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
130 Responses
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i think just going to kensington is the best thing as you can go to all the museums for free and visit harrods .my best attractions would be either the natural history or science museums but it depends on what you prefer
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Kensington’s a great shout for children of any age. And for a break or some lunch you can just wander over to Hyde Park. Lovely.
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Alton Towers..things for all ages
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The waterpark looks amazing and we’d love to try out Thirteen, also like the look of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ride.
There are great mid-week offers for short breaks for families on their website: http://www.altontowers.com/short-breaks/family-breaks/ and you can save money by buying advance day passes on http://www.attractiontix.co.uk/alton-towers.aspx
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Legoland, Chessington, London, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Hyde Park. Buckhingham Palace!!!
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That’s a lot!! What’s your absolute favourite??
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There are so many good ones that are almost TOO well known – so instead, I’m going to recommend ‘The Forbidden Corner’ in North Yorkshire, near to Middleham. While not ideal for wheelchair and buggy users, for children of 7 to 97 it’s a fantastic, quirky (and slightly gothic?), very English experience. The Forbidden Corner began life as a folly built by one English eccentric in the grounds of his home and has developed into a visitor attraction in the last ten years. Pre-booking is esential as capacity is strictly controlled – but it’s worth it for the labyrinth of secret passages, twisting garden mazes and surprises round every corner. Much better than a theme park.
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You won’t believe this but we were just there last week. The Forbidden Corner has got to be the most wonderfully mad place we’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting, ever. We were there with our 2.5 year old and 4 year old for the whole day – it really suits older children much better, but even with the little ones it was just magical, and our preschooler loved being in charge of which path to follow next, or which door to open.
Just loved how there were surprises arond every corner, and always something new to discover. Can’t recommend it highly enough!
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What a coincidence! We need more places like that and that’s part of Treasure Trails’ vision for the future. Magical places of discovery…
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I think the best UK tourist attraction for families is The Natural History Museum in London. This vast museum provides fun, excitement, hands on experiences, and education FOR FREE. You can spend as long or as little time as you like and visit as often as you wish. There are so many exhibits to see you will never tire of the place. Litlles ones, children, teenagers and adults alike thoroughly enjoy this museum. You can even take your own picnic in side so literally don’t have to spend any money. Excellent family days out just don’t get any better. x
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Fantastic. In winter they’ve got that gorgeous skating rink too!
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….then move down alittle to London Sceince Musuem. Another free excellent family day out with so many activities to get a real sense of the place. A must have visit x
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Chessington, London, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park,
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Favourite rides?
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Drayton Manor is a fabulous place for families of all ages, so much to enjoy with lots of places to eat. Very child friendly
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I believe it to be Heads of Ayr Farm Park, quote copied from here http://www.headsofayrfarmpark.co.uk/
Come meet our furry friends and check out our funky rides!
At Heads of Ayr Farm Park – whatever the weather – you’ll find plenty to see and do, with activities for all ages. We’ve almost 50 different types of animal, each with its own particular charm. Meet them, touch them, feed them! And You could play all day at our farm park. It’s packed with fantastic activities like indoor and outdoor play areas, an aerial runway, thrilling ringo sledging, tunnel land and the combine castle.
lots to do indoors and out, rain or shine, great from very young to about 10
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What on earth is “ringo sledging”??
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sledging down an artificial ski slope with a rubber ring with a bottom in as a sledge
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I think the best uk attraction for families is London zoo I recently took my kids there as I remember going and all of us loved it from my 5 year old to my 16 year old to myself and my husband we took a hamper of food ad to save money and they also had a huge carousel and face painting at a couple of pounds they had a great play area including bouncy castle and lots of educational activities the whole day was fantastic x
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Great recommendation Natasha. I took the kids to London Zoo last Sunday and we absolutely loved it. The kids spent most of the time in the Animal Adventure playground and laughing at meerkats. Well worth the admission price!
You can usually find some cheaper admission tickets online than at the door – try LastMinute.com
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One of the best places to go with kids is Hyde Park in London. There’s so much to do there and best of all its free. There’s the Princess Diana Memorial playground with the fabulous pirate ship which kept my son entertained all morning. The Diana Memorial Fountain was also a hit with everyone in the place. Everyone was so friendly. Its a great place to take a picnic, go on the river, see the Albert Memorial, run around in, the list goes on.
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blair drummond park in stirling scotland. its fab the animals are great and the shows fab esp the sealions. amazing, there is a fantastic free play area which varies in age range from wee ones age 2 to older ones aged 10+ they also have a petting zoo. Threre are places to eat but you can also bring your own picnic or even bbq, its opens at around half nine and you could spend all day therentil 5.30 easily. the only downside is there are quite alot of extras your kids will beg you for like rides and face painting.
