Historical fun days out
Stately homes, castles and other historical sites offer something for everyone…great gardens, fine houses, history and usually, a decent tea shop. They are a great way for families to enjoy a day out together……grandparents, parents and the kids
Here is our round-up of the best historical fun days out across the UK.
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
This 14th-century castle is now famous as the main location for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films and as such, it offers broomstick workshops, medieval dressing up and excellent tours of the house and extensive grounds.
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire
The spacious gardens include a wildlife discovery area with a tree house and a 150-year old working mill, as well as woodland trails. The House showcases an amazing collection of clocks and silverware, as well as a newly renovated the kitchen, butler’s pantry, brushing room and servants’ hall.
The Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre, Stirling
Experience a medieval battle with 3D technology and take part in the Battle Game and Battle Show, showing how the battle was won.
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
The former home of Sir Winston Churchill offers parks and gardens for great walking amongst beautiful surroundings. In addition, Blenheim offers a fun maze, miniature train, as well as its own butterfly house and a children’s playground. There is a Churchill exhibition and special Churchill walk to follow around the grounds
Castle Drogo was built by Sir Edward Lutyens and has great views over Dartmoor and the Teign Gorge. The gorgeous gardens were designed by Gertrude Jekyll gardens. There are walking trails and a children’s play area.
A truly beautiful house with gorgeous rooms and an impressive art collection, Chatsworth also offers extensive grounds extending over 1000 acres, including a complicated maze, a variety of interesting sculptures, expansive woodlands, water features in the gardens. For the children there is also a farmyard and a good adventure playground.
Culloden Battlefield, Highlands
More than 1,200 died in less than an hour at this battle. An animated battle table is use to illustrate this brutal fight.
Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland
Famous as the barrier between England and Scotland, Hadrian’s 150 mile wall features many well- preserved Roman forts and museums. Museums include many Roman artefacts, as well as a reconstructed bath house and Roman Army Museum.
This great Tudor House features a Great Hall and kitchen, as well as showcasing William III’s state apartments. The beautiful gardens have a maze and grape vines, which are 240 years old.
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Kenilworth Castle was built over many centuries from Norman and Tudor times. The Elizabethan Garden was built by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester for Elizabeth I, although she rarely visited it. The garden has been lovingly restored.
Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Caerphilly
This Tudor house was owned by the Pritchards, a Puritan family ad you can learn all about the English Civil War.
Mount Stewart House, County Down
Visit the idyllic Strangford Lough to see the neo-classical house with spectacular gardens woodland. You can see great wildlife, including swans and red squirrels.
This was Queen Victoria’s seaside palace, was reopened and te house iffers the chance to experience life as a Victorian royal child. You can also visit the Queen’s private beach and see her 1840s bathing machine. Extensive grounds have a walking trail, play area for children and you can stay on site.
ContaPortsmouth Historic Dockyard, Hampshire
ere you can see the HMS Victory and Henry VIII’s warship, the Mary Rose, as well as an exhibition of Navy submarines from WW1.
The new visitor centre offers audio-visual displays, hands-on exhibits and a new café and reconstructed huts demonstrate life for Neolithic children…..and don’f forget the famous stones themselves!
This 91 hectare Anglo-Saxon burial ground in 91 hectares also offers beautiful woodland walks, as well as a children’s adventure playground and activity trails.
01394 389700; nationaltrust.org.uk
