Pershore Road
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park is home to a unique collection of animals from across the world, including red pandas, lemurs, reptiles, meerkats, otters, birds, wallabies, and a large collection of monkeys. Some of the animals are endangered in the wild and the park plays an important role their species’ conservation by participating in endangered species breeding programs. Visitors can sponsor an animal and help wth the park’s mission. Groups and children’s parties can be accommodated.

– Information provided by Birmingham City Council

Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Stretching for 2 miles north to south, Aberdeen beach is one of the city's unheralded highlights, a sandy expanse that offers huge lowering skies in the winter and recreational opportunities in the summer. The beach connects the two rivers that gave Aberdeen its ancient Gaelic name, the Dee to the south and the Don to the north. For visitors wondering what the wooden walls are that stripe the beach, they are breakwaters (known locally as groynes), designed to keep the sand on the shore. The North Sea's longshore drift has been burgling sand from this site for centuries, so the groynes were built to limit those losses. They also provide a useful measuring stick for walks along the Esplanade, the walkway just back from the angled concrete sea walls.

Shiprow
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Though its gray buildings have earned it the nickname of the Granite City, Aberdeen's economy has been built not on land, but upon the North Sea. Fishing, trade, whaling, shipyards, and oil have been its great financial lynchpins, and this thoughtfully designed museum (closed Mondays, admission free) unravels centuries of history to reveal how the city has lived and died according to its maritime interests. Ship models and other pieces of nautical tackle bring the earlier parts of this story to life, from the shallow water fishing industry to the great clipper ships that hauled tea back from India and opium from China. A pirate character named Granite Jack leads younger visitors through the museum, with quizzes and other interactive options on offer. But it's the modern era where the museum really scores, with its displays on the oil and gas industry, and the eight-meter replica of a North Sea rig, the Murchison Oil Platform, which stands three floors high in the central atrium.

Golden Hillock Road
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Ackers Adventure is an outdoor activity center located in Birmingham and a charity that exists to promote and engage people of all ages, abilities, and disabilities in the pursuit of outdoor adventure activities. All activities take part in over 30 hectares (75 acres) of diverse landscape and habitats ranging from open grassland, woodland, and marsh cut through by the River Cole, the Grand Union Canal, and Mainline Railways. This creates a fascinating area to have a great outdoor adventure. Enjoy a 100 meter-long (328 foot-long) ski slope and a 25 meter (82 foot) toboggan slope. There are three climbing walls including a 20 meter (65 feet) high tower which also homes our zip wire and fan descender. The canal basin is perfect for canoeing and kayaking, while two archery ranges offer a team building field, bushcraft survival zone, jungle challenge obstacle course, and more. Find Ackers Adventure just 2 miles from the city center.

– Information provided by Ackers Adventure

Units 20/21, Star City, Watson Road
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Adventure Island Mini Golf offers two 18-hole courses for kids, friends, and families to enjoy. Hidden Cove Challenge mini golf course takes you around the base of a supposedly ‘dormant’ volcano and then past Adventure Falls and on into Lost Settlers Cave. If you manage to find your way out watch out for the talking Tiki Totem poles. Lost Hut Trail mini golf course starts on a ridge above Hidden Cove Challenge and meanders through towers of rock, abandoned temples, and old island villages. Keep an eye out for the cheeky Easter Island Heads who will be doing their best to put you off!

– Information provided by Adventure Island Mini Golf

1002 Wingates Industrial Park, Unit A
Bolton, United Kingdom

Airvault is Greater Manchester’s first combined inflatable and trampoline park. Enjoy some friendly competition on the obstacle course, zoom down slides, or attempt the ninja run wall. Scale the climbing wall, jump into the foam pit, and bounce and burn calories on trampolines where kids of all ages will have a hard time not smiling. Children under five can enjoy AirTots sessions, and the park also offers birthday parties for toddlers and children. Special seasonal events are offered too, like the Halloween Spooktacular disco. Find AirVault Trampoline Park in Bolton, located about 35 minutes northwest of Manchester.

Farley Lane
Alton, Staffordshire, United Kingdom

Opened in 1980, this theme park boasts a number of adrenaline-pumping rides. The Nemesis is Europe's first inverted roller coaster, from which people hang with their legs dangling down from the floorless cars. Oblivion is a vertical drop roller coaster while Rita, known as the Queen of Speed, accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. Other attractions include an entertainment area with a medieval England theme, the Tower Street with shops and fast-food joints, Gloomy Wood (featuring a ghost and monster theme), and much more.

132 Andersonstown Road
Belfast, United Kingdom

Andersonstown Leisure Centre offers several active options and includes Northern Ireland's largest indoor Aqua Park. Enjoy three high speed water slides including a drop slide, master blaster, and body slide. This is the home of Surf Belfast, Ireland's only indoor surf simulator. There is a 25-meter (82-foot) pool, a separate learner pool for swimming lessons, Little Lagoon for toddlers and an Aqua Play Area for under 12 years of age. The air conditioned gym offers 140+ state-of-the-art Technogym cardiovascular and resistance stations as well as dedicated free weight and functional training areas. 

– Information provided by Andersonstown Leisure Centre

Trinity Road
Aston, Birmingham B6 6JD, England, United Kingdom

Built from 1618 to 1635, Aston Hall is a grand Jacobean manor house designed by John Thorpe. After being purchased by Birmingham City Council in the mid-19th century, Aston Hall now serves as a museum and public garden. Visitors can tour more than 30 rooms such as Long Gallery, King Charles’ chamber, a butler’s pantry, and servants’ hall. Other impressive sights include the Great Stairs and decorative ceilings. Outside, guests can explore Lady Holte’s Garden. There also is a café and gift shop available. Guided tours are offered, including torchlit ghost tours.

64-72 Castlereagh Road
Belfast, United Kingdom

Come and take part in fun filled candy and chocolate workshops and purchase handmade candies from Aladdin's cave shop. Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory offers chocolate workshops or see the candy show. Seasonal offerings include Halloween Chocolate, Halloween Slime, or the Santa Experience. The factory offers birthday packages as well.

Entrances at Milltown Road, Dub Lane, or Shaw’s Bridge
Belfast, United Kingdom

The park's main feature is Malone House, which commands stunning views over acres of magnificent parkland, Lagan Valley and the Belfast hills. Barnett Demesne is also home to an arboretum, daffodil garden and a number of woodland and wildflower meadows. Mountain bike trails and a jumps park have also been installed in the park. The park includes 12km of bike trails for all levels, a dirt jump area and associated infrastructure.

Barnett Demesne also features an ecotrail, orienteering routes and a children’s playground (near Shaw’s Bridge). Refreshments are available in the Barnett Restaurant in Malone House. The park has several walking routes, several of which link with the Lagan Towpath, Clement Wilson Park and Mary Peters Athletics Track. Barnett Demesne is also home to Belfast Activity Centre, which is located in the old stable yard and offers personal and social development opportunities for young people, as well as many pieces of public art.

– Information provided by Belfast City Council

Albert Bridge Road
London SW11 4NJ, United Kingdom

A large, 81-hectare (200-acre) Victorian park, Battersea Park was built between 1854 and 1870. It features a lake, Thames riverside promenade, bandstand, playgrounds, gardens, sports fields, Pump House Gallery, and Battersea Children’s Zoo (www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk). Some of the animals on display include otters, monkeys, parrots, wallabies, frogs, ponies, rabbits, spiders, pigs, donkeys, owls, hedgehogs, and more. Popular activities at the park include picnicking, walking, and playing sports. It also hosts a variety of events such as festivals and live music.

Antrim Road
Belfast, United Kingdom

This stately castle has been situated on the slopes of Cave Hill in North Belfast since 1870, when the Donegall family commissioned it to be built as their family estate. The gray sandstone structure, which was designed by Charles Lanyon, is everything one would expect a castle to be, with a towering keep and long windows. A popular venue for weddings and conferences, the castle is also open to visitors. A number of rooms styled in period furnishings give visitors an idea of how the Donegall family might have lived within its walls. You can dine in a noted restaurant on-site. Cave Hill Country Park, which sprawls for several kilometers around the castle, offers some wonderful hiking trails and picnic spots.

Antrim Road
Belfast, United Kingdom

Though not terribly different from most zoos you've visited before, Belfast Zoological Gardens is set on a sprawling 223,000-square-meter (55-acre) site and makes for a lovely outing. The zoo houses some 140 species, and all of the usual animals are present, including giraffes, elephants, and lions, as well as some unusual additions, such as spider monkeys and Malayan sun bears. The zoo, which lies northwest of Belfast in Newtownabbey, is open daily and has a cafe.

12 Westbourne Road
Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Located not far outside the city center, these gardens opened to the public in 1832. John Claudius Loudon, a Scottish landscape gardener and prolific writer, designed them. Loudon's name came to the administrators' attention in part because his wife was from Birmingham, but the city got lucky in the Scot, a man decades ahead of his time in his thinking about urban space. Titles on solar power and designing green belts in and around cities appear in his extensive list of publications. The Botanical Gardens encompass four greenhouse zones that include both cash crops and more ornamental plant species. The tropical zone packs in the expected hibiscus, flamingo flowers, cassava, and sugar cane. The subtropical area hosts Japanese climbing and maidenhair ferns, while the Mediterranean sports sundews, Venus flytraps, and bladderworts. Finally, the arid zone blooms with sisal, cacti, and aloe vera. The gardens are open every day of the year except Christmas Day. 

