Who can believe it’s actually December? It seems to have come around quicker than ever this year and what with the weather worsening and the school holidays bearing down on us we thought that we would have a look at some of the best indoor attractions around the United Kingdom. So if you’re struggling to think of something to do to keep the kids occupied why don’t you take a look here and see if you can find any inspiration.
Chill Factore
via. Flickr
First up we’ve got the Chill Factore just outside of Manchester. With the UK’s longest real snow slope (18o metres if you were wondering), climbing walls, restaurants and even a miniature shopping centre it’s got something for the whole family.
Chatsworth House
via. Flickr
Or maybe you’d prefer a rather more sedate afternoon? If so then why not try out Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. You may well recognise it as Pemberley from the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice but over the holiday period it will be transformed into various scenes from Lewis Carroll’s classic, Alice in Wonderland.
The Blue Planet Aquarium
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For all of the animal lovers out there there’s always the option of an aquarium. We’re lucky enough to have one of the UK’s finest just down the road from Sykes HQ in the Blue Planet, which is home to over 100 different displays including Europe’s biggest collection of sharks!
Our Dynamic Earth
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Or if you’re north of the border you could pay a visit to Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. Telling the story of our planet from birth to the present day through various exhibits and galleries, not to mention the 360 degree showdome!
Llechwedd Slate Mines
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Then there’s the option of Llechwedd Slate Caverns in Wales. Here you’ll be able to get a true taste of Wales’ national heritage as you take a trip hundreds of feet underground on Britain’s longest cable car. Once you reach the bottom you’ll discover many exhibits and attractions showing what life would have been like for the Victorian miners and their families.
The Eden Project
via. Flickr
Maybe you fancy escaping the cold for a few hours. If so then the tropical biomes of the Eden Project might be your best bet. With the world’s largest rainforest in captivity, countless sculptures and art exhibits and even a canopy walkway where you can wander through the tree tops, it’s definitely worth seeing!
Cadbury World
via. Flickr
Or if you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth what could be better than a trip to Cadbury World? With exhibits telling the Cadbury story as well as giving you the chance to see many of your favourite sweets being made it’ll definitely get you in the mood for a bit of chocolate so be careful not to go too wild in the world’s biggest Cadbury shop!
Jorvik
via. Flickr
Another option is the Jorvik Viking Centre in York. One of our country’s best loved attractions with over 17 million people paying it a visit since it opened almost 30 years ago, Jorvik manages to entertain, educate and disgust at the same time! With the preserved remains of Viking houses which are around 1000 years old, fully recreated streets, and of course a few Vikings, it makes for a great afternoon!
Seven Stories
via. Flickr
Tucked away in a converted Victorian warehouse in Newcastle is Seven Stories, a centre dedicated to children’s books. Containing many original copies of your favourite childhood story as well as illustrations by the authors and many letters that will let you get in the mind of famous authors throughout the decades.
National Space Centre
via. Flickr
Opening back in 2001, the National Space Centre is the UK’s largest attraction solely dedicated to the exploration and study of space. With a 42m high rocket tower, lunar landing simulators and even some actual moon rock collected by Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, it’s certainly one for all of the budding astronauts and astronomers out there!
There you go, our round up of some of the best family friendly indoor attractions around the UK. Hopefully it will give you a few ideas for the school holidays but if you have any suggestions we’d love to know so get in touch either via Twitter or Facebook.