and information.
A New Addition offers some great photos of the Pleasure Beach, while You’re Not From Round here reviews Nickelodeon Land
10. Peppa Pig World
Situated in the New Forest, Hampshire, and aimed squarely at fans of the pig family. Oink oink.
One Tiny Leap offers tips on how to survive Peppa Pig World.
Mama Owl writes an honest view of visiting with a family.
Pink Oddy takes two youngsters to the park.
Mellow Mummy takes her three-year old for a birthday treat.
11. Chessington World of Adventures
Theme park, zoo and aquarium all rolled into one venue in Surrey.
Rollercoaster Mum reveals how she’s graduated from Legoland to Chessington!
Really Missing Sleep visited during the Easter holidays.
Global Mouse Travels offers 20 top tips for visiting the park.
One Blue One Pink takes two little ones to the park.
Mama Mummy Mum visits with four girls.
You could also visit:
CASTLES
Alnwick Castle in the heart of Northumberland: Reviewed by Knees Up Mother Brown who visited with two small children and 92three30 visited on a Bank Holiday weekend.
Kenilworth Castle in the West Midlands: Reviewed by Bubba Blue and Me who visited during school half term with her three-year old and In the Playroom who visited with her three young boys.
SAFARI PARKS and ZOOs
Chester Zoo as reviewed by Katie Cupcake and Knees Up Mother Brown who charged around the zoo with a double buggy hired for her two children!
West Midlands Safari Park reviewed by Always Be A Friend who visited during winter time.
Longleat: Chelsea Mamma visits and meets Steve Backshall at the venue, while Practically Perfect Mums offers a breakdown of what you can expect there.
Juggle Mum gets down with the beasts to visit Knowsley Safari Park while Munchies and Munchkins and New Mum Online visit Bristol Zoo.
The Princess and the Pickle offers some lovely photos of the elephants at Woburn Safari Park and finally In the Playroom takes some great shots of London Zoo.
OTHER DAYS OUT
Of course, you ask bloggers for their days out reviews and you get INUNDATED!
So here are a few more you might like to consider:
Doctor Who Experience, Cardiff.
Flamingo Land, Yorkshire
Moors Valley Park
The Gruffalo Trail, Essex
Hatton Adventure World, West Midlands
Hampton Court Palace
Plymouth National Marine Aquarium
Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire
Gullivers Kingdom, Matlock
Conkers, Leicester
Mersea Island, Essex
You might also like . . .
Reintroducing timeshare holidays
Legoland Windsor Hotel review. In pictures
Legoland at Halloween review
The bits of Alton Towers you don’t normally see photographed
The day I met Kate Moss and her minions
Drayton Manor Hotel review
A day at Drayon Manor. In pictures
Bloggers of the Royal Caribbean
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