Charlestown Road,
Blackley, Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Boggart Hole Clough is an ancient woodland area blessed with a number of cloughs, natural ravines highly characteristic of the geography of northwest England. This is a great place to chill out with friends on a sunny day. More energetic activities are available in the form of boating, athletics, cross-country runs, and mountain bike races. An annual bonfire and fireworks display takes place every November 5 to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night. Boggart Hole Clough is consistently awarded a "green flag," meaning that it is a sanctuary of environmental preservation and cleanliness. Its wildlife ranges from rare birds to ducks, foxes, rabbits, and squirrels.

College Park, Botanic Avenue
Belfast, United Kingdom

One of Belfast's loveliest outdoor spaces, the Botanic Gardens also feature several unique buildings that play an important role in the preservation of Belfast's Victorian heritage. The greenhouse was one of the first such structures ever built and exhibits a graceful steel and curved glass design. Various plants and trees can be found within several gardens here, including a rose garden, a bowling green, and an alpine garden. The Gardens are located just east of the Queen's University campus, making for a great stop on a walking tour of the area. 

Arch 1 & 2, Palmerston Road
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Enjoy a fast-paced, fun experience for 2-36 players based in Aberdeen. Offering a series of unique games, each group is placed in a room and given a set amount of time to escape by solving puzzles, using strategy, creativity and logic. The goal is simple; to get out in time! All of the games take place in a custom-built, specially designed room with a unique theme. The recommended age is 8 years and older.

– Information provided by Breakout Games Aberdeen

Linden Road
Bournville, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Formed by two Quaker brothers to offer drinking chocolate as an alternative to alcohol, Cadbury's became an institution in 19th-century Britain. The family even built a town to support their rural factory at Bournville Village, a revolutionary move a century before strip malls. Nearly two centuries later, Cadbury remains the nation's most popular chocolatier. Cadbury World attracts 500,000 chocolate-hungry visitors annually. Exhibits include an exploration of the history of chocolate, a replica of John Cadbury's original 1824 Bull Street store, a series of the company's best-loved commercials and advertisements, and a sneak peek at the packaging machinery. Chocolate lovers will be pleased to find a huge chocolate store with all the company's favorite products at factory prices.

Castlehill, The Royal Mile
Edinburgh EH1 2ND, Scotland

Established in 1835 along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, this museum is the city’s oldest purpose-built attraction. For more than 150 years, tourists have spied on Edinburgh using the 18th-century telescopic lens on the museum's rooftop, high up on Castlehill. The technology was originally produced by the Short family, who were makers of lenses and scientific instruments. The device projects the scene outside into a darkened room (camera obscura means "dark chamber") and onto a screen. It's slightly weird watching people wander around unaware they are being spied on, but the views of Edinburgh are panoramic. In addition, the museum features more than 100 interactive exhibits spread across five floors. Visitors can explore mirror mazes, optical illusions, puzzles, a vortex tunnel, three-dimensional cityscapes, and other hands-on activities.

Russell Road
Moseley, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Cannon Hill Park is a fantastic place to start a new adventure. There’s so much to do, from outdoor sports, games and rides, to shows and exhibitions, crafts, wildlife, and more. The park itself includes 32 hectares (80 acres) of formal parks, as well as 48 hectares (120 acres) of conservation and woodland. It’s a brilliant place to enjoy a walk, run or cycle, or just to sit and relax. There are two play areas, one by the MAC and the other by the Pershore Road car park, and they’re fully equipped with slides, swings, and all you’d expect from a children’s outdoor play area.

– Information provided by Cannon Hill Park

Duke Street
Manchester, United Kingdom

Castlefield Urban Heritage Park offers 2.8 hectares (7 acres) to explore, including the ruins of an old Roman fort. Walk along canals and refurbished warehouses or bring a picnic, balls, and games to the landscaped open spaces. The city’s Museum of Science and Industry is located on the grounds as well and there are many restaurants for taking a break and grabbing a bite.

The Cliffs/B3135 Off of A371
Cheddar, Somerset, United Kingdom

This enormous gorge is an important archaeological site where Britain's earliest (9,000 years old) human skeleton, the Cheddar Man, was found. Scientists believe that the gorge, which reaches a depth of 113 meters (371 feet) at its deepest point, was formed by million-year-old Ice Age riverbeds. The caves have spectacular rock formations and colonies of greater horseshoe bats. Visitors may visit a museum exhibiting the paleontological findings and a children's entertainment center called the Crystal Quest. Jacob's Ladder, a path of 274 steps with a watchtower at the top, offers a great view of the surrounding areas, including the village of Cheddar, which is famous for its namesake cheese.

Off of Leatherhead Road/A243
Chessington, Surrey, United Kingdom

This family theme park and zoo has diverse attractions ranging from the Dragon's Fury roller coaster to family rides like the Bubbleworks. Many of the park's animals can be seen from the rides. The walk-through on the west side of the park takes visitors close to enclosures that house the big beasts, like gorillas, tigers, and lions, while the enclosures on the east side include otters, capybaras, monkeys, and birds. Bash Street and Dennis's Madhouse, wherein young visitors shoot each other with soft foam balls, are popular attractions. Other popular attractions include the Land of the Dragons, Mexicana, and the Forbidden Kingdom.

Caughall Road
Upton-by-Chester, Manchester, United Kingdom

An hour's drive along the M56 motorway towards Chester is Britain's largest zoo, covering a staggering 44.5 hectares (110 acres). There are hundreds of species on show as well as dozens of interactive exhibits, including the Children's Farm,  Tropical House, Penguin Pool, and Chimpanzee Island. Disabled access, restaurants, fast food stalls, and souvenir shops are all available on site. The friendly and helpful staff can answer your questions, and there are regular guided tours and demonstrations pertaining to the attractions.

7 Trafford Way, Trafford Park
Manchester, United Kingdom

Chill Factore offers a host of snow-related fun and has the UK’s longest indoor real snow slope, at 180 meters (590 feet) long. From ski and snowboard lessons for all levels, ages, and ability, to Snow Fun activities, including the Downhill Donuts, Ice Slide and Snow, snowplay in Mini Moose Land and a 12-meter (39-foot) climbing wall, Chill Factore has everything for a great day out. Special events include the seasonal Santa’s Grotto from late November through Christmas Eve.

– Information provided by Chill Factore

Maitland Avenue
Chorlton, Manchester, United Kingdom

Chorlton Water Park is a nature reserve comprising a lake surrounded by grasslands and woodlands. Parents can bring their children to a small playground, relax on picnic benches, and explore a network of accessible paths. Fishing is allowed with the purchase of a day or season ticket, though swimming is not allowed in the lake.

– Information provided by Manchester City Council

Central Glasgow, United Kingdom

In 2014, the City Centre Mural Trail was officially launched to promote the growing portfolio of works adorning buildings within Glasgow City Centre. The murals showcase a diverse range of talent and styles and are now recognized as unique pieces of art in their own right. The mural trail features a diverse range of arts set within one easy walking area. The huge range of artwork on display has something to suit all tastes–conservative to radical, quirky to bizarre.The murals have been produced on buildings, vacant shop units, and on hoardings around vacant land. Visit the website to learn about the works of art and their creators. Maps of the trail are offered on the website listed with this entry.

– Information provided by Glasgow City Council

Beach Boulevard
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

With a variety of rides including the Disco Waltzer, Log Flume, and dodgems, plus a range of indoor golf and nine-ball pool options, Codona's Amusement Park spices up this part of Aberdeen. Billed rather grandly as "Scotland's greatest indoor and outdoor family entertainment complex," it is open most weekends between March and October, although its main season comes in July and August, when it is open every day. The Codona family was originally an Italian circus family who toured Scotland in the 19th century (one branch of the family headed west to America, eventually finding a measure of fame in Mexico as the "Flying Codonas"). Changing with the times, the family opened cinemas before switching to run steam-driven fairground rides such as the Wall of Death and the Jungle Ride. Operating in its current location since 1969, the business is now managed by the third generation of Codonas.

278-280 Newtownards Road
Belfast, United Kingdom

Rediscover The Chronicles of Narnia with a walk through CS Lewis Square, a public space commemorating the Belfast-born author, CS Lewis. Featuring seven bronze sculptures from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, including Aslan, the White Witch, Mr Tumnus, the Beavers, the Robin, and the Stone Table, it is a stunning display of public art. CS Lewis Square is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the sculptures are fully illuminated.

– Information provided by Visit Belfast

383–387 High Street, Stratford
London E15 4QZ, United Kingdom

Youngsters will have a blast discovering the magical worlds at Discover Children’s Story Centre. With two levels indoors and more space to explore outdoors, kids can find caves and pirate ships, slide down a monster’s tongue, jump over alligators, be the captain of a spaceship, perform in a puppet castle, and go on other adventures. Fairy Tale World is where they can cross over a bridge where a troll lives, disco to some music, visit the market to help Jack win magic beans, sit in a giant’s footprint, and search for treasure inside a magical cave. Outside, visitors can check out Story Garden and the expansive playground.

Coast Road
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

The aim at Doonies Rare Breeds Farm is to provide people of all ages with a fun and informative visit and educate visitors about farming. Doonies Rare Breeds Farm covers 54 hectares (134 acres) on the southern side of Aberdeen from Nigg Bay to Cove. Doonies Rare Breeds Farm is a member of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) and is one of only two farms in Scotland to be awarded “ Approved Conservation Farm Park Status.” The farm helps preserve rare and endangered native farm animals and works closely with the RBST to increase the population of these endangered animals. Visitors will see and learn about rare breeds of sheep, goats, ponies, pigs, and cows.

