Activities Advice Days Out Ideas Education London Summer

The best historical days out for families

Written by Annabel Middleton


If you’re looking for an educational day out,
These historical attractions are super fun without a doubt!
From castle tours, museums, and famous ships,
These historical attractions make the perfect trip!

Longleat House

Wiltshire
Save an extra 5% off tickets when you book with Picniq!

Take part in the Safari drive-through at Longleat! Wind up your windows and hide the sandwiches as you see some amazing wildlife. Watch out for monkeys climbing on your car! After experiencing the drive-through safari, why not look around the house which contains one of the most significant collections in Britain. Book here!

Cheddar Gorge

Somerset
Get an Extra 5% off tickets when you book with Picniq!

Visit the incredible Cheddar Gorge and Caves which has been recognized as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty! See some awe-inspiring cliffs and spectacular stalactite show caves, plus, why not take part in some rock-climbing! Whether you want to see some amazing nature, wildlife, history, or experience adventure then this is the place for you. Book here!

 Jane Austen Centre

Bath
Adult ticket online £12.50, Children’s ticket online £5.50

Hear the story of Jane Austen’s time in Bath and its effect on her writing! Situated in an original Georgian townhouse there are costumed character guides and an opportunity to dress up in 18th Century clothes. Celebrate Bath’s most famous resident and Bath as the backdrop of Jane’s two novels, Persuasion and Northanger Abbey! There’s also a new tearoom where you can enjoy a pot of real leaf tea. Find out more here!

Windsor Castle

Windsor
Get a free £5 Picniq voucher when you book with us!

Explore the castle in which The Queen spends most of her private weekends! From ceremonial rooms and historical rooms to St George’s Chapel and the moat room there is so much to see. Queen Mary’s Doll’s House is also not one to miss. Built for Queen Mary between 1921 and 1924, inside you can explore contributions from the finest artists, craftsmen, and manufacturers of the early 20th Century. Find out more here!

Tower of London

North bank of the Tower of London
Book with us to get a free £5 Picniq voucher!

Discover the historical Tower of London that offers so much to see! Get up close to the Crown Jewels and meet the ravens of the castle! You can also discover captivating stories of pain and passion from the Yeoman Warders. Your little ones will be captivated by the line of kings, where they can marvel at the historic armour of Henry VIII, Charles I and James II in the White Tower. Book here!

HMS belfast

The Queen’s Walk
Save up to 20% off tickets with Picniq!

Find your sea legs and take charge of HMS Belfast! Learn how to keep the iconic warship in tip-top condition and become the much-needed naval recruits. On Fridays up until the 26th of August, you can also meet eyewitnesses to gain a first-hand insight into the impact of war on people’s lives. There will be special guests who will be there to share their memories of life at sea and what it was like growing up during the Second World War. Children’s author Tom Palmer will also be signing copies of his new book ‘Resist: One Girl’s Fight Back Against the Nazis at HMS Belfast’ on the 10th of August from 11am-4pm. So, head to HMS Belfast for an amazing day out. Book here!

Buckingham Palace Tour

Buckingham Gate, City of Westminster
Adult £30, Child (5-17)= £16

Can you believe it! You can visit the Queen’s home and see the Changing of the Guard ceremony! Until the 2nd October 2022 you can see many of the magnificant State Rooms as well as the Palace gardens. See the Ballroom which features a musicians’ gallery with an organ. There’s also the throne room and music room to explore and get a taste of royal life! Under 5’s also go FREE! Find out more here!

IWM Duxford

Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Save up to 20% off tickets with Picniq!

Test the family craft skills this summer in paper plane-making sessions at IWM! You can even travel back in time to D-Day 1944 with the Family Mission storytelling experience based on personal stories from those who served on D-Day. Let your little ones engineer their own bespoke cockpit in Cockpit Control and get approved for take-off with the Spitfire Engineers! With so many activities to take part in, the kids will be entertained all day whilst taking in some important history as well. Book here!

Black Country Living Museum

Dudley, just outside of Birmingham
Small family ticket= £41.70 (1 adult and three young children). Children 0-2 years go free.

Go back in time at the Black Country open-air living museum! Meet characters who’ll show you what it was like to live and work in one of the first industrialised landscapes in Britain. With 26 acres of reconstructed shops, pubs, and houses there is so much to explore. There’s also an amazing vintage cinema and traditional fish and chips for you to enjoy. Find out more here!

