If you decide to take a holiday in the UK to an area you don't know (or maybe you do but want to know more), an excellent way of seeing around and actually getting to see the "best bits" is by taking a tour with a local guide or someone in the know. Walking tours, cycling tours, boat tours, pogo-stick tours (ok maybe not the last one) - whatever suits your family best, can be booked online or at local visitor information centres and make a real difference to your stay.  You can find out the history of a place, local facts or even go on something weird and wonderful like a ghost walk or follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes or Jack the Ripper.  Eek.  An open top bus journey can take away the hours pounding the pavement to look around a large city. Boat trips and river cruises are also a great way of seeing a lot of things in a small amount of time, giving you a completely different aspect of the town you are visiting.  Join a large boat or charter something smaller yourself and follow the river along to get a better look at all the surround countryside.  

Tours and River Cruises

A leisure cycle is a great way to get the whole family out and exercising! It allows you to travel further whilst still getting to experience the local area. Why not take your family along the Camel Trail in Cornwall? Or Maybe go and hunt a Gruffolo in Delamere Forest, Cheshire, the possibilities are endless! Whether you are a family who loves biking together on relaxing forrest paths or a serious Wiggins type who prefers fast road cycling, there is no doubt that camping holidays give you the freedom to take your cycling hobby with you, wherever you decide to go in the UK.  Plenty of great campsites are near cycling paths and some may also offer bicycle hire too, showing you the best routes to take for a great day out cycling.  

Cycling

Whatever your child's age there is always something to enjoy. Get cracking in  a multi-level play area where kids can climb, clamber and slide over all sorts of adventurous obstacles. What’s next? What about a ball pond where your children can dip and dive in a pool full of colourful balls? All of the above would make for serious family fun. Of course parents are not forgotten either as a cafe is never far away. You can relax with a tasty coffee and a slice of cake. What more could you want?

Indoor and Soft Play Areas

There are a huge number of zoos, wildlife and safari parks all over the UK and most are well worth a visit and provide a really exciting and unique day out.  The broad difference between them is that Zoos tend to keep animals with their own species in smaller enclosures for a real up-close encounter, whereas a visit to a Safari Park usually involves driving around much larger enclosures to see groups of animals - maybe rhino, giraffe and gazelle all in one setting.  Some are self-drive (for a monkey snapping off your wing mirror type affair) or in others you are guided round in a truck, spotting lions and elephants from afar - similar to an African safari, just without the plus-size sunset, hot weather and flamboyant tribespeople (although lets not get too picky about this; most UK safari parks are just a couple of hours from home and do not involve remortgaging the house to go). Many zoos and parks now are great conservation pioneers and animal rescue centres, so by visiting, you are often contributing to real global issues, supporting endangered species or deforestation or other genuine threats to wildlife.  The parks usually have lots of information about these causes and it can be a great way to get the kids to learn about the world we live in, the animals from different continents and the dangers they face.

Zoos, Wildlife Parks and Safari Parks

Climbing is a great way to test your strength, balance and agility. As both an indoor and outdoor sport it can be done whatever the weather! You can try out bouldering, climbing and traversing lower walls (around 3 meters) without the assistance of rope. Bouldering basics can be mastered in a few hours and climbing centers will have graded routes allowing you to start out on the easier paths and work your way up. Rock climbing or high ropes is climbing vertically with the assistance of ropes and using safety harnesses, the walls are around 15 meters tall. You will need a good nerve for heights for this activity! Again, beginner sessions are available as are graded routes.

Climbing

Weather is too nice to stay indoors? Want to stretch your legs? Children need to run wild?  Then head to one of the UK's fantastic parks and playgrounds on offer and breath in that fresh air!

Parks and Playgrounds

Kayaking and canoeing is a great way to get close to nature and experience lochs, lakes, rivers and canals in the UK. An easy way to start experiencing boat sports and go on an adventure. Kayaking and Canoeing are slightly different! When Kayaking you will be seated with your legs extended and you will use a double ended paddle. When you canoe, you can be seated or kneeling and often use a single paddle.

