England Family-Friendly Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities

magnificent building housing 80 million specimens from across the natural world, arranged in four zones around a giant central hall

set on a rocky promontory next to the Castle, one of the great Norman buildings of Europe, boasting a magnificent rose window

Island home to a medieval castle, reached by causeway, with Norman church and sub-tropical gardens.

packed with over 1000 years of history and set in splendid grounds, there is plenty to see and do including State Rooms, dungeons and falconry

spectacular setting atop the White Cliffs of Dover, this large fortress includes a Roman lighthouse and secret wartime tunnels

magnificent late Victorian country house, with the feel of a wealthy but unpretentious family home, including a rare book collection

a fine Georgian villa designed by William Kent with a rich collection of Old Master Paintings and fine furniture. Free entry to the 65 acres of Grade I listed gardens with grand vistas, architectural delights, water features and a children's play area

rescuing and conserving historic buildings, teaching traditional trades and crafts to ensure their preservation and sharing the untold stories of rural life

former dock at the heart of Liverpool, now rejuvenated with shops and restaurants as well as The Tate Liverpool, The Beatles Story and Merseyside Maritime Museum

dating back to the fourteenth century and closely associated with many historical events. Now best known as one of the locations for the Harry Potter films

former home of The Priors of Nostell and Mayor of York - rediscovered behind modern facade in 1980s - restored to original 15th century splendour - magnificent Great Hall

a living working experience of life as it was in the early 1800s and 1900s complete with shops, pubs and horse drawn carriages and trams

designed in 1825 and completed in 1827 for William Beckford. The 120 foot tower, has uninterrupted views of the countryside, and was was constructed as a study retreat and to house Beckford's precious collection of art and rare books

a wealth of architectural history, with buildings dating from the 14C and a superb 30-acre garden famed for its rhododendrons and unique quarry garden

displaying exhibitions of contemporary and historic art in the spacious Saloon Galleries. The gardens are experiencing a renaissance with new planting schemes, enhancing the herbaceous borders

experience an evocative and intimate insight into living in Back to Back housing from the1840s to the 19790s

collection of thatched buildings - date back more than 200 years - set in a valley that reaches down to the sea - working forge & mill - see the blacksmith in action - enjoy a traditional cream tea in the Old Bakery - explore the woodland or beach

little changed since completion in 1583 - wide variety of paintings - tapestries - porcelain - 17th century needlework - rare James I carpet - period furniture - tea barn

a formidable fortress spanning some 900 years of conflicts and sieges. Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned here for some 19 years

visit this modern masterpiece designed by Sir Basil Spence with the iconic tapestry by Graham Sutherland and the magnificent stained glass windows by John Piper

the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity crammed full of ingenious gadgets – most of them still working and with one of the largest rock gardens in Europe

the mills date from the eighteenth century and the story of how cotton changed our lives is told through interactive displays

a secret, wartime airbase now a museum and visitor centre, restored parkland great for walking and with the 18th Century mansion at its centre

stretching across 3,000 acres of ancient woodland, steeped in history, but with delightful contrasts from the picturesque dingle to the remarkable pieces by Moore and Matisse

Beautifully situated on the banks of the Thames. Step back in time, walking on the original marble floors and admiring the re-imagined 17th Century garden

a lovely 18th Century house with an unusual drawing room pained by Rex Whistler, a permanent 20th Century art collection and magnificent gardens

historic house and grade 1 Cornish gardens with the national camellia collection within 865 acre park on Rame Peninsula

with a world class collection of furniture, textiles and wallpaper and priceless paintings inside and room to explore outside - including cycle trails -

