Here’s Why a Summer Vacation to the UK With the Kids is on Every Parent's List

Imagine Hamleys, Warner Bros Studio Tour of Harry Potter, London Dungeon, The Edinburgh Museum of Childhood and Callendar Park-say hello to the UK! Isn’t your heart longing to be there already?

When it comes to Europe, London and Scotland offer a wide variety of activities for your little ones and makes for a perfect summer vacation destination. Here are 10 attractions in the UK you can enjoy as a family. 

What’s in It For Kids:

London

1. Hamleys:

London’s oldest toy shop, Hamleys was established in 1760 and has been delighting children and adults over the years. One of the largest toy stores in the world, Hamleys is spread over seven floors and is packed with beautiful toys, video games and specialist collector items. Hamleys promises to be an absolute treat for children and adults alike. While you’re there, don’t forget to admire the Lego Royal Family!

Address: 188-196 Regent Street, London W1B 5BT | Ph No: 0044 8717041977

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday- 10 am to 9 pm, Saturday- 9:30 am to 9 pm, Sunday- 12 noon to 6 pm

2. Warner Bros Studio Tour of Harry Potter:

 

If your children (or even you) are Harry Potter fans, then this is a dream come true! Ride the Firebolt, have a Butter Beer or buy Harry Potter memorabilia and experience the magical world of Harry Potter like never before! This interesting walking tour takes you behind the scenes of Harry Potter films and allows you to experience the grand sets, original costumes and props. Other than that you are also introduced to the special effects that made the Harry Potter film series so popular around the world.

Other wonders you can experience here include the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office, Diagon Alley (including Ollivander’s Wand Shop, Flourish and Blotts and Gringotts Wizarding Bank) and the Gryffindor Common Room. While you’re there, don’t forget to visit the iconic Platform 9 3/4.

Get insights into how some of the most famous scenes of the film were shot. You can also climb aboard the famous Hogwarts Express and also pose with a luggage trolley as it disappears through the wall!

Address: Warner Bros Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7LR | Ph No: (0044) 08450840900

Opening Hours: The first tour starts at 10 am and the last tour is between 4 pm and 6.30 pm (subject to time of the year, holidays and weekends).

Entry Fee: £ 59 per adult and £ 52 per child. Please purchase tickets before hand on the website as no tickets are sold at the door.

3. London Dungeon:

 

Imagine fake blood, spooky music, gory criminals and torturers. If you and your little ones love the chills and thrills then a visit to the London Dungeon is a must!

Start at the Labyrinth of Lost Souls (Mirror Maze), move on to  the Great Plague, and walk through the Torture Chamber, meet Jack the Ripper and the evil barber of Fleet Street. Children will particularly enjoy the spooky, ghostly boat ride, the gory hangman’s drop rides and actors dressed as torturers and criminals.

Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, City of London, Greater London SE1 7PB | Ph No: 00448714232240

Opening Hours: 10 am to 5 pm (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday), 11 am to 5 pm (Thursday), 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday and Sunday).

Entry Fee:

Adult: £ 25.20

Child: £ 19.80

What’s in It for You:

1. Oxford Street:

 

One of Europe’s busiest streets, Oxford Street will leave you spoilt for choice! A mile and a half long, Oxford Street has over 300 options for shopping, food and entertainment. Most shops stay open till late and it is an absolute delight to shop here. While you’re there don’t forget to visit Selfridges, Debenhams, Topshop and Marks and Spencer among many others.

Address: Oxford Street, W1, London

Opening Hours: 9:30 am to 8 pm (Monday to Friday), 9 am to 10 pm (Thursday), 9 am to 9 pm (Saturday),  12 pm to 6 pm (Sundays and Bank Holidays). 

2. West London Wine School:

 

Enroll in the West London Wine School and become a wine connoisseur. With wine tasting courses ranging from one day to eight weeks, the wine school has been recommended as the best place to learn about wine in London, in a casual and relaxed setting.

Address: 71 Townmead Road, Fulham SW6 2ST | Ph No: 0044 20 8144 2444

For more information, visit the official website: http://www.westlondonwineschool.com/

Where to Eat:

Tayyabs:

 

Craving for a nice Indian meal while on holiday? Worry not! London is home to many Indian restaurants and one of the most popular ones remains Tayyabs. Don’t forget to make prior reservations as it is one of the most popular restaurants in London. You can even bring your own beer and enjoy it with the delicious Kebabs, Lamb Chops, Dal Makhani, Pista Kulfi and Kheer.

Address: 83-89 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, London, E1 1JU | Ph No:  0044-020 7247 9543

Opening Hours: 12 noon to 11:30 pm (daily)

Where to Stay:

Ibis Styles London Croydon:

 

Located five minutes away from Thornton Heath Railway Station, Ibis Styles has 113 comfortable rooms with attractive interiors. The hotel offers delicious buffet breakfast and has an in-house bar and business centre. It is in close proximity to most attractions in London and is also walking distance from Dosa n Chutney, an Indian restaurant.

Address:585- 589 London Road, Thornton Heath, London CR7 6AY | Ph No: 0044 20 8689 8989

Amenities:

Wi-Fi | In-House Bar| Business Centre | Free Parking | Safety Deposit Box | Air-Conditioning

Tariff: Rs. 5,317 per night (approximately)

Book Your Stay at ibis Styles LondonBook Your Stay at ibis Styles London

Cranbrook Hotel London:

The Cranbrook Hotel is a five minutes’ drive from Heathrow Airport and is close to the Gants Hill Tube Station and Ilford Railway Station. The rooms are comfortable with all modern amenities, and guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet every morning. The hotel is also a short walk away from London Darbar, an Indian restaurant.