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Dartmoor is a great kiddie attraction. Best of all it’s free! You can go for a walk, perhaps to one of the tors or see the sheep with their newly born lambs. You’ll see Dartmoor ponies too. Splash around in the river and then have a lovely homemade picnic, followed by an icecream! Fresh air is great for kids, and it’s enjoyable in any kind of weather!
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The best place has to be Bewilderwood in Norfolk. A fun park in the woods for climb. sliding and swinging for Toddlers to adults. A great place also for buidling dens and listening to the magic storys of the little people that inhabit the woods. A truely magical place.
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Longleat Safari & Adventure Park, Wiltshire is a fab day out for all ages. My Grandchildren loved the animals and the older ones had fun getting lost in the maze, which took them 3 hours to find their way out.
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Great suggestion, something for everyone, animals, a country house, we’ve always enjoyed the boat trip on the lake
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We love Flamingoland It caters for all ages in the rides, there is a zoo also and shows from Parrots to Dancers. Great day out or you can go into the Holiday Village Hire a Static caravan take your tourer or tent. There is a leisure pool and evening entertainment we love going there
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Leeds Castle in Kent – if you are visiting the UK you’ve got to see a castle, and Leeds Castle is stunning. Perfect for kids of all ages as there are lots of events all year round and a range of things to do, from Falconry to Go Ape to Segway Riding. There’s also children’s play areas, an aviary, craft centre, woodland walks and amazing gardens. Both parents and children will have an absolute ball in a quintessentially English setting.
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Best UK tourist attraction – Twin Lakes, Melton Mowbray
Great for all ages, young to old. Let the kids enjoy the fun and you can join in too. Lots to do whether sunny or wet as both indoor and outdoor attractions. The day just disappears.
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The Cotswold Wildlife Park….(near Burford) this place is amazing and was my daughters favourite place to go as a young child…..so many different animals to see
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My nephews and nieces love Cotswold Wildlife Park in Burford
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The Natural History Museum always hkeeps the children occupied for ages; their favourite place.
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Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire. Being up North honestly means that there just aren’t as many great places to visit, but the beauty and tranquillity of Fountains Abbey makes up for it and most importantly it’s fabulous for kids, open space (oodles and oodles of it!!), fresh air, a play area, cafe and amenities that are spotless. All this with the added bonus of visiting a historic ruin is exactly why it is my favourite tourist attraction, plus it’s such a large area, even though it is a place that hundreds of tourists visit is simply doesn’t feel like it, perfect!
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I think Chester Zoo is a fantastic day out, It really is a full day out too, and then still can not get round in a full day. The kids from toddlers to teenagers love it as well as the parents. You get a clear view of the animals and you can tell they are well looked after. We always take a packed lunch with us but there are plenty of places to have food and drink and lots of picnic tables too. There is a petting area too which all the children love. My favourite is the Bats in the huge man made cavern where you can feel the air move as they glide swiftly over your head, with lots of squeals from the humans young and old alike. If you call at a service station off the motorway nearby there are always leaflets which you can pick up for free with money off vouchers. Well worth a day trip out.
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alton towers
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My favourite day out it Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire. It is fantastic for a range of ages (including adults!) The drive round safari park part is lovely and you have a great view of the animals. There is also a nice walk around part which is just a perfect size. Not too big to walk around with toddlers, and you can walk through the lemurs and monkeys which is great fun! Also has an indoor play area if it rains. We got in for free with Tesco vouchers so doesn’t have to cost a fortune either. Highly recommend it x
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Thanks for your suggestion. I like the sound of the indoor play area if it rains – its awlays good when there is something to do if the weather isn’t what you’d hoped for.
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We love Howletts Zoo its great! loads to see and do fantastic family day out
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I think one of the best UK family tourist attractions is Paultons Park in Hampshire. It’s great for chldren under 12, and is very relaxed and not overly commercial (unlike some other theme parks!) The kids particularly enjoy the rollercoaster and long slides. There’s also lots more, (animals to see, garden areas etc). They’ve opened Peppa Pig world this year which my children are too old for now, but I’ve heard from others that it’s fantastic for under 5′s.
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Mine has to be Oakwood theme park in South West Wales (Pembrokeshire). I live about 30 minutes away and its awesome, kids love it. There is lots for adults and children to do. Rollercoasters for adults and tots, ghost train, indoor play area, and much much more.
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We love Alton Towers as a day out.
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My favourite place is near where I live in Norfolk and it’s called Bewilderwood. It’s great fun for the kids (big one and little ones!). It’s in a lovely forest setting. It has loads for the kids to do and you’re bound to get an early peaceful night as the children will be so worn out by the end of the day.
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I have heard a freidn talk of this place, it sounds perfect for those with lots of energy – what a bonus too a peaceful night!
