As it’s International Day of Education, let’s learn in a fun way!
Every parent wants their child to have a wonderful experience on holiday. That means providing stimulating activities that indulge their sense of adventure. However, you also want your child to grow into a well-rounded, curious, and interested adult human. When you’re travelling abroad, you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to expose your kids to new ideas and magical cultural experiences.
Finding the right balance between excitement and intellectual stimulation can be a bit tricky. Fortunately, there are a ton of places in the UK that offer the perfect mix of fun and education. Let’s explore our list of sites that are perfect for broadening horizons – the UK’s best educational trips for kids.
London
The Natural History Museum
The NHM‘s impressively arched entranceway, the beautiful stone floor, and, most importantly, the awe-inspiring brontosaurus skeleton poised over the crowd – every detail is a new wonder to excite the imagination. If you take your child nowhere else, the Natural History Museum – with its animatronic dinosaurs, earthquake simulator, and full-sized blue whale models – is sure to delight.
The Science Museum
If you feel your kids are more likely to end up as mechanical engineers than palaeontologists, the Science Museum is an equally exciting option. Built with kids in mind, the interactive exhibits, inspiring historical technologies, and fantastic events (they even have movie screenings!) are the perfect antidote to boring museums. Show your children why the world today looks the way it does.
Eureka – Halifax
‘We’re not like other museums’ – so says the tagline of Eureka!, Halifax. They certainly got that right. This 100% interactive, completely hands-on museum is purpose-built to help kids get truly stuck into science. The goal here is ‘creative play’ – dynamic and memorable experiences that teach 0-11-year-old children how fun learning can really be.
Warwick Castle – Warwickshire
When you think of castle visits, you might well picture a boring, chilly trawl through the bowls of a musty old castle. Warwick Castle turns this image on its head with one of the most creative historical experiences in the UK. The mighty medieval fortress is truly brought to life with jousting tournaments, dungeon tours, and even overnight stays in the luxury tower suites.
Eden Project – Cornwall
There are few educational visits more essential than Cornwall’s Eden Project. With its message of sustainability and environmental conservation, the dream that inspired this illustrious rainforest paradise is one we can all believe in. Teach your children about the natural world whilst spending some time in this idyllic biodome environment.
The National Space Centre – Leicester
If you want to teach your kids to dream, the National Space Centre is the place to take them from events unveiling the physics behind Doctor Who to the UK’s biggest planetarium. This wonderful museum will introduce your little ones (and you!) to the marvels of spacefaring. The kids will love seeing real-life space rockets!
Lakeland Motor Museum – The Lake District
The Lake District is another one of England’s most beautiful natural regions. With its rolling hills, fells, mountains and countryside vistas (not to mention some of the country’s largest lakes), the Lake District has everything you need to get the kids moving. There’s plenty of wilderness to explore and study. And the area boasts a rich history and plenty of museums that detail it.
Some of the most popular museums in the Lake District include The World of Beatrix Potter, The Lakeland Motor Museum and Dove Cottage, which was William Wordsworth’s home from 1799 to 1808. For an immersive educational experience, ride the miniature steam train at the Ravenglass Railway Museum.
National Parks – The Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands boasts some of the UK’s most breathtaking countryside scenery, and its many castles add to its visual and historical appeal. You’ll be spoilt for choice if you want to take the kids on some epic adventures. The Highlands is home to Britain’s largest national park (Cairngorms) and mountain (Ben Nevis). The little ones will also love looking for Nessie at Loch Ness.
Inverness Museum is one of the best places to learn about the history of the area. It’s also regarded as the ‘Capital of the Highlands’, meaning there are plenty of restaurants and activities to keep the family well-nourished and entertained.
Museums & more – Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, is stunning from just about every angle, full of architectural gems such as the Palace of Holyrood, St Giles’ Cathedral and Hopetoun House. History buffs will also love sights like Edinburgh Castle and the Old Observatory House.
With no shortage of museums, Edinburgh makes for an educational staycation the kids certainly won’t forget. Some of the most popular museums include the National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery and The Queen’s Gallery. Try Camera Obscura and World of Illusions for something a tad different.
For more fantastic educational experiences within London, check out our Tower of London, Sealife Centre, and London Dungeon experiences. They’re great fun for kids and adults alike.
