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Father and son at Roald Dahl Museum

Reviews of days out and attractions

Interesting and – we hope – invaluable, our reviews of a wide range of family days out and attractions were written by our in-house team and and our talented stable of expert contributors embracing some of the world's top family travel writers. Including both tried-and-tested family favourites and more off-the-beaten attractions, they are intended to provide inspiration and practical information whether you're looking for days out close to home or while on holiday.

Airboat in Florida

Things to Do in Kissimmee, Florida

North America, USA, Florida, Orlando

Rhonda rates the Florida city as an alternative base for and complement to Orlando, with an array of attractions in its own right.

Elephants at Elephant Hills in Thailand. [copyright]© www.elephanthills.com[/copyright]

Best Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand with Kids

Asia, Thailand, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Phuket

We uncover responsible places to see rescued pachyderms in the ‘Land of Smiles’.

Red Force Ferrari Land

A Mum-and-Son Break at PortAventura and Ferrari Land, Spain

Europe, Spain, Costa Brava, Barcelona

Rhonda and Zac get reacquainted with the iconic Spanish theme park as it turns 30.

Les Villages Nature.

A Outdoorsy Holiday at Les Villages Nature Paris, France

Europe, France, Ile de France, Marne-la-Vallée, Paris

We find out why the holiday village near Paris and Disneyland Paris is so good for immersing yourselves in nature.

Kids enjoying Ridelines kids camps at Glentress in Scotland.[copyright]© Ridelines[/copyright]

Best Places for Cycling and Mountain-biking in the UK with Kids

United Kingdom, England, South East England, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Dorset, Kent, Norfolk, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales

We round up the best places around the UK to take your kids cycling or mountain-biking, whether for a day out for a short break.

[copyright]© Hugh Pastoll/The University of Edinburgh Anatomy Museum

The Spookiest Sights in Edinburgh with Kids

Edinburgh

We find out why the Scottish capital is one of the best places to bring ghoulish-minded kids.

Portaventura in Spain.

Best Theme Park Breaks

Europe

Explore our hand-picked selection of family-friendly theme parks to get everyone's heart pumping.

Chatsworth at Christmas.[copyright]© Chatsworth House.[/copyright]

A Family Break on the Chatsworth Estate, Peak District

Derbyshire, Staffordshire

Rhonda and family take a winter warmer on the Chatsworth Estate.

© [copyright]© Visit Dubai[/copyright]

Great Places to Celebrate the New Year with Kids

Africa & Middle East, UAE, Dubai, Europe, Austria, Vienna, Denmark, France, Paris, Rhone Alpes, Iceland, North America, USA, New York, United Kingdom, England, London

Rhonda checks out the best New Year events for families around the globe.

[copyright]© auldreekietours.com

A Review of the Children's Spooky Underground Tour, Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Dea and family go underground in Scotland’s capital.

The 10-second 'stall' on HangTime at Knott's Berry Farm

A Review of Knott’s Berry Farm, Los Angeles

North America, USA, California, Southern California, Los Angeles

Rhonda revisits a theme park dear to her from her 1970s childhood.

Royal Armouries, Leeds[copyright]© Royal Armouries[/copyright]

A Leeds Family City Break

Yorkshire

Guns and gore lure Rhonda and her boys to Yorkshire’s biggest city.

Making pizza at Cucina Caldesi[copyright]© Cucina Caldesi[/copyright]

A Kids' Session at Cucina Caldesi, London, and Other Family Cookery Classes

Jordan, Greece, Peloponnese, Ireland, County Kerry, Italy, Tuscany, United Kingdom, England, Cumbria, London, Oxfordshire, Yorkshire

A review of a kids' cookery class in London and round-up of other family cooking experiences in the UK and abroad.

[copyright]© The Real Mary King's Close

An Edinburgh City Break with Kids

Europe, United Kingdom, Scotland, Edinburgh and the Lothians, Edinburgh

Dea and family revisit a much-loved city.