Queen Victoria's palatial holiday home offering a treasured insight with a visit to the private apartments and the Swiss Cottage where the children played

a suburban palace caught between town and country with a lake, magnificent house, elegant gardens and a natural play trail with rope swings and steppingstones

the much loved country retreat of HM Queen Elizabeth ll. Explore objets d'art collected by the Royal family, or browse the classic cars in the Transport Museum

built in 1842 as the last resort for the destitute, the stories of the people who lived and worked here help tell the poignant history

historic village with many buildings of architectural interest including the Hellfire Caves (not National Trust), shops and cafés

a place of enormous character, charm and interest. Visitors are frequently struck by the warm and intimate atmosphere and the feeling that Arley is a much-cherished family home with beautiful landscaped gardens

the oldest model village in the world with a wealth of miniature architecture from the 1930s rural England, including a model railway

this beautiful stately home houses a vast collection of antiquities, chapel, library, sculpture gallery, laboratory, costumes, adventure playground & beautiful woodland gardens

the Abbey Church, a spiritual haven for the many thousands of visitors who come each year, with bookshops and exhibitions of the Benedictine way of life

once the home to Sir Francis Drake with contemporary furnishings and artefacts, an impressive medieval Great Barn and extensive gardens

focusing on vernacular buildings – the past houses and workplaces of ordinary people that are gradually disappearing from the landscape

holiday home of the D'Oyly Carte family built in the Arts & Crafts style with a joyful atmosphere enhanced by music and a 30 acre garden

set in classical parkland landscaped by Capability Brown, now with an adventure playground, this period mansion is also a world class art gallery

founded in the twelfth century, these magnificent ruins echo with centuries old stories. Wonderful walking with ancient tree avenues and a playful water garden

where Jane Austen lived and wrote some of her finest work with letters, memorabilia, illustrated books and other contemporary artefacts

set in over 6000 acres of woodland, a welcoming Georgian house, holding the National Trust's largest fashion collection with interactive displays

the Gothic Revival house is surrounded by gardens which are a masterpiece of architectural planting, home to one of the most outstanding botanical collections in the country

with spectacular river and sea views, this Edwardian house boasts a rare collections of exotic plants. Generations of children return to hunt for Fred the ghost

set in a picturesque location surrounded by a deer park with family heirlooms in the castle and extensive grounds to explore

grand and tranquil historic house with an impressive ionic temple, a woodland play area and outdoor games for children. Picnics welcome

a magnificent Georgian house which has been a family home for nearly 300 years with extensive grounds with year round interest

late 17th Century house with sumptuous interiors including the Museum of Childhood. Explore childhoods of times gone by, play with toys and share stories

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

medieval Manor House which was the ancestral home of George Washington, with a tranquil garden and a 'nuttery' - a haven for wildlife

unique 16-sided house dating from the late 18th century, containing many quirky objects & mementoes, including a fragile shell gallery

the rooms all display original furniture alongside paintings and portraits that bring to life the story of the house and its occupants including an important 17th Century, played by Handel. Explore the extensive gardens and challenging maze

this early Tudor house has a fine carved oak ceiling and contains exhibits displaying the history of Thetford and Breckland including archaeological and natural history exhibits. There is also a fine herb garden

beautiful medieval house is part of the story of King Henry VIII and his divorce settlement with his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. Highlights include atmospheric furnished rooms and a Tudor garden with traditional plants

intimate Regency mansion with many treasures, Victorian garden and a Carriage Museum showcasing vehicles for every occasion

surrounded by a beautiful landscaped deer park, this elegant country house has had its fortunes rise and fall; this is still visible in the building today

Blackburn's cathedral since 1926, this church dates from much earlier, & includes a Georgian nave, sculptures by John Hayward & some splendid windows

medieval manor house - still a family home - set in riverside meadows & woodland - unspoilt & relaxing -

covers the history of Bude and the surrounding area, including natural history, maritime and industrial heritage, and development of tourism

a fine Elizabethan mansion refurbished in the 17th Century with extensive collections of paintings and objets d'art

ancient and peaceful, this tranquil Tudor manor house is far from today's busy lifestyle and is surrounded by rare terraced gardens

the ‘Great House’ referred to in Jane Austen’s letters, now sensitively restored and find inspiration in the lives and works of our women writers

