England Family-Friendly Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities

recommended places to visit and things to do with children in England


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diverse collections, mainly relating to Cornwall's heritage including the Rashleigh mineral collection

Longleat House

Warminster

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lose yourself in the world's longest hedge maze, visit the Elizabethan stately home or drive through the world famous safari park

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set in a magnificent deer park, the ancestral home of the Russell family for nearly 400 years has many attractions, including a famous wild life reserve

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vast collections, telling the story of the last 400,000 years of history. The art galleries include the world-famous Pre-Raphaelite collection, the largest in the country

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collections covering fine art, decorative art, Egyptology, coins, manuscripts, natural history, social history and South Asia with hands on interactive displays for children

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13 mile steam heritage railway through beautiful countryside creating the atmosphere of a 1950s Cornish branch line

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with events, demonstrations of traditional crafts and changing exhibitions telling the story of the Yorkshire Dales, landscape and people, past and present

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local graphite mining led to the growth of the pencil industry. The museum gives an in depth guide to pencils and pencil making down the centuries

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step back to the 1920s and discover how a grocer's family lived in a Midlands market town through their furnishings and household objects

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relax & leave the car behind and take this circular route around West Cornwall - hop on, hop off - visiting the major sites

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surrounded by a picturesque garden, Beatrix Potter's beloved farm house was the source of inspiration for many of her famous stories

Kenwood House

London NW3

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with paintings by world famous artists Rembrandt and Vermeer, this hidden gem offers a unique look at an elegant Georgian mansion

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with lots of interactive exhibits catering from the serious student to the youngest child covering Reading's history from pre Roman times to the Victorians

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immerse yourself in history, myths and stunning scenery at Tintagel Castle set high on Cornwall's rugged north coast. Inextricably linked with the legend of King Arthur

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portraying the history of Arundel through a collection of tools, photographs, clothes & weapons

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a local museum with exhibitions of - Dartmoor artefacts - local history & geology - posters, documents - also includes the Paul Endacott North American Indian Collection

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located in the Town Hall, this museum contains a selection of coins minted in Malmesbury, along with many other exhibits relating to the history of the area

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dating back to the sixteenth century, a unique collection of historic artefacts relating to the ancient school and its pupils

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one of the largest folk museums in the South West, reflecting the social and industrial past of The Lizard Peninsula with regular art exhibitions

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chronicling the history of the Port of Padstow over the past two centuries - interesting collection of artefacts with plenty to interest the children

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the largest Norman keep in Europe, built on Roman foundations, now a local history museum with several significant collections

The Arthurian Centre

Slaughterbridge

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discover 1,500 years of legend with an exhibition room recalling the legends and history of King Arthur. Brass rubbing, nature trail and children's quiz

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dating from the 14th Century, the name dates from the Victorian period when it briefly held a licence to be the letter receiving station for the district with postal exhibits and samplers and furniture dating back to the 16th Century

Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle

Ashby-de-la-Zouch

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Ruins of 15C castle, formerly a Norman manor house. Fields nearby were the setting for the tournament in Sir Walter Scott's 'Ivanhoe'

Ashby-de-la-Zouch Museum

Ashby-de-la-Zouch

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impressive exhibit of Ashby & district's history with local interest. Includes model of Ashby castle under attack in the 17C Civil War

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Ashford Borough Museum, housed in a 17th-century building, presents Ashford's rich history through engaging exhibits spanning from the Roman era to modern times.

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housed in the former Police Station and Courthouse and offering an insight into Axminster's past, with displays covering a wide range of topics including agricultural tools to Axminster carpets

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presenting this history of Alnwick and District, holding a variety of workshops and exhibitions throughout the year

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modern museum in canal-side location covering Banbury's local history and its canal heritage

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visitors can admire the remains of an Iron Age fort which is situated in a fine example of chalk grassland, running alongside is the Ridgeway National Trail

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local museum in converted church with displays covering local family histories, trades and schools

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grand historic building on Canterbury's High Street, housing library, tourist office, café and a small museum

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exhibiting original Beatrix Potter water colours, following a different theme each year, giving an in-depth view of this famous author's work

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displays on printing, Waveney, agricultural costumes & a model of the town as it was in 1841. There are also discovery boxes for children to use

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preserving and displaying the heritage of the North Tyne and Redewater area of Northumberland with relics and photographs covering all aspects of local history and traditions in the area

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housed in a historic and unusual 18th century Butcher's Shambles, providing a fascinating insight into the growth and trades of the town, the lives of its people and local crafts

Blandford Town Museum

Blandford Forum

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blacksmith's forge - cobbler's shop - last 400 years display - WWI and WWII memorabilia - Victorian child's playroom - musical instruments - local archeology and palaeontology

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medieval guildhall was built in 1450 & is now the home of the Borough museum. Exhibits include items of local interest, costumes, coins & fine art. There are also monthly exhibitions & audio guided tours are available

Bradford-on-Avon Museum

Bradford-on-Avon

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housing a re-creation of the Christopher Pharmacy which was open from 1863-1986. Also the museum explores the natural & social history of Bradford-on-Avon

Brantwood

Coniston

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for 28 years, the home of John Ruskin, scientist and art collector, with many personal artefacts, including his extensive geological collection

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replica village shops - steam-powered farm machinery - tractors - barn machinery - agricultural tools - maze - adventure playground - shop - tea barn

Furness Abbey

Barrow-in-Furness

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the impressive remains of this medieval abbey boast an ornately decorated chapter house and cloisters with a small museum

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housed in the former Higgins & Sons Brewery within the picturesque gardens of Bedford Castle, the collections reflect the human and natural history of Bedford and the surrounding area

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made famous by the write Daphne du Maurier. There is a room full of her memorabilia. Theatre shows recount the inn's myths and legends

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founded in 1796, making it one of Britain’s oldest museums, boasting unique collections of natural history and archaeological artefacts

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a fascinating look at the history of St Ives including fishing and mining, with children friendly activities

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well-preserved, Neolithic 'dolmen' burial chamber - stands 2.7 metres (8.9 ft) high - five standing stones, surmounted by a huge capstone with wide vistas from the top of the mound

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privately owned museum in a building that was originally used for making coaches & wagons and covering many aspects of North Cornish life

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local village history museum, housed in former courthouse with a permanent collection and an annual temporary exhibition highlighting an aspect of the area

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