While we want our children to grow up and see as much as the world as possible, some places are best experienced before adulthood. Build up a memory bank you will all treasure for a lifetime with our round-up of 20 of the best places to take children before they grow up.
The list, of course, is endless, but we've tried to include a range of destinations and costs, from do-it-in-a-weekend trips in the UK, to blow the budget dream experiences that should be on every child's (and parent's) wish list.
How many have you been to? Please share your recommendations below...
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While we want our children to grow up and see as much as the world as possible, some places are best experienced before adulthood. Build up a memory bank you will all treasure for a lifetime with our round-up of 20 of the best places to take children before they grow up.Places to visit as a family before your kids grow up
- Have a magical time at the Harry Potter Studio Tour<p> A must for Harry, Ron and Hermione fans, the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Hertfordshire lets wannabe wizards whizz around Diagon Alley, get their heads down in class and sit down in the iconic Great Hall of Hogwarts. The tour is full of props from the movies and behind the scene exclusives. A truly magical (sorry) day out with photo ops’ aplenty to treasure afterwards.</p> <p> <strong>Adult tickets:</strong> £28</p> <p> <strong>Children’s tickets:</strong> £21</p> <p> <strong>Find out more:</strong> <a href="http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wbstudiotour.co.uk</a> and in our <a href="http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2012/03/28/harry-potter-studio-tour-review/" target="_blank">review</a></p>
- Meet the Crystal Palace dinosaurs<p> Looming out of the south London park are several cast iron dinosaurs from 1852, just hanging out and waiting to greet inquisitive guests on Dinosaur Lake. The short circular walk around the beasts shows our prehistoric friends from all angles, while info boards give just the right amount of information for dino-obsessive children. The park has a popular playground and very welcoming café for a pit-stop afterwards.</p> <p> <strong>Find out more:</strong> <a href="http://sydenham.org.uk/" target="_blank">Sydenham.org.uk</a></p>
- Take a steam railway trip<p> Find a steam railway journey near you and head out together. You won’t be disappointed with a day chugging around the countryside. One of the best we’ve been on is the Llangollen Railway in North Wales. Worth the trek for the stunning surroundings alone, and if you’re lucky, Thomas the Tank Engine will even be around. Look out for the moment the train’s engine runs around the track to pull the carriages back in the other direction. Truly special stuff. </p> <p> <strong>Find out more: </strong><a href="http://llangollen-railway.co.uk/page.php?id=1" target="_blank">Llangollen-railway.co.uk</a></p>
- Visit Cheddar Gorge<p> Head underground and explore the caves at Cheddar Gorge for an unforgettable adventure. Audio guides bring Gough’s Cave to life, while the colourful, underground world of Cox’s Cave has fountains and mirror pools like you’ve never seen before. Take time to have a go at the Crystal Quest as a family to discover new corners and secrets of the underground world.</p> <p> <strong>Adult tickets:</strong> £16.65 online</p> <p> <strong>Children’s tickets (5-14 years):</strong> £10.80 online</p> <p> <strong>Find out more:</strong> <a href="http://www.cheddargorge.co.uk/" target="_blank">Cheddargorge.co.uk</a></p>
- Cycle the Camel Trail<p> Stretching right from the village of St Breward on the edge of Bodmin Moor, to Padstow the Camel Trail is a recreational trail which follows the line of the old railway, summed up in John Betjeman's Cornwall as ‘the most beautiful train journey I know’. The 17 mile trail is perfect for families on two wheels, so hire bikes and enjoy the flat trail. If 17 miles is a bit daunting, head for the last leg which takes in the coastline into Padstow from Wadebridge. Lock your bikes up at the end and have fish and chips on the harbour, try your hand at crabbing and then scramble over the rocks for a stroll on the beautiful beach at Hawkers Cove. </p> <p> </p> <p> <strong>Find out more: </strong><a href="http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=13412" target="_blank">Cornwall.gov.uk</a></p>
