London

Possibly the most famous city in the world thanks to the recent birth of the future King George VII, London has tourist attractions aplenty. Using the underground tube, you can travel the city with ease, seeing landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Shard, and the many shopping districts, as well as have easy access to the bounty of museums and galleries.

Take the family for a walk along the Southbank, a hub of culture that has many attractions standing along the banks of the river Thames. Here, you can go for a ride on the London Eye to see a beautiful panorama of the city, or pop into one of the many waterside art galleries, including the Tate Modern, to introduce the world of art to your children.

The London Eye on the Southbank by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0

Bristol

The tenth largest city in Great Britain, Bristol is commonly known as one of the friendliest places in the UK and has plenty of family friendly activities to offer this summer, including a science museum and aquarium. Currently, the city has seen 78 Gromits from the Wallace and Gromit franchise spread across the city (with 2 more in Cheddar Gorge and Paddington station, London). The Gromit Unleashed art project runs until the 8th September and touring the city in search of Gromits is a great way of finding out what else the city has to offer.

In aid of The Grand Appeal charity, you can download the Unleashed app, or head to their website for a trail map to find where the celebrity and artist designed dogs are hiding!

At the Bristol Aquarium by shellac

Snowdonia

For families that are looking to escape and have a holiday that lets them get closer to nature, head for a camping holiday in Wales. The Snowdonia region has a wide range of outdoor activities to keep your family entertained during their holiday, with centres offering kayaking and canoeing hire, rock climbing sessions and organised walks of the region. Home to Wale’s highest mountain, Snowdon, families can head visit the summit either by walking or by the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

Whether you want to stay by the sea and have a beach break, or head inland for a countryside retreat, there are plenty of pretty campsites in Snowdonia, as well as some lovely local guesthouses. The picturesque village of Beddgelert is popular amongst visitors due to its many guesthouses, ice cream shop, nearby campsites and idyllic nature.

Snowdon Mountain Railway by Porius1

Cheltenham

On the edge of the Cotswolds, lies Cheltenham, a spa town in the Southwest of England. The town gets busy during the annual literature, science, and music festivals which have plenty of events that are suitable for families and children. The collective festivals’ website will give you a full listing of events and it is also worth checking out their free Sunday Family Fun Day events in Imperial Park.

Outside of the festivals, there are still plenty of fun things to do and places to visit. The Holst Birthplace Museum gives a musically and historically educational day out as you visit the home of the famous composer and see how an English Victorian house was run. Other town highlights include the Sandford Parks Lido, which is the perfect place to go on a hot summer’s day. With slides, children’s pool and paddling areas, the outdoor heated lido will provide a day’s worth of fun for all the family.

Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham, England, UK by Iain Barton

Beth Stubbings works for Holiday Inn Express, a comfortable hotel in Cheltenham. She thinks that Britain is a wonderful destination for your family holiday!

The post Great Destinations For Your Family Holiday In The UK appeared first on Europe Explored.

Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum, England, UK by Elliott Brown

What To Do

There are lots of unique things to do during your weekend away in Cheltenham; here is a pick of the best:

The Screening Rooms

Fall back in love with the cinema experience when you visit this quirky cinema. Complete with a bar and old school screens this is the perfect way to relax.

Montpellier District

The Montpellier district is an impressive shopping area. It boasts beautiful architecture, various shops including brands and quirky independent shops and a wide selection of restaurants. Perfect for a day out of shopping, dining and exploring.

Everyman Theatre

This beautiful theatre hosts impressive plays and musicals all year round. The theatre is a stunning historical building that is worth visiting even if you’re not seeing a play or show.

Prescott Hill Speed Climb

For an exciting day out why not try Prescott Hill Speed Climb. Attend the drivers school and race on the tracks for a day full of thrills.

What To See

Cheltenham Town Hall

Cheltenham town hall is an impressive building that was built in 1902 to provide a place to hold various balls and concerts. Concerts and evenings of dancing are still regularly hosted here but it is worth going to see the building alone even if you don’t attend an event.

Cheltenham Town Hall, England, UK by David Stowell

Holst Museum

This impressive museum is the birth place of Gustav Holst the composer of The Planets Suite. Visitors enjoy viewing the home where Holst was born while the helpful and friendly staff provide interesting and useful information.

Where To Stay

When planning your trip away for the best experience I would recommend staying in a central hotel in Cheltenham. Depending on the type of trip you are looking for a central hotel means you will make the most of your trip, having the best of Cheltenham right on your door step with many attractions within walking distance. If you are looking for a peaceful country retreat there are some beautiful hotels in the countryside in Cheltenham, but be prepared to have to travel to attractions and restaurants etc.

Eilidh MacRae is writing on behalf of Holiday Inn who offer a centeral hotel in Cheltenham.

The post Plan A Weekend Away In Cheltenham | United Kingdom appeared first on Europe Explored.