– Information provided by Doonies Rare Breeds Farm

Off of Drayton Manor Drive
Tamworth, Staffordshire, United Kingdom

This family theme park, which offers both mild and extreme rides, is the fourth most popular theme park in Britain and has received many tourist awards. The park is home to Shockwave (Europe's only stand-up roller coaster) and offers several other thrilling rides, including Storm Force 10, Apocalypse (a free-fall�tower), Pirate Adventure (based on Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean"), Pandemonium (an inverted swing ride), and Maelstrom (a gyro swing ride on a circular gondola). The Haunting, a walk-through attraction with a haunted swing, and Excalibur, a boat ride with medieval setting, are also among the park�s attractions.

Polmuir Road
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

If the weather turns, one city sanctuary is Duthie Park, 1.6 kilometers (one mile) south of the center. Though the 17.8 hectares (44 acres) of parkland nestled within a bend of the river Dee are open to the elements, there's a substantial glasshouse containing the winter garden (named after park director David Welch), which is both full of interesting horticulture and welcomingly warm. The park's name derives from Lady Elizabeth Duthie, who gave the estate to the city in the 1880s. Contemporary gardening fans will be magnetized by the bromeliads, cacti, and the Japanese garden. But even if you're not green-fingered, there's plenty to do here for all ages, from the strenuous (trampolining) to the cultural (concerts in the summer), from the sporting (cricket) to an activity as tranquil and mundane as feeding the ducks.

Holyrood Road
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

A visit to Dynamic Earth is a chance to experience the primeval forces of nature as they shaped our planet, to journey through space and time. You'll be embarking on the interactive adventure of a lifetime. Travel back to the beginning of time in our Deep Time Machine or rocket through the universe in a spaceship, seeing stars explode on the other side of the galaxy. Feel the ground shudder as a molten lava flow speeds straight towards you. The Polar ice caps are brought to within your reach giving you the chance to touch an iceberg for yourself. Man the periscope and search for whales or simply marvel at the incredible creatures that live where life wasn't thought possible. Watch a 9.1 meter (30 foot) wall of waves tell the moving story of the oceans. Experience films as you've never seen—or felt them—before in planetarium with its 360 degree digital technology and thunderous surround sound. Special exhibits and events, as well as a cafe and shop, round out the offerings at Dynamic Earth, which also hosts private events.

– Information provided by Dynamic Earth

Bolton Street Station, Bolton Street
Bury, Manchester, United Kingdom

Manchester is inextricably linked with the development of the steam engine-it was there that George Stephenson's Rocket was first tested in 1829. To experience the power, the thrill, and the noise hands-on, board one of East Lancashire Railway's vintage locomotives on the Metrolink Line and ride through the Irwell Valley to the picturesque town of Heywood. Special galas and festivals take place in the school holidays, during which certain trains are redecorated with cartoon faces. Driver experience courses are offered for those who want to take their fandom to the next level. You can also enjoy a romantic meal for two on board the Pullman-style diner coaches. 

Castlehill
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

This fortress-castle, atop Castle Rock, is one of the most ancient castle complexes in Scotland, with one of its structures, St Margaret's Chapel, dating back to the early 12th century. The castle is the official headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and 52 Infantry Brigade, and hosts the regimental museum of the Royal Scots. The castle's military legacy continues today, albeit for ceremonial purposes. Entry to the castle is through a gatehouse and a courtyard known as Crown Square, and there is a magnificent set of drum-shaped defenses called the Half Moon Battery. Other awe-inspiring structures of the castle include the royal apartments, crown room, great hall, and war memorial.

Castlehill
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe. It is alive with exciting tales of its time as a military fortress, royal residence, and prison of war. When you climb Castle Hill, you will walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens, and even the odd pirate or two. Follow an itinerary, hire an audio tour, or allow an expert guide to show you around. Highlights are open to visit including the Royal Palace, Great Hall, St Margaret’s Chapel, the Scottish National War Memorial, and the One o’clock Gun. Visitors will need to plan ahead and do advance booking online to see the castle. Gift and food shops, including one selling whisky, are on site at the castle grounds.

– Information provided by Edinburgh Castle

31 Market Street
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

The Edinburgh Dungeon is the ultimate underground journey through Edinburgh's darkest history, using live actors, theatrical sets, and thrilling rides. Areas include the Courtroom, Torture Chamber, and Cannibal’s Cave, among others. Experience immersive 360-degree sets, professional actors, and state of the art themes and special effects. Offering scary fun for all, Edinburgh Dungeon is recommended for children over age 8.

– Information provided by Edinburgh Dungeon

134 Corstorphine Road
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

In 1914, a year after Edinburgh Zoo opened, a Norwegian whaling expedition docked in nearby Leith, bringing with it three King Penguins from the Antarctic. As a result, the zoo became the first in the world to feature the iconic black and white birds. In 1950, several birds slipped out of their enclosure, but the escapade was so popular with visitors that a daily penguin parade immediately became part of the program. The zoo has a strong scientific and conservation department, with a good reputation for research into animal behavior and breeding endangered animals. Always a hit with families, the zoo attracts over 600,000 visitors every year, making it the second most popular paid attraction in Scotland. Other featured species include Asiatic lions, jaguars, pygmy hippos, red river hogs, Azara's agoutis, laughing kookaburras, long-nosed potoroos, and Visyan warty pigs.

Kirby Misperton Road
Malton, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Flamingo Land incorporates a theme park, zoo, and holiday resort, all in one location. Set in an area of 152 hectares (375 acres), the park offers more than a hundred exciting rides, slides, and animal shows, of which the sea lion performance is a particular favorite. The zoo shelters over 1,000 varieties of exotic animals, including bottlenose dolphins, okapis, mangabeys (species of monkey), and sperm whales housed in expansive enclosures. The African animals can be viewed through a ride across savanna-style grasslands. The park has a large holiday village with stationary caravans, log cabins, leisure facilities, a nine-hole golf course, and much more.

Millgate Lane
Manchester, United Kingdom

Surely the most biodiverse spot in Manchester, these gardens feature a fascinating plethora of trees and shrubs including Chinese dogwood, mulberry, Chusan palms, swamp cypress, and dawn redwood. More easily cultivated species such as abutilon grow in the special microclimate of the rockery, which is fed by a pleasant stream. Fish and terrapins can be seen frolicking in the clay pond fringed by cabbages, irises, and royal ferns. The Old Parsonage is the main building of interest in the gardens, and while not open to the public, it is nonetheless an attractive sight amid the walnut trees and tulips. What was once a bowling green is now a pergola garden lined with climber plants growing on wooden arches.

52 Gas Street
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Back in the 18th century, this canal basin would have been crammed with barges and boats bringing raw materials to the city's booming businesses. Over a hundred boats per day once passed through, but their reign was short-lived; the rise of trucks and trains doomed Birmingham's canals. Today, the backwater has become a place for pleasure boats and leisure time. Renovations have restored redbrick walkways and bridges, cafés and pubs have popped up, and weekday evenings buzz with office workers enjoying a pint or two beside the waterside. Gas Street Basin will show you just how dramatically an industrial space can be re-created. Look out for the wooden bar separating the two distinct canals-they were owned by different companies determined not to share their water! The basin's name commemorates the street, which was the first in Birmingham to get gas lighting installed.

16 Drum Street
Edinburgh EH17 8QH, Scotland, United Kingdom

Gilmerton Cove is a network of seven caverns and numerous passages running beneath the Edinburgh suburb of Gilmerton. Opened to the public in 2003, the hand-carved cave system was not used for mining and its purpose remains unknown. Theories about its origin include it being used as a place for the upper-class to drink or possibly a hideout for religious refugees or smugglers.  

730 Great Western Road
Glasgow, United Kingdom

Orchids, cacti, and begonias are among the species well represented in this urban garden, founded in 1811. Green-thumbed visitors and gardeners won't want to miss a handful of venerable specimens, including Australian tree ferns from the 19th century and the botanic garden's famous Weeping Ash-200 years old and only getting older. The park's undisputed highlight, however, is the Kibble Palace, a cathedral of cast iron and glass gifted to Glasgow by the bizarre, brilliant John Kibble. A 19th-century polymath, Kibble was the scion of a wealthy warehouse owner who made his fortune selling wire. Son John became an engineer, photographer, and inventor (among his creations was a floating bicycle which, legend has it, he pedaled across Loch Long). He designed this observatory for his loch-side home, before bequeathing it to the city in 1871.

534 Paisley Rd W.
Glasgow, United Kingdom

The Glasgow Climbing Centre features a mix of climbing styles from slabs and vertical walls to the steeply overhanging; from short boulder problems to athletic 16 meter routes. Whether you’re a humble beginner or a rock god, or something in between, there is something here for you. A family group session is offered to get the whole family involved, and the center offers birthday party options. A cafe and store are onsite as well.

– Information provided by Glasgow Climbing Center

Throughout Glasgow, United Kingdom

Hop on and off at any of the city’s bus stops and enjoy Glasgow sightseeing at your own pace. Visit 21 stops around Glasgow including the Glasgow Cathedral, Barras Weekend Market, Riverside Museum, and more. Audio commentary is offered in multiple languages onboard, with special commentary for kids, who can listen to the Ghoulish Glasgow audio guide if they like a bit of a scare or they can download a map of Pokestops and play Pokemon Go. Board the buses at any city stop, with departures every 30 minutes. There are one and two-day routes that run from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

– Information provided by Glasgow Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

First Floor, 30 Bell Street
Merchant City, Glasgow, United Kingdom

This free museum offers insight on those who are called to serve and protect. The Glasgow Police Historical Exhibition contains artifacts and text boards which provide a historical insight into the people, events and other factors which contributed to the founding, development and progress of Britain’s first Police force, the City of Glasgow Police from 1779-1975. The International Police Exhibition in the museum illustrates the spread of policing throughout the World. Over 2000 items of insignia, headgear and uniforms from every country in the World are on display. Historical talks and group tours are offered.

