Half term holidays

Discover a hidden world of tunnels and caves in Nottingham, meet over 500 marine species at Sealife in London, and head back in time to Roman England...

We've loads of ideas for half term breaks , from days out at theme parks , castles, spotting wildlife, as well as budget days out and places to visit when the weather lets you down. There's plenty of fun half term activities to keep the kids occupied.

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Exploring caves and spotting wildlife

Family walking on beach at Deal in Kent; Source: VB Images;

Half term breaks

From hanging out with Vikings in York, to seal spotting in Northumberland and exploring an ancient wonderland in Somerset.

Theme parks

Get your adrenaline fix at Thorpe Park and visit the land of the Boggles in BeWILDerwood.

Go wild

Grey seals off Blakeney Point; deer in Tatton Park and Basking sharks off The Lizard.

Young scientists and little historians...

Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, Buckinghamshire; VisitBritain Images;

Entertain the kids on a budget

England is packed full of museums, galleries, gardens and exciting activities.

National Space Centre, Leicester; Copyright: National Space Centre;

Rainy day ideas

Keep the kids entertained on rainy days. Stare sharks in the face at the Deep or journey back to Viking days.

Festival of History; VisitBritain images;

Roman England

Camp next to Hadrian's Wall, take part in a Roman dig at Vindolanda and explore Fishbourne Palace.

A museum for every occasion

Museums

Discover Captain Cook in Middlesbrough and the step back in time at the Beamish Museum.

Ironbridge, Shropshire; VisitBritain images;

Industrial heritage

Discover the origins of the Industrial Revolution from Saltaire to the vision of Brunel.

Corfe Castle, Dorset; VisitBritain images;

Castles and stately homes

From the contemporary eccentricity of Longleat to medieval palaces and Tudor holiday homes.

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Holiday ideas

Family fun
- Otter spotting in Norfolk
  Search for the elusive animal and other wildlife in the Norfolk Broads.
- Sailing the Kennet and Avon Canal
  Sailing the 87 miles of scenic waterway from Bristol to Newbury.
- Wye Valley Tipi Adventure
  Forget sleeping bags, you’ll be curling up with cosy sheepskin rugs around an open fire.
- Experience the Heights of Abraham
  Country park and caverns set in 60 acres of woodland.
- Blackberry Wood Campsite in Sussex
  Venture deep into the Sussex Downs and indulge in a rare luxury; peace and quiet.
Escape
- Whashton Springs
  Big breakfasts, king sized beds, warm Yorkshire bread, and the countryside sweeped across your window. You'll find it hard to leave this little farm.
- Walking in the Cotswolds
  Join a walking route from Bourton-on-the-Water to the Slaughters in the Cotswolds.
- Porlock in Somerset
  Go back in time in this sleepy Somerset idyll.
- Brean Sands in Somerset
  Keep an eye out for stonechats and jackdaws – just a few of the feathery residents.
- Bushcrafting in the Lake District
  Courses that teach fundamental bushcraft skills to live in harmony with nature.
Gardens
- Sheffield Park Garden
  The perfect place for relaxation and nature photography.
- Stowe Landscape Gardens
  The immense landscape gardens boast some 40-odd temples, lakes and woodland walks to explore.
- Trelissick Gardens
  Head over to Trelissick Gardens for a relaxing afternoon in King Harry's Cornwall.
- Hidcote Manor Gardens, Gloucestershire
  Forget about the outside world for a few hours.
- Coleton Fishacre
  If you’re after the full blast of colour, then we recommend the summer.
Castles
- Tintagel Castle
  Tintagel Castle is full of legend and mystery. King Arthur, anyone?
- Sizergh Castle and Garden
  An imposing Cumbrian castle from the 14th century which boasts an award-winning rock garden.
- Explore Arundel Castle
  Discover the inspiration behind Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast trilogy.
- Bamburgh Castle
  Home to the Kings of Northumbria.
- Dover Castle
  This great medieval fortress has a long and immensely eventful history.
England past
- Saltaire
  Wander along the neat grey-stone terraces and through the lush Roberts Park.
- Blists Hill Victorian Town in Shropshire
  A recreated Victorian town, right down to the bobby on the beat.
- Beamish Museum in Durham
  Tells the story of the people of North East England in Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian times.
- Cornwall’s mining heritage
  Explore Cornwall's historic mining heritage by cycling a coast to coast trail in well under two hours.
- Morwellham Quay in Devon
  A Victorian time capsule.