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My favourite place is Blackpool – very brash, very noisy but great for kids of all ages
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Cadbury’s World is a firm favourite with mine whose ages range from 5 to 15
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Hmmm, the name is tempting enough for me!
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I think Flamingoland in North Yorkshire is the best UK tourist attraction! It costs to get in, but from then on all the rides and entertainment are free! There’s also a zoo on site!! If you stay on site, the security’s great as is also the entertainment (shower and toilet blocks are respectable too)! The park caters all ages and they have modern rides, I reckon it’s the best tourist attraction for kids and their families!
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One of the best tourist attraction for kids is the Natural History Museum in London. It is a full day out and still you won’t see everything. Great for a rainy day. Ages I would say 4+. The first time I took my boys they were teenages and even as teenages they loved it. A great day out.
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I think Alton towers – I think its better for slightly older kids, (once they can go on the rollercoasters!).. That said – my two are very small and still LOVE alton towers because they do have a little world just for tiny children and they like watching the big roller coasters anyway. I haven’t been to the waterpark yet but I think the children would love it…(and me too!)
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Folly Farm near Tenby in Wales is a great day out for all the family
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whitehouse farm morpeth (orth east) fantastic day out for all the family feed the animals, tractor rides, bouncy castles, trampolines, cafe, play zone , softplay. reasonable prices also do kids partys
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Great suggestion, thanks. Good tip about the parties too.
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mine is thorpe park it has rides for all ages and a little farm for the children to pet animals.
I love the way it has sand and paddling pool too so the children can play like at the seaside
I havent been for a few years so it might have changed but I used to take my 4 children there and its a fun day. I would love to enter this competition for my granddaughter thank you
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Farmworld in Leicestershire is a great day out.They have rabbits and goats to cuddle,rare breeds,a pony and cart or tractor ride.The kids see what a cow feels when being milked via a milking machine game and there is a lovely big lake to have a picnic next to.There is plenty more to do there as well.
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This sounds like a great place to visit, I love the sound of the milking machine game and I am a sucker for a pony and cart ride!
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The Natural History museum or the Science museum are both free entry
Tons of things to entertain children of all ages.
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My children both love the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, it is free and has lots of hands-on exhibits.
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Is it me or have museums become so much more interesting recently. My kids just love the hands-on exhibits, they are instantly drawn to buttons they can push. Thanks for the tip.
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My son & me love dudley zoo, its not too big or small. Its always a fantasic day out! we take a little picnic too to eat while we are there!
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We have a few favourite UK tourist attractions depending on where we are……
Legoland is fantastic – there are lots of rides – we only went on the family friendly ones though! My 5 years olds fave was the driving school – drive around in a car made of Lego and the miniature Lego world is amazing!
Wicksteed Park is great – in Kettering, Northamptonshire, it has a few rides and a massive free playground. I love the pirate galleon here! We are regular visitors to the park and they have a great car boot sale on a Sunday!
We also love the Science museum in London – its free and theres so much to do for kids of all ages. The kids section in the basement is brilliant with a water play area – we always end up wet!
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There are some great suggestions here, thanks. My kids would love the pirate galleon.
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for a UK tourist attraction the Tower of London is great for kids. They had weapon displays when we were there and you can view previous king’s armour inside the White Tower. Obviously the Crown Jewels are there too and it’s near the beautiful Tower Bridge with plenty of restaurants.
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I have a couple of suggestions for the best uk tourist attraction’s. Both in East Scotland, and both good for children between four and 12. The first is Edinburgh zoo http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/. Take a picnic for munching on at the very top of the park, after taking the ride up there and then work your way down. Don’t miss the Chimpanzee House or the little place where you can feed the birds from your hands. Or the soon to arrive pandas.
My other recommendation is Craigtoun Country Park near St Andrews http://www.welcometoscotland.com/things-to-do/attractions/family-fun/fife/craigtoun-country-park. Take a picnic and spend the day- A lovely adventure playpark, boating lake, mini golf, trampolines and miniature railway amongst other things.
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Legoland is fab for kids – my 2 really enjoyed it! The rides are perfect for them and they were amamzed by the lego models!!!
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Alton Towers, is great fun for kids (and adults) of all ages
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Gullivers World in Warrington – its not overly expensive and plenty to keep you entertained from when you arrived in the morning till you go home. The food available on site is fairly priced, but we take our own and have a picnic in the grounds – scenic and lovely touches with buildings and characters it really is a little kingdom that is just magical !
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This sounds great. good idea to take a picnic too.
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It has to be The Forbidden Corner. The website says it’s the strangest place in the world and it’s no lie – totally amazing, a whole fantasy world to explore. http://www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk/
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Will have a look, thanks for the link.
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I think Puxton Park is a fantastic place, made so much better since Peppa Pig has arrived.
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