– Information provided by The Glasgow Police Museum

50 Pacific Quay
Glasgow, United Kingdom

Ever wanted to go face-to-face with Madagascan hissing cockroaches, learn to walk on stilts, launch your own homemade hot-air balloon, or hone your investigative skills as a detective? Scotland's pre-eminent science center is both educational and exciting, a high-tech playground for kids since its opening in 2001. The exterior of the building is clad in titanium and shaped like a tortoise's shell (or even like a hissing cockroach). But it's the interior that packs in the crowds, drawing thousands daily to exhibits like the Climate Change Theatre, Science Show Theatre, and IMAX cinema. Don't miss the Glasgow Tower, a 127-meter (416-ft) free-standing structure that's designed to minimize wind turbulence by rotating its airfoil shape. The ride to the top takes more than two minutes, during which visitors get amazing views from the great glass elevator.

Hazlehead Avenue
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Hazlehead Park is one Aberdeen’s oldest historic properties. It was originally part of the great hunting forests of Stocket just outside the city and now covers 180 hectares (444 acres). Hazlehead Park encompasses both city and countryside with its formal garden layouts, woodland walks, nature trails and bridleways. This park truly has something for all the family including two golf courses, a maze, a large children’s playground, and a miniature zoo. Among the garden areas are two formal rose gardens, the Queen Mother’s Rose Garden and the North Sea Memorial Rose Garden. The Park Cafe offers a range of food and refreshments as well.

– Information provided by Aberdeen City Council

Middleton Road
Manchester, United Kingdom

Heaton Park covers 242 hectares (600 acres) and has two specifically-designed play areas for children. One is close to the Hall and Farm Centre in the north of the park, and the other one is Lakeside Adventure by the boating lake. The park includes an 18-hole golf course, fields to play soccer or football, bowling greens, walking and running trails, and an orienteering course. Treetop Trek and Treetop Net is located in the park as well, offering the option to climb nets located high up in the trees and zoom along 14 ziplines.

– Information provided by Manchester City Council

100 London Road, Forest Hill
London SE23 3PQ, United Kingdom

There is a lot to see at Horniman Museum and Gardens, with something of interest for every age. The museum has around 350,000 objects in collections focused on natural history, anthropology, and musical instruments. Its living collection is featured within an aquarium, butterfly house, animal walk, and gardens. Some of the creatures on display include alpacas, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, jellyfish, frogs, and fish. In addition, hundreds of butterflies and moths fly freely within a tropical indoor garden. A café and kiosks offer refreshments.

Unit E, Stechford Retail Park
Flaxley Parkway
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Inflata Nation Birmingham is filled with lots of exciting inflatable activities, including Inflata Wreck, a giant inflatable multi-person wrecking ball game. There is the mind-blowing hilarious Inflata Grab, based on the popular hungry hippos game but with real people! The inflatable theme park also includes a dedicated under fours arena with its own slide and ball pool, giant inflatable slides, and a two-lane assault course. Inflata Nation also offers a range of parties and classes.

– Information provided by Inflata Nation Birmingham

Trafford Park, Textilose Road
Manchester, United Kingdom

Fun seekers of all ages will find two levels of bouncy exhilarating fun at InflataNation Inflatable Theme Park. The double decker arena has lots of awesome features and fun activities including multiple super slides with jaw dropping vertical drops, crazy bumpy slides and the strength testing tipping slide, how long can you hang on? There's also a brand new free fall activity for all daredevils as well as an extended inflatable obstacle course, gladiator podium, and a new inflata bubble section thats great for leaping, jumping, and tumbling. Includes a mini inflatable area just for ages 4 and under with a ball pool and soft play features.

– Information provided by InflataNation Inflatable Theme Park

1A Beach Esplanade
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Innoflate is Scotland's first inflatable theme park based in Aberdeen. Family leisure activities have never been so thrilling. Innoflate has taken the best in inflatable activities and joined them together so you can bounce between everything. Areas include Inno-wall, Inno-bubbles, Inno-race, Inno-hoops, Inno-bash, and Inno-drop, among others. As part of the classes and sessions, find fitness classes, adult only sessions, disco sessions, Nerf War sessions, relaxed sessions for people who require additional support and inno-tots (just for the little ones). The Inno-cafe sells a variety of food and drinks, and birthdays and groups can be accommodated.

– Information provided by Innoflate Aberdeen

Craigshaw Road, West Tullos Industrial Estate
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Spend your hours jumping on floor and wall trampolines, leaping onto the air bag, challenging your friends and family at dodgeball, or practicing your tricks on the tumble tracks. Top this off with a mix of foam pit fun, trapeze, extreme slides, reaction walls, basketball, and total wipeout and you have a session built to get all the family active. Our Trampoline Park Open Jump gives you access to all areas of the indoor play center– from trampolines to gladiator battle beams and more. There’s also an option to clip and climb, where staff members clip climbers onto walls with carabiners and the automatic belay devices take in the slack as you climb and then lower you gently to the ground. Supervisors are close at hand at all times. Friday Night Takeover is party night at the adventure and trampoline park, where music requests are taken and lights dimmed so you can bounce up and down to some jumpin’ sounds. Jump sessions are offered in 1, 1.5, and 2-hour sessions and for toddlers during Toddler Time. Parties and group events can be held at Jump In Adventure Park.

– Information provided by Jump In Adventure Park

2 First Street
Manchester, United Kingdom

Get weird across Junkyard Golf Club’s three mashed-up crazy golf courses. The Bozo course has a circus theme and includes a Ferris wheel, Hall of Mirrors, and creepy clowns. The Pablo course has a jungle theme and is adorned with glitter temples and skulls, while the Gary course has a garage/ scrapyard theme with old cars and auto junk including a UV garage room. There are options for groups and parties and drinks are sold for both kids and adults.

– Information provided by Junkyard Golf Club

Argyle Street
Glasgow, United Kingdom

Kelvingrove opened in 1901 and is a favorite with locals and visitors. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum houses one of Europe's great art collections and has stunning architecture and a family friendly atmosphere. Explore 22 galleries and discover everything from art to animals, ancient Egypt to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and so much more. A changing program of temporary exhibitions and displays will have you wanting to visit more than once. Kelvingrove includes a Mini Museum for kids five and under.

– Information provided by Glasgow Life

6 Professors' Square
Glasgow, United Kingdom

Kelvingrove Park is a 34 hectare (85 acre) site and a classic example of a Victorian park. Its design and setting on the banks of the River Kelvin enhance and complement the many magnificent buildings which surround the world renowned Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum prominently featured within it. Kelvingrove Park includes a skatepark, three children’s playgrounds, four tennis courts, bowling greens, an orienteering course, and a bandstand for seasonal events and concerts. There are also three cafes and public restrooms.

– Information provided by Glasgow City Council

61 Great Ducie Street
Cheetham Hill, Manchester, United Kingdom

Kickair is an indoor freestyle park where the whole family will find an assortment of fun. The Air Arena includes several trampolines and airbags, while sporty types can play dodgeball or basketball. A children’s ninja course and a bouldering wall add an element of challenge to the fun. Large inflatable slides should be a hit with little and big kids and the rolling logs, battle beams, and assault course are other sporty options. Kickair is geared toward ages five and up, with parties hosted for groups and birthdays.

Ariel Way
London W12 7GA, United Kingdom

Located in the shopping center, Westfield London, KidZania is a city just for kids where they can try more than 100 different professions. Children can explore scenes from a hospital, university, airport, theater, museum, and other places found in real cities. A variety of games and activities make learning fun as they experience performing on stage, filming a television show, flying an airplane, putting out a fire, experimenting in a lab, and more. Children can earn KidZania’s own currency, kidzos, and use it to make purchases. Groups and parties are welcome. 

Middleton Road West
Oldham, United Kingdom

Lancaster Park and Animal Farm is a family run childrens’ petting farm. Visitors are invited to meet, touch, and feed the animals. The farm has a range of animals from horses and sheep to rabbits, chickens, and many more. There are two play areas with swings, slides, and ziplines dotted along a scenic Nature Walk.  Ride on the Caterpillar barrel ride, drive our mini quads on the Rooster Rally, dig up the sand pit at Digger Island or maybe you can take on the pirates at our Pirate Shoot-out!  Please feel free to bring your own picnic to eat at the picnic benches. Find Lancaster Park and Animal Farm in Oldham, about 40 minutes northeast of Manchester.

– Information provided by Lancaster Park and Animal Farm

Aston Webb Building, University of Birmingham
Birmingham, United Kingdom

The Lapworth Museum of Geology has the finest and most extensive collection of fossils, minerals and rocks in the Midlands region. The state-of-the-art galleries boast a range of hands-on activities and interactive exhibits, and it is all free of charge, seven days a week. From rocks and fossils, to volcanoes, earthquakes, and even dinosaurs, the museum has something to interest everyone. With over 250,000 objects, many from the local area, the Lapworth is a treasury of natural wonders. There are beautifully preserved fish, dragonflies, crabs, lobsters and pterosaurs. The mineral collection contains around 15,000 specimens, many of them rare, and displaying stunning colors and crystal shapes. A visit to the Lapworth Museum provides an insight into how the earth formed and changed through time, and how life on earth developed and evolved. Throughout the year, the museum hosts a range of events, from expert lectures and children’s workshops to special exhibitions and museum tours.

– Information provided by Lapworth Museum of Geology

Unit 27, Star City B7 5SA
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Lazer Battlez is a state of the art laser tag arena. Children and adults can enjoy the multi-level arena, and all members of staff are trained to enhance your experience. The range of entertainment technology includes a speaker system and the disco style lighting rig, as well as CCTV for parents to watch their children play safely from the seating area. All prices are per person for a 15 minute game in the Arena. First time visitors get an introductory briefing about equipment usage and safety. refreshments are available and can be bought at reception. Lazer Battlez can host parties and offers two function rooms, one galaxy themed that includes a balcony view over the venue and one Fortnite themed.