- Learn at Our Dynamic Earth<p> Perched on the edge of Edinburgh’s epic Holyrood Park is Our Dynamic Earth, which takes visitors through our amazing planet’s past, present and future. With a focus on a sustainable future, and how we can help the planet deal with climate change and a growing population, make the trip when you have young children, and get tips for carrying on the good work at home and beyond.</p> <p> <strong>Adult tickets:</strong> £10.25</p> <p> <strong>Children’s tickets (3-15years): </strong>£6.75</p> <p> <strong>Find out more:</strong> <a href="http://dynamicearth.co.uk/" target="_blank">Dynamicearth.co.uk</a></p>
- Enjoy LEGOLAND Windsor<p> Stacks of fun awaits at LEGOLAND, with the emphasis very much on letting children enjoy themselves. It's dedicated to kids aged 3-12 years, and is a very unique experience where imagination knows no bounds. Get drenched on the Pirate Falls, travel through the depths of the LEGOLAND castle and find the force in the Star Wars Miniland Experience. More fun than you can ever imagine having with large, colourful blocks. You can even stay at the hotel.</p> <p> <strong>Find out more:</strong> <a href="http://www.legoland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Legoland.co.uk</a> and with our <a href="http://www.parentdish.co.uk/fun-and-activities/legoland-hotel-windsor-review/" target="_blank">review.</a></p>
- Explore Jorvik Viking<p> Stroll through reconstructed Viking-Age streets at the dedicated Viking centre in York. The experience presents life as it was for the Vikings, complete with 1,000 year old houses revealed beneath your feet and objects taken from excavations brought before your eyes.</p> <p> <strong>Adult tickets: </strong>£9.25</p> <p> <strong>Children’s tickets (5-15):</strong> £6.25</p> <p> <strong>Find out more:</strong> <a href="http://www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk</a></p>
- Go wild at Longleat safari<p> Pack up the car and prepare to be amazed as the big cats, zebras, rhinos and meddling monkeys cross your path, all in the UK. Longleat is the UK’s most popular safari park, and it’s easy to see why with its incredible crop of animals. Book ahead for one of the park’s newest features, hand-feeding giraffes in the African Village.</p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Adult tickets:</strong> £25</div> <div> <strong>Children’s tickets (3-14years):</strong> £17.85</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Find out more:</strong> <a href="http://www.longleat.co.uk/" target="_blank">Longleat.co.uk</a></div>
- See a show at the Minack Theatre<p> The Minack Theatre is the most famous open-air theatre in Britain. A beautiful theatre carved into the granite cliffs of Porthcurno in Cornwall, you can’t fail to be impressed with its magnificent views and structure, or by the seriously impressive shows it puts on during spring and summer, including story telling and family specific performances. While you’re in the area, take a trip to Land’s End so your kids can tell their friends that they went to the end of the earth.</p> <p> Find out more: <a href="http://www.minack.com/" target="_blank">Minack.com</a></p>
- Go wild at the National History Museum<p> Packed to the rafters with dinosaur bones, fascinating fossils and interactive games, London’s Natural History Museum is a must-visit attraction for every child. They will marvel as they stride under the giant T-Rex on arrival and be blown away by the models and characters they will meet along the way. Better still, it’s free!</p> <p> Find out more: <a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/" target="_blank">Nhm.ac.uk</a></p>
- Take launch at the National Space Centre<p> The most frequently asked question about space travel is ‘how do you go to the toilet in space?’ Find the answer, and so much more with a visit to the National Space Centre in Leicester. See roaring rockets, shining stars and actual moon rock at this out of this world attraction.</p> <p> <strong>Adult tickets:</strong> £13</p> <p> <strong>Children’s tickets (5-16):</strong> £11</p> <p> <strong>Find out more: </strong><a href="http://spacecentre.co.uk/" target="_blank">Spacecentre.co.uk</a></p>
- Be bookworms at Seven Stories<p> Seven Stories in Newcastle celebrates the wonderful world of children’s books, in a seven storey building no less. See original artwork and manuscripts, settle down to book readings for different ages and see fancy dress and props from different books all under one roof.</p> <p> <strong>Adult tickets: </strong>£6.50</p> <p> <strong>Children’s tickets (4-16):</strong> £5.50</p> <p> <strong>Find out more:</strong> <a href="http://sevenstories.org.uk/" target="_blank">Sevenstories.org.uk</a> and in our <a href="http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/05/19/review-seven-stories/" target="_blank">review</a></p>
