Family-Friendly Places in the UK

London: See The Queen and Much More

It would surely be impossible to go wrong with the city that gave the world Paddington Bear, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan and Harry Potter! London is an excellent choice for a family vacation in the UK and there is more than enough to keep you and the children entertained in this vast and cosmopolitan city, including the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios Tour, London Zoo, Big Ben, the London Eye, an array of parks to picnic in and much, much more!

Must-sees:

• Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
• Tower Bridge and the Tower of London
• Buckingham Palace – if you arrive at the right time, you’ll also see The Changing of the Guard
• Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross Railway Station if you have a Harry Potter fan in the family
• The London Eye (be sure to book tickets well in advance if you want to ride on)

Family-friendly activities and tours:

• A ride on the underground
• Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios Tour
• London Zoo
• Madame Tussaud’s
• Day trip to Stonehenge, which is an intriguing prehistoric monument in Wiltshire

We recommend that you take the underground where possible as the traffic in London can be busy, making for long taxi journeys!

Dublin: Full of Irish Charm

Dublin in Ireland was once voted one of the friendliest cities in Europe, making it an excellent choice for a family vacation in the UK. It also has good transport links to other cities, meaning you and your family can enjoy a Europe-wide or UK tour with ease.

In particular, we recommend Dublin to families looking for an active vacation as there are plenty of outdoor pursuits to enjoy, such as cycling and hiking, and there are also some pretty parks where you can enjoy a family picnic, such as St Stephen’s Green.

Must-sees:

• St Stephen’s Green for a picnic – the children can also enjoy the safe play area and feed the ducks
• Dublin Zoo and Phoenix Park
• Kilmainham Goal – Dublin’s ancient jail
• St Patrick’s Cathedral
• Dublin Castle or Malahide Castle

Family-friendly tours and activities:

• National Aquatic Centre – one of the most innovative waterparks in Europe
• If you have a natural history enthusiast in the family we recommend checking out the National Museum of Ireland, which has tributes to Ireland’s wildlife
• Day trip to the aquarium at Bray
• National Botanic Gardens, which has a palm house and some lovely gardens to enjoy
• National Wax Museum, with waxwork figures of celebrities

Day and overnight trips that you can enjoy from Dublin include the mountain scenes in County Wicklow, the cosmopolitan vibe of Edinburgh in Scotland, the vibrancy of London, the romance of Paris or the classic beauty of Berlin, and much more besides!

Edinburgh: Bagpipes, Haggis, Kilts and More!

Edinburgh is a good base from which you can explore Scotland on a family vacation in the UK and it also combines well with London and Dublin as part of a multi-center tour. Your children will love seeing the bagpipers play to crowds on Princes Street and will have fun discovering the fierce history of Scotland at Edinburgh Castle. There’s also a museum dedicated to optical illusions and unique boutique shops.

Must-sees:

• Edinburgh Castle
• The Royal Mile, where you’ll find quaint shops, and vibrant bars, restaurants and cafes
• Holyrood Palace
• Arthur’s Seat, which is a large hill that offers excellent views of the city and beyond
• Princes Street Gardens

Family-friendly tours and activities:

• Camera Obscura – a museum dedicated to optical illusions
• Haunted tours that take you to the underbelly of the city
• Scottish National Gallery, which has old masterpieces by Scottish artists
• Day trips to Loch Ness, the Highlands and the Scottish islands
• Pitch and putt at one of Scotland’s famous golfing ranges

Padstow: Tuck in to Cornish Pasties in the English Countryside

Cornwall sits on the south-east coast of the UK and is rich in natural landscapes, beautiful beaches and picturesque fishing villages. Padstow is one such fishing village that has been made famous thanks to its tasty seafood, handmade ice-cream and iconic Cornish pasties, pretty harbor and popular boutique shops. It is a wonderful place for a safe family vacation in the UK, where you can enjoy walking and cycling, and from there you can also enjoy the other delights of Cornwall, including the Eden Project and Cornwall’s Adventure Park.

Must-sees:

• The Eden Project, which is a tranquil space in the heart of Cornwall with manicured gardens and large domes with Mediterranean and tropical plants
• National Lobster Hatchery, which shows guests how science is helping conserve the fishing traditions of the Cornwall villages
• Prideaux Place, which is beautiful historic house with stunning grounds and a tearoom
• Don’t miss out on the stunning Cornish scenery – we particularly recommend taking a relaxing walk with your family around the Padstow Circular Walk, which is a 7-mile route starting at the harbor. There are also several coastal paths to enjoy, which are dotted with tearooms, cafes and little shops
• If you like seafood, stop by Rick Stein’s restaurant, which was opened in 1975 and has an international reputation of excellence

Family-friendly tours and activities:

• Boat trips from Padstow Harbor
• Crealy Great Adventure Park, which has rides to suit all ages
• Surf lessons at Wadebridge or you could also enjoy kayaking, water skiing, paddle boarding and banana boating in the Camel Estuary
• Wind or kite surfing on one of the local beaches
• The Camel Trail, which you can walk or cycle along (there are several shops that hire bicycles)
• Crazy golf at Green’s, which has 18 holes and endless fun
• Karting – a great activity for teenagers and there are large child and adult circuits at St Eval Kart Circuit

If you’re thinking of a family vacation in the UK and want us to put together a tailor-made vacation or tour just for you, contact a member of our dedicated team on 1-347-594-5500 or click here to send an online enquiry.