– Information provided by Lazer Battlez Birmingham

Barton Square, Trafford Centre
Manchester, United Kingdom

Families with LEGO-loving children will want to check out the indoor entertainment area that is LEGOLAND Discovery Center. There are soft play areas, 10 build-and-play zones, and a 4D movie theater. There’s also Merlin’s Apprentice Ride for little kids and Kingdom Quest, an interactive ride where points are awarded for the trolls and skeletons kids zap as they try to save the princess. Visit MINILAND to see LEGO replicas of famous Birmingham landmarks. This attraction is best for children ages 3-10.

– Information provided by LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester

Arena, King Edwards Road
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Families with LEGO-loving children will want to check out the indoor entertainment area that is LEGOLAND Discovery Center. There are soft play areas, 10 build-and-play zones, and a 4D movie theater. There’s also Merlin’s Apprentice Ride for little kids and Kingdom Quest, an interactive ride where points are awarded for the trolls and skeletons kids zap as they try to save the princess. Visit MINILAND to see LEGO replicas of famous Birmingham landmarks.

– Information provided by LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham

Warren Lane
Rednal, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Lickey Hills Country Park is one of Birmingham’s most varied and treasured parks. It covers 212 hectares (524 acres) and is located just 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Birmingham. Lickey Hills has a complex and interesting geology which has created a variety of habitats. These include woodlands, heathland and grassland, which are home to an incredible diversity of wildlife. Beacon Hill is the highest point, rising to a height of 297 meters (975 feet). “The Beacon” is one of the most popular landmarks on the Hills, with panoramic views over Birmingham and the Black Country and to the south west over Worcestershire towards the Malvern Hills and beyond.

– Information provided by Birmingham City Council and Lickey Hills Country Park Facebook Page

1 Parliament Square
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Hoax or horror? That's been the question for over 75 years, ever since a London surgeon took a photograph of the "Loch Ness Monster" on holiday in Scotland in 1934. Whether tourists truly believe that there is indeed a beast in the depths of the 23-mile-long Scottish loch (lake), they keep on coming. It's interesting to note that this isn't just a 20th century phenomenon-the biography of St. Columba made mention of an unexplained beast which mauled a Pictish fisherman in Loch Ness 1,500 years ago. This curious museum on the Royal Mile tells the story of that notorious 1934 photograph, the 1,000 "eyewitness accounts," of the monster, the big game hunter hired to catch the creature, and the circus owner determined to snag Nessie.

Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road
Lambeth, London, United Kingdom

Located on the banks of the River Thames, the London Eye (also known as the Millennium Wheel) is the world's tallest observation wheel. Built in 2000, this structure rises to a height of 135 meters (443 feet) and offers unparalleled views of London. The wheel carries 32 sealed and air-conditioned capsules that allow passengers to see as far as 40 kilometers (25 miles) in all directions. The speed of rotation is very slow (about 0.9 kmph or 0.5 mph), and each revolution takes 30 minutes. In recent times, the wheel has become something of an icon, serving as the backdrop for many films and television productions and a site for fireworks on New Year's Eve.

The Queen’s Walk
London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom

Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel, London Eye—also known as the Millennium Wheel—stands at 135 meters (443 feet) tall on the southern bank of the River Thames. It offers riders incredible panoramic views of London and the surrounding area. In addition, a short 4D movie featuring snow and other fun effects is included with your ticket. As one of the city’s most popular attractions, it is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance or get a fast track ticket that allows you to skip the long line.

Covent Garden Piazza, Cranbourn Street
London WC2E 7BB, United Kingdom

London Transport Museum showcases the city’s transportation system, from the 1800s to the present. It preserves over 500,000 items including more than 100,000 photos. In addition, the collection features posters, artwork, maps, signs, drawings, equipment, videos, models, tickets, uniforms, sound recordings, and documents. There’s also vehicles such as buses, trains, taxis, trams, trolleybuses, and bicycles. A shop sells souvenirs and a café serves refreshments. Admission tickets are valid for 12 months and kids get in for free.

Cityside Retail and Leisure Park, 100-150 York Street
Belfast, United Kingdom

Play the two rainforest-themed, 18-hole indoor golf courses at Lost City Adventure Golf. Prepare for talking trees, moving rocks and waterfalls. Sunken Skull Ridge players will need to navigate staircases to and throughout the course but Explorer Falls has been designed to be wheelchair accessible. The Tiki Bar offers food and drinks including pizzas and cocktails for adults. 

– Information provided by Lost City Adventure Golf

51 Gorgie Road
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

LOVE Gorgie Farm showcases farming methods from Scotland and beyond. Get hands-on, practical knowledge of how to keep farm animals happy and how to care for them properly. Come and meet all the adorable animals, from domestic pets to fluffy alpacas. See pygmy goats, turkeys, ferrets, pigs, sheep, a variety of guinea pigs, and many more. A cafe sells a variety of treats and includes an outdoor play area for kids.

– Information provided by LOVE Gorgie Farm

Throughout Manchester, England, United Kingdom

A symbol that began as a representation of Manchester’s hardworking people during England’s Industrial Revolution, the worker bee has become iconic for the city. It was featured on the city’s coat of arms in 1842. Then in 1877, bee emblems were used to decorate the town hall, and in 1912 they adorned the Refuge Assurance Building’s clock tower, which was the city’s tallest structure for many years. Following a 2017 terrorist attack at a concert in Manchester, the worker bee symbol has been revitalized, appearing all throughout the city.

Thompson's Lane,
Colden Common, Winchester District, Hampshire, United Kingdom

Opened in 1972, this 40-hectare (100 acres) zoo was one of the earliest in Europe to adopt the policy of conservation, with particular emphasis on ungulates (hoofed animals). The heavyweights of the zoo include giraffes and Amur Tigers, the largest tiger species in the world. The zoo's logo is the oryx, and more than 200 calves have been bred here since 1972. Many of them have been introduced to their natural habitat. Other attractions include snow leopards, white rhinoceroses, red pandas, and hippopotamuses. The Aridlands area includes species of rare desert antelope and sand cats, while the Encounter Village houses domesticated species ranging from camels to guinea pigs.

Inside Digbeth’s Custard Factory, Zellig Building
Gibb Street
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Immerse yourself into the world of Virtual Reality and see if it is your cup of tea, be it on your own, or with your friends, Matrix Virtual Reality is the place to go. Matrix VR provides the highest spec computers on the market. Book a time slot and come to play a variety of games, or watch one of the selection of short movies, experiencing the best that Virtual reality has to offer. Matrix VR Virtual Reality offers single player and multi player gaming options.

– Information provided by Matrix VR Virtual Reality Gaming Arcade and Cinema

42 High Street
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

For adults as well as children, this nostalgic museum contains exhibits from across the globe. Established in 1955, it uncovers the history of how children were historically treated, their education, clothing, and (especially) their toys and games. Five galleries across five floors contain different features of childhood. On one level, you can hear 1930s school children chanting times tables. On another, you can witness sports in the backstreets of 1950s Britain. The extensive selection of toys includes dolls, motorcars, arcade machines, train sets, and teddy bears. There's also a gift shop for purchasing memorabilia.

1 Warehouse, West India Quay
London E14 4AL, United Kingdom

Housed inside No. 1 Warehouse of the West India Docks, once the world’s largest dock complex, Museum of London Docklands explores the history of London’s historic docks, warehouses, and Sailortown. It also focuses on how trading sugar and enslaved Africans impacted the city. A children’s gallery aimed at ages 8 and under offers hands-on activities and a soft play area for little ones. A café serves refreshments and a shop sells souvenirs. 

Liverpool Road
Castlefield, Manchester, United Kingdom

Science and industry have played a significant role in Manchester's history. Through a mixture of interactive exhibits and vintage working machinery, this museum explains how Manchester became one of the driving forces of the industrial revolution. You can browse the classic cars and take a ride on the replica steam train, participate in industrial workshops and chat with actors posing as historical figures. Manchester's more recent contributions to science also feature, with displays about Manchester University's invention of the first microcomputer. The Morphis ride simulates what it's like to fly in a Eurofighter jet and, less realistically, what it might be like to play pinball in outer space. However, the highlight of MOSI must be watching a vast hall full of steam engines in action.

Boyle Street, Cheetham Hill
Manchester, United Kingdom

From the world’s first passenger railway to one of the busiest UK light rail systems, Greater Manchester’s transport achievements have shaped transportation networks across the globe. The museum’s focus is the history of road passenger transport in Greater Manchester and there are over seventy buses and other vehicles on display. The assortment of items related to transport includes signs, badges, tokens, uniforms, models, and furniture, among others. The museum offers special events and exhibits as well as free heritage bus rides.

– Information provided by Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester

Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens, Todd Street
Manchester, United Kingdom

Manchester’s National Football Museum is England’s only national museum for football, called soccer in other countries. The museum explores the impact of football and how it shapes identities. Visitors will find interactive objects, games, and displays that will appeal to all ages. The museum’s galleries are spread over four floors and include the English Football Hall of Fame. The ground floor Pitch Gallery hosts pop up exhibitions, while the first floor Match Gallery is where you’ll see many of the museum’s iconic objects and the stories behind them. The Play Gallery on level two is where you’ll find many of the activities, including Penalty Shootout. On level three is Score Gallery, hosting the latest temporary exhibitions. Pick up a souvenir at the gift shop or a snack in the cafe.

