What’s the best UK tourist attraction for families?
11. May, 2011 
We’re looking for the best, most family friendly tourist attractions in London and across the UK, and we need your help! Whether your favourite visitor attraction is a fun theme park with the most exhilarating rides, an award-winning museum with interactive exhibits, a beautiful National Trust site, or the best place to dress up as a Knight, we’d like to hear about it.
Rate or Review a UK tourist attraction
We’ve got a growing database of UK visitor attractions recommended by parents with young children. Browse our collection now and add a super-quick rating to any of your favourites. If you have a minute or two to spare, please do add a review too!
Recommend a UK tourist attraction
We’d love to hear your recommendations! Just add a comment below telling us about your favourite UK tourist attractions, and which ages or types of kids it would suit best. Once we have a moment free we’ll add your recommendations to our website so that other parents can rate and review them too.
Please remember to use google-friendly phrases like “uk tourist attraction” or “best tourist attraction for kids” in your comment – it makes it easier for people visiting the UK with kids to find your suggestions!
Where to buy discount tickets for tourist attractions
AttractionTix offer an enormous range of attractions in the UK including Alton Towers, The London Eye, Warwick Castle, Madame Tussauds and Thorpe Park, as well as multi-attraction packages and visitors passes to save you even more money. Buying tickets through AttractionTix is quick and easy, and you’ll be sent an immediate e-ticket rather than having to wait for something in the post.
You can also buy advance tickets directly through some of the attraction websites -
- Alton Towers
- Edinburgh Dungeon
- Legoland Windsor
- London Dungeon
- London Zoo
- Sea Life Aquarium
- Whipsnade Zoo
- York Dungeon
Originally featured with Disney Tangled competition – in case you’re wondering about some of the comments!
Image courtesy of London OE
129 Responses
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Dan Yr Ogof Dinosaur Park is a fantastic place, I loved it as a kid and can’t wait to take my little boy. There is just so much to do plus it’s educational. You can explore the caves – there are three main ones which are all very different. I just took a look at their website now and they offer Ten different attractions which are – Dan Yr Ogof (I think this is the main cave), Iron Ages Village, Cathederal Cave, Dinosaurs, Bone Cave, The Museum, Stone Circles, The Shire Horse Centre, The Farm and Barneys Play Barn!! Theres just so much to do, and I think it’s nice to have something different from the usual theme park attractions.
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Thanks for your suggestion. This sounds like a great place to go.
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Drayton Manor we have had many lovely days their with our children who ranged in ages from a toddler up to teenagers we have even took nana with us in her wheel chair . Their was something for everyone. We found it exciting for the children whilst still being able to enjoy the day without it being hectic The zoo was a great way to break the day up . There is plenty of space for picnics .there also a camp site available to book ..
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This sounds great. I love the places that cater for lots of different ages as it means I’m gong to be intersted too!
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As a family we love a trip to london. There is just so much to do and my 7 year old son just loves the dinosaurs in the museum. So many attractions such as The london Eye, Tower of london ,Dungeons etc which will keep kids entertained for hours!!
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My six year old is the same about those dinosaurs, after a couple of visits I am really getting the hang of the names of the different dinosaurs. thanks for your comment
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For familys with younger children you can’t beat LegoLand at Windsor. There is so much for them to see & do & it’s suitable for even the youngest members of the family.
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Gullivers because it catered for younger children. Looking at it from my daughters perspective she had a great day and really pushed herself to try new things. There was plenty to do to fill the day and the staff I found were good, helpful and encouraging in the most part. Some of the features were a bit dated but I think that added to the experience. Certainly, my daughter didn’t notice and actually found it interesting enough to try twice. She found the whole experience magical
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Thanks for your comment. This sounds like a great place to take my daughter.
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My favourite UK attraction is Legoland, Windsor. If you can pay the prices then it’s great for young children – toddlers and primary school children. You can keep costs low by taking your own packed lunch.
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That is certainly proving to be popular with a lot of our users and taking your own packed lunch is a great shout. thanks.
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I think Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park at New Forest in Hampshire is ideal for the little ones . You can visit all the places they recognise from the show so the familiarity is great . Plus with amazing rides , surroundings and accommodation on site … what more could your family need !?! x
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This sounds great for all those Peppa Pig fans out there. thanks for your comment.
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Definitely Alton Towers. The park is best suited to older kids in that the main attractions are quite high on the ‘scare the living daylights out of you’ scale (??!) but our youngest was quite happy going on the tea cup rides and playing in the playground whilst his elder brother and I went on all the ‘big scary ones’, though if truth be told I think he was happier standing on the sidelines trying to spot his brother’s terrified face fly past!
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Thanks for your suggestion. I think I’d be with your youngest on the sidelines!
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lego land in windsor is an amazing day out.great for parties or just a day out.its so novel+amazing even i was impressed!there’s something for everyone.
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Chessington, because the rides are varied so there i something for everyone. From Elephants for toddlers to Rameses Revenge for the more adventerous members of the family!!!
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This is a great favourite amongst my son’s friends ever since they went on a school trip. thanks for your comment.
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howletts zoo we love it there
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i like the tower of london. it satisfies the history buff in me, and is fun for my son too!
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Yes its really nice if you can find something that the kids enjoy and there is something there for the adults too. thanks.
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blair drummond in stirling, perfect for all the family and the shows are fab!
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Lightwater Valley near Ripon – It’s suitable for and loved equally by all my kids (aged 13,12 and 2). It’s not too big, so you can get around it all in the day without missing anything and there’s a great selection of rides for all ages and scare levels!
