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With a big bundle of bank holidays coming up, we’ve put together some of the best bank holiday plans to keep your little ones busy. Whether you’re heading away to make the most of it in half term or planning a short day trip across one of the many Mondays, we’ve got great recommendations.
Let’s pack up your Trunki and enjoy some family time in this May Bank holiday bonanza.
Take a road trip north
Scotland has some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK. While you could catch a flight up in an afternoon, it’s far more fun to hop on a train or take a road trip into the far reaches of this island.
Check out the Cairngorms National Park, some of the impressive lochs or head to Edinburgh and Glasgow for a city escape. Of course, the great outdoors is perfect for running off little legs and there are plenty of places to escape the crowds.
Take a Heritage Train Trip
Is your little one train obsessed? The UK has some great heritage train lines that make a great day out. And they often put on extra entertainment during holidays.
Grab your TeeBee and head to Settle in North Yorks to pick up the Settle to Carlisle railway. This takes you across stunning scenery in the North Yorks National Park. You head over viaducts and past some impressive Harry Potter style stations.
Your little train buff will love it.
Or take a trip on the Bluebell Railway in the South. This heritage steam train takes you around the Sussex countryside. Perfect if you’re heading for a south coast beach getaway.
In the Midlands there is the Severn Valley railway. Another heritage steam train that runs from Kidderminster. Combine it with a trip to Midlands Safari Park and you’ve got the makings of a great bank holiday weekend.
Finally, for anyone heading to the Peak District, stop off the market town of Matlock for the Peak Rail steam train. This short trip is great for those little train lovers who can’t sit still for a longer journey. The trip takes you between Matlock and Rowsley where you can take a walk back or head onwards to Chatsworth House, which has a great farm park for the little ones.
Head to the beach
We are surrounded by wonderful beaches and coastline in the UK. Even if you’re furthest from the sea, you’re still within day trip reach of a great beach outing.
Pack up your PaddlePaks and head to the sands for some paddling or rock pooling. Traditional seaside towns will have plenty of arcades if the weather becomes a bit British. Or fare it out on the North Devon coastline if your little ones fancy breaking out the body boards or sandcastles.
If you’re travelling by train, Brighton Beach is easily accessible and has a large playground for kids. For sandy beaches, head to the Norfolk coast, West Wales or Cornwall. Live a bit further North? The beautiful coast near Robin Hood’s Bay has plenty of rock pooling, sandy beaches and is close enough to both Scarbrough and Whitby for seaside town.
Explore your country parks
Want to stay a little closer to home? Pull out your ToddlerPaks and get exploring your local country parks. There are 30 country parks across the UK, plus 15 National Parks.
Country parks will often have a coffee shop, playground and plenty of space to explore, walk and scoot. They are usually very pram-friendly for any tired little legs. Perfect for a Bank Holiday picnic.
Find your closest park here.
City Escape
We couldn’t possibly say why Bristol is our favourite city escape but with plenty of museums, galleries and parks, it’s a great day trip for the family. Head to the M Shed with the little ones. The zoo has been moved just outside the city and is now called Wild Place. It’s got the kiddie seal of approval.
London is also packed full of free things for kids to do (although it might be a little busy on one particular Bank Holiday Weekend). Head to South Kensington for the Natural History Museum and Science Museum. Both are free and great days out for the kids. From there, you’re close to Hyde Park to run off little legs in the Princess Diana Memorial Playground.
Further North you’ll find both Manchester and Liverpool make great weekend trips. If you visit Liverpool at the start of the month, they have plenty of events on to welcome the Eurovision final, including free music in the day. Over in Manchester the Museum of Science and Industry often has kids events on and is easy to reach in the city centre.