We all look forward to the summer holidays every year. But, with six weeks to fill, it takes a lot of planning to keep the whole family entertained all summer.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a handy list of things to do in the summer holidays. From theme parks and live music to free activities and rainy day options, we’ve got plenty of ideas for families to make the most of their summer holidays.
Free things to do in the summer holidays
The cost of family activities can add up, especially during the summer season. Luckily, there are also plenty of low-cost and free options to choose from. Here are some of our top free things to do in the summer holidays.
Head to the park
Whether it’s kicking a ball around in your local park or eating a picnic in a beautiful spot a short train ride away, spending time at the park is a low-cost activity for toddlers and teenagers. It’s a great way to explore the UK. It’s also a fantastic way to get some fresh air.
The UK is home to some wonderful city parks. Hampstead Heath in London and Stanley Park in Blackpool are both beautiful spots with plenty to see and do nearby.
Leamington Spa's Victoria Park, Pump Room Gardens, and Jephson Gardens are all free. They are also a short train ride away from Warwick if you fancy a visit to Warwick Castle.
Bute Park in Cardiff is also a fantastic option. Right in the heart of the city, it’s inside the historic castle grounds. It’s also within easy reach of restaurants and shops.
Top tips for family days at UK parks
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If travelling with young children, choose parks with play areas for extra entertainment
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Plan your journey ahead of time and book tickets early to save money
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Choose destinations accessible by public transport
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Keep an eye out for local festivals and events like Tafwyl at Bute Park, a free Welsh music and culture festival in the summer months
Explore free museums and galleries
Museums make great day trips. They are a fantastic way to explore and learn new things while also enjoying some quality time as a family. The UK has all sorts of museums, many of which are free to enter.
The National History Museum in London is a great option for family days in the city. From marvelling at giant dinosaurs to interactive fun, there’s plenty to see and do. Tickets are free but it’s wise to book ahead online.
In Edinburgh, the National Museum of Scotland has plenty of things to entertain children and adults. There’s an interactive science and technology section, a gallery curated for toddlers, and so much more.
For free outdoor learning, try Sain Ffagan on the outskirts of Cardiff. This national museum of Welsh history covers several acres. From exploring Iron Age roundhouses to seeing animals in traditional Welsh farms, you can fill a whole day here.
Top tips for visiting the UK’s free museums
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Book online whenever possible to secure your time slot
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Arrive early in the day if possible to allow plenty of time for exploring the exhibitions as well as nearby attractions
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Book transport ahead of time and research off-peak tickets to save money on travel
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Exhibitions may change, so research ahead of time to avoid disappointment
Cool things to do in the summer holidays
There are countless summer holiday activities aimed at young kids and families., yet doing them all would need a hefty budget. For the average family, it’s worth picking and choosing the ones your little ones will appreciate the most.
Here are some of the top attractions for summer days out for little kids.
Peppa Pig World
Based on the ever-popular cartoon, Peppa Pig World is a theme park built for young children. From rides and play areas to toy stores and muddy puddle splash parks, it’s endless fun for young children.
Peppa Pig World is also part of the larger Paultons Park. Thanks to this, if you’re travelling with older kids, there’s plenty for them to enjoy too.
Information about visiting Peppa Pig World
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Address: Paultons Park, Ower, Romsey, The New Forest, Hampshire, SO51 6AL
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Opening times: Times vary depending on the season but generally, summer hours are between 10:00 am and 5:30 pm
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Public transport options: The nearest train station is Southampton Central (eight miles away). From there, the X7 bus goes to the park (Ower, Vine Inn stop). This service doesn’t run on Sundays or Bank Holidays.
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Age requirements: The theme park is best suited for children between ages one and six. Some rides include height restrictions.
Blackpool Beach
No list of summer activities would be complete without a visit to the beach. When the sun is shining, you can’t beat family days at the beach. From making sand castles to frolicking in the waves to eating ice cream, it’s one of the best things to do in the summer holidays.
Blackpool Beach is a fun and accessible beach close to fantastic fish and chip shops as well as Blackpool’s thriving tourism scene.
It’s also close to the famous Blackpool Pleasure Beach theme park. With rollercoasters, Nickelodeon Land and even a ghost train, Blackpool Pleasure Beach is one of the most fun places to go with family.
H4: Information about visiting Blackpool Pleasure Beach
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Address: 525 Ocean Blvd, Blackpool FY4 1EZ, UK
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Opening times: Opening times vary so it’s worth checking the website before you go.
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Public transport options: The nearest station is Blackpool Pleasure Beach, opposite the theme park.
