So, you’re looking for a new day out near you?
We get it, sometimes you need a bit of a helping hand.
So, whether you fancy finding a new spot to take the family, you want to learn more about your local area or you’re looking for a different way to spend your weekend, we’ve got plenty of days out near you.
And to keep things simpler, we’ve divided the country into five, so feel free to browse at your leisure.
Not only has the northwest got some seriously picturesque spots (think lakes, beaches and mountains), it’s also home to revolutionary cities – and some epic sports teams.
Music lovers will rejoice in the Northwest, with musical history made in Liverpool and Manchester – so why not get yourself on a themed tour? The Beatles Tour has to be one of our favourites, and Liverpool is an easy city to explore by foot (weather permitting).
As if we didn’t love aquariums enough already, SEA LIFE Manchester really takes the cake with their Lair of the Giant Crab - they grow up to three-metres claw to claw, now that’s big. And the fun doesn’t stop there, SEA LIFE Manchester is home to over 2,000 creatures spread over their 11 habitat-themed zones.
The crème de la crème of British theme parks – with the most rides and coasters per square metre in the country – you can’t miss out on a trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The whole fam will love this one too, with Nickelodeon Land for the young’uns and plenty of ‘vintage’ rides for the older folks. Fun fact: the park opened waaay back in 1896.
A cult favourite, Chester Zoo is loved by most who live in the Northwest – so, why not check out what the hype is all about? With over 36 things to do across the zoo, you’re bound to have a packed day out – not to mention they have 82 animals, check them out here.
Footie lovers, you’ll be thrilled with all the National Football Museum has on offer. Grab photos with their Premier League Trophy, enjoy their interactive penalty shootout games and read stories of footballing history.
Scenic views, wildlife and some Northern history and culture, what’s not to like? The Lake District is a spot to grab some fresh air and explore. You won’t be stuck for choice either, from Windemere’s mountain views to the bustling market town of Keswick, you can spend days and days exploring the sights of the Lake District.
Loads of tourists visit the East of England each year for its dramatic landscapes, rolling hills and (rather chilly) beaches. But there’s much more to see – think historic gems, family fun and educational spots.
Fancy getting some good old exercise whilst also having a tonne of fun? Newcastle Trampoline Park is the spot for you. And it’s perfect for the whole fam too, with their soft play area – think ball pits, tunnels slides and obstacles.
Get your spook on at York Dungeon with this hyper-real storytelling of historic legends like Guy Fawkes (a York-born legend) and a mighty angry executioner. Experience the (few) joys of York’s Plague infestation – but luckily the on-hand plague doctor will check you for any signs of infection.
Ruins from the iconic English Heritage site are scattered across the Northeast so you won’t be short on spots to find them. Our favourites are Housesteads (Britain’s most complete Roman fort) and the Roman high street at Corbridge.
Hadrian's Wall is part of English Heritage, you can save 15% on an annual English Heritage membership to enjoy unlimited access to hundreds of historic places!
The Centre for Life is the perfect place for your young’uns to learn a thing or two in the most fun way possible (no exaggeration here). There are tonnes of different interactive zones to explore, like the Brain Zone (for you little ones to explore what makes them who they are) and Gaia, a seven-metre-diameter recreation of Planet Earth.
Does this sound like your cup of tea? Check out our favourite attractions which are just as educational as they are fun.
Based off the coast of Northumberland, these rocky islands are home to seals and seabirds – including around 43,000 pairs of puffins. Boat trips run on most days (but check for weather related changes, especially during the winter months), taking about an hour to arrive at the islands.
Situated slightly further down the Northeast coast, SEA LIFE Scarborough is home to loads of species from across the globe. The aquarium has a penguin island walkthrough enclosure, so you can get up close and personal with some Humboldt penguin. Thought it couldn’t get any better? Wrong. It’s also home to Yorkshire’s only Seal Hospital.
The Midlands is home to many of our favourite (and most well-known) attractions, so it’s well worth visiting if you’re into touring round. And we can’t forget some city classics – Birmingham and it’s for-lifer attachment to Peaky Blinders.
One of the UK’s favourite theme parks, Alton Towers is a must-visit attraction for any coaster junkie. P.s the site is set across 900 acres of land (save that for your next pub quiz), so you best bet you won’t be short on stuff to do.
As you can imagine, you won’t be short of Peaky Blinders themed activities in Birmingham – they’ve got escape rooms, themed tours, graffiti around the city and the opportunity to grab a pint at The Old Crown.
Who doesn’t love LEGO®? Exactly, everyone loves LEGO®. This indoor attraction is a great way to keep the kids entertained (whilst also giving it a go yourself). Check out MINILAND® which has 45 of Birmingham’s landmarks made completely out of LEGO® – over 5 million pieces to be exact.
