The United Kingdom is one of the most family-friendly travel destinations in the world. Between them, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales are full of historic landmarks, stunning landscapes, vibrant cities and charming small towns and villages that will instantly captivate you.
However, if you intend to visit any of these areas with kids, particularly from places that require long-haul transits like the USA, Australia or South Africa, it is important to plan your trip well.
Traveling with children can be quite stressful, so you’ll want to make sure things go as smoothly as possible. With that in mind, here are six tips you should take on board to make the most of your time in the UK.
- Plan Your Itinerary with Kids in Mind
There no doubt will be many things that you want to see and do when you visit the United Kingdom. However, you must remember that your children are on holiday, too. Therefore, it is vital to factor in what they would be interested in during your time overseas to ensure they remain engaged and excited about the sojourn.
Thankfully, the UK has thousands of activities that cater to families throughout all four of its countries, so search on Google and YouTube to find out some popular attractions kids would like. That said, consider St Fagans National Museum of History if you are visiting Cardiff in Wales, Peppa Pig World in Hampshire, England or Camera Obscura in Edinburgh, Scotland.
If you happen to be near Shoreditch, Paint & Sip London with Pinot & Picasso is a great option that allows children to explore their creative side.
Alternatively, if you are short on time, here are five things you can do in London.
- Choose Family-Friendly Accommodation
Accommodation can be expensive in the UK, particularly in the major cities and near popular tourist attractions. However, when travelling with children, it is advisable to find somewhere that is well set up for them.
There are plenty of family-friendly hotels, B&Bs and serviced apartments available. However, your best option might be an Airbnb holiday rental, as they tend to be slightly cheaper, in more convenient locations, and have extra space, which often includes kitchen facilities, play areas, and other amenities like cots.
Demand for accommodation is exceptionally high in the UK, so you are recommended to make a booking as soon as you have finalised your travel dates.
Public Transport
If you want to see as many of the places you visit in the UK as possible, you’ll either need to hire a car or rely on public transport.
The UK has an extensive and efficient public transport system, particularly in the capital cities of London, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Cardiff, as well as bigger cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Swansea and Derry. So, if you are staying at any of these places, you should have no problem getting around by bus, train or tram.
Most public transport services allow children up to the age of 11 to travel free if accompanied by a paying adult. If you plan to travel by train, it is worth investing in a family railcard, as you can save up to 33% on adult fares and 60% on kids’ tickets.
If you would like to drive, all of the major car hire companies in the UK have an extensive presence, including Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise.
Prepare for the Weather
The weather in the UK is famously unpredictable, and it’s not uncommon to get four seasons in a day, even when it’s the height of summer! Therefore, it always pays to be prepared.
Pack clothes that can be layered or easily removed under various weather conditions. You should also bring a raincoat with you because there is a good chance you will need one during your trip.
You might have heard that the weather is always bad in the UK, but that is a myth. Indeed, in the summer, you need to have hats and sunglasses to stave off the UV rays.
It’s worth keeping up to date with the latest advice from the Met Office to see the weather conditions on any given day.
- Book Tickets in Advance
If your itinerary includes popular tourist sites like the Tower of London, the Titanic Belfast. Warner Bros. Studio Tour (for Harry Potter), and Edinburgh Castle, you should be aware that they sell out very quickly.
For this reason, you would be well advised to reserve tickets in advance to guarantee you get to see them without having to queue up for ages. Often, these tickets allow you to skip the line, which means you have more time to see them.
Many attractions offer family discounts or combination tickets for multiple sites, so it is worth checking out what deals they have available before committing to a purchase.
Food and Meals
You’ll be pleased to discover that finding a place to eat in the UK is pretty easy, and with the country’s diverse multi-ethnic communities, there are plenty of different genres of food you can try.
However, dining out in the UK can be expensive, especially at dinnertime. So, if you are not planning on self-catering, you should look for places that offer happy hours (usually from between 5-6 pm) or kids-eat-free deals that you can take advantage of.