– Information provided by National Football Museum

Chambers Street
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Designed around a three-story-deep atrium, this treasure trove of a museum tells the story of Scotland, from the country's geological beginnings to its 21st-century engineering feats. Artifacts on display include Viking brooches and carved stone chess pieces, a tiny silver casket once carried into battle by Robert the Bruce, musical manuscripts from Scottish band the Proclaimers, and the race car of Formula 1 champion Jackie Stewart. Sections of the museum highlight Scottish industrial products such as printing, glassware, ceramics, and papermaking, with a special focus on three of the most famous: locomotives, shipbuilding, and whisky. In the 19th century, Glasgow and Edinburgh were two of the world's greatest workshops, producing steam trains like the Ellesmere, built in Leith in 1861. Shipbuilding flourished on the Clyde-in 1867 alone, 234 vessels were launched from its huge yards. And, of course, whisky (the preferred Scottish spelling) is still going strong today; look out for the Glenfiddich copper still from Dufftown.

3 Brindleyplace
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Designed by Sir Norman Foster, this aquarium opened for business in 1996. The stars of its million-liter tank include some recently acquired hammerhead sharks and two giant green turtles named Gulliver and Molokai. The space encompasses 60 other displays, including a section on otters, the bay of rays, kingdom of the seahorse, and shark lagoon. Black-tipped sharks, giant Pacific octopi, horseshoe crabs, and lobsters fill out the roster. In 2009, the aquarium introduced a "4-D" family-friendly cinema: while playing 3-D films on subjects such as the life of a turtle, the cinema can also expose audiences to wind or tangy sea spray. As well as being a commercial attraction, the center has developed a program to breed seahorses.

Dan yr Ogof

Off of A4067
Abercrave, Swansea, United Kingdom

This 16-kilometer-long (10-mile-long) cave system in South Wales is probably the largest in Europe. Two brothers, Tommy and Jeff Morgan, were the first to explore the caves in 1912, armed with candles, primitive equipment, and a revolver. The brothers discovered a world of stalactites and stalagmites but were prevented from proceeding further by a large lake. They eventually did cross the lake, and three more lakes after that, using a coracle. Explorer Martyn Farr wrote a book about the system, claiming that the caves actually extend for another 160 kilometers (100 miles). Voted in 2005 as Britain's greatest natural wonder, some of the cave's nearby chambers contain human and animal bones.

Cromwell Road
London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom

London’s Natural History Museum is a great place for families to explore, with a variety of impressive exhibits to capture everyone’s attention. Of the museum’s 80 million specimens, only a small portion can be displayed at once. There are collections dedicated to oceans, space, wildlife, human evolution, Anthropocene (Earth's most recent, human-influenced geologic time period) and other topics. The Spirit Collection features over 23 million specimens stored in alcohol-filled jars, such as a snake, octopus, bird, turtle, bat, crab, and even an 8.62-meter-long (28.28-foot-long) giant squid. Some family favorites include the dinosaur and mammal galleries. Cafés and shops offer refreshments and souvenirs.

Left Bank
Spinningfields, Manchester, United Kingdom

Manchester may have earned its place in the cultural and commercial history of Britain, but less well documented is its radical political past. The People's History Museum started life as the Trade Union, Labor and Co-operative Society in 1990 before moving to its current premises, the only surviving Edwardian pumping tower in Manchester. Its vast collection of objects, documents, photos, and banners celebrates the struggle of working people through the ages. Here you'll find British Labor Party founder Keir Hardie's mining lamp and radical writer Thomas Paine's death mask. The Textile Conservation Studio uses state-of-the-art equipment to clean and treat the various textiles the museum has in its possession-a fascinating process to watch.

Kings Cross Station
Euston Road
London N1C 4TB, England, United Kingdom

Fans of Harry Potter movies, based on the books by J. K. Rowling, will want to check out London’s King’s Cross Railway Station. Featured throughout the series, the station’s Platform 9¾ is where students heading to wizarding school board the Hogwarts Express by magically passing through a brick wall. Located between platforms 9 and 10, look for the sign marking the imaginary platform above a baggage trolley that appears to be going through the wall.

2060 Pollokshaws Road
Bellahouston, Glasgow, United Kingdom

The park is Glasgow's largest park and the only Country Park within Glasgow. Its 146 hectares (360 acres) include extensive woodlands, and gardens provide a quiet sanctuary for both visitors and wildlife including Highland cattle. The park is rich in rural history, formerly being part of the Old Pollok Estate and ancestral home to the Maxwell Family. The park is also home to the world famous Burrell Collection. The park offers walled gardens, a play park, wildlife garden, an orienteering course, picnic areas, and more. Pollok Country Park is in Bellahouston, a southern suburb of Glasgow.

– Information provided by Glasgow City Council

1 Promenade
Portobello, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Portobello Beach, a few miles from Edinburgh city center, has 1.2 kilometers (two miles) of sand, making it perfect for swimming and sunbathing. The beach draws large crowds in good weather and, along with the promenade, hosts a number of popular events, including the annual Big Beach Busk, international volleyball competitions, and triathlon events. A Victorian swimming pool and Turkish baths are also located here. There are several bars and cafés on the promenade as well as restaurants and gift shops. The market in Brighton Park runs on the first Saturday of every month, selling fresh local produce as well as crafts.

– Information provided by VisitScotland

54 Princes Street
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Princes Street Gardens lies at center of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site, within New Town and Old Town Outstanding Conservation Areas. It is listed in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscape in Scotland and has geological and botanical scientific interest. The gardens are set in the valley between the old and new towns with Edinburgh Castle on its rock towering above the western end. The world renowned Floral clock was first planted in 1903, using thousands of dwarf plants and flowers. There are a diverse and fascinating collection of public monuments and memorials, commemorating those who have died fighting in wars, including the Royal Scots Regimental Memorial and the Scots American War Memorial. Princes Street Gardens, between the Old and New Towns, is in the very centre of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site.

– Information provided by The City of Edinburgh Council

17 Balmoral Road, Unit 3
Belfast, United Kingdom

Gather your friends, form a team, and attempt to solve exciting challenges in themed prison cells. There are 25 cells that require a combination of intellectual, technical & physical skills. The goal in Prison Island is to collaborate as a team and score as many points as possible in each cell. Each challenge lasts 5 minutes or less and you can repeat as many times as you wish. You are never locked in a cell and can leave at any time. Get ready for fast paced engaging fun for all.

– Information provided by Prison Island

Oak Cottages, Macclesfield
Cheshire East, Manchester, United Kingdom

Less than a 30-minute drive from the city center, Quarry Bank Mill dates back to Manchester's glory days as Cottonopolis and houses the most powerful working waterwheel in Europe. A monolithic and daunting building, Quarry Bank Mill is situated on the delightful River Bollin. To be up close to the clanking machinery and hissing steam is an unforgettable experience. Experts demonstrate how cotton was turned into commercially lucrative cloth, and seasoned guides show you round the Apprentice House, which employed young children to work in the mill. The other employees once lived in adjacent Styal Village, still a thriving community. Feel free to explore the gardens and the spooky caves in the vicinity.

Country Park, Reddish Vale Road
Stockport, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

Originally established as a livery and riding school, Reddish Vale Farm has evolved into one of the finest family attractions in the Manchester area. Here you'll find numerous species of animal native to Britain (ducks, rabbits, chickens, cows, guinea fowl, and horses), not to mention foreign species such as llamas. Demonstrations and talks about the wildlife take place in the Education Center inside the farm. Qualified instructors teach visitors how to ride horses and run stable-management courses throughout the year. Younger visitors who aren't so enamored of the animals can enjoy the bouncy castle and the souvenir shop that sells Reddish Vale-themed toys, clothing, and candy.

77 Cecil Street
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Redpoint Climbing Centre is a spectacular climbing wall with a friendly atmosphere in the heart of Birmingham. The wall design offers a unique three-dimensional climbing experience, using an abundance of shapes, angles, and Redpoint’s notorious stalactites to test yourself on! Redpoint is run by a staff of keen climbers with a vast array of experience and can accommodate most requests. Our bouldering is spread across four areas including Redbloc, the Bunker, Babybloc and a training room complete with a range of finger boards, peg board and a campus board. The Rock Monkey climbing clubs are offered for ages 5-17, and the center hosts birthday parties as well. Alongside the climbing and bouldering, the vegetarian café is a great place to relax and refuel.

– Information provided by Redpoint Birmingham Climbing Centre

100 Pointhouse Road
Glasgow, United Kingdom

Located at the junction of the Rivers Kelvin and Clyde, Riverside Museum houses the city’s fabulous transport and technology collections, which have been gathered over the centuries and which reflect the important part Glasgow has played in the world through its contributions to heavy industries like shipbuilding, train manufacturing and engineering. There are over 3,000 objects from the city's world-famous collections displayed inside.

– Information provided by Riverside Museum

20 Inverleith Row
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Founded in 1670 to investigate plants with medical uses, this botanical garden north of the city's New Town neighborhood has grown over the years. Spread over 29 hectares (69 acres), it now holds more than 15,000 plant species as well as three million preserved specimens. Committed to conservation and biodiversity, The gardens have a particular emphasis on Scottish species, for example in the Heath Garden section, which recreates the heather-lined Highlands. Other highlights include the Chinese Hillside (created in collaboration with Lijiang Garden), the oak lawn of the Arboretum, the mossy Cryptogamic Garden, and the Queen Mother's Memorial Garden (opened in 2006), featuring a maze of myrtle in the shape of the Eassie Cross of Glamis.