Canoeing and Kayaking

The UK has a huge array of museums and art galleries for you to enjoy. From the big hitters in London, such as the Natural History Museum, V&A, Tate Modern and National Portrait Gallery, to exciting living museums where your family can step back in time (such as the Black Country Museum in the West Midlands or the Highland Folk Museum in the Cairngorms). These Museums let your kids get hands-on with history, attending School and learning about farming, crafts, and much more. Art Galleries are not just for the grown ups! They now have workshops and child-friendly trails to inspire even the youngest artists to start drawing.  So why not try out one of our Museums or Art Galleries on your next holiday?   

Museums and Art Galleries

Spend the day creating your very own handcrafted pot, vase, or bowl. Or if you have less time on your hands why not try painting a premade version?  A relaxing, indoor family activity. Perfect for creatives and on a rainy day visit one of the many ceramic cafes for coffee, tea, cakes, and of course, crafting!   

Pottery Centres and Ceramic Cafes

Art and crafting are wonderful pastimes and something the whole family can be involved in, whatever age and whatever skill!   Both children and adults can enjoy the wide range of things this relaxing (mostly!) hobby offers, from finger painting and clay modelling to sewing, woodcarving or basket making. As families are now looking for new things to do on holiday, many places are offering arty activities, or local artists will run day courses with lovely things to make.  And the bonus with this hobby is, there is always something to take home with you at the end!  Have a look at all the different art and craft activities to do in the area you are staying in and unleash your inner Michaelangelo!   

Arts and Crafts

Enjoy your Escape to the countryside at an Activity Farm. Activity farms offer hands-on feeding with lots of  animals including workshops and experiences that help get you even closer to farm life.  Or Visit a fantastic and wild Zoo where you can see Rhinos, Bears, Lions, monkeys and more!

Childrens Farms and Petting Zoos

Trying to find shelter on a rainy day or enjoy a fun evening filled with laughter and popcorn? Visit one of the 775 cinemas in the UK to catch up on the latest blockbuster film releases!  Or fancy watching some live theatre, a music concert, a ballet, or comedy act? Then head to one of the UK's 1300 theatres!  Whether the West End, London is where you want to enjoy some of the UK's finest productions on offer, or Shakespeare's Globe where you can experience incredible performances and actors. Maybe you want to head to the  Festival Theatre in Edinburgh which stages some of the finest operas and ballets. There is something for everyone and definitely not to be missed!    

Cinemas and theatres

Crazy golf is a great way to spend an afternoon with freinds and family. There are loads of different types of courses, from simple to complex with different kinds of features. It's a great way to get started with golfing, and requires no previous experience to get going. 

Crazy Golf Courses

Packed with excitement, you and your teammates will leap into new worlds to complete ground-breaking missions. Work together as a team to find clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges before the time runs out! The pressure’s on, the clock’s ticking, the adrenaline’s pumping. Escape Games aren't something you watch, it’s something you experience – right in the heart of the action. You earn your freedom, throwing all manner of devious and dastardly red herrings, dead ends and misdirections your way. It’s completely immersive, utterly addictive and totally entertaining!

Escape Games and Rooms

Ideal for expert, casual or budding fisherman alike, there is something for everyone and a great deal of choice. From expert fly fishing in Scotland, general coarse fishing, specialist carp fishing lodges and lakes on the Cotswold Water Park and Devon and Cornwall to excellent pike & river fishing holidays on the Norfolk Broads. We want to get you and the kids out on Britain’s rivers, lochs and sea to land your own catch of the day. Don't think twice, book today! 

Fishing

Discover the trees like never before. Scramble, climb and jump through high rope assault courses, don't forget to bring your courage!  A great outdoor activity for families and adults alike, and dotted throughout the UK. Why not try the adventure for a day out on your next staycation?   

High Ropes Courses

Ever imagined galloping along a beach?  Maybe you're more of a fantasy fan or just enjoy spending time with animals, either way horse riding might be for you. A great outdoor activity for the whole family with children able to start from as young as 4. It is an amazing way to take in local scenery, connect with nature, have a little adventure or enjoy at a relaxing pace.   

