The kids may well be back at school, but there’s still quality family time to be had during the weekends. Britain has a vast amount of history, and fun activities, and exploring the country for these is part of the fun. However, you don’t want to get stuck with going to adventure parks all the time, and the kids don’t want to get dragged around educational sites all the time either.
Consider creating a balance between the two; that way everyone will have a fun time, and you’ll be experiencing something different each time. Here are some ideas on how to create such a balance.
1. Manchester Climbing Centre/ Manchester Museum Of Science And Industry
Manchester is a great city, and well worth a visit. Consider taking the train to save time, and avoid driving stress.
The Manchester Climbing Centre is a great place to give climbing a go, if you’ve never had the chance before, and it’s also got some great facilities for experienced climbers. Equipment is hired out, and you can opt for a taster session. Aim for the off-peak times to save some money.
After this workout, minds should be open for some educational fun, too. Educational doesn’t have to mean boring. If your kids are keen on Horrible Histories, then they’re bound to enjoy the “Meet The Character” event at Mosi (Museum Of Science And Industry). Meet Alan Turning, father of the modern computer, or discuss ballooning with James Sadler, the first man to fly over Manchester. Mosi has created a great area for exploration with events for the whole family.
2. Madame Tussauds London/ Go Ape Trent Park
London has a lot of educational sites, and many of them are exciting for the whole family. A must see, however, is Madame Tussauds. Not only will you and the kids be able to brag to friends that you’ve met your all-time favorite celebrity and take a picture with them, but you can also venture through the Chamber Of Horrors.
Not suitable for the faint hearted, the Chamber Of Horrors features original pieces by Madame Tussauds herself. It portrays famous nobles of the French aristocracy who lost their heads during the French Revolution, but also murder scenes from Victoria London. Watch out, as there may well be many more gruesome characters lurking in the shadows.
After you’ve all had a good scare, how about spending some time flying through the trees like Tarzan? Go Ape is a forest adventure park, wherein you’ll swing through the trees of Trent Park, make your way over zip wires and rope bridges, and enjoy getting back to nature.
3. Yorkshire Dales Bike Trail/ Jorvik Viking Museum
To really get a rounded view of Britain, it’s essential to not only explore some of its great cities but to also dive into its unique countryside. A bike trip through the Yorkshire Dales is one way to see as much as possible, and stay active at the same time. The bike trails around the Dales range from beginners to advanced level, so be sure to choose your trail based on everyone’s individual skills. You can even hire bikes at the Dales.
Whilst in Yorkshire, discover some of its history at the Jorvik Viking Museum, where you can experience what it was like in Viking occupied York, including the many smells of a Viking marketplace.
So, here are the top three destinations for combining adventure and education outings for the whole family. To avoid rebellion from the kids, make sure that the plan of the day is clear, i.e. if you’re only staying at one attraction for a certain amount of time give plenty of warning to when you’re moving on. Above all else, remember to have fun and enjoy each other’s company.
This article was written on behalf of VisitBritain US Shop, the official shop of the British Tourist Authority with attraction inspiration and great offers. Visit their website to discover more
