Family Travel
Best Family Days Out in the UK
Updated October 2026
The UK offers plenty of family-friendly attractions that go well beyond standard sightseeing — from hands-on, free-to-enter museums to full theme parks that can fill an entire day.
Whether you're after hands-on history, a full day of rides, or somewhere free to spend a rainy afternoon, the UK's family attractions span every budget and every corner of the country. Below are seven of the best, chosen for their mix of entertainment and value.
National Railway Museum, York
A large, free-to-enter museum in York tracing the history of Britain's railways, with real locomotives that children can explore up close. Highlights include the Mallard (the world's fastest steam locomotive) and the Royal carriages. Well suited to children of all ages, and a good rainy-day option.
JORVIK Viking Centre, York
An immersive reconstruction of Viking-age York, built on the site of a genuine archaeological excavation. Children ride through a recreated Viking village with sounds, smells and life-size figures. Popular with curious young visitors — book ahead in school holidays.
Cadbury World, Birmingham
An attraction dedicated to the history of chocolate-making at the Cadbury factory in Bournville, combining history with an inevitably popular subject for kids. Includes a 4D cinema, a demonstration of chocolate-making, and — of course — plenty of opportunities to sample the product.
Science and Industry Museum, Manchester
Hands-on exhibits covering Manchester's industrial and scientific history, free to enter and well suited to curious young visitors. Highlights include working steam engines, an interactive Experiment gallery, and the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station.
Museum of Liverpool
Interactive galleries covering the city's social history and culture, free to visit and set on Liverpool's family-friendly waterfront. Includes exhibits on The Beatles, Liverpool's football heritage, and the city's role in global trade and migration.
LEGOLAND Windsor
A theme park built around LEGO, located near Windsor and popular with younger children in particular. Features rides, live shows, miniature LEGO landmarks built from millions of bricks, and a dedicated Duplo Valley for toddlers. Book online for cheaper tickets.
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
Wide-ranging galleries including natural science exhibits, free to enter and centrally located in Edinburgh. The Explore! gallery and the roof terrace are especially popular with families, and the museum's Victorian building is worth a visit on its own.
Planning a Family Trip to the UK
Cities with compact, walkable centres — such as York, Bath and Edinburgh — tend to be easier to manage with children than destinations that require a lot of transport between sights. Mixing free museums with a small amount of paid, more active entertainment, such as a theme park day, often gives the best balance for a family trip.
Many attractions offer family tickets that reduce the overall cost compared with buying individual entries — typically 10-25% off for 2 adults and 2 children. It's worth checking the attraction's website before you book.
If you're travelling by train, the Family & Friends Railcard gives 1/3 off adult fares and 60% off children's fares. Before you book, use our Train Ticket Price Calculator to compare fares between UK cities, and our Hotel Cost Estimator to budget for accommodation.
Free vs Paid Family Attractions
One of the best things about family travel in the UK is that so many of the top attractions are free to enter. National museums in London, York, Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh don't charge admission — you only pay for travel and food. That makes a family trip to a city like York or Manchester surprisingly affordable.
Paid attractions like LEGOLAND Windsor, Cadbury World and JORVIK Viking Centre cost £15-£60 per person, but they offer bigger, more active experiences. A balanced family trip often mixes both — free museums in the mornings, one paid highlight in the afternoon.
Practical
Quick Tips
- Look for family tickets, which are often 10-25% cheaper than buying individual admissions.
- Balance museum visits with outdoor time to help manage energy levels across a full day.
- Check accessibility for buggies if visiting historic sites with steps or uneven surfaces.
- Book popular attractions in advance during school holidays — JORVIK and LEGOLAND sell out.
- Travel midweek during term time if you can — attractions are quieter and often cheaper.
- Pack a picnic for free museums, many of which have outdoor space for lunch.
FAQ
Common Questions
York is a popular choice thanks to its compact centre and family-friendly attractions like the National Railway Museum and JORVIK Viking Centre. Edinburgh, Manchester and Liverpool also offer a strong mix of free museums and hands-on experiences.
It varies widely — many museums are free (National Railway Museum, Science and Industry Museum, Museum of Liverpool, National Museum of Scotland), while theme parks like LEGOLAND Windsor charge for entry (£30-£60 per person). A mix of both can help manage costs.
Yes, particularly cities with walkable centres and free, hands-on museums, which reduce the need for extensive travel between sights. York, Edinburgh and Bath are especially well-suited to young children.
The best free family days out in the UK include the National Railway Museum in York, the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, the Museum of Liverpool, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, and the British Museum and Natural History Museum in London.
LEGOLAND Windsor, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Paultons Park (home of Peppa Pig World) are among the most popular UK theme parks for families. LEGOLAND is best for younger children; Alton Towers and Thorpe Park suit older kids and teens.
Free museums cost nothing beyond travel and food. Paid attractions like LEGOLAND Windsor cost £30-£60 per person, or £120-£240 for a family of four. Cadbury World and JORVIK Viking Centre cost around £15-£25 per person. Budget £60-£250 for a family of four depending on the attraction.
Yes — most paid attractions offer family tickets (usually for 2 adults + 2 children) that reduce the total cost by 10-25% compared with buying individual tickets. Always check the attraction's website before booking.
Weekdays during term time are quietest. School holidays, bank holidays and weekends are much busier, especially during the summer (July-August) and half-term weeks. Book popular attractions in advance for school holiday visits.
LEGOLAND Windsor (Duplo Valley), Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park, and the National Railway Museum are especially good for toddlers. Free museums with hands-on exhibits work well for this age group too.
Yes — the Family & Friends Railcard gives 1/3 off adult fares and 60% off children's fares for up to 4 adults and 4 children. Children aged 5-15 usually pay half the adult fare; under-5s travel free. Check our Train Ticket Price Calculator for fares.
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