Avery Dell, Lifford Lane
Stirchley, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Kids and adults can enjoy the bouncy fun offered at Rush UK Trampoline Park. Along with free bouncing in the main court, tumble lanes, and foam pits, visitors can get sporty playing trampoline dodgeball and basketball, or challenge themselves on the battle beam and assault course. Rush wipeout will have you jumping, ducking, and diving over rotating arms. Combined with the park’s stunt walls, the High Performance Arena is a go-to for gymnasts, tumblers, parkour experts, and tricksters, giving you everything you need to take your trampoline park experience to the next level. There are sessions offered for toddlers, groups, and parties, as well as sessions for customers with autism and special needs. Located four miles south of Birmingham city center, Rush UK also includes a cafe selling snacks and drinks.

– Information provided by Rush UK Trampoline Park Birmingham

23 Mayfield Industrial Estate
Dalkeith, United Kingdom

Ryze Edinburgh is Scotland's original and best Xtreme Air Sports facility. Find just under square 3,716 square meters (40,000 square feet) of adrenaline infusing equipment for you to test your mettle on. Find fun for the whole family with facilities for individuals aged 2 and up. Experience the excitement of flight when you soar around on an interconnected field of trampolines, get upside down when you flip into our foam pit, or you can go big on the super trampolines. The Inflatable is an inflatable obstacle with a cargo net, climbing blocks, and inflatable finger columns. The TrickZone is designed for advanced thrill-seekers and will set you up for a challenge. Have a shot at the Slackline, Hanging Hoops, Box Jumps, Challenging Monkey Bars, Chimney Climbs and a Bouldering Wall. Find Ryze Edinburgh in the suburb of Dalkeith, about 20 minutes southeast of Edinburgh.

– Information provided by Ryze Edinburgh

179 Constitution Street
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

What is the lowest temperature ever recorded on earth? Are nimbostratus clouds usually high or low? And what is the heaviest insect in the world? For answers to all these questions and many more, head to Satrosphere, Scotland's first science center. Open to the public since 1988, this tech park offers 50 interactive exhibits to families with button-pressing children. Displays lead young scientists and inventors through themes including climate, the human body, physical forces such as gravity and magnetism, and-everybody's favorite-bugs. Most kids will find something of interest, whether it's discovering the climatic reasons why Scotland is gradually getting hotter, or following the intestinal activity of a transparent sheep, from munching grass to producing pellets. And in case you're still wondering about the answers to the above three questions, they are, respectively, -88°C (recorded in Antarctica), low, and the African Goliath beetle, weighing in at 100 grams.

Exhibition Road, South Kensington
London SW7 2DD, United Kingdom

Founded in 1857, London’s Science Museum explores a variety of science-related topics in ways that make it interesting for all ages. It focuses on medicine, space, mathematics, communication, everyday technology, chemistry, computing, astronomy, and robots. Some of the objects on display include a space suit, Black Arrow R4 satellite launcher, totalizator machine, Le Corbusier chair, one of the world’s oldest clocks, telescopes, airplanes, and more. Inside the museum’s Wonderlab is where visitors can get hands-on as they experiment with building shapes, a color wheel, and the effects of friction when going down slides. A shop sells science kits, toys, and souvenirs.

Princes Street Gardens
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

How many cities have railroad stations named after books? Waverley Station illustrates the affection that Edinburgh has for Sir Walter Scott, the writer memorialized by this distinctive rocket-shaped monument. Situated in the heart of central Edinburgh, directly opposite Jenners department store, the smoky black monument was erected in 1846, rising to a height of 61 meters and featuring a viewing deck from which visitors can gaze down on Princes Street Gardens (after climbing the 287 steps!). It was designed by George Meikle Kemp, a carpenter who applied for the commission under a false name, fearing that his lack of architectural qualifications might disqualify him.

Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom

The city’s only public aquarium, Sea Life London is located along the southern bank of the River Thames, just north of Westminster Bridge. It is home to more than 500 species of marine life in 14 themed zones such as Rockpool, Polar Adventures, Ocean Invaders, and Coral Kingdom. Animals on display include penguins, jellyfish, sea stars and anemones, sharks, turtles, octopus, stingrays, frogs, clownfish, and seahorses, among others. Check the aquarium’s website for hours and feeding times.

Barton Square, Trafford Centre
Manchester, United Kingdom

Prepare for a world of glittering scales, humongous tentacles, and inquisitive sea turtles. Sea Life Manchester offers encounters some of the world's most incredible animals, including magnificent sharks, colorful clownfish, thousands of tropical fish and much, much more. Zones include Turtle Beach, Rocky Hideout, Jellyfish Seas, Shark Shipwreck, Coral Reefs, Stingray Bay, and Ocean Tunnel.  Meet marine creatures up close including giant Japanese spider crabs. The museum hosts seasonal special events and VIP Experiences including snorkeling with sharks and turtle feedings.

– Information provided by Sea Life Manchester

Don Street
Old Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Seaton Park is located on the banks of the River Don and covers 27 hectares (66 acres), making it one of Aberdeen’s largest parks. It is surrounded by historical architecture and agriculture. Included is the Wallace Tower, with a motte (an artificial mound with a fortified tower called a keep built on top) and a mound that dates back to the Bronze Age. Near the park’s south gates are the fortified towers of St Machar’s Cathedral, which forms the backdrop to the Cathedral Walk, a formal arrangement of spring and summer flower beds. Seaton Park is also home to Mr Therm, a former steam engine which was used to transport coal from Aberdeen Harbor and is now a play sculpture popular with children. Paths for running or walking are found on both sides of the river.

– Information provided by Aberdeen City Council

103 Trongate
Glasgow G1 5HD, Scotland, United Kingdom

Automation, lighting, and soundtracks come together to tell historical tales at this kinetic theater, the life work of mechanic and sculptor Eduard Bersudsky. Elaborate mechanisms featuring tiny people and monsters begin to turn cranks and ride gears as the larger components come to life as mechanical creatures who tell intriguing stories from the past. There are usually one or two 40–60-minute shows daily, one aimed at children and another for more mature audiences.   

The Queen’s Walk
London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom

Situated along a popular stretch of the River Thames’s south bank, Shrek’s Adventure London is a theme park based on the popular DreamWorks animated Shrek films. Visitors search for clues throughout the park that will lead them to Shrek. Along the way they will go on a 4D adventure with Donkey, visit Shrek’s swamp, talk to Puss in Boots, journey through a maze of mirrors, play a game to save Pinocchio, and create a magic spell with the Muffin Man. There also are interactive fairy tale shows available. A gift shop sells souvenirs. Find the venue just north of Westminster Bridge.

King’s Inch Road
Glasgow, United Kingdom

Visit Soar at the Braehead Shopping Centre for the best in family entertainment. See a movie at Odeon cinema, scale the Climbzone, or have a go at mini golf at Paradise Island Adventure Golf. Play laser tag at Laserstation or ski indoors at Snow Factor, which includes options to snowboard on Scotland’s longest indoor snow slope or ice climb. There are several family restaurants as well, making it easy to spend a whole day having fun. Find the assortment of entertaining options for the family in Renfrew, about 20 minutes west of Glasgow.

Hamilton Dock
7 Queens Road
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

The last remaining vessel of the White Star Line, the SS Nomadic is a ship once used to ferry passengers and goods to the Titanic. In fact, it carried 247 passengers from Cherbourg Harbor to the Titanic for its maiden voyage. Retired in 1968, the Nomadic began being restored in 2010 and opened for tours in 2013. Today it serves as a historical exhibition at Hamilton Dock.

150 Pointhouse Place
Glasgow, United Kingdom

From a British cargo vessel to an Italian ship of mystery and sail training icon of the Spanish Navy, the Tall Ship Glenlee has adapted to many changes for over a century. The sail-powered cargo vessel has circumnavigated the globe several times, something visitors will learn about through onboard exhibitions. The Glenlee is free to visit and teaches about life at sea and the shipyards of the Clyde. Little kids will like the soft-play area. There’s also the Lazarette Cafe for grabbing a dirnk or snack.

– Information provided by Tall Ship Glenlee

4, Wharfside Way, Trafford Park
Manchester, United Kingdom

TeamSport Karting offers 450 meters (1,476 feet) of track where you can put the pedal to the medal and race toward fun. There are open-timed race sessions, 50-lap races, and unlimited karting. There are group options and those for kids and families, with specially-designed Cadet Karts for ages nine and up. Birthday parties are hosted at TeamSport Karting for ages 8-12.

– Information provided by TeamSport Karting

National Exhibition Center
Marston Green, Birmingham, United Kingdom

The Bear Grylls Adventure is an indoor-outdoor activity center with several exciting choices. Try iFly to experience the sensation of free fall flight in a wind tunnel, or try the high ropes course, archery, or the indoor climbing area. Take aim at the shooting range, team up to try an escape room adventure, shark dive, or snorkel. Each activity is booked and billed separately and varies in length.

S. Deeside Road
Maryculter, Aberdeen, United Kingdom

The Den and the Glen encourages endless active play for boys and girls to have fun, make friends and eat healthy! The Den offers a climbing wall tower, 4-lane Astro Slide, giant ball canyon, and sports arena for playing football and basketball. The Glen (formerly Storybook Glen) is world of make-believe and fun for children and adults of all ages, set amidst 11 hectares (28 acres) of scenic beauty in Maryculter, Aberdeen. Enjoy your favorite nursery rhyme and fairytale characters, flowers and plants, grand trees, animals and fairytale houses set amidst 28 acres of spectacular scenic beauty. The Den restaurant can cater large birthday parties and seasonal events. Maryculter is located about 25 minutes southwest of Aberdeen.

