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

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

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

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

Enjoy a day on the beach with all the family! The UK boasts some incredible coastlines, from the well-loved Cornwall coast to the secret sandy spots in Scotland. There is something for everyone!  Perfect for long walks, sandcastle making or laying back for some well deserved relaxation. 

Beaches

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

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

Think you can only surf in exotic locations? Think again!  There is some amazing surfing to be had throughout the UK from Newquay to North Wales. While surfing might seem super cool from the outside (and it is!) is it surprisingly family friendly and something you and the kids can all enjoy. So why not hit the beach and give surfing a go? Getting a lesson is the best way to start to learn to surf. Group lessons are usually the most popular. The instructor will take you through a warm up then basic safety, and then explain how to paddle and stand up. After this you take to the water and try and catch your first waves!  Expect to stand on the first or second lesson. Surfing is quick to get the hang of, highly addictive, and takes a lifetime to master meaning you will never stop learning! Before starting to surf you will need to know how to swim as this is a water based sport! 

Surfing

Dolphin and Whale Watching is a truly magical experience for anyone Watching dolphins and whales is on a lot of nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts’ bucket list. This is not surprising given how impressive these marine mammals are. The sight of these enormous creatures breaching or bow-riding is simply breath-taking. Fortunately, you do not need to go out of the country to cross off this entry on your bucket list. Dolphins and whales, as well as other marine mammals like porpoises and seals, ply British waters. In fact, there are three known resident pods of dolphins in the UK!  

Dolphin and Whale Watching

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

The UK is the home of the amazing steam train! This integral part of our lives and history means we are lucky to still have many running steam railways and transport museums and attractions.  Why not experience the romance of a steam train ride in the Welsh mountains or across Bodmin and try out a railway or transport attraction on your next holiday.  

Railway and Transport 

Looking for an easy access waterboard sport? Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) might be for you! Easy to pick up in just half an hour, glide across lakes, rivers and seas on your paddle board. Kids can start from as young as 5 and lots of our partners have child and teen sized paddleboards.

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)

Discover what lies at the depths of the ocean...Your Aquarium visit will take you on a journey around the different zones of the world’s Ocean, from the local waters, all the way to the tropical seas of the Great Barrier Reef and everywhere in between!  A great indoor activity for the whole family to explore...

Aquariums

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

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 some of the  UK's most beautiful lakes... Some of the most picturesque lakes and lochs can be found in Scotland, Snowdon, North Wales and the Lake District.  The UK's largest lake is Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland and England's largest lake is Windermere. England's deepest lake is Wastwater at a depth of 79 metres!    A vast amount of activities can be enjoyed including walking, sailing, biking, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and not forgetting fishing!  Enjoy a picnic at these ideal locations for family and friends outings! 

Lakes around the UK

Scarborough is one of the UK's top holiday spots and it is easy to see why.  Located on the North Yorkshire coast it has a bit of everything; award winning beaches, dramatic cliffs, a historic harbour and bustling town with lots of family fun attractions.   What more do you need, I hear you shout?  Well, how about a stunning clifftop castle and as much candy floss as you can shake a stick at.  Yes, this place really does have it all.  Get your Nan, the kids and the dog in the car and head off to experience British holidaying at its best. If you get bored of lolling on the gorgeous blue flag beaches, you've surfed for hours at Cayton Bay and you've done enough rock pooling and crabbing to feed the whole family, head out to explore the many attractions on offer.  There is a great Sea Life centre, a quite incredible water park (no, I mean it, Alpamare Water park is NOT like other water parks), a heritage railway - they have a Santa Special this year so book in advance - and loads of seafront arcades.  Visit 3000 year old Scarborough Castle with its fabulous panoramic views over the sea and if you come at the end of October book in on one of their ghost tours.......spooky. Scarborough is simply a brilliant seaside holiday destination and you will find accommodation and restaurants to suit all budgets.  When planning your holidays this place should be at the top of the list! 

Scarborough, Yorkshire, North England, UK

East Riding, Yorkshire, North England, UK

York, North England, UK

North Yorkshire is a a beautiful place to visit with so much to offer holiday makers.  It has lively cities, pretty villages that take you back in time, rolling green countryside and a magical coastline too - what more could you want?  With family attractions like Flamingo Land and historical sightseeing spots across the region - the city of York being one of the most well known - you will be spoilt for choice in the beautiful county of North Yorkshire.  

North Yorkshire, UK

Yorkshire and the Humber is a region in northern England that encompasses Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford and York among other cities.  It is home to glorious countryside and an area rich in history and culture.  

Yorkshire and the Humber, UK

East Midlands

East of England, UK

London, UK

North East England

North West England

South East England, UK

South West England, UK

West Midlands, 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

east-riding-of-yorkshire

york

Things to do in scarborough