England Family-Friendly Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities

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


Housesteads Fort

near Bardon Mill

  • archeological site
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  • fortress
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

the most remarkable Roman remains in the country, a real insight into Roman military life and discover the past behind the archaeological remains

  • fortress
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • walking

fairytale fortress ruins are all that remain after the castle was destroyed by Parliamentarians in the 17th Century with stunning views of the coast

  • fortress
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  • museum
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • history

a romantic fairy tale castle with an intriguing past with a rare, original port culls in the gatehouse

Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle

Ashby-de-la-Zouch

  • fortress
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • English Heritage
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • local history

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

Barnard Castle

Barnard Castle

  • fortress
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • English Heritage
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • royalty

overlooking the River Tees and dating back to the 14th Century and lived in by Richard lll

  • fortress
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • English Heritage
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • military history
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  • walking

crowning a rocky crag and boasting spectacular views. On a clear day you can see all the way from the Pennines to the Welsh mountains. With a 4,000 year history, a replica Bronze Age roundhouse and a 40-acre woodland park

  • fortress
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • walking

these extensive remains were once an 11C motte-&-bailey castle built by William of Normandy's half brother

Binchester Roman Fort

Bishop Auckland

  • fortress
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • military history
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  • walking

the largest Roman fort in County Durham. A small part has been excavated and is open to visit. Explore the remains of a Roman bath house with its amazing under floor heating system

  • fortress
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  • viewpoint
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • English Heritage
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • military history

well-preserved and elaborately decorated coastal artillery fortress designed to mount heavy 'ship sinking' guns with audio tour available and picnic area