Setting off to explore sea caves from Swanpool Beach, Falmouth.[copyright]Rhonda Carrier.[/copyright]

A Kids' Day Out at Elemental UK Beach Club, Cornwall

Cornwall

Rhonda Carrier waves her sons off on coastal adventures at Swanpool Beach in Falmouth.

The log flume at Wicksteed Park.

A Day Out at Wicksteed Park, Northamptonshire

United Kingdom, England

Rhonda reassesses a childhood favourite with her own kids in tow and finds fun for all ages.

© Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

A Family Fossil-hunting Trip on the Jurassic Coast

Dorset

We spend a day looking for 'beastie bits' in Dorset.

Aboard the Captain Kidd’s Canary Wharf Voyage.[copyright]Rhonda Carrier[/copyright]

A Thames Rockets Ride and Other Family Days Out on the River, London

London

Rhonda and crew have a blast on the water - and suggest other great river-based activities in the British capital.

© Camp Bestival.

Camp Bestival with Young Kids

Dorset

Lilly and family get on down at Dorset’s family-friendly festival.

A leper welcomes visitors to the London Dungeon.

A Family Day Out at the London Dungeon

London

Rhonda and Ethan get creeped out at the classic attraction.

The fire-breathing dragon over Gringotts Bank © Universal Orlando Resort.

A Family Day Out at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Orlando

Florida, Orlando

Helen checks out one of Florida's most famous family attractions.

© WWT London Wetlands Centre.

A Family Day Out at the WWT Wetland Centre, London

London

Emma and family discover a wildlife oasis only a short hop from the city centre.

Dea's son on a Thames beach.

A Family Day Out Mudlarking with the Thames Explorer Trust, London

London

Dea and family discover a living museum in the heart of the capital.

DUPLO® Valley Drench Towers and Splash Safari at LEGOLAND.

A Family Day Out at LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort

United Kingdom, England, South East England, Berkshire

We check out the famous theme park aimed at ages 2–12.

© Harrods Toy Kingdom.

Christmas Shopping in London, With or Without Kids

London

Rhonda gets some festive retail therapy in the British capital.

© Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.

Top 5 Places to Meet Santa Around the World

Finland, Paris, Lapland, Sweden, New York

We take a tour around the globe in search of the best places to meet Father Christmas.

Dodging cacti at the Wild West themed Hotel Gold River at PortAventura.[copyright]Rhonda Carrier[/copyright]

8 Unmissable Theme-park Hotels around the World

Dubai, Asia, Japan, Europe, France, Ile de France, Marne-la-Vallée, Paris, Picardy, Italy, Italian Lakes, Spain, Costa Brava, USA, California, Southern California, Los Angeles, Florida, Orlando

Rhonda takes a journey around the globe in search of the best places to stay at some of our favourite theme parks.

The Simpsons © Universal Resort Orlando.

A Family Day Out at Universal Orlando Resort, Florida

USA, Florida, Orlando

The low-down on Universal’s top rides by a nine-year-old Simpsons fan.

Grosvenor Park Open-Air Theatre, Chester

Chester with Kids: Summer in the City

Cheshire

Things to do in Chester this summer with the kids.

Pirate look-out at LEGOLAND Windsor.[copyright]LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort[/copyright]

A Review of the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort

South East England, Berkshire

Rhonda and her LEGO®-mad boys check out the park’s latest offerings and on-site hotel.

Shambhala and Dragon Khan, Portaventura.[copyright]Rhonda Carrier[/copyright]

A Two-Centre Holiday at PortAventura and Playa de la Montroig, Catalonia

Barcelona, Costa Dorada

Rhonda and family discover that there’s more to the north-eastern Spanish province than Barcelona.

Oblivion © Alton Towers

A Review of Alton Towers Theme Park and Hotel

Staffordshire

Rhonda and family check out the new and the old at the UK’s biggest themepark

A Review of La Grande Galerie de l’Evolution, Paris

Paris

Mark and son find some animal magic in the heart of the French capital.

