Archives for October 2016

Getting to England with kids isn’t easy. And, it’s a pretty long flight.  So today, I’m sharing travel tips on a England Family Vacation.  If you want to see what the rest of the world raves about, it’s worth the trip.  England is the home of the British Royal family, cute accents, and incredible landscapes. Most importantly, if you want to take a vacation overseas, England is a great option for family fun.

Lots of people are curious about England. It’s a tiny country that packs a big punch when it comes to tourist attractions. The word ‘quaint’ is used a lot to describe English villages, houses, and local activities. After all, there are some pretty weird, wonderful, and whacky things that the English like to do! Rolling big cheeses down hills, Morris Dancing, and welly wanging. Those are just some of the village delights you might come across up and down the country.

Yorkshire Pudding

When it comes to food, you may also find some little gems and weird dishes. Most towns and villages have their own local delicacy. This might include cakes, biscuits, or cheeses. Seaside towns might offer jellied eels and liquor pie. What about a beef stottie? And the Cornish pasty will definitely delight your entire family. Common favorites include the traditional English Breakfast and the Yorkshire pudding roast dinner.

American theme parks may be huge, but the British are definitely catching up. There are several to choose from all over England. Your kids will probably find their favorite TV characters at the themed parks. English favorites like Thomas the Tank Engine and Peppa Pig have their own parks!  You can buy your attraction tickets online in advance or at the entrance kiosk. Many parks have special events at certain times of the year. It’s worth doing your research to find out what they’re offering. Some include large wildlife parks. Additionally, those that are by the beach offer extra value when you’re out for the day.

However, if it’s the beach that brings you to England, you’ll not be disappointed. Some are world-renowned for the surf. Cornwall, in particular, brings professional surfers to the UK. There are plenty of surf schools and courses to choose from around the coast of England too. English kids like to bring a bucket and spade to the sand. Then they make elaborate sand castles with sea water moats. You can find sand sculptures at some of the popular tourist promenades.  If you’re feeling particularly relaxed, you can enjoy letting your kids bury you neck deep in the sand too.

Scotland and Wales might boast some of the most characterful castles. But England certainly has some remarkable ruins and inhabited castles for tourists to visit. Some have been turned into hotels. Others are free to visit and roam around the old ruins. Many have activities to help engage your kids in the history of the place. They can even experience what life was like hundreds of years ago. As well as castles, you can find estates, manors, abbeys, cathedrals, palaces and country houses that are all open to the public.

Other activities in London that you may want to consider is the world-renowned museums and art galleries. You can visit Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament at Westminster. This is also the home of Big Ben. St. Paul’s Cathedral is a remarkable building. Its design is particularly interesting for those who have a passion for acoustics. Children will love the Whispering Gallery.

British theater is also lots of fun for an afternoon out with the kids. You can find plenty of shows in the West End. If you visit England in the winter, you can experience the delights of the British Pantomime. These productions are very funny and will leave your kids squealing with delight. Well-known celebrities and TV stars often perform, so you might even recognize a few familiar faces.  Some performers engage the audience with a little audience participation. Adults love them just as much as the kids, and the humor will definitely appeal to all.

Making the trip to the UK may feel like a huge undertaking, but the pleasures of an English vacation will make up for it. There are so many great attractions. There are interesting things to see and do that will suit the entire family no matter what their ages or interests.  The lack of language barriers definitely helps if your kids like to explore on their own. If you’re looking for something a little extra special,  start planning your next year’s vacation to England.