Family holidays
Walk among dinosaurs on a fossil hunting tour or put nerves to the test at a thrilling theme park. Get close to nature and camp in protected woodland or stay aboard a lighthouse or a barge on your family holidays. Bike rides and picnics in a national park, long afternoons at the beach exploring rockpools, baffling mazes and hide and seek in the grounds of a stately home: England is packed with inspiring child friendly holidays and activities. If you think learning is for stuffy school rooms, think again. Discover the secrets of the Tudors and Victorians, marvel at Roman remains and re-live bloody battles and beheadings on days out with the kids.
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October events: Be wowed by Abbotsbury's Illuminate
Discover an illuminated winter wonderland at one of Dorset’s finest annual events.
Location: Abbotsbury, Dorset
Brighten up your autumn with Sunderland Illuminations
Don't mourn the arrival of longer, darker nights; let the North East coastal city of Sunderland fill your autumn with light and magic.
Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
Love cheese, love Cheshire
Sample Cheshire’s signature food product at local cheese shops or splash out on a cheese and wine tasting evening.
Location: Nantwich, Cheshire
Head down to The Quays for a day out on the docks
There's always something happening at The Quays, Greater Manchester's most exciting waterfront destination.
Location: Salford and Trafford, Greater Manchester
December events: Have a winter weekend at Compton Verney
Delight in festive fun with the family at at Compton Verney, Warwickshire's award-winning art gallery.
Location: Warwickshire
December events: Enjoy a festive family day out at Perrygrove
Enjoy a truly magical experience with the family this Christmas at Perrygrove Railway.
Location: Coleford, Gloucestershire
December events: Enter an underground Christmas cave
Follow the story of Archie and the Unicorn, told through glittering lights in an underground cavern.
Location: Clearwell Caves, Gloucestershire
December events: Discover yuletide fun at Kielder Winter Wonderland
Visit Father and Mrs Christmas in their secret woodland home, help the elves prepare for the big day, meet real reindeer and enjoy a jolly musical experience.
Location: Kielder Water & Forest Park, Northumberland
December events: Meet Father Christmas at Drusillas
A magical Christmas experience is waiting for all the family at Drusillas Park this winter.
Location: Alfriston, near Eastbourne
Journey through British history at Kynren
Experience an epic storytelling journey through time at this spectacular live-action night show in Durham.
Location: Bishop Auckland, Durham
Marvel at the Longleat Festival of Lights
See Europe’s largest display of Chinese lanterns at Longleat, where amazing hand-crafted illuminations will take your breath away.
Location: Warminster, Wiltshire
Celebrate Roald Dahl’s life and adventures at Tatton Park
Let imaginations run wild at Tatton Park this autumn on a magical journey exploring the lifeworks of one of Britain's most-loved children’s authors.
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
August events: Discover the English countryside with BBC Countryfile Live
Head to the spectacular grounds of Oxfordshire’s iconic World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace, for BBC Countryfile Live, which will be hosted from the 1 - 4 August.
Location: Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Wander into the Wilderness Festival
A ticket to Wilderness in Oxfordshire's countryside is like a ticket to a mini paradise where art, music, fine food and nature collide.
Location: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
Pay homage to the written word in South Shields
Step inside The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, a state-of-the-art venue in South Shields.
Location: South Shields, South Tyneside
June events: Have a nautical time at Gloucester Tall Ships Festival
Set sail to Gloucester as the award-winning Gloucester Tall Ships makes its return voyage to the UK's most inland port in June.
Location: Gloucester, Gloucestershire
July events: Teddy bears’ picnic at Hertford Castle
Enjoy a whole day packed with free child-friendly entertainment and activities on the grounds of Hertford Castle.
Location: Hertford, Hertfordhsire
August Events: Take in the big screen at Hertford Castle Open Air Cinema
Grab your popcorn and enjoy a weekend of open air cinema under the stars with the beautiful Hertford Castle providing a suitably dramatic backdrop.
Location: Hertford, Hertfordhsire
Top family-friendly Halloween events 2023
Boil, boil, toil and trouble! Get out this October half-term with these spooky yet family-friendly Halloween activities and events.