Water-walking in the Cotswold Water Park

A Review of the Cotswold Water Park, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire

The Cotswolds

Rhonda and crew take to the water in central England

Outside the Titanic Visitor Experience

A review of the Titanic Visitor Experience and Titanic Walking Tours, Belfast

Northern Ireland, County Antrim, Belfast

Dea and family eschew interactives in favour of the real deal.

© Warner Brothers' Studio Tour

A Review of the Warner Brothers' Studio Tour 'The Making of Harry Potter'

Hertfordshire

Cathy and son rate the Harry Potter studio tour.

A view of Beamish Museum

County Durham with Kids

County Durham

Rhonda and family go back in time in Northeast England.

Steam railway, Yorkshire[copyright]© VisitBritain/James McCormick[/copyright]

A UK Family Break in Haworth, Yorkshire

Yorkshire

Dea takes her kids on a stroll down memory lane.

Mosasaur at the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition.[copyright]© Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition.[/copyright]

A UK Family Break at Loch Ness, Scotland

Scotland

Ben and family go Nessie-spotting.

© Cuckoo Down Farm Yurts.

A Family Glamping Holiday at Cuckoo Down Farm Yurts, Devon

Devon

Abigail and son head to Devon for a blast of bucolic bliss, Mongolian style.

© York Chocolate Story

Top 20 Chocolate Museums and Attractions Around the World

Vienna, Brussels, Midi-Pyrénées, Rhone Alpes, Germany, Umbria, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, USA, Florida, Orlando, Birmingham, Devon, Dorset, Manchester, Yorkshire, Scotland

We seek out the tastiest sights for chocoholics round the world.

© Rhonda Carrier.

Top Tips for Enjoying French Markets with Kids

France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Ardèche, Talloires, Lyon

Fiona and friends introduce their kids to the life-enhancing pleasures of French markets.

A family having fun at Mont Orgueil Castle[copyright]© Jersey Heritage[/copyright]

A Day Out at Mont Orgueil Castle, Jersey, Channel Islands

United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Jersey

Sarah and family discover the grand and mysterious Channel Islands sight.

© Eureka! The National Children's Museum

A Review of Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Yorkshire

Yorkshire

Rhonda and kids explore the Museum for Children

The colourful houses along Tobermory's harbour on Mull in Scotland. [copyright] Tobermory - John McMillan, Unsplash [/copyright]

A Family Break on Mull, Scotland

Scotland

Sarah and family discover the Inner Hebridean island, including the harbour town that doubled as Balamory.

Disney Magic on Parade! © Disneyland Paris

A Two-Centre Family Holiday in Paris and Disneyland Paris

Paris

Culture meets fun for Dea and family in Paris and Disneyland Paris.

Dea Birkett's Eating with Kids: Museums

Denmark

Culture and cuisine in harmony in Odense, Denmark.

Owl at © Coombe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park.

Top 5 All-Weather Days Out in North Devon

Devon

Our top tips for places to keep the kids amused in this region of southwest England, come rain or shine.

Disneyland Paris entrance with Halloween decoration © Disneyland Paris[copyright]© Disneyland Paris[/copyright]

A Halloween Break in Fontainebleau & Disneyland Paris

Paris

Rhonda and family go treeeek or treating just outside Paris

© The Look Out Discovery Centre

A Family Day out at The Look Out Discovery Centre and Coral Reef, Berkshire

South East England

Swashbuckling forest adventures within easy reach of London.

TBC

Family Days Out: Chill Factore, Manchester

Manchester

Rhonda Carrier takes the family to a UK ski centre to experience family fun in the snow

The terrace at the Café Twit.

A Family Meal at the Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Buckinghamshire

South East England

Dea and family check out Café Twit at the family-friendly venue in the Chilterns.