We recently travelled to the United Kingdom with our family and travelling with children means that typically you can’t sit still for more than a few moments. Our days were filled to the brim with our excited toddler always wondering “what are we doing after this sleep?” As we were on a budget, we were delighted to discover that the UK offers many gorgeous woodlands, well-equipped neighbourhood parks and even free paddling pools to keep little ones entertained. But we also wanted to get out and explore some of the more popular kid-friendly destinations.
Wanting to avoid London due to the crowds and high transport costs, we discovered a variety of affordable, fun-filled activities to choose from within about an hour or two of the capital and keeping in the south to south-west of the country where we were based. While this is by no means a complete list of things to do with little ones in the United Kingdom (the country is very family orientated and that list would be truly endless), the below is based on our personal experiences and includes some of our personal tips and tricks to make your budget spread a little bit further.
Bournemouth Oceanarium
If your children love marine life, the Bournemouth Oceanarium is a great choice for a day out. Located near the famous Bournemouth beach, this aquarium charges a relatively affordable entry fee compared to similar offerings in the UK and our toddler loved the fascinating exhibits of marine species like sharks, sea turtles, and colourful tropical fish. It was also an educational experience as she got to learn about ocean conservation through the interactive demonstrations, such as the otter feeding and penguin talks. While the Oceanarium is a great attraction no matter the weather, if it is a sunny day then a stroll on the beach or pier can turn the visit into a full budget-friendly day out. Be sure to pack a picnic and your bathing suit!
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard gives kids the chance to explore famous ships like HMS Victory and HMS Warrior while interactive exhibits, including the Mary Rose Museum, showcase the history of a sunken Tudor warship. Altogether, there is four boats to climb onboard, more than 5 museums to explore, harbour tours, an interactive centre for kids with soft play, a climbing wall, several obstacle courses and other games, plus more! While the tickets are quite expensive, they are totally worth it. We ummed and aahed as it seemed like quite a lot of money for one day but due to the fact that the pass actually grants you unlimited visits for the entire year, it’s well worth it. We ended up visiting four times and still didn’t do everything that is on offer.
Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre
Children and adults alike will be enchanted by the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, located in the author’s home village of Great Missenden. The museum is designed to inspire young imaginations through interactive exhibits, storytelling sessions, and hands-on crafts. It’s an intimate, engaging space that brings to life the much-loved characters from Dahl’s classic books. When you’re done exploring the museum, be sure to follow the map around the town to see some of the places that inspired Dahl’s stories, including Matilda’s library, Sophie’s house from the BFG and the gas station in Danny, The Champion of the World. You can also pay your respects to the legendary author himself at his gravesite.
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Longboating with Drifters Waterway Holidays
For a truly unique experience, longboating offers a relaxing and scenic trip on the UK’s beautiful canals. Drifters Waterway Holidays through ABC Boat Hire which is located at Hilperton Marina, near Bath, provides various boat hire options for a peaceful adventure through the Wiltshire countryside. With kids on board, this is an opportunity to teach them about the joys of slow travel, steering, and navigating the waterways. A weekend longboat adventure works out quite affordable as your accommodation, activities and transport are all covered under the one cost and with a fully equipped galley on board you can also save costs by preparing your own meals on board.
Pooh Corner and the 100 Acre Wood
Fans of Winnie the Pooh can step into A.A. Milne’s world at Pooh Corner. This charming tearoom and gift shop is located near Ashdown Forest, the inspiration behind the iconic 100 Acre Wood, where kids can follow in the footsteps of Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore. Explore the famous spots such as Poohsticks Bridge and enjoy a tranquil walk in the surrounding countryside. Enjoy a Pooh themed sandwich and cup of tea afterwards and explore the adorable little museum which hosts some of A.A. Milne’s original signed works. Apart from whatever spoils you decide to pick up and your parking, this visit is completely free.
Polesden Lacey and other National Trust sites
Set in the rolling hills of Surrey, Polesden Lacey is a delightful National Trust property with sprawling gardens, lawns and a wooden jungle gym, perfect for a family picnic and playtime. The house itself, once home to a wealthy socialite, is a treasure trove of history. With a National Trust membership, families can get free entry and parking for the entire year and there’s also regular child-focussed events and themed activities happening in the garden. The membership also allows regular visits to all of the trust’s properties across the UK which includes various beautiful gardens, historic buildings and kid-friendly sites with friendly wildlife, natural attractions and playgrounds. It’s a worthwhile investment for anyone with little ones.
Legoland Windsor Resort
A magical wonderland for kids (and adults!), Legoland Windsor is packed with rides, shows, and activities that bring the colourful world of LEGO to life. Though it’s a theme park, budget-conscious families can save by bringing packed lunches and taking advantage of seasonal offers. Go outside of peak hours and they have an adult and under 4 special that made our tickets about half the price of similar theme parks in the UK. Live in the area permanently and the Merlin pass and annual options make LEGOLAND surprisingly affordable. Return again and again and you’ll have more time to explore the little nuances of the park, such as the incredible Miniland and playgrounds like Pirate Shores and Duplo Town Dream Playground.
Beaulieu National Motor Museum
Car enthusiasts young and old will love the Beaulieu National Motor Museum, located in the heart of the New Forest. The museum features an impressive collection of vintage and modern cars throughout a series of different museums, including one solely dedicated to the cars from Top Gear. In addition to the cars, families can explore the Palace House and the beautiful grounds. There’s also a monorail that flies over the grounds and even through the museum, a miniature double decker red bus offering short rides, and one of the biggest and best wooden jungle gyms I’ve seen that children will love. Again, the tickets here initially look expensive but they allow you one free re-entry within 7 days of your first visit and there’s so much to see that you’ll need it, while you can also return to the Motor Museum only as many times as you like for a whole year.
Longdown Activity Farm
For a more hands-on day out, Longdown Activity Farm is a fantastic choice for kids who love animals. This working farm near Southampton offers a variety of animal encounters, from bottle-feeding baby goats to holding chicks. The farm also has tractor rides, a play barn, and plenty of outdoor space for children to run around and enjoy the fresh air. There’s something planned on the activity schedule for every half hour to an hour so unlike some other petting farms where you’ll be done in an hour or so, you can really spend a full day here meeting the animals.
Ready to start planning your family outing? Be sure to pack lunches to save on food costs during day trips and where possible book in advance to take advantage of online discounts and family ticket deals. It is possible to enjoy a mix of adventure, learning, and quality time together without breaking the bank!
Janine Avery
Janine Avery is a travel writer from Cape Town, South Africa. She is a lover of all things nature and loves to explore new places, enjoying any form of travel from basic tenting to lazing in luxury lodges.
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