- Have a go at Kew's Treetop Walkway<p> Got a child with their head in the clouds? This 60ft high walkway nestled in South West London’s Kew Gardens will burn off lots of energy. The 118 steps are worth the wait as you take in the tree tops at eye level. Endless opportunities for spotting birds, wildlife and weird and wonderful creatures await, and the kids’ mission task asks budding tree surgeons to gen up on all things wood as you go around. </p> <p> <strong>Adult tickets into Kew: </strong>£14.50</p> <p> <strong>Free entry to under 16s </strong></p> <p> <strong>Find out more:</strong> <a href="http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/garden-attractions-A-Z/Xstrata-Treetop-Walkway.htm" target="_top">Kew.org</a></p>
- Take a stroll in Ashdown Forest<p> A. A. Milne set his Winnie-the-Pooh stories in 100 Acre Wood - a forest inspired by Ashdown Forest in East Sussex. Head there for a day out to visit all the locations enjoyed by Pooh, Piglet and Tigger too, including the gorgeous Pooh Sticks Bridge for, of course, a family game of Pooh Sticks. <em><a href="http://www.pooh-country.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pooh Corner</a> </em>on the High Street in Hartfield village, sells Winnie-the-Pooh goodies for all ages.</p> <p> <strong>Find out more: </strong><a href="http://www.ashdownforest.org/winnie-the-pooh/" target="_blank">Ashdownforest.org</a></p>
- See the Northern Lights<p> Pull on your thermals and go in search of the Aurora Borealis, aka, the Northern Lights. The greatest light show on earth can be best seen above the Arctic Circle, which means a trip to Scandinavia, probably in minus one conditions. The lights are incredibly elusive, so if you’re planning a trip, never, ever promise your kids they will see the action!</p> <p> <strong>Find out more:</strong> Our sister site AOL Travel as the ultimate guide to <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2012/01/12/where-to-see-the-northern-lights/" target="_blank">spotting the lights.</a></p>
- Visit Disneyland Paris<p> Make memories that will last a lifetime with a family trip to Disneyland. Meet Mickey and Minnie, swoon over the gorgeous Disney Princesses and enjoy thrills on the rides designed for all different ages and theme park thresholds. The lights, the glitter, the characters and the atmosphere will stay with your children forever. Big kids (who don’t want to admit they still really want to hang with Minnie) will love the rollercoaster rides.</p> <p> <strong>Find out more: </strong><a href="http://www.disneylandparis.com/" target="_blank">Disneylandparis.co.uk</a></p>
- See the Pyramids<p> The breath-taking Pyramids of Giza are special. Head to Egypt when your kids are a little older, so they can cope with the heat better and marvel at the Pharaohs' ingenuity.</p> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Find out more:</strong> <a href="http://www.touregypt.net/" target="_blank">Touregypt.net</a></div>
- Make new friends at Oceanopolis<p> Overlooking the harbour in Brittany, Oceanopolis is bursting with aquatic life. Turtles turn tricks, penguins potter in front of your very eyes and even a shark shakes its stuff in a dedicated tank. With three different sections to visit, tropical, polar and temperate waters, this enormous aquarium is a day your kids won’t forget. </p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Adult tickets: </strong>€17</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Children’s tickets (3-17 years):</strong> €11 </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Find out more: </strong> <a href="http://oceanopolis.co.uk/" target="_blank">Oceanopolis.co.uk</a></div> <div> </div>
- Marvel at the Grand Canyon<p> An epic gorge which in some places is a whopping 6,000 feet deep, this is a wonder that takes some beating. Best taken in when your kids are a little older, and can manage to troop around on their own. Take a stroll, bike around and don’t miss the Skywalk - a glass-bottomed path providing breath-taking views.<br /> <br /> Find out more: <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm" target="_blank">Nps.gov</a></p>
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