Top 20 Days Out for Families in the UK this Summer 2023
The Summer Holiday is here, presenting a fantastic opportunity for families to venture out and discover the wonders of the UK together. If you’re on the lookout for exciting activities and fantastic paid excursions to relish with your loved ones during the Summer break, fear not, as we have you covered.
From delving into the annals of history at iconic landmarks to experiencing exhilarating rides that get your heart racing, rest assured, there’s an abundance of options catering to all ages and preferences.
England
(The Eden Project)
1. Legoland Windsor
Legoland is a theme park dedicated to children aged 2-12, featuring a variety of rides, attractions, and shows. The park has over 55 interactive rides, building workshops, and a 4D cinema.
- Location and Address: Winkfield Rd, Windsor SL4 4AY, United Kingdom
- Best method of transport: Car, Train, Bus
- Opening Times: 10 am – 5 pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £29 and up
- Best time of day to visit: Weekdays
- Fun Fact: Legoland Windsor is home to the world’s largest Lego model, a Lego representation of Windsor Castle.
2. The Tower of London
The Tower of London is a historic castle located in the heart of London. This attraction has a rich history, and visitors can explore the castle’s many towers and dungeons.
- Location and Address: St Katharine’s & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB, United Kingdom
- Best method of transport: Public Transport
- Opening Times: 10 am – 4 pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £28 and up
- Best time of day to visit: Early Morning
- Fun Fact: The Tower of London was once a royal palace, a fortress, and a prison.
3. Alton Towers
Alton Towers is a theme park located in Staffordshire, featuring a variety of rides, attractions, and shows. The park has over 40 rides, including some of the fastest and highest roller coasters in the UK.
- Location and Address: Farley Ln, Alton ST10 4DB, United Kingdom
- Best method of transport: Car, Public Transport
- Opening Times: 10 am – 4 pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £34 and up
- Best time of day to visit: Weekdays
- Fun Fact: Alton Towers is home to the world’s first vertical drop roller coaster, the Oblivion.
4. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
The Making of Harry Potter – If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter movies, then you don’t want to miss this attraction. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London allows you to explore the magical world of Harry Potter and see the actual sets, costumes, and props used in the movies.
- Location and Address: Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR, United Kingdom
- Best method of transport: Public Transport
- Opening Times: 10 am – 6 pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £47 and up
- Best time of day to visit: Early Morning
- Fun Fact: The Hogwarts Express steam train is located at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.
5. Eden Project
The Eden Project is a botanical garden located in Cornwall, featuring two large biomes, one containing a rainforest and the other containing plants from different regions. Visitors can enjoy a variety of exhibitions, events, and activities.
- Location and Address: Bodelva, Par PL24 2SG, United Kingdom
- Best method of transport: Car, Public Transport
- Opening Times: 10 am – 6 pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £30 and up
- Best time of day to visit: Morning
- Fun Fact: The Eden Project has the world’s largest indoor rainforest.
Scotland
(Falkirk Wheel)
1. Stirling Castle, Stirling
Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most historic landmarks. The castle dates back to the 12th century and was once home to Scottish monarchs. Visitors can explore the castle’s many rooms and learn about its rich history through interactive exhibits and guided tours.
- Location and Address: Castle Esplanade, Stirling FK8 1EJ
- Best method of transport: Car or public transport
- Opening Times: 9:30am – 6pm (last admission 5pm)
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £16.50 and upwards
- Best time of day to visit: Early morning to avoid crowds
- Fun Fact: Stirling Castle was the site of one of the largest recorded snowball fights in history, involving hundreds of soldiers in 1719.
2. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle is a must-visit attraction for families visiting the Scottish capital. The castle dates back to the 12th century and offers stunning views of the city from its elevated position on Castle Rock. Families can explore the castle’s many rooms and learn about its history through interactive exhibits and guided tours.
- Location and Address: Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG
- Best method of transport: Public transport or car
- Opening Times: 9:30am – 6pm (last admission 5pm)
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £19.50 and upwards
- Best time of day to visit: Early morning to avoid crowds
- Fun Fact: Edinburgh Castle is home to the famous One O’Clock Gun, which is fired every day at 1pm except on Sundays, Christmas Day and Good Friday.