19th century working watermill surrounded by outbuildings, now used as estate and craft workshops, short walk from Cotehele Quay

modernised in the 19th Century to become a lavish country house with Mediterranean planting in the garden and a working water mill

two great beam engines, preserved in towering engine houses with industrial heritage discovery centre

dating back to the fourteenth century with a recent up date in the twentieth, this majestic castle is surrounded by lovely gardens

an elegant Palladian stately home, with a magnificent walled garden, extensive parkland with cycle routes and children's play areas

country home of Benjamin Disraeli, housing a fascinating collection of his memorabilia. Also Second World War rooms, with interactive exhibits and eye-witness accounts

set across 11 acres, the visitor can discover the incredible world of Anglo-Saxon Northumbria and the extraordinary life of Bede - the father of English history with plenty of interactive displays and a rare breed farm with rescued animals

recently restored 1930s art deco lido, the largest natural seawater bathing pool in the UK. A fabulous venue for swimming or sunbathing

impressive castle built by William the Conqueror in 1068 and housing an original copy of Magna Carta. A cinema with a wraparound screen tells the story

restored 15th century stone cottage suggested as the home of Mary Newman, the first wife of Sir Francis Drake - atmospheric

this stately home spans the centuries with a colourful history and reputed ghost. There is also a Hawk & Owl Centre with a wide range of birds

depicting life in the 17th Century, with Civil War exhibits, Cromwell's study, haunted bedroom and learn about contemporary cooking and taste the recipes in the kitchen

turreted Gothic revival mansion with church-like interiors and panoramic Lake District views with large, informal gardens

depicting the important people & events of Braintree, including innovations in man-made textiles & the window industry. There is also a section dedicated to natural history

the most southerly point on mainland Britain this 250 year old working lighthouse offers interactive displays

11 acres if gardens landscaped by Capability Brown. The history of the ruined 18th Century house is depicted in the Gate House Museum

with excavated remains and stunning reconstructions of original buildings and roman artefacts combine to give a unique insight the Romans in Britain during the second to fifth Century

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

the house dates back to the early fifteenth century and has had many refurbishments down the centuries, the museum portrays the history of the local fenland and the spacious gardens include an eighteenth century ice house

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

enjoy the picturesque views of the Dart Valley from the remains of this small Tudor artillery fort

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

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

containing much of the original machinery from the 1700s', this is the only remaining windmill on the Island. Spectacular views to be had from the cap

built in 1153, this castle's dungeon is the scene of Edward II's murder. Now the home of the Berkeley family, it has various treasures, including paintings, silver, furniture, and an Elizabethan garden

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

tucked away in a deep wooded valley, this romantic ruin has the preserved remains of an Elizabethan mansion. An audio tour is available

one of the great glories of English religious architecture, this most impressive church boasts 14th Century stone carvings, notably of musicians

seventeenth century Bolsover Castle is a wonderful place to imagine the Golden age of Chivalry. Set on a hilltop overlooking the Vale of Scarsdale, it offers panoramic views over the surrounding countryside

with over 80 miles of riverside, woodland and moorland paths, medieval buildings, picnic areas, tearooms and restaurants, gift shops and fabulous scenery there is something for everyone

massive ruins of Henry II's 12th-century tower keep, set within the earthworks of a Roman fort guarding the strategic Stainmore Pass over the Pennines

a lovely example of Victorian Gothic with many symbolic items to be found in the Hidden Nature Trail within the cathedral

now used for University accommodation, however visitors can still tour round the Norman castle

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

climb the battlements for impressive views from the remains of this 13th Century round tower and keep

a fine example of a 12th Century manor with its impressive great hall which houses a unique collection of ceremonial horseshoes

commanding fantastic views, these ruins are in remarkably good condition. Picnics welcome

sits atop a rocky promontory, remains of an artillery fort built by Henry VIII to defend Fowey Harbour. Access via a narrow winding foot path

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

the iconic bridge is one of Shropshire's most famous landmark and the world's first iron bridge, recently undergone a conservation project