By Parkdean Resorts on 10/08/2017
Keeping the kids entertained over the summer holidays can sometimes be a challenge, but there are plenty of exciting activities all over Britain that can be both fun and inspiring too.
From castles to family-friendly museums, the UK is home to some amazing educational attractions that will be sure to keep the kids entertained during the summer holidays, and get them excited about learning something new.
To help you plan your summer adventure, we’ve unearthed some of the best educational attractions in Britain that are perfect for the whole family.
Eureka! Halifax
A visit to Eureka! The National Children’s Museum is like no other. Created to capture children’s imaginations, this exciting museum is designed to make learning fun and is only an hour from Todber Valley Holiday Park.
This action-packed museum is a truly unique day out for all the family. Children are encouraged to discover through play in over 400 interactive, hands-on exhibits, designed to inspire young minds to understand more about themselves and the world around them. From biology to outer space, there’s lots to learn.
There are 6 individual themed zones to explore at Eureka! including a child-sized town, complete with shops and a mini-town square. There’s lots to discover in the All About Me gallery, where children can climb into a giant nose, see how they will look in several years’ time and learn all sorts about the human body. They’ll love the Soundspace gallery too, where they’ll find out about the different properties of sounds and how to make them.
The summer holidays are a great time to visit Eureka! and the Big Summer Festival is sure to keep your kid’s minds busy during the break from school. This “boredom-busting festival” includes a fun mix of science, technology, interactive storytelling, play, performance and a range of exciting events - which grown-ups are sure to enjoy too.
Video sourced from EurekaMuseum
Beamish Museum, Durham
Step back in time this summer with a visit to Beamish, a unique living museum. Set in 300 acres of beautiful Durham countryside and only 45 minutes from Whitley Bay Holiday Park, a trip to Beamish allows you to truly immerse yourself in history.
Experience how the Industrial Revolution transformed life in the region by exploring real, historic buildings from the North East. The villages and towns at Beamish were all recreated brick by brick, rebuilt in their original way to give visitors a true sense of history.
Discover how people lived in North East England during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Explore the 1900s town, where you’ll find out how families lived in the run up to the First World War. Browse historic shops and see the old cars, motorcycles and bikes that would have filled the streets. Uncover the role of the 1940s farm and pop into the farmhouse to learn about wartime life. Find out what life was like on the Homefront during the Second World War and take part in hands-on events and activities. There’s also costumed town folk wandering around each of the towns and villages, bringing stories to life.
Kids will also love the steam railway and the Beamish Tramway. Climb aboard these historic modes of transport and take a journey into the past. In the 1900s town, visit the cosy village pub, the tearooms, the Co-op store and the traditional Jubilee Sweet Shop to pick up some tasty historic treats.
Video sourced from Robert Griffin
Leeds Castle, Kent
Set in 500 acres of stunning gardens and parkland and less than an hour from Romney Sands Holiday Park, there’s so much to learn on a visit to Leeds Castle. A former Norman stronghold and royal residence, it’s known as the “loveliest castle in the world” and it’s not hard to see why.
Discover the story of the castle, and find out more about the lives of those who shaped its history. Inside, take a wander through the castle’s amazing rooms and learn all about its development through time. There’s hands on exhibitions and child-friendly displays throughout, and even a quirky dog collar museum too!
Outside, there’s so much for the kids to enjoy. Get lost in the maze and explore the underground grotto, where you’ll come face to face with mythical creatures. Climb turrets and swing across zip wires in the Squire’s Court Playground, and let the kids’ imaginations run wild in the Knight’s Realm; a miniature version of the castle, where they can dress up and act out their own stories of knights, kings and queens.
Don’t miss the regular falconry displays that take place during the summer, then get close to these amazing animals in the Birds of Prey Centre. You’ll find endless miles of beautiful gardens to explore too, perfect for a picnic. There’s also boating on the moat, the castle train, Segway tours and Go Ape Treetop Adventures, so you’ll be sure to find something for everyone at Leeds Castle.
Video sourced from LeedsCastleKent
Eden Camp, Yorkshire
Housed in the grounds of an old World War II camp, Eden Camp transports visitors back in time to experience the true sights and sounds of life during the Second World War. Only 30 minutes from Cayton Bay Holiday Park, there’s so much history to discover on a visit.
Appealing to all ages, interactive exhibits, moving figures and engaging displays tell the story of wartime Britain. In each hut you’ll uncover a different story from the war, from the beginning right until the end.
Explore inside a U-Boat and experience what the Black Out would have been like, as you find your way through the dark streets during the Blitz. Take cover in an Air Raid Shelter and learn all about rationing and the “Save it Schemes”. There’s also a collection of military vehicles, planes and hardware to see too.
Outside, kids will love the junior assault course, complete with towers, tunnels, slides and other obstacles. There’s regular wartime-themed puppet shows to see too, where you can sing along with the stars of the 1940s. If you’re on holiday with your four-legged friend then you’re in luck, as the museum is dog-friendly too, so all the family can enjoy a visit to Eden Camp.
What’s your favourite educational attraction? We’d love to hear all about it on our Twitter and Facebook pages.