Our Pick of the UK’s Top 50 Attractions to visit during the school holidays

From the rolling mountains of Wales to the rollercoasters of Staffordshire, the UK is full of amazing, exciting and engaging activities to enjoy with your family during the school holidays. Whether you’re travelling with toddlers or touring with teenagers, take a look at our pick of the UK’s best attractions near to our family of Coaching Inns in England & Wales.

 

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1. Alton Towers – Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Credit: Alton Towers

Alton Towers is Britain’s best rated theme park with over 40 rides and attractions.

2. Zip World – Bangor, North Wales

Velocity 2 | Worlds Fastest Zipline | Zip World
Credit: ZipWorld

Zip world have sites across North Wales and offer a unique range of very special adventures. Experience Europe’s longest ziplines or their massive underground trampolines & high-rope cavern adventures.

3. Stonehenge, Amesbury, Wiltshire

Take in the unforgettable atmosphere of this World Heritage Site and best known prehistoric monument in Europe.

4. York Dungeon, York, North Yorkshire

The York Dungeon
Credit: York Dungeon

York’s funniest and scariest attraction brings together 11 live shows, 75 minutes of fun and 2000 years of history.

5. Chatsworth House, Bakewell, Derbyshire

Chatsworth, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, is set in the heart of the Peak District in Derbyshire, on the banks of the river Derwent. Home of the Cavendish family since the 1550s, it has evolved through the centuries to reflect the tastes, passions and interests of succeeding generations.

6. National Space Centre, Leicester, Leicestershire

The National Space Centre
Credit: National Space Centre

Discover the amazing science of our planet and the exploration of our universe. Open daily with interactive galleries, award-winning exhibitions and the UK’s largest planetarium.

7. Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire

Imperial War Museum Duxford
Credit: IxK85/Wikimedia

Explore over a century of aviation, from the Spitfire to the Vulcan. See aircraft take to the skies from the airfield that Spitfires first flew.

8. Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire

Warwick Castle May 2016.jpg
Credit: DeFacto/WikiMedia

Dazzling shows and attractions, heaps of gruesome history and awesome birds of prey, all set within 64 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens make Warwick Castle a fun, action-packed day out for everyone.

9. Beamish, Stanley, County Durham

Explore & Discover - Beamish
Credit: Beamish

Beamish is a world famous open air museum, telling the story of life in North East England during the 1820s, 1900s, 1940s and 1950s.

10. Ironbridge Gorge, Ironbridge, Shropshire

Iron Bridge
Credit: TK420/WikiMedia

A World Heritage Site and the beating heart of the Industrial Revolution, the Ironbridge Gorge is home to some amazing museums that make for an unforgettable experience.

11. Rockingham Castle, Rockingham, Northamptonshire

This remarkable castle, built on the instruction of William the Conqueror, has been the family home of the Watson’s for 450 years. Prior to the their ownership the Castle was held by the crown.

12. National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Get kitted out with your hard hat and battery lamp, then descend 140m underground to discover the harsh realities of coal mining through the centuries…

13. The World of James Herriot, Thirsk, North Yorkshire

ou’ve probably read the books written by James Alfred Wight or watched “All Creatures Great and Small” on TV. Now come and see where James Herriot, the world’s most famous vet, lived, worked and relaxed.

14. Nene Valley Railway, Wansford, Peterborough

The Nene Valley Railway is a great day out for the kids and the exciting train ride is just part of it. Many their attractions are free like the children’s play area and the river-side picnic spot and you can jump, off at other stations and explore what they have to offer too.

15. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitors Centre, Coningsby, Lincolnshire

Experience Lincolnshire’s aviation heritage at close quarters with a guided tour of the RAF’s heritage aircraft hangar.

16. Chase Distillery, Hereford, Hereforshire

Chase Distillery is a family owned, British Field to Bottle distillery, creating fine spirits from their farm in Herefordshire.

17. Natureland Seal Sanctuary, Skegness, Lincolnshire

Natureland is well known for rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and injured seals that become stranded on Lincolnshire beaches.Visitors can see the various stages of their rehabilitation and hear about the rescue work at feeding times.

18. Chester Zoo, Chester, Cheshire

Chester Zoo is the most visited zoo in the UK and a conservation and education charity committed to preventing extinction.

19. National Railway Museum, York, North Yorkshire

Beamish is a world famous open air museum, telling the story of life in North East England during the 1820s, 1900s, 1940s and 1950s.

20. King Richard III Visitors Centre, Leicester, Leicestershire

Home - King Richard III Visitor Centre
Source: King Richard III Museum

Following the discovery of remains in the car park in August 2012, Leicester City Council purchased an old school building with the aim of creating a centre that would tell the story of the remarkable search for – and at that point unconfirmed discovery of – King Richard III.

  • Closest Inn: The Three Swans, Market Harborough
  • Distance: 35 minute drive
  • Website: www.kriii.com

21. Bicester Shopping Village, Bicester, Oxfordshire

Luxury village-style shopping area showcasing leading fashion brands at discounted prices.

22: Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Watford, London

Step on to authentic sets, discover the magic behind spellbinding special effects and explore the behind-the-scenes secrets of the Harry Potter film series.

23. Legoland, Windsor, Buckinghamshire

For an awesome family day out this year, visit the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort and experience the ultimate LEGO adventure!

  • Closest Inn: The Three Swans, Hungerford
  • Distance: 50 minute drive
  • Website: www.legoland.co.uk

24. Lincoln Castle, Lincoln, Lincolnshire

Built by William the Conqueror in 1068, Lincoln Castle has stood for hundreds of years as a symbol of power and seat of justice.

25. Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tamworth, Staffordshire

Drayton Manor Theme Park is home to a variety of exciting attractions with roller coasters, zoo and Thomas Land.

26. Powis Castle & Garden, Welshpool, Powys

Most of the great Welsh castles were allowed to decay when the medieval wars ended, but Powis survives as a captivating example of a military stronghold as well as stunning gardens.

27. The Forbidden Corner, Leyburn, North Yorkshire

The Forbidden Corner is a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises created within a four acre garden in the heart of Tupgill Park and the Yorkshire Dales.

28. Llangollen Railway, Llangollen, Denbigshire

Visit Llangollen Railway and see how train travel used to be. Take a heritage steam train through the picturesque Dee Valley.

29. Gulliver’s Kingdom, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire

Discover thrilling rides and amazing attractions at Gulliver’s Kingdom Matlock Bath. Located on the edge of the Peak District National Park, Gulliver’s Kingdom is a unique theme park experience.

30. Solent Sky Museum

Solent Sky - Wikipedia

Go and see the home of the Spitfire and the largest flying boat operation in the world – 20 aircraft are on display from the golden age of aviation as well as the Hampshire Police and Fire Museum.

31. National Science & Media Museum, Bradford, West Yorkshire

Exploring the transformative impact of image and sound technologies on our lives. 8 floors of FREE galleries and 3 cinemas including the UK’s first IMAX.

32: Conwy Castle, Conwy, North Wales

Thanks to restored spiral staircases in its great towers you can walk a complete circuit around the battlements of Conwy Castle. We highly recommend it. This is one of the most magnificent medieval fortresses in Europe.

  • Closest Inn: The Castle Hotel, Conwy
  • Distance: 5 minute walk
  • Website: www.cadw.gov.wales

33. Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Halifax, West Yorkshire

Award-winning children’s museum with more than 400 interactive exhibits which inspire children aged 0-11 to learn about themselves and the world around them through imagination, discovery and, most importantly, play!

  • Closest Inn: Old Bridge Inn, Holmfirth
  • Distance: 30 minute drive
  • Website: www.eureka.org.uk

34. The Roman Baths, Bath, Somerset

The Roman Baths are one of the finest historic sites in Northern Europe. There is a lot to see, so please allow at least two hours to get the most from your visit.

35. Wolds Wildlife Park, Horncastle, Lincolnshire

The collection began in 2013 when Andrew gifted Tracy a young female zebra, named Marty. Many animals that are present at Wolds Wildlife Park have been re-homed from other collections.

36. Manchester Gin Distillery, Manchester

Enjoy a guided tour and tasting to give you an insight into distillery life of Manchester’s most famous gin.

37. Silverstone Race Track, Towester, Northamptonshire

Silverstone Circuit is the Home of British Motorsport. They host races such as the Formula 1 and MotoGP. The first race was hosted in 1948 making our circuit 70 years old.

  • Closest Inn: The Three Swans, Market Harborough
  • Distance: 45 minute drive
  • Website: www.silverstone.co.uk

38. Skegness Beach, Skegness, Lincolnshire

Skegness was one of the country’s first seaside resorts to welcome visitors and still one of the most popular today.

39. Sutton Bank National Park, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire

Idyllic views of the Hambleton District with walking and cycling paths. Take in ‘The Finest View in England’.

  • Closest Inn: The Golden Fleece, Thirsk or The Feathers Hotel, Helmsley
  • Distance: 12 minute drive
  • Website: www.northyorkmoors.org.uk

40. Barnard Castle, Durham, County Durham

Barnard Castle | English Heritage
Source: English Heritage

Set on a high rock above the River Tees, Barnard Castle takes its name from its 12th century founder, Bernard de Balliol. It was later developed by the Beauchamp family and then passed into the hands of Richard III.

41. Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

heltenham Racecourse is The Home of Jump Racing hosting 16 racedays from October – May each year including The Cheltenham Festival.

42: Fantasy Island, Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire

The East coast resort’s greatest amusement park. It boasts rides, a market and events all year round.

43. Eden Camp, Malton, North Yorkshire

Experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on the Home Front and the Front Line, all set in the buildings and grounds of an original World War 2 Prisoner of War Camp.

  • Closest Inn: The Feathers Hotel, Helmsley
  • Distance: 30 minute drive
  • Website: www.edencamp.co.uk

44. Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Herefordshire

An enchanting castle at the foot of the Malvern Hills.

45. National Centre for Birds of Prey, Helmsley, North Yorkshire

The National Centre for Birds of Prey is situated at the magnificent Duncombe Park estate in Helmsley.

  • Closest Inn: The Feathers Hotel, Helmsley
  • Distance: 2 minute drive
  • Website: www.ncbp.co.uk

46. Peak District National Park, Derbyshire

Stunning walks, rides and more in the idyllic Derbyshire surroundings.

47. Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, North Yorkshire

No other playhouse can offer such authenticity, and a few others can offer such intimate performances

48. International Centre for Birds of Prey, Newent, Herefordshire

Want an amazing day out with more than 250 incredible birds of prey?  You’re in the right place!

  • Closest Inn: The Feathers Hotel, Ledbury
  • Distance: 20 minute drive
  • Website: www.icbp.org

49. Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Berkshire

From fantastical hats to its regal procession, Michelin-starred dining experiences and of course, the horse racing, Royal Ascot is one of the most glamorous and unique events of the year.

  • Closest Inn: The Three Swans, Hungerford
  • Distance: 50 minute drive
  • Website: www.ascot.co.uk

50. Flamingo Land, Malton, North Yorkshire

Wild animals. Wilder rides. One of the UK’s most visited zoo’s and theme parks.