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

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

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

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

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

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

Feel like royalty and visit one of the UK’s beautiful palaces, castles or stately homes. We are lucky to be surrounded by amazing history and architecture here in the UK, and through several organisations we are able to visit and experience these amazing homes. Learn about the history of the buildings and residents, view the art and walk amongst the gardens. Many of these places also offer plenty of activities and guides for the children too! So why not visit one on your next trip?

Castles and Palaces

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

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

Want to enjoy a leisurely swim or a splash with the family? You can find an array of incredibly fun activities for all the family at a Leisure Centre including tennis, badminton, roller skating, aerobics, gym, dance classes and many more! Whatever takes your fancy, they have it! 

Swimming Pools and Leisure Centres

Thinking of delving into the world of karting? We're sure you're raring to go! Well don't think twice and book yourself and friends or all the family on an ultimate go karting experience! Once you're kitted out with the appropriate gear, you'll have your safety talk that tells you everything you need to know about racing, so listen up! When that's over and you're out on the track,  go karts pack a mean punch...  On your mark, get set, GO!  

Go Karting

Whether you skate as a sport or just for fun, it's a great way to get your body moving when it's cold outside or to cool down during the summer months. It's also a wonderful activity to enjoy with your family or friends!  Ice skating has been a popular activity for centuries, and the act of gliding across ice on blades has probably been around for even longer! So why not head to the nearest rink today to have a fun filled session! 

Ice Skating

Take you family and friends bowling for an afternoon or evening! Whatever your level or age, ten pin bowling is for the whole family and is the perfect location on a rainy day! The objective is to knock down all ten pins on the first roll of the ball (a strike), or failing that, on the second roll (a spare)... but let's not get bogged down with the rules.  Younger children can join in too, thanks to lighter and smaller bowling balls, bowling ramps and alley railings. Book your spot today so you don't miss out!

Ten Pin Bowling Alleys

Get jumping at one of these trampoline parks! Great exercise, great fun, and a great indoor activity for those rainy days! Burn some energy by leaping and bouncing about these parks, learning new tricks, and having a fun-filled day! Lots of the trampoline parks also have soft-play, or specific areas for smaller guests, which means everyone can get involved!  Why not give trampolining a go! 

Trampoline Parks

Edinburgh - the capital city of Scotland - is a wonderful place to explore.   It has two distinct and different centres; the cobbled, medieval Old Town and the beautifully planned Georgian New Town.  Linked to the city centre by the Water of Leith Walkway is the trendy port district of Leith - a buzzing, vibrant place with cool waterfront bistros and pubs, and the home of the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Royal Family's former Ocean residence.  You get to tour the state apartments inside the yacht and check out the on-board Rolls Royce! On the subject of Kings and Queens, a must see in the city is Edinburgh Castle - sitting proudly in the centre of town on top of Castle Rock (a dormant volcano - who knew?).  You've got the lot here: Scottish Crown Jewells, the Royal Palace, the Stone of Destiny, the 1pm daily Gun Salute, stunning chapels, the Prisoners of War museum and lots more. A fascinating look at Scottish history. You can start your Royal day trip at Holyrood Palace, the Queens official Scottish residence - albeit for a week or two of the year. There is lots to see here, from State Dining rooms to the Kings bedchamber and Throne Room, all in glorious historical detail.  It's open all year and well worth a visit.  Holyrood is at one end of the Royal Mile (aptly named as you have Edinburgh castle at the other end) and on the way up, wander through the higgledy cobbled streets with its narrow alleyways and impressive towering buildings. If you need a break from the cultural bombardment then how about something completely different.  Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is an extraordinary five floors of mind-bending optical illusions, tricks and interactive fun things to do, including a Vortex tunnel, shrinking room (you might need to spend some time here if you've overindulged in Edinburghs incredible street food) and a mirror maze.  There is also a Roof Terrace offering spectacular 360 degree views across Edinburgh. Or, for Potterheads (yes, I am one so I know this is a word), visit the Department of Magic and try  and crack the puzzles of the Harry Potter Escape Rooms.  Cloaks and wands are provided!  Edinburgh is also, famously, home to the Elephant Cafe, where JK Rowling penned several of her chapters of Harry Potter.  Go for a cup of tea and and be inspired...... Of course, one thing Edinburgh is seriously well known for is all the festivals.  Here are a few: in March/April is the Science Festival, in May the International Children's Festival, June is the International Film Festival, in July the Jazz and Blues Festival, in August the world renowned Edinburgh Fringe (book a place to stay well in advance for this one) and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is in the same month.  There are more, but too many to mention.  Suffice to stay, its worth checking out what is on when you are planning your trip. Get booking your holiday to this wonderful city....any time of year it is a magical place!     

Edinburgh, Eastern Scotland, UK

Angus

Clackmannanshire

Dundee

East Lothian

Falkirk, Eastern Scotland, UK

Fife, Scotland, UK

Midlothian

Perth and Kinross, Eastern Scotland, UK

Scottish Borders, Scotland, UK

Stirling, Eastern Scotland, UK

West Lothian, Eastern Scotland, UK

Eastern Scotland compromises the east part of the country, it contains cities such as Dundee, Perth and Aberdeen. it is mainly a low lying land but for what it lacks in height it does not miss out on beauty.

Eastern Scotland

Scotland is an extraordinary and diverse country.  The beautiful countryside, the vibrant cities, icy mountain peaks, white sandy beaches and picturesque towns and villages combine to make a truly awesome holiday destination, whether you are looking for an adrenaline filled adventure, a cultural trip or a relaxing beach break.  You can see all sorts of wildlife; deer, birds, puffins, seals, whales and dolphins.  There are hundreds of castles to explore; Dunrobin, Eilean Donan, Craigievar, Bannockburn and Caerlaverock to name a few; these fortresses are testaments to Scotlands rich past - a place where all corners are steeped in history.  Scotland is an adventure playground; skiing in the Cairngorms National Park, kayaking in the outer Hebrides, scaling waterfalls in Kinlochleven - it is a land of outdoor pursuits.  Whatever kind of holiday you are looking for, Scotland has it all. 

Scotland

England, UK

Northern Ireland

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

angus

clackmannanshire

dundee

east-lothian

falkirk

fife

midlothian

perth-and-kinross

scottish-borders

Things to do in edinburgh