3. Falkirk Wheel
This innovative engineering marvel is located in central Scotland and offers a unique experience for visitors of all ages. The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift that connects the Union Canal with the Forth and Clyde Canal, allowing boats to travel between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Visitors can take a boat trip on the wheel or simply enjoy the stunning views from the surrounding area.
- Location and Address: Lime Rd, Tamfourhill, Falkirk FK1 4RS, United Kingdom
- Best method of transport: Car or public transport, as parking is available onsite
- Opening Times: Daily from 10am to 5:30pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £14.50 and upwards.
- Best time of day to visit: Midday or early afternoon to avoid crowds
- Fun Fact: The Falkirk Wheel can lift up to 600 tonnes of water and boats, which is equivalent to the weight of 48 double-decker buses.
4. Landmark Forest Adventure Park
Landmark Forest Adventure Park is an outdoor theme park located in Carrbridge, featuring a variety of rides, attractions, and activities for all ages. Visitors can enjoy zip lines, water rides, adventure trails, and wildlife walks.
- Location and Address: Carrbridge, PH23 3AJ, United Kingdom
- Best method of transport: Car, Public Transport
- Opening Times: 10 am – 5 pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £16.50 and up
- Best time of day to visit: Morning
- Fun Fact: The Landmark Forest Adventure Park features the world’s first human-powered rollercoaster.
5. Glasgow Science Centre
Glasgow Science Centre is a science museum located in Glasgow, featuring a variety of interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and science demonstrations.
- Location and Address: 50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow G51 1EA, United Kingdom
- Best method of transport: Public Transport
- Opening Times: 10 am – 5 pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £11 and up
- Best time of day to visit: Morning
- Fun Fact: The Glasgow Science Centre’s IMAX Cinema has the biggest cinema screen in Scotland.
Wales
(Conwy Castle)
1. National Botanic Garden of Wales
This beautiful garden is located in Carmarthenshire and is home to a wide range of plant species from around the world. Families can explore the themed gardens, enjoy a picnic on the lawns, or take part in one of the many family-friendly events and workshops that take place throughout the year.
- Location and Address: National Botanic Garden of Wales, Middleton Hall, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire, SA32 8HN
- Best method of transport: Car
- Opening Times: 10am to 4:30pm daily (closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day)
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £13.75 and upwards
- Best time of day to visit: Late morning/early afternoon to avoid busy times.
- Fun Fact: The garden is home to the world’s largest single-span greenhouse, which is over 110m long and 60m wide.
2. Techniquest
Techniquest is a science and discovery centre located in Cardiff Bay, featuring a variety of interactive exhibits and shows that explore science and technology. Visitors can experience hands-on experiments, planetarium shows, and workshops.
- Location and Address: Stuart St, Cardiff CF10 5BW, United Kingdom
- Best method of transport: Public Transport
- Opening Times: 10 am – 4 pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £9.20 and up
- Best time of day to visit: Morning
- Fun Fact: Techniquest’s Planetarium is the largest in Wales.
3. Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle is a medieval fortress located in the town of Conwy, Wales. Built by Edward I in the late 13th century, it is one of the finest examples of medieval military architecture in Europe and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Location and Address: Rose Hill St, Conwy LL32 8AY, UK
- Best method of transport: By train or car. The castle is located in the town of Conwy, which has a railway station that is serviced by trains from major cities in Wales and England.
- Opening Times: Conwy Castle is open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Cost / Price (in GBP): Admission prices vary based on age and membership. Adults can expect to pay £10.50 while children aged 5-17 pay £6.30.
- Best time of day to visit: It’s best to visit during the morning or early afternoon when the castle is less crowded.
- Fun Fact: Conwy Castle was constructed using more than 2000 workers and took four years to complete.
4. Snowdon Mountain Railway
Snowdon Mountain Railway is a historic railway located in Llanberis, offering a scenic journey to the summit of Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and explore the nearby villages.
- Best method of transport: Car, Public Transport
- Opening Times: 9 am – 4 pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £29 and up
- Best time of day to visit: Morning
- Fun Fact: The Snowdon Mountain Railway has been in operation since 1896.