Best of all, we’ve never had to queue more that 30 mins for any of the rides!
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Great to hear of a place suitable for a wide range of ages, always a bit tricky finding something to suit all ages.
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I like Blair Drummond Park in Stirling, it is suitable for all ages and the young ones love the animals.
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Thanks for this comment, you are right the combination of young children and animals is always a winner!
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Alton Towers
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I love London and I think it’s great for so many attractions, London Eye, Madame Tussauds, London Planetarium, Tower of London, Regent’s Park Zoo, London Dungeons, so so many to choose from.
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Some great suggestions, Regent’s Park Zoo is our favourite out of that list.
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Legoland for the under eights :0)
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Nant-Yr-Arian in Mid Wales is our favourite place. There’s a great cafe and trails to walk as well as seeing the red kites being fed. The information centre is full of info about the local birds and wildlife.
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Great tip for anyone heading for Wales this half term holiday.
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Legoland. My niece loves it there. She would love this game so much.
Good Luck all
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Thanks for this, I think there are good 2 for 1 offers on Kellogs cereals at the moment.
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Drayton manor is great for young and old.
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Thanks for the suggestion, this seems to be a popular destination.
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viking centre in york for the older children they love learning about the gruseome history!
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My son is just getting into Vikings now. Sounds like a great trip for those long summer holidays
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For a superb day out, we would go to Legoland Windsor. My tip is to get there when it opens, it always gets busier about lunch time, with the morning a lot more pleasant. Even when it’s really busy there is just so much to keep my two entertained.
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My kids have been badgering me to go for ages. Thanks for the tip about getting there early.
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I love Hayling Island, island is beautiful, with lovely coastline and walks, alovely little train ride and great places to eat, but also a lovely funfair! Best of all its not too expensive but you can have a great time!
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Wow you have just reminded me of how great Hayling Island can be – I haven’t been there for years. Time to take my two I think!
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Alton Towers…awesome, no matter how old you are.
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Is it a parent failing though if you look scared in front of your children?! I guess I’ll have to stick to the easy rides.
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i have 3 children ranging from 9 to 16 so finding something for them all can be a challenge. We love taking a walk on the Southbank in London and hopping ontothe London eye or walking across to to Covent Garden and watching the street entertainers
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Great suggestion and good free entertainment too. thanks.
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legoland all ages especially kids
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london zoo brilliant kids
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london eye but got to be good with heights!
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london dungeons great family day out
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Chester Zoo, briilliant day out for all the family.
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Cotswold Farm park is an excellent day out for kids and adults. There is a walk past fields containing pigs, sheep, cattle, horses, etc and a petting barn where the kids can feed lambs with milk bottles and can hold baby animals such as rabbits & chickens.
There is loads of car parking space and you can leave the farm and re-enter during the day if you want to return to the car for a picnic, although there is a restaurant on site and I was impressed that they even sold gluten free cookies on the counter!
We spent ages wandering round the maze, Piper who is 3 enjoyed solving the nursery rhyme puzzles to tell us which direction to go. She also LOVED the jumping pillow in the playground and we spent almost an hour just on this one thing! I must admit even for adults the pillow is great fun.
The day we went was lovely and sunny but I can imagine the farm walk gets muddy when it has rained so take appropriate footwear.
I thought the price of this (£25 for a family ticket) was very reasonable considering the entertainment value. We spent a good few hours here and really felt that we got value for money.
My only criticism is that the farm park can be difficult to get to. There is no public transport to the site and it is tucked away down country lanes…but for us this added to the fun because we really felt like we were out in the country and visiting a ‘real’ farm rather than a tourist attraction. The truth is of course that this is both, a real farm and a great day out!
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This sounds great, thanks for your suggestion. I hadn’t heard of this before and will be sure to check it out next time I’m in the area. thanks
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I would recommend The Forbidden Corner in North Yorkshire. There is lots to explore for adults and children of all ages, with hidden suprises and secret doors and lots of magical things to see. The Forbidden Corner has tunnels to explore, chambers and follies to see, a glass pyramid, strange statues, paths and passages that go nowhere.
A silver swan, a dog that was once a tree,
an old castle and a dwarf you can see,
deer and wooden bears a griffin on a lake
and dare you pass by the flashing snake?
a place for the family thats if them you dare take.
http://www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk/index.html
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Legoland definetely
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My fave UK tourist attraction for all the family is The Blue Planet aquarium in Ellesmere Port. Even very young babies enjoy looking at the fish swimming around. As they get older they can be more involved and inquistive in what’s happening, learning about fish, the sea and environmrntal issues. The added bonus is that it can be enjoyed whatrver the weather.
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The best uk tourist attraction in my opinion would have to be Marwell Wildlife Park near Winchester. I have an annual pass and spend most sunny days there with my 2 and a half year old daughter she absolutly loves it. There is a play park for the kids and places to get a coffee. Pack a picnic and enjoy the day looking at the looking at the animals. Well worth a visit
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Just took my boys 5-8 years to The Big Pit in South Wales (3 hours drive from London) you need to be 1 meter tall to go in the mine. The welsh miner guides were great and the kids loved it. They get to wear mining hats and gas masks (even old 5 yr old) , the 300ft underground tour last 50 mins a couple of hours is enough to see everything but certainly worth the drive, especially as entry and tour is free.
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That sounds brilliant – and what a unique way to spend the day. Nice for the kids to learn about the history and importance of the mines too.
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