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Age requirements: The park is suitable for children of all ages, though some rides have height requirements. A responsible person over the age of 12 must accompany all children.
Things to do with teenagers in summer holidays
Teenagers can be a tough bunch to impress. But, with a bit of creative thinking, there are plenty of awesome things to do in the summer holidays for teenagers.
Alton Towers
Alton Towers has been a go-to destination for families and friends for decades. From The Smiler to Oblivion to TH13TEEN and Galactica, there’s no shortage of jaw-dropping and thrilling rides to try.
There are also plenty of rides and attractions for younger kids - including CBeebies Land. So, if you’re a family with a few different age groups, there’s something here for everyone.
Information about visiting Alton Towers
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Address: Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB
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Opening times: Times vary between seasons and sometimes specific rides have different times. It’s therefore always best to check the website for updates before you book.
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Public transport options: The closest stations to Alton Towers are Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent. Private bus companies run shuttles from both to the theme park.
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Age requirements: There are no age restrictions for entry but an adult over the age of 18 must accompany all children under 12. Height restrictions apply on some rides. Children under the age of three enter for free.
Manchester Junkyard Golf
Manchester Junkyard Golf is a crazy golf course with a twist. You’ll putt between two fighting grizzly bears, face off with creepy clowns, and tee off from the roof of a smashed-up mini. All in all, this is an epic course that teenagers will love.
Walk-ins are welcome but slots tend to get booked up. It’s therefore a good idea to book ahead to avoid disappointment. There are also other Junkyard Golf sites across the UK, but Manchester’s is one of our favourites.
Information about visiting Manchester Junkyard Golf
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Address: 2 First St, Manchester, M15 4RP
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Opening times: Monday to Thursday 4:00 pm to 12:00 am, Friday 2:00 pm to 1:00 am, Saturday 12:00 pm to 1:00 am, Sunday 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
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Public transport options: The nearest train station is Manchester Oxford Road (half a mile away)
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Age requirements: Under-18s are welcome from Sunday to Thursday before 7:00 pm as long as they are with an adult.
Fun places to go in the summer holidays
A change of scenery can often do us a world of good. Sometimes it’s fun to hop on a train and explore a new town or city for the day. With that in mind, here are a few of our favourite summer day trip spots in the UK.
The Lake District
Jam-packed with beautiful lakes, mountains, towns and fun attractions, a day trip to the Lake District has something for everyone.
Killington Lake is a great spot for fishing and water sports. Pooley Bridge is a wonderful place to experience some quaint and historic charm. Or, for a busy hub with shops, restaurants, and plenty of water-based activities, Lake Windermere is a safe bet.
Information about visiting The Lake District
The Lake District spans several different areas, towns, and 76 bodies of water. Therefore, you can’t cover The Lake District in one day. The good news, however, is that you can do several day trips to the area and always see something new.
Popular train routes to The Lake District include:
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Manchester to Penrith: One hour and 30 minutes
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Glasgow to Penrith: Just over one and a half hours
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Birmingham to Windermere: Just over two and a half hours
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London to Oxenholme: Just over two and a half hours
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London to Windermere (via Lancaster): Approximately three hours
Journey durations vary depending on connection times. It’s therefore a good idea to research and book your train tickets to The Lake District ahead of time.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a beautiful area with plenty of scenic country walks, historic villages, and tourist attractions. Spanning 800 square miles, this is another area too big to cover in one single-day trip.
Top places for families include Cotswolds Wildlife Parks and Gardens, Blenheim Palace, and Dragonfly Maze in Bourton-on-the-Water. Sudeley Castle also has an adventure playground, animal park, and virtual reality experience to keep the kids entertained.
For busy hubs with family-friendly restaurants and shops, Gloucester, Bath, and Cheltenham are all great hubs.
Information about visiting the Cotswolds
As a far-reaching area of the British countryside, the Cotswolds hosts and is near many major railway hubs. Common train journeys to the Cotswolds include:
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Cardiff to Cheltenham: Just over an hour
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London to Moreton-in-Marsh: Approximately an hour and a half
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London to Gloucester: Just over two hours
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Birmingham to Bath Spa: Just under two hours
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Manchester to Cheltenham: Approximately two and a half hours
Travelling with the family by train this summer
The UK has many fantastic day trip destinations to choose from. To get the most out of your day, use the Avanti Journey Planner to find your most direct and convenient route.
Book early to get the best deal on your journey. You can also sign up for our Priority Ticket Alerts for tips on when to get the cheapest train tickets. And don’t forget to also explore the savings you can get with a Railcard.
If you’re still not sure where to go this summer, check out our destination guides for some extra inspiration.