Address: 22- 24 Coventry Road, Essex IG1 4QR, Ilford, London | Ph No: 00442085546544

Amenities:

Wi-Fi | Free Parking | Meeting Centre | Satellite TV | Tea/Coffee Maker

Tariff: Rs. 6,634 per night (approximately)

Book Your Stay at Cranbrook Hotel LondonBook Your Stay at Cranbrook Hotel London

Total Cost:

Approximately Rs. 66,000 per person inclusive of airfare and hotel stay for 4 nights and 5 days

Scotland

 

Scotland is a great place for a family vacation and there are many attractions that you and your children can enjoy. The best part is that many of them for free! Right from museums and parks to picnic spots, Scotland makes for a perfect destination for a holiday with your little ones.

What’s in It for Kids:

1. Edinburgh Museum of Childhood (Edinburgh):

 

Established in 1955, the Museum of Childhood showcases several toys and games from different generations. This is a great place for adults to take a walk down memory lane and revisit their childhood. People of all ages, especially children, often come here to dress in different costumes, play games and watch video presentations. Spread across five floors, this museum is one of the most popular attractions in Edinburgh.

Address: 42 High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Lothian, EH1 1TG, United Kingdom | Ph No: 0044 131 529 4142

Opening Hours:

Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays 12 pm to 5pm 

Entry Fee: Entry is free

2. Alnwick Castle (Alnwick):

 

Alnwick Castle is one of the largest inhabited castles in Europe and is also home to the Duke of Northumberland’s family. While you’re here, enroll for an exclusive workshop on Broomstick Training (inspired from the movie Harry Potter) where children can imitate riding on the magic broom.

Address: Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1NQ, United Kingdom | Ph No: 0044 1665 511100

Opening Hours: 11 am to 5 pm (daily)

Entry Fee:

Adult: £14 (includes visit to the castle and garden) ;£24 (castle visit only)

Concession for students, pensioner: £12.60 (includes visit to the castle and garden) ;£21.60 (castle visit only)

Children aged 5 – 16 years: £7 (includes visit to the castle and garden) ;£10(castle visit only)

Children under 5 years: Free (must be accompanied by an adult)

3. Callendar Park:

 

One of the finest parks in the Falkirk area, Callendar Park is a great place to take your children for a picnic. The park is spread over 170 acres and houses the grand Callendar House- a 14th century mansion built in the style of a French Renaissance Chateau. Spend a relaxing day with your little ones in the park where they can enjoy attractions like the Bouncy Castle, Crazy Golf, Children’s Go Karts and a large children’s play area. There’s also a snacks kiosk where you and the munchkins can grab a bite to eat.

Address: Callendar House, Callendar Park, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, FK1 1YR | Ph No: 0044 1324 503770

Opening Hours: 10 am to 4 pm (daily)

Entry Fee: Entry is free

What’s in it For You:

1.Eastgate Shopping Centre:

Eastgate Shopping Centre is a shopper’s delight. Right from clothes, footwear and accessories, to toys, gadgets and electronics, there’s plenty here! And when you tire of all the shopping, there are many café’s inside the shopping centre where you can rest your feet.

Address: 11 Eastgate Inverness, Highland IV2 3PP, Scotland | Ph No: 0044 1463 226457

Opening Hours: 9 am to 6 pm (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday), 9 am to 7 pm (Thursday), 11 am to 5 pm (Sunday).

2. Rafting:

White Water Rafting is the perfect adventure sport that will give you a real adrenaline rush, as you battle through high rapids. Traverse through different streams in a large inflatable craft that can carry up to 10 people.

There are many rivers like Orchy, Findhorn and Tummel but River Tay is amongst the most popular ones for rafting in Scotland.

Opening Hours: 10 am to 4 pm (however some operators can start earlier, depending on your requirement)

Cost: Starting price of £40 per person

Where to Eat:

Dil Se:

One of the finest Indian restaurants in Dundee, Dil Se serves delicious Indian food in a warm ambience. Some of the dishes you can try here are Bhuna Chicken Tikka and Kadai Paneer. 

Address: Perth Road, Dundee, Scotland | Ph No: 0044 1382 221501

Where to Stay:

Tune Hotel- Haymarket (Edinburgh):

A 15 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh airport, Tune Hotel has 179 comfortable and tastefully decorated rooms. Proximity to attractions like the National Museum of Scotland and National War Museum are an added advantage. The hotel also has a Snacks Bar where guests can enjoy delicious eateries. Mezbaan, an Indian restaurant is just a five minutes’ drive from the hotel.

Address: 7 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh, EH 12 5DR, Haymarket, Scotland | Ph No: 0044 131 347 9700

Amenities:

Wi- Fi | Snack Bar | Cable TV | Security Deposit Safe

Tariff: Approximately Rs. 12,114 per night

Book Your Stay at Tune HotelBook Your Stay at Tune Hotel

Novotel Glasgow Centre (Glasgow):

Located in the heart of the city, the Novotel Glasgow is in close proximity to Glasgow airport, Kings Theatre, Kelvingrove Park and Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. The hotel has 139 rooms and an in-house bar and restaurant. Mother India, an Indian restaurant is just a five minutes’ drive from the hotel.

Address: 181 Pitt Street, Glasgow City Centre, Glasgow| Ph No: 0044 141 619 9001

Amenities:

Wi-Fi | Safe Deposit Box | Gym | Business Centre

Tariff: Approximately Rs. 10,357 per night

Book Your Stay at Novotel GlasgowBook Your Stay at Novotel Glasgow

Total Cost:

Approximately Rs. 88,000 per person (inclusive of airfare and hotel stay for 4 nights and 5 days).

(Please note that these rates are subject to change)

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