5. Dan-yr-Ogof National Showcaves Centre for Wales
Dan-yr-Ogof National Showcaves Centre for Wales is a cave system located in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Visitors can explore the caves and see stalactites, stalagmites, and underground lakes.
- Location and Address: Abercraf, Swansea SA9 1GJ, United Kingdom
- Best method of transport: Car
- Opening Times: 10 am – 4 pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): £16.50 and up
- Best time of day to visit: Morning
- Fun Fact: The Dan-yr-Ogof cave system is over 300 million years old.
Northern Ireland
(Castlewellan Lake)
1. Titanic Belfast
Titanic Belfast is a museum that tells the story of the Titanic, from its construction to its ill-fated maiden voyage. The interactive exhibits are great for children and adults alike, and you can even walk the decks of a replica of the ship’s promenade.
- Location and Address: Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Belfast BT3 9EP
- Best method of transport: Car or public transportation (train or bus)
- Opening Times: Daily from 10am to 5pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): Adult tickets start at £19, child tickets start at £8.50, family tickets start at £45
- Best time of day to visit: Early morning or late afternoon
- Fun Fact: The Titanic was built in Belfast’s Harland and Wolff shipyard.
2. Ulster Museum
The Ulster Museum is a treasure trove of art, history, and science exhibits. Children will love the interactive displays and dinosaur skeletons, while adults will appreciate the art collections and historical artifacts.
- Location and Address: Botanic Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AB
- Best method of transport: Car or public transportation (bus)
- Opening Times: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): Admission is free, but some special exhibits require a ticket purchase
- Best time of day to visit: Late morning or early afternoon
- Fun Fact: The museum’s star attraction is Takabuti, a mummy who was brought to Belfast in the 1800s and is now on display in the Egyptian exhibit.
3. Castlewellan Forest Park
Castlewellan Forest Park is a beautiful place to spend a day outdoors with the family. The park has walking and biking trails, a lake with boats for rent, and a maze for children to explore.
- Location and Address: Castlewellan Road, Castlewellan, County Down BT31 9BU
- Best method of transport: Car
- Opening Times: The park is open year-round, but opening times vary depending on the season
- Cost/Price (in GBP): Admission to the park is free, but some activities (such as bike rentals) require a fee
- Best time of day to visit: Late morning or early afternoon
- Fun Fact: The park is home to the National Arboretum of Northern Ireland, which has over 1000 different species of trees.
4. W5
W5 is a hands-on science and discovery center that is perfect for children of all ages. There are over 250 interactive exhibits, as well as shows and workshops throughout the day.
- Fun Fact: The name “W5” stands for “who, what, where, when, why”, which are the five key questions of science.
- Location and Address: 2 Queens Quay, Belfast BT3 9QQ
- Best method of transport: Car or public transportation (train or bus)
- Opening Times: Daily from 10am to 5pm
- Cost/Price (in GBP): Adult tickets start at £10.50, child tickets start at £8.50, family tickets start at £35 (Promotion: All tickets £6 until 26/03/23)
- Best time of day to visit: Late morning or early afternoon
5. The Jungle
The Jungle is an adventure park located in Moneymore, Northern Ireland. They offer a range of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages, including ziplining, paintball, laser tag, and archery.
- Location and Address: 60 Desertmartin Rd, Moneymore, Magherafelt BT45 7RB, UK
- Best method of transport: By car or taxi. There is ample parking space available at the venue.
- Opening Times: The Jungle is open every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Cost / Price: Admission prices vary based on the activity. For example, their popular Zipline Adventure costs £25 per person while their Nerf Wars activity costs £12 per person.
- Best time of day to visit: It depends on the activity you choose. For indoor activities, any time of day is suitable. For outdoor activities, it’s best to visit during daylight hours
- Fun Fact: The Jungle was originally a dairy farm that was transformed into an adventure park in 2005.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about some of our top picks for paid Summer days out in the UK. As we’ve mentioned before, it’s important to check the availability of each attraction as well as their opening times before you set off on your adventure.
We hope that our recommendations will help you plan a fun-filled Summer break with your loved ones.
Happy exploring!