With the clocks having moved forward at long last, spring feels like it has finally arrived. But with Christmas and the New Year only just a distant memory, the summer holidays are peeking over the horizon already. Planning family trips can feel like a chore, especially if that planning is taking place last minute.
But this year, things will be different. You’ve got the drop on the holiday, and now all you need is some inspiration for where to book your family in. Look no further!
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is one of the most well-renowned zoos in Europe, home to thousands of animals and a pioneer in habitat-based enclosures. No two trips to Chester Zoo are the same, and with a wide variety of different experiences available, the little ones could even get up close and personal with a giraffe! A trip here could also be friendly to your wallet if you’re a healthcare worker, with Chester Zoo NHS discounts shaving down the price of your family day out that little bit more.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour (The Making of Harry Potter)
J K Rowling’s spellbinding ‘Harry Potter’ series has enraptured children and adults alike, with both the books and their subsequent film adaptations transporting fans to a fantastical world full of magic and mystery. That magic and mystery can be experienced up close at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Leavesden, just north of Watford. The tour takes you through the making of the films, with intact set designs and demonstrations of the incredible effects used to make magic a reality. A sure-fire winner for the dreamers in the family!
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a quintessential summer destination for families, being a seaside resort with all the trappings of a great British day out. You’ve got the sandy beaches, the coastal cuisine and – of course – one of the UK’s favourite traditional amusement parks sitting right at the seafront. Wooden coasters, water rides and hyper coasters promise to get your blood pumping, especially The Big One. The Big One is the UK’s tallest rollercoaster, and grants unparalleled views of the shore before a white-knuckle ride of your life.
Flamingo Land
Nestled in the depths of North Yorkshire is one of the UK’s best hidden gems for family activities: Flamingo Land. Flamingo Land is a zoo, theme park and holiday resort all rolled up into one fantastic package. It’s the whole shebang for families, whether you’re out for a day or looking for a full weekend of festivity. Perhaps unsurprisingly, flamingos are present at the zoo – alongside hundreds of other exotic animals waiting to meet your kids.
Alton Towers
Last but certainly not least, Alton Towers is a juggernaut of an amusement park, and the gold standard for thrill-seekers across the country. Taking your family along to Alton Towers for a day is a guaranteed winner for everyone, with everything from sedate water rides to full-on adrenaline-pumping hyper-coasters like Oblivion – the world’s first rollercoaster with a vertical drop.
