A family enjoying a picnic outside Castle Howard in Yorkshire.

Outdoor Activities

Calling all adventurers! England’s great outdoors is there for the taking. From coastal hikes to family-friendly play areas and zoos, there are hundreds of outdoor activities to build a short break around. Fancy something a bit different? From llama trekking to learning to surf, there are family activity holidays and unique outdoor experiences aplenty to challenge minds and bodies. Find the best outdoor activities for kids across the UK - filter by region below to find the best options near you.

23 Experience Results

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Savour your scoops at The Ice Cream Farm

Keep the kids happy with more than 40 delicious flavours of ice cream, an outdoor play area, farm, quad bikes, mini golf and more...

Location: Tattenhall, Cheshire

 

Take the whole family to Chester Zoo

Venture to tantalising tropical islands in the heart of Cheshire with innovative exhibits at the UK’s most popular zoo.

Location: Upton near Chester, Cheshire

 

Discover dinosaur footprints on the beach

Everyone who has been to the beach has seen footprints left in the sand, but have you ever seen ones that have been left by a dinosaur?

Location: Brook, Isle of Wight

 

Build sandcastles at Bamburgh Beach

Do you know your cockles from your winkles? St. Aidan and Grace Darling certainly did. And what better place to learn than on Bamburgh Beach.

Location: Bamburgh, Northumberland

 

Go on an exotic adventure at Woburn Safari Park

Explore the habitats of lions, zebras, giraffes and much more at this family-friendly, conservation-focused safari park.

Location: Woburn, Bedfordshire

 

Spy on endangered wildfowl at Rutland Water Nature Reserve

Visit Rutland Water's famous wildfowl sanctuary, covering a 1,000 acres of bird hides, mucky nature trails and interactive visitor centres.

Location: Rutland Water, Rutland

 

Go bananas for Trentham Monkey Forest

Pay a visit to the only place in Britain where you can walk among 140 Barbary macaques roaming free in 60 acres of forest.

Location: Trentham , Staffordshire

 

Get closer to the animals at Paradise Wildlife Park

Venture to Hertfordshire for an exciting day out with the family at this award-winning zoo; see a range of exotic animals and enjoy a whole host of experiences and attractions.

Location: Broxbourne, Hertfordshire

 

Explore the UK's first safari park at Longleat

Feed giraffes by hand and walk on the wildside with lemurs at this popular safari park, found in the picturesque grounds of historic Longleat House.

Location: Longleat, Wiltshire

 

Take a dip in Bude Sea Pool

Take the whole family to this part man-made, part natural sea pool which nestles under the cliffs at Summerleaze beach in Bude.

Location: Bude, Cornwall

 

Let loose at WildRootz

Let the kids get up close and personal with nature, in all its muddy glory, at WildRootz, in Pensthorpe Wildlife and Gardens.

Location: Fakenham, Norfolk

 

Go wild for the wildlife of the Cotswolds

Experience the wild beauty of Batsford Arboretum and the sight of rare birds of prey soaring over the surrounding Cotswolds hills.

Location: Moreton In Marsh, Gloucestershire

 

Take a walk on the wild side in East Lincolnshire

Explore salty and sandy beaches as you seek out wildlife on the beautiful Lincolnshire coast.

Location: Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire

 

Be beside the seaside in Gorleston-on-Sea

Take the buckets and spades gorgeous Gorleston Beach before exploring the ancient Roman ruins and the Angles Way.

Location: Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk

 

Take a family escape to the golden sands of Weymouth

Dig your toes in the sand, paddle in the waves and make memories with the kids at this spectacular seaside town.

Location: Weymouth, Dorset

 

Enjoy panoramic views on the Bath Skyline Walk

Enjoy a family break in Bath with some outdoor fun at Bath Skyline’s woodland play area before enjoying sweeping views across the city.

Location: Bath, Somerset

 

Immerse yourself in the magic of The Alnwick Garden

Let the little ones run free around the 12 acres of gardens at the multi award-winning Alnwick Gardens in Northumberland.

Location: Alnwick, Northumberland

 

Have a traditional Victorian seaside experience

Head to the delightful seaside town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea for a fun trip up a sea-cliff lift and dine on fish and chips with a view.

Location: Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire

 

Take the kids to meet the Lucky Dog of Todmorden

Centre Vale Park is home to 'The Lucky Dog' of Todmorden, made famous by Derren Brown in his 2011 show, The Experiments.

Location: Todmorden, West Yorkshire

 

Play Pooh sticks in Ashdown Forest

Take a walk through the magical wood where Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Tigger and Eeyore roam.

Location: Hartfield, East Sussex

 
Close up of human hand picking blackberries from branch in garden.

Where to go summer fruit picking in England

Check out summer fruit picking locations in England where the whole family can get hands-on with harvesting their own fruit and vegetables.

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