England Family-Friendly Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities

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


  • archeological site
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • English Heritage
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largest, best-preserved of several mysterious tunnels associated with Iron Age settlements, thought to date from 5th or 4th century BC

  • archeological site
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • virtual tours
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • social history

multi-media ride through a realistic reconstruction of the sights, sounds and smells of the 10th century Viking settlement on this site

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • art
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  • geology
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  • history
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  • local history

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

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • archeology
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • film
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • transport
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  • TV
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  • walking
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rescuing and conserving historic buildings, teaching traditional trades and crafts to ensure their preservation and sharing the untold stories of rural life

  • fortress
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • English Heritage
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  • café
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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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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

high above a meander in the River Irthing, in one of the most picturesque settings on Hadrian's Wall. A Roman fort, turret and milecastle can all be seen on this excellent stretch of the Wall.

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • archeology
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with over half a million specimens, such as dinosaur bones, butterflies and stuffed birds. There are many hands-on activities, and several temporary exhibitions.

Gunwalloe

Penrose

  • natural landscape
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • National Trust
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  • archeology
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

a site of archaeological importance surrounded by dunes, beaches, a medieval church and a reedbed rich in wildlife

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

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • maritime heritage
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  • military history
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  • toys & models

featuring artefacts and displays from the Civil War and a section on the history of Bridgewater. Admiral Blake is renowned as the founder of the modern British navy

  • archeological site
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • English Heritage
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  • archeology
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

Excellent preserved ancient villages, with an excellent example of an underground stone-walled passage, known as a ‘fogou'

  • archeological site
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  • viewpoint
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • English Heritage
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • social history
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  • nature
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  • walking

remains of 2,000 year-old settlement with traceable village street and houses, with an underground passage, known as a 'fogou'

  • 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

  • archeological site
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  • park
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  • place of worship
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • National Trust
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • archeology
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  • architecture
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  • religion
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

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

Godrevy

Gwithian

  • natural landscape
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • National Trust
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

awe-inspiring coastal views of St Ives Bay and the sheltered coves and sandy beaches, including a view of Godrevy Lighthouse

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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • visitor centre
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • royalty

high tech King Richard lll museum exploring the story of the last Plantagenet king including visiting the site of the grave where he was recently found

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • archeology
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  • history

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

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • archeology
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  • fashion
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • needlecraft

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

  • 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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  • archeology
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  • history

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

  • museum
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • English Heritage
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  • café
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  • archeology
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  • history

the quintessential romantic castle, Carisbrooke has been an Elizabethan artillery fortress, a king's prison and a royal summer residence

Chedworth Roman Villa

Stow-on-the-Wold

  • 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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in a wooded Cotswold setting with beautiful mosaics and two bath houses with audio guides and Roman themed, children's activities

  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • archeology
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  • ceramics
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  • history

impressive remains of a roman villa built around 75AD. Stroll around the recreated Roman gardens and enjoy the largest collection of mosaics in situ in the England

  • archeological site
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  • natural landscape
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  • something different!
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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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  • archeology
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

discover surprisingly cosy homes carved into the rock. Walk across Kinver Edge, buzzing with wildlife. Quirky tea room inside a rock house

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • archeology
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  • art
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  • local history

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

  • fortress
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  • historic house
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • guided tours
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • military history

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

  • museum
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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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

  • landmark
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • English Heritage
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a prehistoric monument that was started in the Neolithic period, probably between 3,000 and 2,500 BC, consisting of 42 stones in a 40-meter diameter circle

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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • antiques
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  • local history
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  • military history
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  • toys & models
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  • transport
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  • trains

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.

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • limited opening
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • needlecraft
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  • photography

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

  • park
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • archeology
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  • cycling
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • nature
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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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  • seasonal opening
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local museum in converted church with displays covering local family histories, trades and schools

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  • open year round
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  • archeology
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a wide ranging set of exhibits are housed here, covering topics from dinosaurs to ethnography. The temporary exhibitions section further increases the scope of the displays

Binchester Roman Fort

Bishop Auckland

  • fortress
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  • ruin
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • military history
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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

Blandford Town Museum

Blandford Forum

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • limited opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • local history
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  • military history
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  • World War II
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  • music

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

  • natural landscape
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • geology
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

located in a Methodist chapel, the centre contains a selection of natural history displays covering a range of topics, including geology, archaeology, vegetation & wildlife

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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • archeology
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  • history

set in a medieval building and retaining many original features, this museum concentrates on artefacts and local history

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • toys & models

museum of Bridport's local history with events and interactive displays suitable for all ages.

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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • archeology
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  • geology
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • nature

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

  • archeological site
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • National Trust
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • walking

one of the most important Anglo-Saxon burial sites in Europe in the form of a group of low grassy mounds overlooking the River Deben

  • landmark
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • English Heritage
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  • archeology
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  • local history
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

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

DIG

York

  • archeological site
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  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • archeology

hands-on archeological adventure, giving kids the chance to become trainee "diggers" discovering exciting historic artefacts

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