England Family-Friendly Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities

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


Longleat House

Warminster

  • art gallery
  • -
  • film/tv location
  • -
  • historic house
  • -
  • garden
  • -
  • park
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • all-weather attraction
  • -
  • open year round
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • guided tours
  • -
  • virtual tours
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • visitor centre
  • -
  • antiques
  • -
  • art
  • -
  • furniture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • local history
  • -
  • social history
  • -
  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

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

  • historic house
  • -
  • garden
  • -
  • park
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • all-weather attraction
  • -
  • open year round
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • guided tours
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • visitor centre
  • -
  • antiques
  • -
  • art
  • -
  • furniture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • local history
  • -
  • social history
  • -
  • nature
  • -
  • TV
  • -
  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

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

  • historic house
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • all-weather attraction
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • guided tours
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • food & drink
  • -
  • furniture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • social history

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

  • historic house
  • -
  • museum
  • -
  • something different!
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • all-weather attraction
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • pre-booking advised
  • -
  • National Trust
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • antiques
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • furniture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • social history

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

Breamore House

Fordingbridge

  • historic house
  • -
  • garden
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • antiques
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • art
  • -
  • ceramics
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • social history
  • -
  • needlecraft
  • -
  • walking

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

The Workhouse

Southwell

  • historic house
  • -
  • something different!
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • all-weather attraction
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • National Trust
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • social history

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 house
  • -
  • museum
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • all-weather attraction
  • -
  • open year round
  • -
  • pre-booking advised
  • -
  • National Trust
  • -
  • guided tours
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • Beatrix Potter
  • -
  • furniture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • local history
  • -
  • social history
  • -
  • literature

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

  • art gallery
  • -
  • historic house
  • -
  • garden
  • -
  • park
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • all-weather attraction
  • -
  • free admission
  • -
  • open year round
  • -
  • English Heritage
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • guided tours
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • antiques
  • -
  • art
  • -
  • furniture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • local history
  • -
  • social history
  • -
  • walking

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

Cotehele

St. Dominick

  • historic house
  • -
  • garden
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • open year round
  • -
  • National Trust
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • antiques
  • -
  • art
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • social history
  • -
  • needlecraft
  • -
  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

atmospheric Tudor house with medieval roots, working mill on historic quay with a restored Tamar Sailing Barge and glorious gardens

  • historic house
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • furniture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • social history

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

Brantwood

Coniston

  • historic house
  • -
  • garden
  • -
  • museum
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • all-weather attraction
  • -
  • open year round
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • art
  • -
  • geology
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • local history
  • -
  • social history
  • -
  • politics

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