Horse Riding

Canterbury and the surrounding Kent countryside offer a lot to do and see, with both indoor and outdoor attractions to suit different tastes and interests.  At the heart of the city is the beautiful 11th Century Canterbury Catherdral, a stunning structure that is still a popular pilgrimage site and a beautiful, peaceful place in the heart of a busy city.  Along with the Cathedral, other historical buildings to visit include St Augustine's Abbey and St Martins Church (these make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and these and other gems can be explored on one of the many guided walking tours around Canterbury's centre.  There are also excellent boat tours, offering a chance to view some of Canterbury's best attractions from the waterways of the River Stour.   Historically, Canterbury is a place of storytelling, and especially famous for "The Canterbury Tales"  - a collection of twenty-four stories written in the 14th Century by Geoffry Chaucer; stories told by pilgrims on their way to Thomas Becket's shrine at the Cathedral.  Canterbury now has a superb attraction - called The Canterbury Tales - retelling this, with interactive exhibits, waxwork models and live and recorded storytelling.  It has won numerous awards and is well worth a visit. For a bit of green space, visit Dane John Gardens at one end of the city, which was once part of a Roman cemetery or, at the other end, Westgate Parks; made up of several gardens, meadows and the wooded Bingley Island.  This is a great option for families with children as there are a few play areas here.  With so much to do in and around Canterbury, make sure you leave lots of time to explore all the sights in this beautiful part of Kent. 

Canterbury, South East England, UK

Dover, South East England, UK

One of London's bordering counties in the South-east, Kent is known as the Garden of England-  and with good reason.  It has an abundance of fruit orchards, fresh produce, hop gardens (distinctive hop-drying buildings called Oasts are a common sight in the countryside)and market gardens.   Kent is Englands oldest county, and contains more magnificent castles and historic houses than any other region.  Some of the most popular to visit include Leeds castle with its immaculate gardens and parkland, Dover Castle with it's secret underground Wartime tunnels and Hever Castle, the childhood home of the ill-fated Anne Boleyn. Beautiful Canterbury is one of Kents top tourist attractions, a lively city with lots to do and things to see.  Canterbury Cathedral, along with St Augustines Abbey and St Martins Church form a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Westgate Towers - at 640 years old - is Englands largest medieval gateway.  Don't miss the Canterbury Tales attraction for a step back in time to medieval England - the sights, sounds and smells are all recreated! There is more to Kent than just history with 350 miles of beautiful coastline, including, of course, the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, synonymous with the return of wartime heroes.  On a clear day, France can be seen from Folkestone.  The seaside town of Whitstable on the north coast is a fun place to visit with quirky shops, a lovely stretch of shoreline and an incredible array of seafood including the world famous Whitstable oysters. 

Kent, South East England, UK

Berkshire, South East England, UK

Brighton and Hove, East Sussex

Buckinghamshire, South East England, UK

East Sussex, South East England, UK

Hampshire, South East England, UK

Isle of Wight, South East England, UK

Milton Keynes, South East England, UK

Oxfordshire, South East England, UK

Surrey, South East England, UK

West Sussex, South East England, UK

South East England is home to some of the most beautiful counties including Oxfordshire, Hampshire, East and West Sussex and Berkshire to name a few,  Encompassing glorious coastlines, stunning heathlands, breathtaking forests and National Parks, South East England is a superb place for a holiday at any time of year.

South East England, UK

East Midlands

East of England, UK

London, UK

North East England

North West England

South West England, UK

West Midlands, UK

Yorkshire and the Humber, UK

England is a totally unique travel destination, well known for its history, natural beauty, vast range of attractions and beautiful countryside landscapes and coastlines. 

England, UK

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make up the extraordinary United Kingdom; home to mountains, caves, rivers, dramatic coastlines, medieval villages and vibrant cities.

Places nearby

dover

Things to do in canterbury