Exploring the joys of the wilderness from the comfort of your own car? Couldn’t ask for anything better. See animals from the African Plains, Borderlands and more – oh, and it’s not just a safari park either. There’s a way through park AND a theme park, the perfect day out really.
Being a tourist attraction dedicated to the world’s best chocolate (don’t even try to argue with that), this one clearly had to make the list. Not only do you get to try a load of chocolate, but you’ll also learn a hell of a lot too. Oh, and we can’t forget to mention that you’ll visit the world’s biggest Cadbury’s shop too.
An area of great beauty – come on, Cornwall speaks for itself – the Southwest is a great spot to catch some views and a bit of sunshine. But we can’t lie, it’s a must-visit year-round for us – rain or shine we’ll be there.
Now we know this is a bit of a marmite tourist attraction – but we reckon it’s one of those places you just have to tick off your list at some point. It’s not just a bunch of rocks either, special exhibitions celebrate global history. Circle of Stone: Stonehenge and Prehistoric Japan (Until September 3rd, 2023), celebrates rich culture – with items shown out of Japan for the first time ever.
Fancy experiencing 2,000 years of history across Bath? Expect to find a nugget of local history on each corner of this quaint city – and some very Insta-worthy views too. To see the main baths themselves you’ll have to buy an admission ticket, but the good news is that audio guides are included in the price (in 12 languages too).
Explore inside and out at this epic attraction. Immerse yourself in the world’s largest indoor rainforest – now that’s a claim to fame – and experience ultimate zen in the Mediterranean Biome.
You can’t visit the Southwest of England without taking a trip to the beach at some point – it's basically a rite of passage. And they’re not short of amazing beach spots either, think Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and the Isles of Scilly. They’re fab all year round, but that bit more special during Summer.
If you didn’t already know about this picturesque 95-mile stretch of coastline, you’re about to be wooed. Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNRSCO in 2001 (England’s one and only), the Jurassic Coast is packed with amazing cliffs, million-year-old fossils and loads of stuff to do.
Now, if your first thought was the festival, good on you. But the town of Glastonbury is also jam-packed with history. Legend has it that the Holy Grail was actually buried in Glastonbury by King Arthur way back when – let's hope Harrison Ford comes looking for it.
Not only does this attraction already have an amazing range of sea creatures to meet, but they also have a Fairy Penguin Island – home to the smallest penguins in the world. And if you weren’t sold yet, their Night and Day display is an interactive 24-hour wonder of coral reefs as it changes from day to night – with a beach perfect for dancing on.
Besides being home to London-town, the Southeast has a lot on offer for all kinds of tourists – families, couples and friends alike. Make sure you check out some historic gems (bonus points if they have something to do with the Royals).
If you haven’t heard of this iconic tourist spot, are you, like, living under a rock? This dramatic coastline brings a whole new excitement to visiting the Isle of Wight. If you feel like getting even more up close and personal with these huge cliff edges, why not head on a boat trip? Choose between a relaxing 20-minute cruise or a 15-minute quick trip round on the High-Speed Rib.
This top Royal attraction is packed full of historical gems, but our personal favourite has to be Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House (coined as ‘the most famous and beautiful dolls’ house in the world’). Did you know, over 1,500 of the finest artists, craftsmen and manufacturers of the early twentieth century contributed to this doll house?
And for you locals (anyone with a RBWM card), admission is free – so don’t forget to take advantage of that one.
Another historic spot – but this time with a bit more * realism *? See London’s gruesome history brought to life with live acts and special events – and The Drop Dead: Drop Ride is an adrenaline-junkie's dream come true. You’ll meet some low-key celebs too, think Sweeney Todd, Jack the Ripper and Guy Fawkes.
If your kids (or yourselves) are big fans of Roald Dahl (who isn’t) the museum is definitely worth a visit. Your little ones will come face to face with Fantastic Mr Fox, meet their favourite Roald Dahl heroes and explore Dahl’s famous writing hut. Oh, and you can’t forget to visit the gift shop – home to many special edition items and museum-themed ranges you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
We know and love SEA LIFE Brighton. As far as being the world’s oldest functioning aquarium, it still packs a serious punch (and it’s a real looker). With giant turtles, rays, rainforest frogs, sharks and octopi there are tonnes of sea critters to meet.
If you’re in the market for a super wholesome day out – we've found the perfect spot for you. The Ise of Wight Donkey Sanctuary rescues homeless and unwanted donkeys, providing them with a forever home in the Wroxall Valley. There’s no need to book for this attraction, simply turn up between 10am-4pm (check official site for details). There are over 100 donkeys at the sanctuary – and you can learn all about them and their rescue stories before you visit.
At Days Out, you can book the UK’s best attractions (y’know the proper FOMO inducing ones?) -- we know where’s perfect for you. Find your next adventure.