Framlingham Castle

Framlingham, Suffolk
Family ticket £36.60

If you or your little ones are a fan of Ed Sheeran, then this is the day out for you! Not only did the castle inspire Ed Sheeran’s Framlingham-based 2017 hit ‘Castle on the Hill’, but it was also where Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen of England in 1553. Explore the historical interactive exhibition by getting involved in trying on hats and playing a game to find out what people used to eat! Find out more here!

Penrhyn Castle

Bangor

If your little ones enjoy fairy tales and you enjoy exploring stately homes, then this is the day out for you! View some amazing collections within the castle such as Dutch 17th Century landscapes and Venetian 16th Century conversation pieces. There are also many activities for the family to take part in this summer and a children’s trail which will leave them looking out for things. The gardens are beautiful and a perfect place for your little ones to let off some energy, especially in the adventure playground! Why not also explore the industrial and model railway museum by the stables. Find out more here!

National Botanic Garden of Wales

Llanarthne

These gardens are a great place to bring the family and enjoy the outdoors whilst learning all about the fascinating plant collection. There is the large greenhouse which has a large collection of Mediterranean plants to enjoy. The kids will really enjoy the Magical Mystery Tour which leads them on a fun trail of the weird and wonderful aspects of the Garden. This summer there are also activities every day from 11am-4pm for you to enjoy. From campfire cooking and a wildflower meadow walk to pond dipping and a wildlife safari there is so much to enjoy! The British Bird of Prey centre is also open every day with amazing flying displays throughout the day! Find out more here!

Springhill House

Magherafeltire

Bring the family here to explore this pretty 17th-century plantation house with its walled gardens and parkland, full of tempting waymarked paths. Learn about 20 generations of Lenox-Conyngham family tales, see the family portraits, furniture, and their huge collection of Costumes from the 18th to 20th-century. This summer you can get the heart racing in the Come and Play sessions with nature-themed activities inspired by traditional sports day fun and games. With balance bikes and plenty of trails to explore, there is so much for the family to do! Find out more here!

HMS Caroline

Belfast

This famous ship is the only surviving ship that was used at the Battle of Jutland. Find out what it was like for the 300 crew on board and explore the Captain’s Cabin, the Mess, the engine room and many more exciting areas of the ship. Do you think you have what it takes to be a sailor in the First World War? Then head on down to learn some of the skills sailors used in the Signal School! At the end of the day relax in the maritime-themed playpark and picnic area whilst enjoying brilliant views over Belfast Harbour! Find out more here!

Hadrian’s Wall

Brampton
Family ticket from just £23.40

Visit the Wall that was built to guard the wild northwest frontier of the Roman Empire! See the remains of the forts, towers, turrets and towns, as well as Roman artefacts and the spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. Find out what life was like for the men, women and children on the edge of Roman Britain and walk a Roman high street at Corbridge! Find out more here!

Quarry Bank Mill

Styal, near Manchester
Family ticket £47.50

This National Trust Building boasts 465 acres of gardens, woodland, and countryside. See where child workers lived in the Apprentice House when they were given food and board in exchange for their labour. Next to the Apprentice House is the working kitchen garden and orchard where the children worked after their shift in the mill. See where the apprentices used to steal apples from the orchard way back when! Find out more here!

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh
Adult online price= £18.00, Child online price= £11.00, there are also family tickets price depending on how many members are in your family.

Learn about the dramatic story of Edinburgh Castle during the Wars of Independence! The drama is brought to life through animated episodes, immersive projections, a recreated stone-throwing trebuchet, and the display of medieval objects dug up from within the castle. Plus, you can see the oddest Crown jewels in Britain in the Crown Room! Find out more here!

 

What have you been up to? We’d really love to know! Someone else might love it, and really want to go! If you’ve got ideas, suggestions or reviews, you can shout all about it on whatever channel you choose!
Let’s go on a Picniq! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or tag us on Instagram using #PicniqUK! ❤

Leave a Comment

About Us

Picniq is a site for all parents on the hunt for fun things to do with the kids! We’ve found all the attractions, both near and far, so you don’t have to! Visit Website

Got a question, need some help or have an great idea for a new feature? We’d love to hear from you! You can contact us at [email protected]

Picniq® Experts in Family Travel

© Copyright 2021 | Picniq Ltd (a division of IMMAT LTD) Registered in England and Wales, company number: 08507282.
Registered Address: Space House, 22-24 Oxford Rd, Bournemouth, Dorset BH8 8EZ.
Members of ABTA (number P7380). Picniq Ltd acts as agent for all attraction tickets and holiday packages booked through this website.
Data Protection Act 1998 Reg No. Z1385884 Terms of use + Privacy Policy