– Information provided by The Den and the Glen

St. Luke’s, Viewfield Road
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

The Gordon Highlanders were one of the most famous highland infantry regiments in the British Army, with a reputation for daring, courage and above all discipline, professionalism and steadfastness. Forming the ranks were farmers and fishermen, ghillies and laborers, aristocrats and university students. Ordinary men with an extraordinary sense of duty; all with a story to tell. These stories are brought to life at The Gordon Highlanders Museum, with an extensive collection of historical artifacts, memorabilia, and regimental silverware telling about “The Finest Regiment in the World.” See interactive maps, original film footage, scale reproductions, life-size models, touch screens, regimental colours, uniforms, 11 Victoria Crosses, and weapons. Younger visitors can pick up a Bydandy Comic and Quiz so the whole family can explore the extraordinary history of The Gordon Highlanders. The tranquility of the memorial gardens lets visitors relax and enjoy some quiet reflection during their visit.

– Information provided by The Gordon Highlanders Museum

171 Hardgate
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

The Locked Door Escape Rooms offers a mind-puzzling experience so good you won’t want to escape! The rooms are completely bespoke; we design all our games from scratch, create our own props and sets, build the puzzles, and do all the decorating and artwork. We offer an exciting, challenging and unique puzzle room adventure. Our fantastic Games Masters will ensure your team enjoy their time at The Locked Door and are even happy to provide clues if you need a helping-hand.

– Information provided by The Locked Door Escape Rooms

The Queen’s Walk
London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom

Just north of Westminster Bridge along the south bank of the River Thames, The London Dungeon is a spooky attraction for older kids and adults. Learn about the city’s history as your family goes on an exciting interactive adventure that combines a cast of live actors, storytelling, state-of-the-art special effects, stages, scenes, and two thrilling underground rides. The 30- to 45-minute tour begins by taking a medieval elevator down to the dungeons and torture chamber. Lastly, visitors will face the executioner. Tours are available every 15 minutes and may not be appropriate for children under 10 years old.  

The University of Manchester, Oxford Road
Manchester, United Kingdom

Operated by the University of Manchester, the Manchester Museum is an eclectic affair ranging across local history, science, natural history, and classical civilization. The collection includes archaeological finds from ancient Rome, ancient Greece, and a 4,000-year-old Egyptian village. Lizards that walk on water dwell in the Vivarium, while stuffed chimps, orangutans, and baboons grace the cathedral-like gallery. A highlight is the skull of Old Billy, the world's oldest horse, who died at the age of 62 in 1822. Prehistory buffs from across the world come to see Stan, a T. Rex skeleton that took 25,000 hours to reconstruct. The history of money is another topic covered by the museum: nowhere else can you view a £200 note from 1699 or the most valuable coin of the Mongol Yuan dynasty.

Tours start at Greyfriars Bobby statue
Corner of George IV Bridge and Candlemaker Row
Old Town, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Grab a wand and join your robed guide on the original walking tour of Edinburgh designed especially for Harry Potter fans! You’ll discover the magical locations that inspired characters and scenes in the series, visit the places where JK Rowling wrote the books, and even learn a spell or two along the way. The Potter Trail’s guides are trained comic performers. Private tours as well as those for schools can be booked, as can a virtual tour. Public tours are free with donations appreciated.

– Information provided by The Potter Trail

109 The Royal Mile
Old Town, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Based in Edinburgh’s Old Town and within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Royal Mile is culturally and historically important to the city and jam packed with things to see and do. A ‘Scots mile’ long, and connecting two royal residences (Edinburgh Castle and the palace of Holyrood House), it is also home to parliaments old and new, law courts, a cathedral and churches, and a vast range of visitor attractions, walking tours, shops, restaurants, cafes, and pubs. Kids should enjoy a variety of street performers including magicians, musicians, artists, and bagpipers.

– Information provided by Forever Edinburgh

Curzon Street
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Uncovering the workings behind this industrial city, Thinktank is a great place for inquisitive folks of all ages. You'll find some natural history exhibits here, including a Triceratops skull and the skeleton of a dinosaur that resembles modern crocodilians. But the museum really focuses on technology. The Move It exhibition explores the city's transportation history, featuring several of the vehicles produced here over the years, such as the Princess Coronation class steam locomotives, trains, trams, and airplanes. The aeronautical highlights include a pair of fighters that hang from the ceiling: the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire. Birmingham factories built over 11,000 Spitfires, the elegant war machines often called the aircraft that won the Battle of Britain. Dozens of interactive displays allow children to move loads around a national map using canal locks, explore machines from the Jaguar auto factory, and play with LEGO robots.

Links Road
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Transition Extreme is not just a world class sports facility; it is a multi-award winning youth charity dedicated to engaging with young people via participation in extreme sports and related art and music activities. The superb facilities for skateboarding, BMX, inline skating, and climbing are open to everyone. By using the center, you are helping us to help young people channel their energy, develop their skills, and maximize their potential. Transition Extreme includes a BMX and skate park, climbing wall, and high ropes course.

– Information provided by Transition Extreme Sports

620 Bristol Road S
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Treasure Island is an indoor play area perfect for rainy days and small children. Even bigger kids will have fun on the range of options that include a two-lane Astra slide, tube, ball pools, rope bridge, and mini sports court. Multi-level climbing structures include passages, tunnels, nets, and a Dizzy Disk. A special section for children under age four offers smaller slides and play frames and there are clothes for playing dress-up, books, dolls, a play house and kitchen too. Parties can be hosted at Treasure Island as well.

Botanic Gardens, Stranmillis Road
Belfast, United Kingdom

This art and history museum preserves numerous artifacts relating to Northern Irish and world history. The incredibly diverse collection includes everything from the Egyptian mummy Takabuti to 17th-century Flemish paintings. Visitors will also find a collection of artifacts relating to The Troubles and a fascinating selection of historic black-and-white photographs depicting Irish scenes and people. Kids enjoy the dinosaur skeletons and exhibits as well as curiosities from across the globe. The museum is open daily except Mondays.

T13 Building, Queens Road
Belfast, United Kingdom

Vertigo Titanic Park houses a huge Inflatable Park, an action packed Ninja Master Course, and Ireland’s only indoor skydiving tunnel. Packed with challenging obstacles, the Inflatable Park offers fun slides, battling on the balance beam, and conquering the Dizzy-X. The Ninja Master Course is jam-packed with adrenaline-fueled activities such as ascending steps, a punch-bag zipline, rolling log, jungle bars, hanging doors, net bags and more. Try indoor skydiving and feel the thrill of full power winds up to 120 mph (193 kmph) propelling you into the air! Our experienced Instructors will guide you every step of the way in the tunnel, helping you soar through each second using your body to improve your flight experience. With packages to suit all abilities, from first time flyers to seasoned skydiving pros.

– Information provided by Vertigo Titanic Park

Resorts World Birmingham, Pendigo Way
Marston Green, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Vortex Gaming is a family entertainment center, offering virtual reality spheres and an array of arcade games, from retro classics to modern gameplay. The arcade is open to all ages and there’s no need to book—simply turn up, grab a Vortex Gaming card and get gaming! The four VR spheres give gamers the chance to explore new worlds in virtual reality combining motion, VR and SFX for a truly immersive experience. Classic video and arcade games include air hockey, bean bag toss, mini basketball, skeeball, Crossy Road, Candy Crush Saga, Mario Kart, Jurassic War, to name just a few of the extensive offerings. Play for tickets and win prizes. The gaming centre also offers a range of snacks, ideal for grabbing a bite to eat to refuel in between games.

– Information provided by Vortex Gaming

Spring Grove
Bewdley, United Kingdom

Are you ready to go on safari and get up close to incredible animals from around the world? West Midland Safari Park offers a safe, entertaining, and memorable day out for all, with fantastic wildlife, exhibits, and Adventure Theme Park. The drive-through safari wanders through African Plains, Wild Asia, Carnivores, The Borderlands, and Elephants. Ride family-friendly rides for a range of ages and play arcade games in Adventure Theme Park or get a 4D experience on the virtual reality jungle boat ride. See the UK’s largest animatronic dinosaur attraction and act as a paleontologist at Dino Dig. Visit the Ice Age area and an African village, or wander the Discovery Trail and see the red panda retreat, penguin cove, sea lion theatre, aquarium, reptile world, lorikeet landing, and more. Boj’s Giggly Park is just for the smallest visitors and includes multi-sensory play areas with five interactive zones. Find West Midland Safari Park about 45 minutes southwest of Birmingham in Bewdley.

– Information provided by West Midland Safari Park

425 Walsall Road
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Wibbly Wobbly World of Play is an indoor play center with multi-level play structures. Kids will find a ball bounce arena, racing slides, and a Wibbly Wobbly Web. The role play village and sensory area includes options for young and creative kids too. A large area is dedicated to toddlers and babies or reserve space in the play center’s nursery. There is comfy seating for moms and dads, while Hungry Hippo’s Cafe includes an ever-changing menu. Admission pricing offers two free adult admissions per child.

377 Easter Road
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Wonder World is a custom built indoor soft play place designed to stimulate children’s imagination. Wonder World encourages physical development in a safe and fun environment where kids can climb, bounce, swing, crawl through tunnels, and ride the kids go karts. There is a cafe selling a variety of food choices and the venue can host birthday parties as well.

– Information provided by Wonder World

Regent's Park, Outer Circle
London, United Kingdom

Established in 1828 under the aegis of the Zoological Society of London, this zoo was initially meant to be a center for scientific study. Currently, the zoo houses more than 650 species of animals and includes a reptile house, aquarium, insect house, and children's zoo. Among the many new enclosures and better settings are the African Bird Safari, monkey walk-throughs, Butterfly Paradise, Gorilla Kingdom, and the Clore Rainforest Lookout. A.A. Milne, creator of Winnie the Pooh, supposedly drew inspiration from Winnie, an American black bear and resident of the zoo.